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Salinas car hire

Driver's age: 26-65

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Cheap car hire in Salinas

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Economy car
Economy
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Compact car
Compact
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Intermediate car
Intermediate
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Standard car
Standard
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Full-size car
Full-size
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Luxury car
Luxury
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People carrier car
People carrier
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Passenger van car
Passenger van
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Commercial car
Commercial
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Pick-up truck car
Pick-up truck
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KAYAK’s top tips for hiring a car in Salinas

  • There are plenty of lovely places to tour in Salinas. Car rentals in Salinas ease travel around the city, allowing for as many stops as you wish. You can drive to the top racing track in California, the Laguna Seca, or shop for fresh produce at the Oldtown Salinas Farmer's Market. Cowgirls and cowboys will love a visit to California Rodeo Salinas, where they will get to watch the best tricks from the best horses.
  • Your driving experience can be made much easier and more enjoyable by being familiar with the main routes in Salinas. An example of such roads is US Route 101 which is a major highway that runs north-south through Salinas and connects the city to other major cities in California. East Market Street runs through downtown Salinas and is home to many shops, restaurants, and businesses. North Main Street runs north-south through Salinas and is a major route for commuters and travelers. To navigate these roads easily when driving Salinas car rentals, be aware of the traffic patterns and use caution when crossing intersections.
  • The Salinas car rentals desks at Salinas airport provide a wide range of vehicles and the added convenience of choosing at the airport rather than off-site locations. The airport is only 7min away from the city center. When you reserve the car, you can get into your vehicle minutes after you step off the plane. You are required to be over 21 years and have a valid driver's license to rent a car in Salinas.
  • Similar to the rest of California, Salinas has rules against driving while intoxicated. Driving a car while intoxicated is prohibited if your blood alcohol content (BAC) is 0.08% or higher. The legal limit is lower for those under 21 and is set at 0.01% BAC. You may be subject to harsh punishments, like fines, jail time, and license suspensions if you are found guilty of DUI in Salinas.
  • Whether you're new to the area or a seasoned driver in Salinas, it's crucial to remain vigilant on certain roadways that can present unique hazards. By driving cheap car rentals in Salinas with extra caution and awareness, you can better navigate these routes and help prevent accidents. One such road is North Main Street which experiences high traffic volume, especially near the downtown area. It also has several intersections, which require drivers to be extra cautious while crossing. Another is Sanborn Road which can be tricky to navigate, especially during wet or slippery conditions. Boronda Road runs through residential areas and has several speed bumps and stop signs, so it’s best to slow down while driving.
  • Driving in Salinas may appear simple, but it has its challenges, like rush hour traffic. Morning peak traffic occurs between 7 am and 9 am, while afternoon peak traffic occurs between 4:30 pm and 6:30 pm. Another issue that Salinas drivers face on occasion is road flooding. The majority of the flooding happens between January and March. Consequently, if you rent a car in any other month, you won't have to worry about this problem.
  • Drive cautiously through downtown Salinas. The area is densely packed with one-way streets that frequently switch directions. You can, however, customize car rentals with GPS to aid in city navigation. Because this is an agricultural area, you may encounter animals on the road, so drive carefully to avoid hitting them. Drivers are reminded to keep an eye out for pedestrians crossing Boronda Road between Hemingway Drive and Dartmouth Way, which is a busy thoroughfare with numerous routes feeding into it.
  • Book your car hire in Salinas at least 1 day before your trip in order to get a below-average price
  • Full-size hire cars in Salinas are around 96% more expensive than other car types, on average

FAQs about hiring a car in Salinas

  • How much is the price of fuel in Salinas?

    The average price of fuel in Salinas is R61,63 per litre over the past 30 days. Filling up a tank of fuel costs between R740 and R986, depending on the car size.

  • What is the most popular car hire in Salinas?

    Full-size (Ford Mustang Convertible or similar) is the most frequently booked car hire type in Salinas.

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

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

  • How much does a Full Size car hire cost in Salinas?

    A Full Size car hire in Salinas costs R2 792 per day, on average.

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

    An Intermediate car hire in Salinas costs R672 per day, on average.

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

    A Compact car hire in Salinas costs R939 per day, on average.

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

    The best car to rent from car rentals in Salinas when traveling in groups is a van because it has enough room for many including plenty of luggage space. You can also easily fit all of your luggage and you will not have to listen to your team members complain about not having adequate personal space, which will save you time and frustration. Another benefit of renting a van in Salina is that it can help you save money. Traveling in a small car may appear more cost-effective, but this isn't always the case, especially when traveling in a group. Tolls and gas can quickly add up. You and your friends can share the cost of the tolls, gas, and car by renting a van, making the trip much more affordable for everyone.

  • Are there restricted roads in Salinas?

    Yes. There are some restricted roads that you should be mindful of when driving cheap car rentals in Salinas. John Street is restricted to commercial vehicles only. Most of the other restricted roads in the area are one-way streets like Abbott Street which runs westbound from Main Street to Salinas Street, South Main Street running southbound from Alisal Street to Market Street, and East Market Street running eastbound from Salinas Street to Sanborn Road.

  • What is the speed limit in Salinas?

    The speed limit in Salinas differs based on the kind of road and the area it is in. The speed limit on loose surface or gravel highways is 30 mph and 35 mph on paved two-lane township highways. The speed limit in residential areas is 25 mph. The speed limit on two-lane roads is 45 mph, 50 mph on paved 4-lane divided highways, and 55 mph on main interstate highways.

  • How old should I be to rent a car in Salinas?

    Rental car companies in Salina typically require renters to be 21 or older, while some may have a minimum age of 25 years for specific car types.  Younger drivers can also anticipate additional requirements and fees, such as providing extra insurance coverage or paying higher security deposits due to their age.

  • Where are the best places to park in Salinas?

    Salinas provides convenient parking areas even in car rentals in Salinas. They include Public Parking Lots & Garages, On-Street Parking, 20min Parking Zones, 1-hour Parking zones, 90min Parking zones, 2-hour Parking zones, 4 Hour Parking, EV Parking, Handicap Parking, and Reserved Parking. Some great places to park are 499 W. Alisal Street, 111 W. San Luis Street, 300 Lincoln Avenue, and 282 Monterey Street, which are all free.

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

Hertz

4,7

Cleanliness

4.8

Comfort

4.8

Pick-up/Drop-off

5.1

Value for money

4.5

2 locations in Salinas

Show locations

Locations in Salinas

2049 Del Monte Blvd

+1 831 200 2897

Monday13:00 - 16:0008:00 - 12:00
Tuesday13:00 - 16:0008:00 - 12:00
Wednesday13:00 - 16:0008:00 - 12:00
Thursday08:00 - 12:0013:00 - 16:00
Friday08:00 - 12:0013:00 - 16:00

50 Mortensen Ave

+1 831 449 2081

Monday08:00 - 12:00
Tuesday08:00 - 12:00
Wednesday08:00 - 12:00
Thursday08:00 - 12:00
Friday08:00 - 12:00

Filters

Show reviews that mention

Reviews

4,0 Mediocre

Anonymous, Apr 2021

KAYAK

Cons:

Every thing

2,0 Poor

Anonymous, Aug 2020

KAYAK

Pros:

Nothing

Cons:

Kayak reserved my car at Salinas Airport from Saturday to the following Saturday. Come to find out right before I am to pick up the car that location is not open weekends. Nobody bothered to tell me that they where not open. I had to scramble and find another car. Luckily Avis in Santa Cruz was able to bail me out.

2,0 Poor

William, Jan 2020

KAYAK

Pros:

Nothing

Cons:

I could have got my rental without having to cancel because they wanted to start switching people over to credit card when I already payed in advance then let me know I can’t have my debit card on file even though it was prepaid also I didn’t like that I was taunted for not having a credit card

2,0 Poor

Anonymous, Jul 2022

KAYAK
car wasn't ready as promised on time

1 out of 2

Enterprise Rent-A-Car

4,1

Cleanliness

8.6

Comfort

7.3

Pick-up/Drop-off

3.3

Value for money

4.0

3 locations in Salinas

Show locations

Locations in Salinas

1150 Auto Center Cir

+1 831 442 0808

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

1191 Echo Avenue

+1 831 394 3333

Monday08:00 - 12:00
Tuesday08:00 - 12:00
Wednesday08:00 - 12:00
Thursday08:00 - 12:00
Friday08:00 - 12:00
Saturday09:00 - 12:00
Sunday00:00 - 00:00

280 Mortensen Ave

+1 831 422 4200

Monday08:00 - 12:00
Tuesday08:00 - 12:00
Wednesday08:00 - 12:00
Thursday08:00 - 12:00
Friday08:00 - 12:00
Saturday09:00 - 12:00
Sunday00:00 - 00:00

Filters

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Reviews

2,0 Poor

Anonymous, Dec 2020

KAYAK

Cons:

Customer service at drop off in SFO made me feel very uncomfortable. They are looking to cheat customers out of money however they can.

5,6 Fair

Anonymous, Jun 2020

KAYAK

Pros:

I liked everything except the part where I was lied to.

Cons:

When I called enterprise I was told I could drop my car off in Sacramento at no extra cost. I was told all I need to do is inform the pickup location that I was doing that. When I called the pickup location the man told me he was going to take $50 out of my deposit for dropping the car off in Sacramento despite the fact I was told it wouldn't cost me to do that. I am still waiting to get my deposit back and suspect I'll be calling to complain about the deception.

4,8 Mediocre

Anonymous, May 2020

KAYAK

Cons:

Car wouldn’t start on Saturday evening. 20 minute hold for roadside assistance operator. Told there was a $55 dollar charge for roadside assistance. Help arrived quickly and they jump started car. Told me to run at least 1/2 hour to charge battery. The next morning the car wouldn’t start. I used my own battery charger To start. Enterprise told me they had no cars locally that I could swap cars. Had to drive 70 miles each way to San Jose to swap. When I returned the car the next day, they took off $55 dollar roadside assistance charge (no s$&t) but only gave me $7 off for my trouble. About 4 hours of my time and $20 in gas and they only refunded me $7 No happy.

8,0 Very Good

Anonymous, Jan 2023

KAYAK
The vehicle was much too expensive. Almost 200 dollars a day.

1 out of 2

Dollar

5,8

Fair

Best rated

One location in Salinas

Show locations

Locations in Salinas

50 Mortensen Ave

+1 831 449 2081

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

Filters

No reviews available

Thrifty

5,7

Fair

One location in Salinas

Show locations

Locations in Salinas

50 Mortensen Ave

+1 831 449 2081

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

Filters

No reviews available

Easirent

4,6

Mediocre

One location in Salinas

Show locations

Locations in Salinas

Monterey Regional Airport

Opening times not available

Filters

No reviews available

Eagle Rent A Car

No score available yet

One location in Salinas

Show locations

Locations in Salinas

1933 Del Monte Blvd.

Opening times not available

Filters

No reviews available

VIPCars Recommendation

No score available yet

One location in Salinas

Locations in Salinas

200 Fred Kane Dr Ste 108, Monterey, , USA California

+1 914 368 0091

Monday08:00 - 12:00
Tuesday08:00 - 12:00
Wednesday08:00 - 12:00
Thursday08:00 - 12:00
Friday08:00 - 12:00
Saturday10:00 - 16:00
Sunday10:00 - 16:00

Filters

No reviews available

12 travellers who hired a car in Salinas gave the car agency they used an average rating of 5.2

Car hire locations in or near Salinas

Good to know

Most popular car type

Full-size

When to book a car hire in Salinas

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

Salinas car hire information

Pick-up locationSalinas
Car types
Hire locations5
Airport locations0