Car hire at San Diego Carlsbad-Palomar airport from £24/day

Toyota Corolla

or similar MEDIUM

£24/day

RAM Pickup

or similar PICKUPTRUCK

£44/day

Class Special Car

or similar Category

£35/day

Best prices found by KAYAK users in the past 48 hours.

Car rentals at San Diego Carlsbad-Palomar Airport (CLD) make it possible for travelers to access some areas that are inaccessible by public means. For instance, if you are a hiking enthusiast, Hidden Valley Trail Palomar Airport Road Trailhead is one of the places you may consider visiting with your rented car from CLD and have an exciting hiking experience. Apart from being able to access areas that are inaccessible using public means, the cost of renting a car is lower than the cumulative cost of using taxis.
Hiring a car at CLD is simple as most car hire agencies allow booking through their online portal. When you reserve your car in advance via KAYAK, all that you need to do is to present your documents at the car rentals desk and collect the keys to your vehicle. All the San Diego car rentals, including Hertz, Avis, Budget, and Enterprise, have on-site counters.
Returning your rentals car at San Diego Carlsbad-Palomar Airport is easier, with most of the car rentals at San Diego Carlsbad-Palomar here having flexible return policies. For example, Enterprise and Budget allow drivers to return their cars outside working hours. In such cases, drivers simply park the car, lock its doors, and leave the keys in the agency’s drop box. However, the companies’ usual drop-off hours usually run from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm.
You will experience considerable difficulties if you are to pick up or drop off your car at CLD on a weekend or public holiday like Labor Day, marked on September 5. On such days, the airport records a significant rise in the number of people arriving or leaving. This high number reflects at the various car rentals counters. Consequently, you are likely to take longer before getting the keys to your car.
Book your car hire at San Diego Carlsbad-Palomar airport at least 1 day before your trip in order to get a below-average price

What do you require to rent a car at San Diego Carlsbad-Palomar Airport?
You have to be 21 years and above for you to be able to rent a car from any of the car rentals at CLB. While at San Diego Carlsbad-Palomar Airport car rentals counter, you have to present two documents. The first document is a valid driver’s license, which has to be valid for the entire rentals period. The second document is a credit card or debit card, which should bear the name of the renter.
Where are the car rentals companies at CLD located?
CLD car rentals is located at 2198 Palomar Airport Rd, which is a short drive from the airport’s terminals. Budget, Avis, Enterprise, and all the major car rentals at the airport avail courtesy shuttles to ferry travelers from the airport to the respective car rental pick-up locations. The courtesy shuttles are located adjacent to the baggage claim area, making it easier for travelers to access them once they have obtained their luggage. The shuttle takes about 10 minutes to arrive at the car rentals facility from the airport. Additionally, if you book Budget or Enterprise at CLD, you will have the privilege of getting a car model of your choice, subject to availability.
What amenities are offered at San Diego Carlsbad-Palomar Airport rentals car center?
Special amenities for drivers with reduced mobility, winter car services, and child seats are some of the things you can enjoy at the rentals car center at CLD. Drivers with reduced mobility can access adaptive driving devices such as hand controls and pedal extenders at no extra cost. If you are renting your car during winter, you will have your car fixed with winter tires by the company’s mechanics free of charge. Lastly, all the car rentals at San Diego Carlsbad-Palomar Airport can include child seats, infant seats, and booster seats for those who are driving with their kids. These, however, attract a daily fee.
What is the cheapest car hire company at San Diego Carlsbad-Palomar airport?
In the past 72 hours, the cheapest car hires were found at Avis (£31/day) and Budget (£34/day).
Which car hire companies will pick you up at San Diego Carlsbad-Palomar airport?
Car hire companies that offer shuttle or pick-up services from San Diego Carlsbad-Palomar airport to off-airport locations include Avis, Budget, and Hertz.

Enterprise Rent-A-Car

7.5

Good

Read 3 reviews

Best rated

Cleanliness

7.8

Comfort

7.8

Pick-up/Drop-off

7.4

Value for money

7.4

2 locations in San Diego Carlsbad-Palomar Airport

Locations in San Diego Carlsbad-Palomar Airport

5245 Car Country Dr

+1 760 931 1111

Monday	07:30 - 17:30
Tuesday	07:30 - 17:30
Wednesday	07:30 - 17:30
Thursday	07:30 - 17:30
Friday	07:30 - 17:30
Saturday	09:00 - 12:00
Sunday	00:00 - 00:00

6050 Avenida Encinas

+1 760 918 0883

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

Filters

Reviews

10.0 Wonderful

Brian, Mar 2024

Premium SUV

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

6.0 Okay

Anonymous, May 2023

Economy

The pick up process took a long time. There seemed to only be one person out of the 3-4 working that could get the keys for my car. Drop off was fine. The car also felt old and I was worried about breaking down on the way to Vegas with the hills and heat. I didn’t breakdown but usually cars I’ve rented at other companies the cars were newer or felt newer at least.

7.9 Good

Anonymous, Aug 2021

Watch the signs in Carlsbad several locations closed and they do not tell you when you rent. All locations have been centralized to one in Carlsbad

Budget

6.6

Okay

Read 7 reviews

Cleanliness

7.1

Comfort

7.1

Pick-up/Drop-off

7.0

Value for money

6.9

One location in San Diego Carlsbad-Palomar Airport

Locations in San Diego Carlsbad-Palomar Airport

2198 Palomar Airport Road

+1 760 931 2469

Monday	08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday	08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday	08:00 - 17:00
Thursday	08:00 - 17:00
Friday	08:00 - 17:00
Saturday	09:00 - 12:00
Sunday	09:00 - 12:00

Filters

Reviews

2.0 Poor

Anonymous, Oct 2022

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

Cons:

Rathe was $134 and was changed $356

10.0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Nov 2019

Pros:

After trying several rental car companies directly without success, Kayak was able to get me several options for my trip. It seems that rental car companies are not overly excited to rent cars for one way, day trips. I needed to travel 200 miles, one way, to pick up my new car. Kayak was able to find cheap rentals with major companies that I just couldn't get directly. Thanks Kayak!

Cons:

You should have been there earlier! Oh, wait, no that was my fault. Next time I know where I will check first.

10.0 Wonderful

katie, Mar 2023

Compact

Loved the ease of pick and drop off. Really couldn’t be smoother!

2.0 Poor

Dilbert, Jun 2022

Tires were worn down Car needs alignment, was banking left. Unexplained 200 charges. Unhelpful agents on the counter Nobody ever picks up on Customer care

2.0 Poor

Anonymous, May 2022

Absolutely horrendous. I have never rented a car before and they gave me little to no information about the return process. When driving to return the car I called customer service for some clarity on what to do and it was awful. The guy didnt answer a single question I had which were pretty straight forward questions. Instead he kept saying “Mhm mhm good question” and rambled on about nothing I asked. I ended up hanging up because I was getting no where. They charged me $685 to rent the car for 2 days. $300 one way fee was tacked on during drop off because I dropped it off at the airport. I was never informed I couldn’t drop it off at another location. I thought it was a chain and they all shared cars. Terrible terrible terrible!! $685 DOLLARS is absolutely unacceptable for a 2 day rental. I would have dropped it off at the same location I got it had I known prior to returning that I had to, but I couldn’t go back once I arrived at the airport because I would have missed my flight back home! I feel completely taken advantage of.

Avis

5.9

Fair

Read 8 reviews

Cleanliness

6.9

Comfort

6.7

Pick-up/Drop-off

6.5

Value for money

5.9

One location in San Diego Carlsbad-Palomar Airport

Locations in San Diego Carlsbad-Palomar Airport

2198 Palomar Airport Road

+1 760 931 1393

Monday	08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday	08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday	08:00 - 17:00
Thursday	08:00 - 17:00
Friday	08:00 - 17:00
Saturday	09:00 - 12:00
Sunday	09:00 - 12:00

Filters

Reviews

10.0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Oct 2020

Pros:

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

2.0 Poor

John, Apr 2023

Avis gave me a reservation for 36 days of renting a car at a specific price. Some days after the car was returned, I realized they had split the 36 days into two separate rentals, with a total price increase of $69, about 7.5%, The rental office at McCellan Palomar airport in Carlsbad, CA, has not been helpful. Partly they do not recognize that their charges should simply be equal to their reservation. Partly they do not recognize that a limitation in their billing system (no rentals longer than 31 days) does not entitle Avis to increase its price. Lastly they claim that only Corpoate can adjust the second rental to make the total price equal to the reservation. So now I must chase at another place.

2.0 Poor

Anonymous, Oct 2022

I get there with my reservation and they said they had no car for me. You guys took $44 from me for no reason and I was left with no more options because everywhere else was closing. you guys are horrible

2.0 Poor

Anonymous, Mar 2022

No cars!!! I paid $45. for a cab from Cardiff to Palomar for my noon pickup of rental car. NO CARS!!!!!!!!!!! It was a nightmare to be stuck.

2.0 Poor

Anonymous, Mar 2022

They did have my reservation

2.0 Poor

Anonymous, Feb 2022

Called me the night before my trip to tell me they didn’t have any cars available. Cost me $600 in plane tickets to correct.

Hertz

5.8

Fair

Read 1 review

Cleanliness

6.7

Comfort

6.4

Pick-up/Drop-off

5.8

Value for money

5.9

3 locations in San Diego Carlsbad-Palomar Airport

Locations in San Diego Carlsbad-Palomar Airport

2100 Palomar Airport Rd

+1 760 930 0123

Monday	08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday	08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday	08:00 - 17:00
Thursday	08:00 - 17:00
Friday	08:00 - 17:00
Saturday	09:00 - 12:00
Sunday	09:00 - 12:00

2198 Palomar Airport Rd

+1 760 603 8005

Monday	07:30 - 17:30
Tuesday	07:30 - 17:30
Wednesday	07:30 - 17:30
Thursday	07:30 - 17:30
Friday	07:30 - 17:30
Saturday	08:00 - 17:00
Sunday	09:00 - 12:00

6030 Avenida Encinas, Ste E

+1 760 579 0072

Monday	07:30 - 17:30
Tuesday	07:30 - 17:30
Wednesday	07:30 - 17:30
Thursday	07:30 - 17:30
Friday	07:30 - 17:30
Saturday	09:00 - 12:00

Filters

Reviews

9.2 Wonderful

Anonymous, Feb 2020

Pros:

The staff was friendly but not very helpful.

Cons:

I had to make a damage claim and the staff didn't seem to be prepared to handle the process properly.

Easirent

4.6

Mediocre

One location in San Diego Carlsbad-Palomar Airport

Locations in San Diego Carlsbad-Palomar Airport

McClellan–Palomar Airport

Opening times not available

EZ Van

No score available yet

One location in San Diego Carlsbad-Palomar Airport

Locations in San Diego Carlsbad-Palomar Airport

6511 Avenida Encinas

+1 866 735 8267

Opening times not available