Car hire in Berkeley, United States

Use the same magic that powers our flight search to find cheap car rental in Berkeley

Compare car hire on price, ease of pick-up, a fair fuel policy and more

Find Berkeley car rental deals you can amend or cancel if your plans change

Select your Berkeley pick-up location

There are 10 car hire locations in Berkeley. Choose the cheapest or easiest now.

The most popular car rental companies in Berkeley

Hiring a car in Berkeley: Fast facts

Here's everything you need to know to hit the road happy.
Most popular car hire companyAvis
Most popular carIntermediate/Standard, 4-5 doors
Average daily priceر.ق.‏ 142
Best time to book3 weeks before

How to book the best car rental deals in Berkeley

We’re frequently named as the most trusted travel search site out there. We scan hundreds of trusted travel providers and put it all in one place, allowing you to instantly compare car hire rates and then book with no fees. Here's how to get the most out of your Berkeley car rental search.

How to find a cheap car hire deal in Berkeley

  • Looking for a cheap rental car in Berkeley? With prices averaging ر.ق.‏ 142 a day, you're headed for some big savings. Whether you're after a small ride, a spacious SUV, or anything in between, we round up all the top offers to get you real value.

  • November is the cheapest month to rent a car in Berkeley. With average daily rates of ر.ق.‏ 135, you've got the green light to save.

  • Book early to lock in a cheap rental car in Berkeley. On top of better deals, you'll have first pick of the most popular options.

  • Check out car hire deals in Berkeley from leading providers like Hertz, Enterprise and Budget.

  • The coverage Hertz or another supplier offers for your Berkeley car hire can differ, so be sure to go over the fine print. While some include a collision damage waiver (CDW), others will provide it for an extra fee.

  • Look into getting a one-way rental. You might be able to score a good deal if the provider needs to relocate some of its vehicles. Discover the best available rates for a car for rent in Berkeley by clicking 'Return car to a different location.'

  • Avoid any surprise charges by choosing a car hire in Berkeley with a 'Fair fuel policy.' Start your journey with a full tank and return it the same, and pay only for what you use.

  • Want to explore freely without worrying about how many miles you clock up? Find rentals with 'Unlimited mileage' under the 'Policies' filter and go as far as you like without the extra charges.

Compare car hire types in Berkeley

  • Small: These cheap rental cars in Berkeley may be small in size, but they're big where it counts. Including mini and economy vehicles, they're agile, light on fuel, and a match made in heaven for city driving.

  • Medium: Not too big, not too small, this just-right ride is calling your name. Typically including compact and intermediate cars, they strike a balance of interior space and fuel efficiency and are popular with small families and couples.

  • Large: Long drives fly by in this Berkeley car hire category. Also known as full-size, they've got the engine power for lengthy trips. The extra legroom and comfort make them a popular choice for groups of friends and families.

  • SUV: SUVs are ready whenever wanderlust hits. All-wheel drive and everyday versatility equip them for city streets and rugged backroads alike.

  • Van: If you're looking for a car for rent in Berkeley that can handle a small crowd (and their suitcases), a van has space where it counts. Including commercial vans and trucks, they're just the thing for group trips, business needs or moving.

Insurance and optional extras

  • Excess insurance covers what you'd otherwise have to pay if your Berkeley car hire is stolen or damaged. While not compulsory, it's a smart add-on if you'd rather play it safe. Just remember that policies differ from one provider to another, so make sure you understand exactly what's offered.

  • Upgrade your ride with extras like a reverse camera and GPS unit. These features can make your trip more comfortable and stress-free when you rent a car in Berkeley.

Good to know

  • You typically have to be at least 21 years old to rent a car in the United States. Being younger doesn't always disqualify you — just expect some extra fees or restrictions. Check the suppliers' terms and conditions before booking.

  • Add a car seat to your Berkeley car hire reservation if you're planning to travel with the kids. Rules change from one location to another, but using a child seat suited to their size, weight and age is always the safest option.

Hit the road: Where to drive from Berkeley

  • Don't leave town without exploring some of the city's biggest attractions, like Berkeley Repertory Theatre and Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive (BAMPFA). Lock in a car hire deal in Berkeley and then start putting together your sightseeing hit list.

  • Make yourself at home in Berkeley by staying at Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Fisherman's Wharf by IHG or Hotel Triton.

  • San Jose should be on your to-do list if you're eager to visit Japantown (San Jose) and Winchester Mystery House. This city is around 72 kilometres south-east of central Berkeley.

  • You'll be well looked after at Uptown Oasis San Jose Airport and Alura Inn, two reliable accommodation options in San Jose.

  • Add San Francisco to your travel plans. Grab your cheap car hire in Berkeley and drive around 16 kilometres south-west to discover major attractions such as Golden Gate Bridge and Painted Ladies - Alamo Square.

  • BEI San Francisco, Trademark Collection by Wyndham and Hotel G San Francisco are comfortable places to stay in San Francisco if you're settling in for a while.

  • Keep the momentum going and road-trip it to Reno, about 290 kilometres north-east of Berkeley. Make your first stop Tahoe Meadow Trail, then follow it up with Boomtown Casino.

  • The only thing left on your to-do list now is sleep. Circus Circus Reno Hotel & Casino and Eldorado Resort Casino at THE ROW will have a room for you in Reno.

Frequently asked questions

On average, hiring a car in Berkeley will set you back around ر.ق.‏ 142 per day or ر.ق.‏ 731 per week. 
The cheapest car to rent in Berkeley is an intermediate SUV. The most popular is Intermediate/Standard, 4-5 doors.
Bagging the best car hire deal depends on when you book  – often, it pays to book your wheels as far in advance as possible. But according to our data, the cheapest month to rent a car in Berkeley is currently November.
On average, around ر.ق.‏ 731. But the best price we found for car hire for a week in Berkeley is ر.ق.‏ 668.
Based on everything we know about daily prices, the average cost to hire a car in Berkeley for a whole month is ر.ق.‏ 4,047. 

But sometimes, you'll get a discount for booking a whole month instead of 3 and a half weeks. So play with your dates to find the best deals!
If you're looking for freedom to explore Berkeley, choose a car with unlimited mileage, or look for car hire deals with a ’full to full' fuel policy as opposed to a 'half-full to full' one.

We also clearly highlight car and van hire options in Berkeley that have free cancellation
Yes – you can easily find car hire companies that allow you to pick up your car in one place, and then drop it off in another. Just select ‘Return car to a different location’ when you search with us.
Public transport can only get you so far, and could be tricky to navigate with children or luggage. With your own set of wheels, you can go wherever you want, whenever you want, for as long as you want. And you'll be able to discover more outside of Berkeley.
Most places – Berkeley included – allow under 25s to rent a car as long as they provide a valid driver's license and the correct documentation. It may cost slightly more due to a higher insurance excess for young drivers. 
The cheapest price we found for an economy car is ر.ق.‏ 112 per day. The average price per day is around ر.ق.‏ 126.
Of course. Most major car hire companies like Avis, Hertz and National offer baby and child seats as an add-on when you book.
Other travellers rated Avis as the best overall in terms of experience.
We search the internet for all kinds of vehicle hire deals, including vans. But at the moment, we can't find any van hire in Berkeley.