San Francisco car rental

Question

What is best airport car rental company to get car quickly ?

Answer

Good question. At San Francisco International Airport (SFO), the “best” car rental company depends a lot on what you mean by “quickly” — fastest pickup, easiest counter, or least hassle. But here are some solid picks and what makes them good at SFO, plus some tips to help speed things up.

First, a few things about how rentals work at SFO:

SFO has a Rental Car Center where most major rental agencies are located.
To get there from the terminals, you take the AirTrain Blue Line, which is frequent and runs 24/7.
Because it's a consolidated facility, once you ride the AirTrain you’ll be in the center with counters for many rental companies, which helps cut down on confusion.

Here are some of the top car rental companies at SFO and why you might pick them for speed and convenience:

Avis / Budget: These are located on the 4th floor of the Rental Car Center. Avis is open 24 hours at SFO, which makes it super flexible for pick-up no matter when your flight arrives.
Hertz: Their counter is on the 1st floor of the Rental Car Center, and they also offer 24-hour returns. People often choose Hertz for its reliability and the fact that you can skip long lines if inventory is good.
Enterprise / Alamo / National / Dollar / Thrifty: These brands also operate out of the Rental Car Center. Enterprise and Alamo are especially good for broad fleet selection and good customer service.
SIXT: Their SFO branch is right in the Rental Car Center too. If you like newer cars or luxury options, SIXT can be a good pick.
Turo: If you don’t mind a peer-to-peer car rental, Turo is another popular choice. There are many cars available around SFO, and pickup can sometimes be more personalized.

Tips to get your car quickly and smoothly:

Book in advance: SFO is busy, so making a reservation ahead of time ensures you don’t waste time looking for available cars.
Use the right pick-up method: After landing, follow signs to the AirTrain, take it to the Rental Car Center, and then go to your company’s counter. That’s faster than trying to find off-site options.
Be ready with documents: Have your driver’s license, credit card, and reservation confirmation ready when you arrive at the counter to speed up check-in.
Check for key drop or 24-hour return: If you’re flying out early or late, make sure the company you choose supports after-hours returns. Many major agencies do.

Bottom line: For the fastest and most reliable pick-up, Avis and Hertz are top picks given their 24-hour service and on-site counters in the Rental Car Center. If you want more flexibility or a specific type of car, SIXT, Enterprise, or Turo are also strong options — just be sure to book early and know how to navigate the rental center via the AirTrain.

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