Which of the rental car companies at the airport are the easiest to use?

For a rental car, Budget and Hertz are some of the easiest and least time-consuming to use. You get good deals when you book online through KAYAK, without any hassles of going to their offices and waiting for hours on end to get a car. These are some of the most preferred options because of their flexibility. You can choose from its large fleet and make your choice depending on your requirement. Search rental cars on KAYAK

What kind of documentation is required for a car rental at Santa Barbara Airport?

You will need to carry a valid driving license and a credit card. It is also important that you have a telephone number with the area code of Santa Barbara. If your home country does not have an international dialing code, then make sure that you request one before going to this airport because without it, you may not be able to rent a car. Another important requirement is to have a standard photo ID card that has your picture and name clearly printed on it. Search rental cars on KAYAK

Where is the Santa Barbara Airport car rental center located?

The rental car center at the airport is located on the first floor of the terminal building. The location may be different for each car rental company, but they are usually close to each other and within easy walking distance from your landing point. From the arrivals door where you would be coming out from, walk straight towards Highway 101 on the left. Search rental cars on KAYAK

What is the best rental car company at Santa Barbara airport?

Based on ratings and reviews from real users on KAYAK, the best car rental company at Santa Barbara airport is Budget (7.0, 69 reviews). Search rental cars on KAYAK

Which car rental companies will pick you up at Santa Barbara airport?

Car rental companies that offer shuttle or pick-up services from Santa Barbara airport to off-airport locations include Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Hertz, National, and Thrifty. Search rental cars on KAYAK

Car rental at Santa Barbara Airport

Driver's age: 26-65

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Economy

Compact

Intermediate

Standard

Full-size

Luxury

Minivan

Passenger van

SUV

Commercial

Pickup truck

Car rental at Santa Barbara Airport is a preferred option for many people, especially for business or pleasure trips. The car rental companies offer you the opportunity to rent a car and enjoy your trip with absolute freedom and flexibility. You get to drive at your own pace, take a break when you feel like and visit all the places that are on the itinerary. With a rental car at this airport, you get to pick the kind of vehicle that you feel comfortable driving. This gives you the freedom to explore all the nooks and corners of the city at your own comfort.
The common car types available for rental are compact, intermediate, and standard cars. Since the Santa Barbara Airport is small, you will find it easy to navigate around with any of these models. However, if you prefer something that offers more space, then you can go for a mid-size or luxury car. These cars require a higher fee but are worth it for those who like to have a lavish journey or have a large group. You can even take your pick from the four-wheel-drive vehicles that give you an added advantage if you wish to explore some of the rough terrains in this part of Southern California.
Santa Barbara Airport is usually busy between November and January. But this also means that you get to experience some spectacular deals for a rental vehicle at this time. The Santa Barbara Airport has one runway, and it is usually open between the hours of 6 am and 10 pm. Do not forget that booking your rental car through KAYAK will give you the best possible deals. The entire car rental at the Santa Barbara Airport can be done right from your home with a click of a few buttons.
When you need to return your rental car, the process is as simple as you picking it up, if not easier. You will be asked to hand over the car at the same office where you picked it up from. When returning the car to the airport, remember to keep your keys and make sure that you have cleaned of all trash. Also, before signing anything, make sure that there are no excess charges or extra penalties mentioned in your contract. Different car rental companies at this airport may have their own requirements for returning vehicles, but most of them are similar.
Book your rental car at Santa Barbara airport at least 1 day before your trip in order to get a below-average price

Which of the rental car companies at the airport are the easiest to use?
For a rental car, Budget and Hertz are some of the easiest and least time-consuming to use. You get good deals when you book online through KAYAK, without any hassles of going to their offices and waiting for hours on end to get a car. These are some of the most preferred options because of their flexibility. You can choose from its large fleet and make your choice depending on your requirement.
What kind of documentation is required for a car rental at Santa Barbara Airport?
You will need to carry a valid driving license and a credit card. It is also important that you have a telephone number with the area code of Santa Barbara. If your home country does not have an international dialing code, then make sure that you request one before going to this airport because without it, you may not be able to rent a car. Another important requirement is to have a standard photo ID card that has your picture and name clearly printed on it.
Where is the Santa Barbara Airport car rental center located?
The rental car center at the airport is located on the first floor of the terminal building. The location may be different for each car rental company, but they are usually close to each other and within easy walking distance from your landing point. From the arrivals door where you would be coming out from, walk straight towards Highway 101 on the left.
What is the best rental car company at Santa Barbara airport?
Based on ratings and reviews from real users on KAYAK, the best car rental company at Santa Barbara airport is Budget (7.0, 69 reviews).
Which car rental companies will pick you up at Santa Barbara airport?
Car rental companies that offer shuttle or pick-up services from Santa Barbara airport to off-airport locations include Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Hertz, National, and Thrifty.

Budget

7.0

Good

140 reviews

Best rated

Cleanliness

7.2

Comfort

7.5

Pick-up/Drop-off

7.0

Value for money

6.9

One location in Santa Barbara Airport

Show locations

Locations in Santa Barbara Airport

500 Fowler Road

+1 805 964 6792

Monday	08:00 - 21:00
Tuesday	08:00 - 21:00
Wednesday	08:00 - 21:00
Thursday	08:00 - 21:00
Friday	08:00 - 21:00
Saturday	08:00 - 21:00
Sunday	08:00 - 21:00

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Reviews

10.0 Wonderful

Feb 2024

Super friendly and professional service. Clean nice car.

2.0 Poor

Nov 2023

At first, it said it would take $75, but actually it takes $240 without our faults.

6.0 Okay

Oct 2023

Pickup was poor. No one available in car lot to help find car. Car was not where counter staff told us it was. Counter staff were not rude but not friendly or helpful with questions about car. Tried to reach office during rental period and was impossible. Dropoff was the same. No one in the lot. Counter staff not friendly or rude, Great car and poor service.

4.0 Mediocre

Oct 2023

personnel were not helpful…deposit was huge and still not returned after 3 days. Return location and service at the airport was poor.

6.0 Okay

Oct 2023

like that spouse can also drive… did not like the disorganized return process, dirty banged-up Nissan pickup truck (it was that or an EV) in lieu of an actual car

2.0 Poor

Sep 2022

Didn’t honor the reservation from a 3rd party. Terrible customer service

Dollar

7.0

Good

102 reviews

Cleanliness

7.9

Comfort

7.9

Pick-up/Drop-off

6.5

Value for money

6.5

One location in Santa Barbara Airport

Show locations

Locations in Santa Barbara Airport

500 Fowler Road

+1 866 434 2226

Monday	07:00 - 21:00
Tuesday	07:00 - 21:00
Wednesday	07:00 - 21:00
Thursday	07:00 - 21:00
Friday	07:00 - 21:00
Saturday	07:00 - 21:00
Sunday	07:00 - 21:00

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Reviews

2.0 Poor

Apr 2024

We had to rent somewhere else. There was a line that the person in front of me said they had been waiting over an hour in. There was only one person at the counter and over 10 parties in line. The other car companies had no wait. I paid slightly more but it was worth not waiting over and hour

2.0 Poor

May 2021

Pros:

My flight got in at6pm, the desk had closed at 5pm. No car for me!

Cons:

Knowing that I cannot get a car from Dollar after 5pm, I would have rented from Budget.

10.0 Wonderful

May 2021

Pros:

The check in and check out was very quick and easy, and they were very helpful when I had questions on the vehicle.

10.0 Wonderful

Mar 2021

Pros:

Yes, staff was terrific. Very helpful.

Cons:

Nothing it was perfect

2.0 Poor

Dec 2020

Cons:

i made a reservation only to arrive and be told there are no vehicles. once i made the reservation, the desk could have at least called to let me know. people make plans and rely on companies to have the product they reserve

3.6 Poor

Jul 2020

Pros:

Drop off was easy.

Cons:

I paid for a full size vehicle at least a week in advance. When I arrived to pick it up they didn't have one. We got stuck in a smaller car and couldn't get ahold of any customer service at priceline or kayak.

Enterprise Rent-A-Car

8.1

Very good

38 reviews

Cleanliness

7.8

Comfort

8.1

Pick-up/Drop-off

8.2

Value for money

8.1

One location in Santa Barbara Airport

Show locations

Locations in Santa Barbara Airport

500 James Fowler Rd

+1 805 683 3012

Monday	08:00 - 21:00
Tuesday	08:00 - 21:00
Wednesday	08:00 - 21:00
Thursday	08:00 - 21:00
Friday	08:00 - 21:00
Saturday	08:00 - 21:00
Sunday	08:00 - 21:00

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Reviews

4.0 Mediocre

Oct 2020

Pros:

The staff was able to point me in the right direction after they recognized their mistake.

9.6 Wonderful

Aug 2019

Pros:

Gentleman who helped me was professional, courteous and efficient.

Cons:

Only thing that was a VERY MINOR problem was my lack of knowledge that the button to open gas tank cover was located on the car door (had not encountered this in other vehicles).

2.0 Poor

Jul 2019

Cons:

Staff was not friendly and they did not have a car for us when we arrived.

2.0 Poor

Apr 2019

Pros:

Enterprise did not honor my reservation. They make me another reservation under enterprise website and charged me a lot more

Cons:

Enterprise should not be part of the website or part of the business provided. Terrible company and customer service. Mean managers st chapala st office in Santa Barbara. The agent helping me was great and very kind and helpful. Manager didn’t give a dam abt customers.

10.0 Wonderful

Mar 2019

Pros:

Friendly, quick

2.0 Poor

Jan 2019

Pros:

Counter accessibility

Cons:

Lack of helpfulness. Didn't honor our pre-booked rental.

Alamo

7.9

Good

55 reviews

Cleanliness

7.7

Comfort

8.2

Pick-up/Drop-off

8.0

Value for money

8.0

One location in Santa Barbara Airport

Show locations

Locations in Santa Barbara Airport

500 James Fowler Rd

+1 805 692 0939

Monday	08:00 - 21:00
Tuesday	08:00 - 21:00
Wednesday	08:00 - 21:00
Thursday	08:00 - 21:00
Friday	08:00 - 21:00
Saturday	08:00 - 21:00
Sunday	08:00 - 21:00

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Reviews

8.0 Very good

May 2021

Pros:

The woman who helped me with drop off was incredibly helpful

2.0 Poor

May 2021

Cons:

They did not have my car available and said they tried to call me, but I never got a call. I needed a 12 person van, so it was not easy to find another one. Thankfully AVIS helped me out at the last minute!

2.0 Poor

Dec 2020

Cons:

Vehicle that I reserved was not available when I went go pick up.

10.0 Wonderful

Nov 2020

Cons:

I liked the small airport with car pick up right outside the terminal. Very convenient, quick, and simple. Would probably choose a slightly larger car than a Toyota Corolla for four adults.

9.6 Wonderful

Aug 2020

Pros:

Staff was friendly and efficient

Cons:

Car was a little dirty inside.

9.6 Wonderful

Jun 2020

Pros:

Easy, fast, and safe.

Hertz

5.6

Fair

80 reviews

Cleanliness

7.0

Comfort

6.2

Pick-up/Drop-off

5.6

Value for money

5.8

One location in Santa Barbara Airport

Show locations

Locations in Santa Barbara Airport

114 Moffett Pl

+1 805 967 0411

Monday	07:00 - 21:00
Tuesday	07:00 - 21:00
Wednesday	07:00 - 21:00
Thursday	07:00 - 21:00
Friday	07:00 - 21:00
Saturday	07:00 - 21:00
Sunday	07:00 - 21:00

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2.0 Poor

Dec 2023

We rented a “midsize” SUV to take our family of 5 to airport in LA with luggage for a long trip. Arrived at the counter and they gave me a Chevy bolt?? Which is a tiny car that will not accommodate our needs. I showed them the rental confirmation that showed confirmation of a mid size suv and the guys at the counter said yeah that’s our midsize suv? I told them our situation with the kid’s and luggage and asked if there was anything they could do to accommodate with another vehicle and they said yes but the next level up was a Chevy traverse (what I would consider an actual midsized suv) however, it was over 75% more for that vehicle than what I initially paid. I was bent over a barrel with my hands tied so I had to do it but it didn’t seem right. I felt very mislead and bait and switch…. Chevy Bolt…Ha!

8.0 Very good

Oct 2023

Overall good. The first person I interacted with was very friendly. A few issues arose in terms of picking up my car. They did not have a car available when I arrived, so in addition to waiting in line, I had to wait 30+ minutes to get a car. The person who processed my rental was less friendly and I realized after the fact, did not go through my rental agreement, etc. and just had me electronically sign a contract that I had not actually seen. I reserved a compact car and ended up with a Mustang. On one hand, this was fun, but difficult to drive/park in tiny spaces and also not very fuel efficient.

2.0 Poor

Dec 2021

Hertz had no cars available to rent in the price range of my reservation. They wanted to put me on a waiting list for a car to come in before completing my reservation (how many hours?). I asked they upgrade me to an available car but they would not do without making me pay for the upgrade. Slimy bait and switch tactic. Not what you'd expect for a class company

4.0 Mediocre

Dec 2021

Air conditioner did not work properly which made it uncomfortable.

2.0 Poor

Oct 2021

The car was not ready when we arrived, the front desk attendant charged us for 2 extra hours because we ended up getting our car slightly earlier than the time that we scheduled. Will not rent from SB Hertz again.

10.0 Wonderful

Mar 2021

Pros:

Very friendly on both ends!

Avis

8.1

Very good

28 reviews

Cleanliness

9.2

Comfort

8.4

Pick-up/Drop-off

8.4

Value for money

8.3

One location in Santa Barbara Airport

Show locations

Locations in Santa Barbara Airport

500 Fowler Road

+1 805 964 4848

Monday	08:00 - 21:00
Tuesday	08:00 - 21:00
Wednesday	08:00 - 21:00
Thursday	08:00 - 21:00
Friday	08:00 - 21:00
Saturday	08:00 - 21:00
Sunday	08:00 - 21:00

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Reviews

10.0 Wonderful

Feb 2024

Great!

4.0 Mediocre

May 2021

Cons:

The staff at pickup in Santa Barbara used deceitful tactics to pressure us into paying for an upgrade.

8.4 Very good

Jun 2019

Pros:

Friendly and professional staff.

Cons:

The rental car was not in the space on my card. No car was parked in that space. Luckily there was an attendant in the lot who approached me and found my car, and I did not have to return to the terminal.

2.4 Poor

Nov 2018

Cons:

I have lieved in SB for 40 years and have driven to the airport many times. I drove past the Avis return 2x before finding it. The parking area is very poorly lit at night and the sinage is terrible. There are no arrows, signs,etc as to where to return the keys, the car, etc. The staff at the Avis desk was most unhelpful. The attendant appeared lazy and like I was bothering her to return the keys. I had the impression I had really interrupted her evening and she had more important things to do than check me out ad take the keys back. Very poor expereince.

10.0 Wonderful

Nov 2017

Pros:

the car was easy to drive - good gas milage - very comfortable - service was quick.

8.4 Very good

Mar 2017

Pros:

She was nice and sympathetic to my horrible experience with the car, but didn't do much other than to say call LAX and complain.

Cons:

Hard to figure out where to turn the keys in. I could find the lot, but no signs that you need to go into the terminal. It was dark... so if there are signs I didn't see them.

Thrifty

5.5

Fair

6 reviews

Cleanliness

7.5

Comfort

7.5

Pick-up/Drop-off

5.5

Value for money

7.0

One location in Santa Barbara Airport

Show locations

Locations in Santa Barbara Airport

5971 Placencia Street

+1 805 681 1222

Monday	08:00 - 21:00
Tuesday	08:00 - 21:00
Wednesday	08:00 - 21:00
Thursday	08:00 - 21:00
Friday	08:00 - 21:00
Saturday	08:00 - 21:00
Sunday	08:00 - 21:00

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Reviews

2.0 Poor

Mar 2023

The car was dirty, the pick up experience was terrible.

10.0 Wonderful

Sep 2020

Pros:

Yes, staff was helpful, service fast, individual ride back to airport, free upgrade.

Cons:

the weather

7.2 Good

Jan 2017

Pros:

The van was nice. Reserving the car was easy.

Cons:

An employee gave us the wrong van. It was not completely clean, the tank was not full and all 4 tires were low. I was somewhat frustrated when I had to top off the tank and put the proper air pressure in the tires. When we returned the van the manager felt very bad and was very apologetic. He handled the situation in a professional manner and ultimately gave us 50% off of the rental cost. Even though the experience started off poorly it was handled very well in the end and I would rent from them again.

10.0 Wonderful

Sep 2016

Pros:

They were very accommodating and friendly

2.0 Poor

Apr 2022

They have a pretty rough operation, an ugly office in a trailer away from the airport. The staff was confused and argued with each other on pickup (did they have a car for me?, where's the key?, etc). Difficulty with computer and paperwork, The car had 125,000 miles on it, but it was fine.

National

2.0

Poor

3 reviews

Cleanliness

10.0

Comfort

10.0

Pick-up/Drop-off

2.0

Value for money

2.0