Berkeley car hire
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Cheap car hire in Berkeley
| Mini |
| Economy |
| Compact |
| Intermediate |
| Standard |
| Full-size |
| Luxury |
| People carrier |
| Passenger van |
| SUV |
| Commercial |
| Pick-up truck |
KAYAK’s top tips for hiring a car in Berkeley
- One of the main reasons to rent a car when visiting Berkeley is that, with one, it is a simple drive to reach the many wonderful nature parks that surround the city. For example, the Golden Gate National Recreation Area offers wonderful views of the bridge, bay, and the city. However, it is a slow process to get there via public transportation, while in a car it just an easy 30-minute drive from central Berkeley.
- Looking to pick up a hire car for your time in Berkeley? If you are flying into San Francisco International Airport, the hire car counters are located in the hire Car Center. To reach the hire Car Center from the airport, simply hop onto the AirTrain Blue Line at any of the terminals and get off at the hire Car Center stop.
- Jaywalking is particularly common in Berkeley and drivers should be on the lookout for pedestrians, particularly when near UC Berkeley. This is partly because of the high density of pedestrians and also because of the many tiny streets in the area. In general, jaywalking isn’t as big of an issue as it is in some other big U.S. cities, but it is still something to look out for.
- Berkeley, like many suburbs in large cities, suffers from daily bouts of rush hour. Typically, drivers can expect rush hour to last from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The evening rush hour can be particularly congested for drivers leaving the downtown area, so it is highly advised to time your driving accordingly. I-80 and the Bay Bridge are two spots to skirt around if you are looking to avoid traffic.
- Book your car hire in Berkeley at least 1 day before your trip in order to get a below-average price
- Economy car hire in Berkeley are around 61% cheaper than other car types, on average
FAQs about car hire in Berkeley
What type of car is recommended for driving in Berkeley?
The roads in Berkeley are more than large enough to accommodate all sizes of vehicles from SUVs to sedans. That being said, there are some neighborhoods with smaller streets; for the most part, however, they aren’t an issue. Additionally, parking is another thing to keep in mind as in the most popular parts of town, larger cars may be difficult to find parking spots large enough for.
What’s the speed limit in Berkeley?
Drivers can expect residential speed limits in Berkeley to range from 25 to 35 mph, while on larger roads the speed limit goes up to 50 mph and even up to 65 mph on motorways. On highways and interstates, drivers will see speed limits ranging from 65 to 70 mph.
Where are the best places to park in Berkeley?
Streetside parking can be very difficult to find in the central areas of Berkeley, especially during the peak hours of the work week. Aside from streetside parallel parking, parking garages are the main option available. In general, the garages are your best bet for parking, particularly if you are planning on to a more popular area. Drivers can usually expect to pay around $2.00 - $3.00 per hour for parking.
How much is the price of fuel in Berkeley?
The average price of fuel in Berkeley is £3.13 per litre over the past 30 days. Filling up a tank of fuel costs between £38 and £50, depending on the car size.
What is the most popular car hire in Berkeley?
Economy (Mitsubishi Mirage or similar) is the most frequently booked car hire type in Berkeley.
How can I find car hires near me in Berkeley?
Take a look at our extensive car hire location map to find the best car hire deals near you.
How much does an Economy car hire cost in Berkeley?
An Economy car hire in Berkeley costs £20 per day, on average.
How much does an Intermediate car hire cost in Berkeley?
An Intermediate car hire in Berkeley costs £23 per day, on average.
How much does a Compact car hire cost in Berkeley?
A Compact car hire in Berkeley costs £30 per day, on average.
Should I get insurance when hiring a car in Berkeley?
Most car hire providers in Berkeley offer insurance but the level of protection can differ substantially. If you're unsure whether to get extra protection for your car hire in Berkeley, check out KAYAK's car hire insurance guide.
Berkeley car hire reviews and directory
Budget
7.9
Good
32 reviewsCleanliness
8.0
Comfort
8.7
Pick-up/Drop-off
7.8
Value for money
7.6
2 locations in Berkeley
Locations in Berkeley
2000 Kittredge Street
+1 510 666 1270
600 Gilman Street
+1 510 524 7237
Filters
Reviews
2.0 Poor
Mar 2024
10.0 Wonderful
Oct 2023
6.4 Okay
Mar 2020
Cons:
Upon dropping off the car, I was charged a higher amount than was on my original receipt. The receptionists at the dropoff location couldn't adequately explain why. They thought it was some insane reason like I picked up the car 10 minutes before my appointed time of noon on a Thursday...and that changed my rate somehow? I had to call Budget customer service to resolve it. Turns out they upcharged me for a sedan when I had reserved a compact car. I had nothing to do with that. I reserved a compact car and paid for a compact car. I just took whatever the hell car they gave me at the pickup location. The associate on the phone promised to refund me the difference.9.6 Wonderful
Oct 2019
Pros:
Staff was very friendly and helpful!10.0 Wonderful
Mar 2019
Pros:
easy and clean carCons:
N/a10.0 Wonderful
Aug 2018
Pros:
The manager of this location is very friendly and helpful. Together with his colleague they made the pick-up and drop-off processes quite easy and smooth.Enterprise Rent-A-Car
7.4
Good
96 reviewsCleanliness
7.4
Comfort
7.6
Pick-up/Drop-off
7.1
Value for money
7.2
4 locations in Berkeley
Locations in Berkeley
1706 San Pablo Avenue
+1 510 526 3900
1990 Oxford St.
+1 510 223 6444
3001 Shattuck Ave
+1 510 841 8300
5858 Horton St Ste 193
+1 510 223 6444
Filters
Reviews
2.0 Poor
Apr 2024
6.0 Okay
Feb 2024
10.0 Wonderful
Mar 2021
Cons:
Nothing10.0 Wonderful
Aug 2020
Pros:
Super easyCons:
A hybrid2.0 Poor
Jul 2020
Cons:
I got a text from Enterprise saying that there were no cars available from the location that was closest to me. Even though I reserved it through Kayak stating that the car that I reserved was available. Sucks. I canceled the reservation, went elsewhere.2.0 Poor
Sept 2019
Cons:
Did not have any vehicles available when I showed up, had to rent a vehicle through Budget, have not issued a refund yet.Hertz
7.2
Good
56 reviewsCleanliness
7.5
Comfort
7.6
Pick-up/Drop-off
6.7
Value for money
7.2
One location in Berkeley
Locations in Berkeley
1061 San Pablo Ave.
+1 510 558 1438
Filters
Reviews
10.0 Wonderful
Jan 2021
Pros:
Yes2.0 Poor
Oct 2020
Pros:
Nothing. Told me they didn’t haven’t care.Cons:
Not being extremely rude, and announce they have the right to cancel my reservation at Hertz if they don’t have cars even though it said they do online. Multiple other car agencies said they do not have cars available. Hertz said they did and the man at the desk was very rude and unhelpful.2.0 Poor
Aug 2020
Cons:
Poor poor poor. Everything is poor.4.0 Mediocre
Jul 2019
Pros:
Absolutely nothing was positive about this experience.Cons:
The Albany Hertz: horribly understaffed with TERRIBLE service. Car rentals usually require some amount of patience, but this place is horrible. The phone rings off the hook, the wait is at least an hour, and they are totally understaffed.2.0 Poor
Mar 2019
Pros:
NothingCons:
Everything4.0 Mediocre
Nov 2018
Cons:
I rented a car from Wednesday thru Sunday for a specific amount of money. When I picked up the car I was told they were closed Sunday and I would be charged for an extra day till Monday. They said if I had a problem to take it up with the on line place I rented it with.Avis
5.9
Fair
19 reviewsCleanliness
5.9
Comfort
6.4
Pick-up/Drop-off
5.9
Value for money
6.4
2 locations in Berkeley
Locations in Berkeley
2000 Kittredge Street
+1 510 705 8991
600 Gilman Street
+1 510 558 0441
Filters
Reviews
10.0 Wonderful
Jun 2019
Pros:
Friendly service, nice vehicles10.0 Wonderful
Jun 2018
Pros:
Service at the location was excellent. Vehicle was excellent.6.4 Okay
Apr 2017
Cons:
We called corporate office to extend reservation, and they said we were all set. We had our doubts because the girl my boyfriend talked to seemed confused. When we called the local drop off location, the next day. they said they had no extension on file and charged us a late fee.10.0 Wonderful
Apr 2017
Pros:
The staff upon pickup were very good. The car was clean and in good condition.Cons:
Returning was slow as there was only one employee who was staffing the desk, washing cars, and moving cars around the lot. This seems unfair both on the employee and customers waiting.2.0 Poor
Aug 2016
Cons:
I was not made aware that a credit card was needed for rentals nor that a soft credit report would be pulled.10.0 Wonderful
Feb 2016
Pros:
Very nice proprietor. Very nice car (upgrade from what I'd reserved). Helpful orienting me to car controls.Cons:
Nothing I didn't like but I wish they didn't close so early on Saturday. Had to pay for an extra day because I couldn't get back from my trip by 1:00 PM and there was no option to leave the car and the keys.Thrifty
6.0
Okay
No reviews available
One location in Berkeley
Locations in Berkeley
1061 San Pablo Avenue
+1 510 558 1438
Filters
No reviews available
Car hire locations in or near Berkeley
Good to know
Most popular car type | Economy |
|---|
When to book a car hire in Berkeley
Car hire insurance in Berkeley
Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) & Theft Protection Waiver
Some Berkeley car providers already include Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) and Theft Protection Waiver into the hire price but not all of them. We recommend being aware of your coverage when hiring a car in Berkeley.
Deductible
Keep in mind that car hire insurances often have a deductible clause, which is the amount you’ll have to pay if something happens during the time of your hire. If you want to avoid unwanted surprises, you should consider adding a non-deductible option to your Berkeley car hire.