Car Hire in Sacramento

Hola Car Rentals is the only premium partner of the top car hire brands operating in Sacramento, 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 Sacramento.

No. With Hola Car Rentals, all costs and charges for your booking in Sacramento 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 Sacramento 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)

After collecting your bags at Sacramento International Airport (SMF), exit to the ground-level kerb outside either terminal and board the hire car shuttle. The shuttle runs 24 hours a day, every 10 minutes under normal conditions, though waits can be longer during peak hours (4 to 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. to midnight).

The shuttle takes you to the consolidated Rental Car Terminal at 6327 Aviation Dr, Sacramento, CA 95837, where all major on-airport brands including Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, and Payless have counters. The full journey from baggage claim to driving away typically takes 35 to 55 minutes.

• Shuttles are terminal-specific, so check the signs at the kerb for the correct one
• Alamo and National offer self-service kiosks for faster check-in
• Preferred and Emerald Club members can skip the counter line

If you booked a city centre Sacramento location such as Avis at 901 16th St, no shuttle is needed. Arrive directly at the street address by rideshare or public transport.

Counter hours at Sacramento International Airport (SMF) vary by brand. Most Sacramento airport locations open around 6 a.m. or 7 a.m. and close between 11:59 p.m. and midnight. For example, Avis and Budget typically operate 6 a.m. to midnight, while Enterprise runs approximately 7 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.

Key points to keep in mind for your Sacramento collection:

• 24-hour vehicle drop-off is available at the airport, with early returns accepted from around 4 a.m.
• After-hours key drop locations are available at the Sacramento airport facility for returns outside counter hours
• City centre Sacramento locations such as Avis at 901 16th St have shorter hours, typically Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday to Sunday 9 a.m. to noon

If your flight arrives late, confirm your brand's closing time before travel. Hire companies will generally hold your Sacramento reservation for up to 24 hours from the original collection time if your flight is delayed.

Yes, toll roads and cashless express lanes exist in and around Sacramento and throughout Northern California, and they all use the FasTrak electronic system. There are no cash toll booths on these facilities.

Your Sacramento hire vehicle will already have an electronic toll device or plate-based billing system installed. At the counter you have two options:

• Unlimited toll package: a fixed daily rate of approximately US$11 to US$25 per day, covering all toll usage during your hire
• Pay per use: the hire company charges you the actual toll amount plus daily or administrative processing fees, billed to your card after the hire ends, sometimes weeks later

The Bay Area bridges, which many Sacramento renters cross when driving to San Francisco, charge approximately US$7 to US$15 per crossing. Express lanes on routes near Sacramento use dynamic pricing and require a FasTrak transponder. Driving through without enrolment can result in penalty invoices.

If you plan to use your own FasTrak account, inform the Sacramento counter agent so they can deactivate the vehicle's default device and prevent duplicate charges.

Yes, all Hola Car Rentals bookings include Tolls Cashback, which lets you recover up to 5% of your total booking value for tolls paid during your Sacramento hire.

This benefit is especially useful in Sacramento and Northern California, where FasTrak bridge crossings and express lane charges can add up quickly, particularly if you drive towards the San Francisco Bay Area.

To claim your cashback after your Sacramento hire:

• Email [email protected] within 30 days of returning the vehicle
• Use the subject line: Tolls Cashback - HOLA followed by your confirmation number
• Attach your Hola Car Rentals reservation confirmation, the signed hire agreement, and a toll receipt or statement showing charges paid

The refund is issued to the same payment method used for your booking and typically processes within 7 to 10 working days after approval. Claims submitted after 30 days are not accepted. Note that Tolls Cashback reimburses toll charges only, not administrative fees or traffic fines.

To collect your hire car in Sacramento, you must present all documents in physical form. Digital copies are not accepted at any counter.

• A valid, unexpired driver’s licence with your photo
• A major credit card in the main driver’s name, with the driver’s name printed on the card, for the security deposit authorisation hold
• A passport or valid government-issued photo ID
• Your booking confirmation or printed voucher
• Round-trip flight or cruise tickets if you are visiting from abroad

If your driver’s licence uses a non-Latin alphabet such as Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, or Cyrillic, an International Driving Permit (IDP) is mandatory at Sacramento counters. 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.

Some Sacramento locations may also request proof of address, such as a recent utility bill or bank statement, particularly for debit card pickups, though debit cards are generally not accepted for the security deposit. Bring a backup credit card as well in case your primary card is declined.

Yes, a physical major credit card in the main driver’s name is required to hire a car in Sacramento. Debit cards, prepaid cards, and virtual or digital wallet cards are not accepted for the security deposit authorisation hold.

At collection, the Sacramento counter agent will place a temporary authorisation hold on your card. For standard vehicles in the United States, this hold is typically US$300 to US$400, though the exact amount varies by brand, vehicle class, and location. The hold reduces your available credit until your bank releases it after the hire ends, which can take up to 15 working days.

• The card must be physical and have the driver’s name printed on it
• The name on the card must match the hire agreement
• Even if you prepaid your Sacramento booking online, you still must present a credit card at the counter for the hold
• Bring a backup credit card in case your primary card is declined

If you are travelling internationally to Sacramento, notify your bank before arrival to prevent fraud blocks on in-person authorisations.

In Sacramento, the minimum age to hire a car without a young-driver surcharge is 25. Drivers aged 21 to 24 can hire but will be charged a daily young-renter fee that varies by brand:

• Avis, Budget, and Payless: US$13 per hire day, capped at US$65 (plus taxes)
• Hertz, Thrifty, and Dollar: US$13.50 per hire day, capped at US$189 (plus taxes)
• Alamo, National, and Enterprise: US$15 per day (plus taxes)

Drivers under 25 hiring in Sacramento are also restricted from most premium vehicle classes. Economy, compact, and intermediate categories are generally available, while full-size, SUV, luxury, convertible, and minivan classes typically require the driver to be at least 25.

Drivers from Latin America and the Caribbean aged 21 to 24 may qualify for a young-renter fee waiver on eligible Avis and Budget Sacramento bookings. Check your Hola Car Rentals confirmation to see if the waiver is shown.

Drivers under 21 cannot hire in Sacramento under standard rules.

Sacramento hires use a Full-to-Full fuel policy. You receive the car with a full tank and must return it full to avoid charges.

At collection in Sacramento, check the fuel gauge with the agent and confirm the starting level is recorded on the hire agreement. Take a photo of the dashboard showing the odometer and gauge before leaving the lot.

When returning your vehicle to the Sacramento airport facility or a city centre location, refuel within approximately 10 miles of the return point so the gauge does not drop below full during the drive back. Keep your final fuel receipt showing the date, time, and station address.

• If you return the car below the recorded level, the Sacramento partner will charge you for the fuel shortfall at their refuelling rate, which is typically higher than pump price, plus a service fee
• For after-hours returns at Sacramento airport, leave the receipt in the key drop envelope and keep a photo of the full gauge
• If the car was not full at collection, ask the agent to record the exact level on the agreement and return it at that same level

Two main types of cover apply to Sacramento hire cars, and they protect different things.

Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) or Loss Damage Waiver (LDW) covers damage to the hire vehicle itself from a collision, theft, or vandalism. A deductible may apply unless your confirmation shows zero excess. CDW and LDW do not cover third parties.

Third-Party Liability (LIS/ALI/SLI) covers bodily injury and property damage you cause to other people or vehicles while driving in Sacramento. Some U.S. states require hire companies to include minimum liability, but this is not guaranteed in California. Hola Car Rentals strongly recommends adding Liability Insurance Supplementary cover of up to US$300,000 to your Sacramento booking.

• CDW/LDW does not cover tyres, undercarriage, roof, or personal belongings
• Only drivers named on the Sacramento hire agreement are covered
• Driving outside permitted areas or in breach of the agreement can void cover

Review your Hola Car Rentals confirmation before arriving in Sacramento to confirm which covers are included in your rate and whether a deductible applies.

Yes, you can add an additional driver to your Sacramento hire, either at no cost if your rate includes it or for a daily fee paid at the counter.

The additional driver must be present at the Sacramento collection point with a valid driver’s licence and any required ID. They must sign the hire agreement before driving the vehicle. Anyone who drives without being listed on the agreement is not covered by CDW/LDW or liability protections.

If the additional driver fee is not included in your rate, the daily charges in Sacramento are:

• Avis, Budget, and Payless: US$13 per day, capped at US$65 (plus taxes)
• Hertz, Thrifty, and Dollar: US$13.50 per day, capped at US$189 (plus taxes)
• Alamo, National, and Enterprise: US$15 per day (plus taxes)

For Avis, Budget, and Payless Sacramento locations, additional drivers must generally be at least 25 years old. Check your Hola Car Rentals confirmation for the line stating additional driver is included before arriving at the Sacramento counter.

Yes, most Hola Car Rentals bookings include travel assistance provided by Terrawind Global Protection, which can be useful if you experience a medical emergency or other covered incident during your Sacramento hire.

This benefit covers up to 5 passengers and typically includes:

• Travel insurance with medical cover for accidents and non-pre-existing illnesses
• Legal assistance in the event of a road accident in or around Sacramento
• Compensation for luggage lost by the airline
• Flight cancellation insurance

To reach assistance 24 hours a day, call +1 888 980 9992 (toll-free) or contact WhatsApp at +1 208 910 1001. Have your Hola Car Rentals confirmation number ready when you call.

Important: this benefit does not apply to residents of the United States or Canada. It also does not cover damage to the hire vehicle (that is CDW/LDW) or liability to third parties (that is LIS/ALI/SLI). Check your Sacramento booking confirmation for the exact terms and coverage limits that apply to your itinerary.

Yes, one-way hires from Sacramento to another city are possible with most partner brands, but a drop-off fee may apply depending on the route, vehicle class, and season.

When searching for a Sacramento hire with a different return location, the drop-off fee will appear on the rate details page under the section labelled To pay at destination. This fee is not included in the prepaid rate and must be paid at the Sacramento counter or the return location.

• Same-city returns, such as Sacramento airport to a city centre Sacramento location, often carry no drop-off fee
• Routes between Sacramento and another Californian city or a different state typically include a drop-off fee that varies by distance and vehicle class
• Cross-border one-ways, such as Sacramento to Canada or Mexico, may be restricted or require special authorisation from the hire company

If you change your return location after booking your Sacramento hire, the rate may be re-priced and the drop-off fee recalculated. Always verify the fee shown on your confirmation matches what the Sacramento counter presents at collection.

Yes, Sacramento has a notable quirk that can catch first-time visitors out: the downtown and midtown areas contain an extensive one-way street network spanning approximately 32.6 miles. The city is actively converting some of these streets to two-way traffic as part of the Central City Mobility Project.

Recent conversions include 5th Street from Broadway to the Golden One Center, as well as E, F, G, and H streets. This means GPS apps and maps may still show outdated routing based on the old one-way layout, which can cause confusion when navigating central Sacramento.

• Use a navigation app that receives frequent map updates and double-check directions in the downtown core
• Allow extra time when driving through central Sacramento if you are unfamiliar with the street layout
• The hire car terminal at Sacramento International Airport is located at 6327 Aviation Dr, well outside the downtown one-way network

Beyond the street layout, California uses FasTrak for all electronic tolling. There are no cash toll booths, so make sure your Sacramento hire's toll device is set up correctly before you encounter any express lanes or bridge crossings.