Carlsbad car hire

Driver's age: 26-65

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Useful Info
Recommended by KAYAK

Cheap car hire in Carlsbad

Discover the best prices for you by selecting your travel dates on KAYAK.
Economy car
Economy
M
Compact car
Compact
M
Intermediate car
Intermediate
M
Standard car
Standard
M
Full-size car
Full-size
M
Luxury car
Luxury
M
People carrier car
People carrier
M
Passenger van car
Passenger van
M
Commercial car
Commercial
M
Pick-up truck car
Pick-up truck
M
Useful Info

Good to know

Most popular car type

Standard

When to book a car hire in Carlsbad

Average daily price per month
Car hire prices as pick-up date approaches

KAYAK’s top tips for hiring a car in Carlsbad

  • Using car hire in Carlsbad allows you to fully experience the city popular for its sandy beaches, lagoons, and world-class sporting events. A hire car will provide convenience and comfort that public transportation cannot. They give you control over your travel experience. Drive your hire car and experience attractions such as LEGOLAND California, 4.8 km (3 miles away from Carlsbad), Joshua Tree National Park, 225 km (139.5 miles) away, and Museum of Making Music, 6.3 km (3.9 miles) away.
  • You will likely land at San Diego International Airport (SAN), about 55.2 km (34.3 miles) from Carlsbad. All car hire agencies at the airport have their pick-up points at the Consolidated Hire Car Centre. For convenience, free shuttle buses run continually to take passengers from the airport terminals to the hire car centre. Some available Carlsbad car hire companies include Dollar, Alamo, Avis, Budget, Thrifty, SIXT, Hertz, Enterprise, Payless, and ZipCar. If you want cheaper deals, there are several off-site car hire agencies, such as Nur Car Hire.
  • When using car hire in Carlsbad, you will notice that roads can get congested, especially along the beaches, due to the tourist influx. California has a Freedom to Walk Act that allows passengers to cross roads in places with no crossings. Therefore, you should be alert when driving through Carlsbad to avoid hitting anyone. Generally, though, this city has well-maintained roads that can handle traffic flow, so you won’t find driving here difficult.
  • Major roads in Carlsbad can get congested, especially during morning and evening rush hour. The peak hours are usually between 07:30 to 09:00 and 16:00 to 18:30. Driving during these hours can be challenging and inconvenient, especially if you are in a hurry. Consider planning your trips to and avoiding major roads like Highway 101. To beat Carlsbad traffic, you can use alternative roads and backstreets or start your journey before peak hours.
  • Book your car hire in Carlsbad at least 1 day before your trip in order to get a below-average price
  • Standard hire cars in Carlsbad are around 42% cheaper than other car types, on average

FAQs about car hire in Carlsbad

  • How much is the price of fuel in Carlsbad?

    The average price of fuel in Carlsbad is £2.54 per litre over the past 30 days. Filling up a tank of fuel costs between £30 and £41, depending on the car size.

  • What is the most popular car hire in Carlsbad?

    Standard (Ford Edge or similar) is the most frequently booked car hire type in Carlsbad.

  • Which car hire agencies are at Los Angeles airport (LAX)?

    Car hire companies onsite at Los Angeles airport include Fox, Sixt, Europcar, EL8 Luxury Car Rental, Hertz, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, NextCar, Dollar, Movly and Midway.

  • Which car hire companies will pick you up at Los Angeles airport (LAX)?

    Car hire companies that offer shuttle or pick-up services from Los Angeles airport to off-airport locations include Sixt, Europcar, Hertz, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Dollar, Midway and National.

  • How can I find car hires near me in Carlsbad?

    Take a look at our extensive car hire location map to find the best car hire deals near you.

  • How much does a Standard car hire cost in Carlsbad?

    A Standard car hire in Carlsbad costs £58 per day, on average.

  • How much does an Intermediate car hire cost in Carlsbad?

    An Intermediate car hire in Carlsbad costs £37 per day, on average.

  • How much does a Compact car hire cost in Carlsbad?

    A Compact car hire in Carlsbad costs £33 per day, on average.

  • Should I get insurance when hiring a car in Carlsbad?

    Most car hire providers in Carlsbad offer insurance but the level of protection can differ substantially. If you're unsure whether to get extra protection for your car hire in Carlsbad, check out KAYAK's car hire insurance guide.

  • What type of car is recommended for driving in Carlsbad?

    This depends on the weather, travel needs, and budget. However, a small car will help you easily navigate Carlsbad streets and park, even in tight spaces. Compact cars are also cheaper to hire and fuel-efficient, helping you to cover more distance. It is important to consider the number of people you are travelling with. Consider a large car for its space, traction, and reliability if you have a large group. It is also ideal if you are planning long trips.

  • What’s the speed limit in Carlsbad?

    The city of Carlsbad has set the speed limit of residential districts to 40.2 km/h (25 mph) unless stated otherwise by road signs to ensure the safety of pedestrians. The speed limit of most highways in the city is 105 km/h (65 mph), but on some, it is stated as 112 km/h (70 mph). In special areas like school zones, near children’s playgrounds or parks, the speed limit comes down to 40.2 km/h (25 mph) to ensure children’s safety. It is important to always adhere to these speed limits when using car hire in Carlsbad, to avoid getting into legal trouble.

  • Where are the best places to park in Carlsbad?

    Finding a car park in Carlsbad is easy, as there are several options with easy access. If you visit Carlsbad State Beach, you can park your car for free at the end of Tamarack Avenue and along Highway 101. From here, the beach is just a short walk away. Hyatt House - 5010 Avenida Encinas Parking charges $6 (£4.66) for three hours, and Cape Rey Hilton Resort charges $30 (£23.4) for overnight parking. If you park in car parks outside the city, you can get into the city by bus.

Carlsbad car hire reviews and directory

 
All ratings and reviews are collected from KAYAK users with a verified car hire booking. Learn how KAYAK collects reviews.

Enterprise Rent-A-Car

8.6

Cleanliness

8.8

Comfort

8.8

Pick-up/Drop-off

8.2

Value for money

8.4

2 locations in Carlsbad

Show locations

Locations in Carlsbad

5245 Car Country Dr

+1 760 931 1111

Monday07:30 - 17:30
Tuesday07:30 - 17:30
Wednesday07:30 - 17:30
Thursday07:30 - 17:30
Friday07:30 - 17:30
Saturday09:00 - 12:00
Sunday00:00 - 00:00

6050 Avenida Encinas

+1 760 918 0883

Monday00:00 - 00:00
Tuesday00:00 - 00:00
Wednesday00:00 - 00:00
Thursday00:00 - 00:00
Friday00:00 - 00:00
Saturday00:00 - 00:00
Sunday00:00 - 00:00

Filters

Reviews

10.0 Wonderful

Brian, Mar 2024

Premium SUV

KAYAK
Great car. Fast efficient friendly service both pick up and drop off.

1 out of 1

Budget

Cleanliness

7.0

Comfort

7.0

Pick-up/Drop-off

6.9

Value for money

6.8

One location in Carlsbad

Show locations

Locations in Carlsbad

2198 Palomar Airport Road

+1 760 931 2469

Monday08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday08:00 - 17:00
Thursday08:00 - 17:00
Friday08:00 - 17:00
Saturday09:00 - 12:00
Sunday09:00 - 12:00

Filters

Reviews

2.0 Poor

Anonymous, Oct 2022

KAYAK
We reserved the car with kayak and the company didn’t have cars available. I think kayak could’ve done a better job in this transaction. Kayak allowed us to make a reservation with the car company without cars available. Very poor communication and costumer service. The car company was nice to make a phone call to us to tell us they didn’t have cars at their location and couldn’t understand why kayak would allow this.

2.0 Poor

Olga, May 2021

KAYAK

Cons:

Rathe was $134 and was changed $356

1 out of 2

Avis

Cleanliness

6.9

Comfort

6.7

Pick-up/Drop-off

6.5

Value for money

5.9

One location in Carlsbad

Show locations

Locations in Carlsbad

2198 Palomar Airport Road

+1 760 931 1393

Monday08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday08:00 - 17:00
Thursday08:00 - 17:00
Friday08:00 - 17:00
Saturday09:00 - 12:00
Sunday09:00 - 12:00

Filters

Show reviews that mention

Reviews

10.0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Oct 2020

KAYAK

Pros:

Easy pick up and drop off with free parking patrolled by security on site

1 out of 3

Hertz

6.0

Okay

3 locations in Carlsbad

Show locations

Locations in Carlsbad

2100 Palomar Airport Rd

+1 760 930 0123

Monday08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday08:00 - 17:00
Thursday08:00 - 17:00
Friday08:00 - 17:00
Saturday09:00 - 12:00
Sunday09:00 - 12:00

2198 Palomar Airport Rd

+1 760 603 8005

Monday07:30 - 17:30
Tuesday07:30 - 17:30
Wednesday07:30 - 17:30
Thursday07:30 - 17:30
Friday07:30 - 17:30
Saturday08:00 - 17:00
Sunday09:00 - 12:00

6030 Avenida Encinas, Ste E

+1 760 579 0072

Monday07:30 - 17:30
Tuesday07:30 - 17:30
Wednesday07:30 - 17:30
Thursday07:30 - 17:30
Friday07:30 - 17:30
Saturday09:00 - 12:00

Filters

No reviews available

Zeeba Rent-A-Van

No score available yet

2 locations in Carlsbad

Show locations

Locations in Carlsbad

4901 El Camino Real Carlsbad, Ca ,charleston,sc,us

+1 800 761 8913

Opening times not available

800 Grand Avenue

+1 800 940 9332

Opening times not available

Filters

No reviews available

EZ Van

No score available yet

One location in Carlsbad

Show locations

Locations in Carlsbad

6511 Avenida Encinas

+1 866 735 8267

Opening times not available

Filters

No reviews available

39 travellers who hired a car in Carlsbad gave the car agency they used an average rating of 6.0

Car hire locations in or near Carlsbad

Car hire insurance in Carlsbad

Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) & Theft Protection Waiver

Some Carlsbad 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 Carlsbad.

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 Carlsbad car hire.

Carlsbad car hire information

Pick-up locationCarlsbad
Car types
Hire locations10
Airport locations5

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