Budget Car Hire
in San Francisco

Hola Car Rentals is the only premium partner of the top car hire brands operating in San Francisco, giving you exclusive access to our All Inclusive+ rate. This rate includes benefits that no other company can match:

• Free liability coverage starting at US$ 300,000 in case of an accident (applies only to certain rates and itineraries)
• Toll cashback: recover up to 5% of the reservation's total value for toll charges incurred during your hire period
• Premium travel medical assistance providing up to US$ 150,000 in coverage for a maximum of 5 passengers in case of a medical emergency, excluding pre-existing conditions
• No Extra Charges© guarantee: if the counter charges you for something not listed on your confirmation and not an optional add-on you accepted, Hola Car Rentals will work to remove or reimburse the charge after verification

All of this comes at no extra cost, ensuring a fully protected car hire experience and peace of mind throughout your trip in San Francisco.

No. With Hola Car Rentals, all costs and charges for your booking in San Francisco are clearly shown at the time of reservation and in your confirmation email, so you know exactly what you are paying before you arrive at the counter.

On top of that, every Hola Car Rentals booking includes the No Extra Charges© guarantee. This is a pricing guarantee (not insurance) that protects you if the counter in San Francisco charges you for something that was not listed on your confirmation and was not an optional add-on you accepted. If that happens, Hola Car Rentals will work with the hire partner to remove or reimburse the charge after verification.

The only costs outside this guarantee are:

• Optional add-ons you choose at the counter (GPS, child seats, prepaid fuel)
• Usage-based charges (tolls, fuel shortfall, traffic fines)

The Budget counter at San Francisco International Airport is located on the 4th floor of the Rental Car Centre (RCC) at 780 N. McDonnell Rd, San Francisco, CA 94128. The counter is open 24 hours a day, every day of the week, which is especially useful for late-night or early-morning arrivals.

To reach the Budget counter from any terminal, follow these steps:

• After baggage claim (or after clearing immigration and customs if arriving internationally), follow signs to the AirTrain.
• Board the Blue Line towards the Rental Car Centre station. The AirTrain is free and runs 24/7.
• The journey takes approximately 5 to 10 minutes, plus short walks and elevator time inside the stations.
• Once inside the RCC, take the elevator or escalator to the 4th floor where the Budget desks are located.

No shuttle bus is needed. The AirTrain connects directly to the RCC, unlike some off-airport providers that require a separate shuttle from the south curb. Budget's 24-hour operation in San Francisco means you can pick up your vehicle regardless of when your flight lands.

The time from your terminal to the Budget counter at San Francisco International Airport depends on your arrival type.

• Domestic flight with carry-on only: plan for roughly 25 to 45 minutes from the gate to the Budget counter, plus additional time for paperwork. A total buffer of about 75 minutes is recommended.
• Domestic flight with checked bags: add baggage claim time, bringing the total to approximately 40 to 70 minutes before reaching the counter.
• International arrivals: immigration and customs can add 75 to 150 minutes before you board the AirTrain. Budget's 24-hour operation in San Francisco is a real advantage for late international arrivals, though counter queues can be longer during peak hours.

Once you board the AirTrain Blue Line, the journey to the Rental Car Centre station is approximately 5 to 10 minutes. From the station, a short walk and elevator ride bring you to the 4th floor Budget counter. Factor in these times when planning your San Francisco itinerary so you are not rushed after a long flight.

To pick up your Budget hire car in San Francisco, you must present all documents in physical form. Digital copies are not accepted at the counter.

• Valid driver’s licence (original, unexpired, physical card) in the main driver’s name.
• If your licence uses a non-Latin alphabet (for example, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, or Cyrillic), an International Driving Permit (IDP) is mandatory. For licences in other non-English scripts, an IDP is strongly recommended. The IDP is a translation only and must be carried alongside your original licence.
• Passport or valid government-issued photo ID. Names must match across all documents.
• A physical, major credit card printed with the main driver’s name, with sufficient available credit for the excess hold (typically US$300 to US$400 for standard vehicles in the United States).
• Your booking confirmation or printed voucher.
• Round-trip flight or cruise tickets (required for visitors from outside the United States).

Debit cards and prepaid cards are not accepted for the excess hold at the Budget counter in San Francisco. If your primary card is declined, a backup credit card in your own name is essential. Make sure your bank has not placed international transaction blocks on your card before you travel.

San Francisco and the wider Bay Area use the FasTrak electronic toll system. Nearly all toll facilities, including Bay Area bridges and express lanes, are fully cashless. Your Budget hire vehicle in San Francisco will include an electronic toll device or a plate-based billing system.

At the Budget counter in San Francisco you typically have two options:

• Unlimited toll package: a fixed daily rate of approximately US$11 to US$25 per day, covering unlimited toll usage during your hire period.
• Pay per use: if you decline the package, Budget will charge you the actual toll amounts plus daily or administrative processing fees. These charges often appear on your card days or even weeks after you return the vehicle.

Common toll costs in the San Francisco Bay Area include approximately US$8.50 per crossing on the Bay Bridge (westbound only) and US$9.75 on the Golden Gate Bridge (southbound only, with a plate-based invoice rate of US$10.75). If you cross multiple bridges in a day, costs can add up quickly.

You may also opt out at pickup and pay tolls directly through the FasTrak website or app, but you must inform the Budget agent so they can deactivate the vehicle's default device and prevent duplicate charges.

All bookings made through Hola Car Rentals include Tolls Cashback, which reimburses up to 5% of your total booking value for tolls paid during your San Francisco hire. Submit your claim within 30 days of returning the vehicle.

Bridge tolls are one of the most common costs for Budget hire car drivers in San Francisco. All Bay Area bridges use the FasTrak cashless system, so no cash payment is accepted at the toll plazas.

• Bay Bridge (San Francisco to Oakland): approximately US$8.50 per crossing, charged westbound only (towards San Francisco).
• Golden Gate Bridge: approximately US$9.75 per crossing via FasTrak, or US$10.75 if billed by licence plate invoice. Tolling is southbound only (into San Francisco).
• Express lanes on routes such as I-580 and I-680 use dynamic pricing and require a FasTrak transponder. Driving in these lanes without enrolment can result in a violation.

If you cross one bridge per day, expect roughly US$10 to US$20 in daily toll costs. Multiple crossings can push that to US$35 or more. Toll rates on Bay Area bridges increase by approximately US$0.50 per year through 2030.

Your Budget hire in San Francisco will have a toll device already installed. At pickup you can choose an unlimited toll package or pay per use. Either way, Hola Car Rentals' Tolls Cashback benefit lets you reclaim up to 5% of your total booking value for tolls paid, so keep your receipts and submit your claim within 30 days of return.

Yes, you can add an additional driver to your Budget hire in San Francisco, but the additional driver must be physically present at the counter at pickup with a valid driver’s licence and matching photo ID such as a passport.

Key rules for additional drivers at Budget in San Francisco:

• In California, immediate family members (parent, sibling, or child of the main renter) are exempt from the additional driver fee.
• For all other additional drivers, Budget charges US$13 per rental day plus taxes, with a maximum cap of US$65 plus taxes for the hire period.
• For Avis and Budget specifically, additional drivers must generally be at least 25 years old at the time of pickup.
• If your Hola Car Rentals confirmation explicitly states that an additional driver is included at no charge, confirm this with the Budget agent in San Francisco before signing the contract.

Both the main driver and the additional driver must sign the hire agreement. Only drivers listed on the agreement are covered by the vehicle's protections, including CDW/LDW. If you need to add a driver after pickup, you must visit a Budget branch in San Francisco in person with both drivers present. Phone or chat requests alone are typically not sufficient to update the agreement.

The minimum age to hire a Budget car in San Francisco without a young-renter surcharge is 25. Drivers aged 21 to 24 can hire but will be charged an underage fee of US$13 per rental day plus taxes, with a maximum cap of US$65 plus taxes.

Additional age-related rules to know for Budget in San Francisco:

• Drivers under 25 are restricted from hiring certain vehicle classes, including full-size sedans, SUVs, minivans, convertibles, luxury, and premium vehicles. Economy, compact, and intermediate categories are generally available.
• California is not one of the states (like New York or Michigan) that requires hire companies to rent to drivers aged 18 and over. The Budget minimum in San Francisco follows the standard U.S. policy of 21 as the minimum, with surcharges applying up to age 24.
• Travellers from Latin America and the Caribbean aged 21 to 24 may qualify for a waiver of the underage fee on eligible Hola Car Rentals rates fulfilled by Budget, provided the waiver is explicitly shown on the booking confirmation and the vehicle belongs to an eligible category.

Always check your confirmation before arriving at the Budget counter in San Francisco to confirm whether the underage fee applies to your specific rate and vehicle class.

Yes, most bookings made through Hola Car Rentals include travel assistance coverage provided by Terrawind Global Protection, and this applies to your Budget hire in San Francisco as well. However, this benefit is available only to travellers who are not residents of the United States or Canada.

The travel assistance coverage typically includes:

• Medical cover for up to 5 passengers for non-pre-existing illnesses and accidents.
• Legal assistance in the event of a road accident.
• Compensation for luggage lost by the airline.
• Flight cancellation insurance.

If you experience a medical emergency or accident while driving your Budget hire in San Francisco, for example on a Bay Area bridge or highway, contact the assistance line immediately before incurring expenses, as some reimbursements require prior authorisation.

• Phone (24/7, toll-free or collect): +1 888 980 9992
• WhatsApp: +1 208 910 1001
• Email: [email protected]

Have your Hola Car Rentals confirmation number ready when you call. This travel assistance does not cover damage to the Budget hire vehicle itself (that is handled by CDW/LDW) or third-party liability (covered by LIS/ALI/SLI). Check your booking confirmation for the exact terms and coverage limits that apply to your San Francisco hire.

Driving a Budget hire in San Francisco involves several road conditions that differ significantly from other U.S. cities and can surprise first-time visitors.

• Neckdown configurations: San Francisco has installed curb bulb-outs that narrow two-way streets to a single lane at certain intersections, particularly in neighbourhoods like the Sunset District (for example, Kirkham Street between 9th and 10th Avenues). These create yield situations where one direction must wait for the other, but signage is often unclear, leading to stand-offs that are uncommon elsewhere in the United States.
• One-way street conversions: The city is actively converting legacy one-way streets back to two-way traffic as part of its Vision Zero safety programme. Streets such as Hayes and McAllister have already been converted, and more are planned. This creates a patchwork of changing traffic patterns that may not yet be reflected in GPS navigation apps.
• Golden Gate Bridge tolling: The Golden Gate Bridge charges tolls southbound only (into San Francisco), using FasTrak or plate-based billing. There is no cash option. Your Budget hire's toll device covers this, but be aware the charge appears on your card after the hire.
• Weekend park closures: Sections of Golden Gate Park may be closed or restricted to single-lane traffic on weekends and holidays, with one-way entry and exit points that differ from weekday access.

Allow extra time when navigating San Francisco in your Budget hire, especially in residential neighbourhoods where road layouts may change without prominent signage.

Yes, you can return your Budget hire car at San Francisco International Airport after hours. The Rental Car Centre at SFO (780 N. McDonnell Rd, San Francisco, CA 94128) offers a 24-hour key drop facility, so you are not required to return the vehicle during staffed counter hours.

Steps for an after-hours return at the Budget location in San Francisco:

• Follow overhead signs to the Car Hire Return from the airport entry roads.
• Drive to the Rental Car Centre lot and park in the Budget designated return area on the 4th floor.
• Use the key drop box to return the keys. Leave any required paperwork in the envelope provided.
• Take a photo of the fuel gauge showing a full tank, the odometer, and the vehicle's condition before walking away. This protects you against any post-hire fuel or damage disputes.
• After dropping the keys, take the AirTrain Blue Line from the Rental Car Centre station back to your departure terminal.

Note that the fuel policy for your Budget hire in San Francisco is Full-to-Full. You must return the vehicle with the same fuel level recorded at pickup. Refuel near the airport before returning to avoid the partner's higher refuelling rate plus a service fee. Keep your final fuel receipt as evidence.

Yes, one-way hires are possible with Budget in San Francisco, but a drop-off fee may apply depending on your return location, vehicle class, and the distance between cities.

How one-way fees work for Budget hires starting in San Francisco:

• Same-city returns (for example, SFO airport to a downtown Budget location in San Francisco) often carry no drop-off fee.
• Returns to another Californian city or a different state typically incur a one-way fee. The amount varies by route, season, and vehicle class.
• Cross-border returns (for example, San Francisco to a location in another country) are often restricted or carry significantly higher fees if permitted at all.

When booking through Hola Car Rentals, the drop-off fee for your San Francisco Budget hire will be shown on the rate details page under the section labelled as the amount due at the destination. This fee cannot be prepaid and is paid directly to Budget at pickup. It is not covered by No Extra Charges© unless it was not disclosed during the booking process.

If you need to change your drop-off location after booking, contact support before your pickup date. Mid-hire route changes must be approved by the Budget location in San Francisco and may result in a higher fee or limited availability.

An International Driving Permit is not always mandatory for a Budget hire in San Francisco, but whether you need one depends on your licence's language and alphabet.

• If your driver’s licence uses a non-Latin alphabet, such as Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, or Cyrillic (Russian), an IDP is mandatory. Budget in San Francisco may refuse to hire to you without one.
• If your licence is in a Latin-alphabet language other than English (for example, Spanish, French, or Portuguese), an IDP is strongly recommended but not strictly required in most cases.
• If your licence is in English or issued by an EU/EEA country, you can generally drive in San Francisco without an IDP.

Important rules about the IDP for your San Francisco Budget hire:

• The IDP is a translation document only. It is invalid without your original driver’s licence and must be carried alongside it at all times.
• You must obtain your IDP in your home country before travelling. U.S. issuers such as AAA do not issue IDPs to holders of non-U.S. licences.
• All documents presented at the Budget counter in San Francisco must be physical originals. Digital or photocopied versions are not accepted.

If you are unsure whether your licence qualifies, obtain an IDP before your trip to avoid being refused the vehicle at the Budget counter in San Francisco.

All bookings made through Hola Car Rentals include Tolls Cashback, which reimburses up to 5% of your total booking value for tolls you pay during your Budget hire in San Francisco. Given that Bay Area bridge tolls can reach US$8.50 to US$10.75 per crossing, this benefit can offset a meaningful portion of your toll costs.

How the cashback is calculated:

• If your total booking is US$600, the maximum cashback is US$30 (5% cap).
• If you paid US$18 in tolls on Bay Area bridges during your San Francisco hire, you receive US$18 back.
• If you paid US$50 in tolls, you receive US$30 (the cap applies).

To claim your Tolls Cashback after your Budget hire in San Francisco:

• Email [email protected] with the subject line: Tolls Cashback, followed by your reservation number.
• Attach your Hola Car Rentals booking confirmation, the signed hire agreement from Budget, and a toll receipt or statement showing charges paid during the hire period.
• Include your full name, travel dates, and the last 4 digits of the card used for the booking.
• Submit within 30 days of returning the vehicle. Late submissions are not accepted.

Refunds are processed to the original payment method and typically arrive within 7 to 10 business days after approval. This benefit does not replace paying tolls at the time of travel; it is a post-hire reimbursement.