Question 1

Where do I pick up my rental car in San Jose or at SJC Airport?

Accepted Answer

If you’re renting from San Jose International Airport (SJC), you’ll likely pick up your car at the airport’s Rental Car Center. SJC’s Rental Car Center is a dedicated facility located directly across from Terminal B. If you land at Terminal B, it’s an easy walk just exit baggage claim and cross the street to the Rental Car Center. If you arrive at Terminal A, you’ll take a free shuttle bus a short distance to the Rental Car Center (follow the signs for “Rental Car Shuttle” outside baggage claim). The shuttles run frequently (every 5-10 minutes during peak times, and a bit less frequently late at night). Once you’re at the Rental Car Center, you’ll find the counters for Hertz, Avis, Enterprise, etc. all in one building. Complete your paperwork there, and you’ll be directed to the garage area to pick up your vehicle.
For downtown San Jose or off-airport rentals, pickup locations vary. Many companies have offices in downtown or neighborhoods like Santa Clara. The address and instructions will be provided in your booking often, it’s a retail location or hotel desk. These non-airport offices typically have you pick up the car on-site (and some may offer shuttle service if you’re coming from the airport or vice versa). Always double-check the pickup location in your reservation if it says “San Jose Off Airport (XYZ street)”, you’ll need to go directly to that address. The good news is San Jose isn’t too large, so downtown and airport locations are at most 10-15 minutes apart by taxi or rideshare if you end up at the wrong spot.
When returning the car, follow the signs for “Rental Car Return” if at SJC (the same Rental Car Center on Airport Blvd). For city locations, return to the same address or as instructed. And allow a few extra minutes if you’re returning at the airport and need to catch the shuttle back to Terminal A, or to walk back to Terminal B.

Question 2

How much does it cost to rent a car in San Jose?

Accepted Answer

Rental prices in San Jose can vary quite a bit depending on the season, demand, and vehicle type. Broadly speaking, you might find economy car rates around $25-$40 per day before taxes/fees in off-peak times, and around $50+ per day in peak summer or busy periods. For example, an economy car (like a Nissan Versa) might be available for ~$30/day on a weekend in winter, whereas a midsize SUV might run $60/day for the same period. During high-demand times (think summer holidays, major conferences or events in Silicon Valley), those prices can increase an SUV or minivan could be $80-$100/day. The good news is San Jose sometimes sees very cheap weekend deals (when business traveler demand is low) we’ve seen occasional specials as low as $20/day for a compact car, especially if you book early. Also, renting for a week often brings down the average daily price; for instance, a compact car might total ~$200-$250 per week (before taxes), which averages to less per day than a short 2-day rental. Luxury cars, convertibles, or specialty vehicles will cost more a Tesla or premium SUV might be $90+/day.

Keep in mind that the price you see on our site already includes standard taxes and fees in the total. San Jose rentals will have about ~10% in sales tax plus any applicable surcharges (if renting at the airport, there’s an airport fee, etc.). We show you that breakdown before you confirm, so you’re not caught off guard. One more tip: to get the best price, try to book as early as possible. Rental rates tend to climb as the pickup date approaches and fleet availability drops. If your dates are not set in stone, play around sometimes shifting by a day or picking up at a different time can slightly change the rate. And of course, compare vehicle classes occasionally a larger car might be on special and cheaper than a smaller one for the same dates. Our platform will automatically apply any discounts available to ensure you’re getting a great deal.

Question 3

What is the minimum age to rent a car in San Jose?

Accepted Answer

The standard minimum age to rent a car in San Jose (and throughout California) is 25 years old. Renters aged 25 and above will have access to the full selection of vehicles and typically won’t incur any additional age-related fees. That said, many rental companies in San Jose do rent to younger drivers aged 21-24, but with a few conditions. If you’re 21-24, expect to pay a “young driver surcharge” usually around $25-$30 per day extra on top of the regular rate (the exact fee varies by company). Additionally, under-25 renters might be restricted from renting certain premium vehicle categories (for example, you might not be able to rent a luxury car, large SUV, or specialty vehicle).

Drivers under 21 have very limited options generally, mainstream rental companies won’t rent to those under 21 in California, with a couple of exceptions: if you’re 18-20 and traveling on official military orders or government business, some companies will rent to you (state law mandate), or you can use specialized programs. But for leisure travelers under 21, it’s tough to get a rental car from the big brands.

A valid driver’s license is required for any rental. If you’re a international visitor, you can rent with your home country’s license as long as it’s in English (or uses the Roman alphabet). If it’s not, it’s recommended (though not legally required) to carry an International Driving Permit (IDP) as a translation. You’ll also need a credit card in the driver’s name for the deposit. Some companies allow debit cards, but they often run a credit check or require additional ID for younger renters if you use a debit.

Bottom line: If you’re under 25, budget for the surcharge and read the rental policy each company’s rules differ slightly. On AirportVanRental’s search results, we allow you to input your age, and we’ll factor in any young driver fees and show which cars are available to you. It takes the guesswork out so you know exactly what to expect.

Question 4

Can I rent a car in San Jose with a debit card instead of a credit card?

Accepted Answer

Yes, many car rental companies in San Jose do accept debit cards, but policies vary and there are a few extra things to know. In general, the larger agencies (Enterprise, Hertz, Budget, etc.) will rent to you with a debit card with some conditions:
•	Debit Card Acceptance: Most require that the debit card has a Visa or MasterCard logo (basically functioning as a credit card) and is tied to a checking account. Prepaid cards or debit cards without a major logo usually are not accepted at pick-up (though they might be accepted for payment at return).
•	Proof of Return Travel & ID: If you’re renting at an airport location (like SJC) with a debit card, you might need to show proof of your return flight itinerary. This is to assure them you’re an outbound traveler. Non-airport locations might ask for a utility bill or proof of local address if you’re local, or a second form of ID. Each company has its own rules for example, Dollar/Thrifty often require a flight itinerary at airports, and Enterprise might ask for a utility bill if local.
•	Credit Check or Deposit: Some companies will perform a credit check (soft inquiry) when you use a debit card to ensure you meet their criteria. Others might not, but almost all will place a hold (deposit) on your account. Typically, they’ll hold the estimated rental charges plus an additional deposit (often $200-$500) on the debit card. Make sure you have enough funds in the account to cover this hold, otherwise the rental could be denied. This hold gets released after you return the car (it can take a few days to see the funds back in your account depending on your bank).
•	Young Renters: If you’re under 25, using a debit card can be trickier. A lot of locations only allow debit for 25+ or, if they do allow 21-24 with debit, they may require the credit check and have more stringent rules. Some might flat-out not rent to under-25 with debit because they can’t run credit (or choose not to).
•	Vehicle Type Restrictions: When renting with a debit, don’t be surprised if the company limits the types of vehicles you can rent. Often, luxury cars, premium SUVs, or other high-end vehicles are not rentable with a debit card (they want a credit card on file for those, due to the higher risk/cost). So if you plan to rent, say, a BMW or a large luxury SUV, you’ll likely need a credit card. For standard cars economy through full-size, and standard SUVs you should be fine with a debit at most companies.
In practice, renting with a debit card in San Jose is doable many people do it but allow a bit of extra time at the counter for the paperwork and potential ID checks. It’s a good idea to call the specific location ahead of time if you can, and ask about their debit card policy, so you come prepared with whatever they need. And ensure the name on the debit card matches your driver’s license exactly.

One more tip: even if you book the rental with a debit card on our site, the requirements at pick-up remain (the rental company doesn’t charge your card until pick-up). If you have a credit card available, it can smooth the process you could still pay with the debit or cash upon return if you want, but a credit card at the start avoids a lot of the hurdles. If not, just be ready with the above, and you shouldn’t have an issue getting on the road.

Question 5

Can I rent a car in San Jose and drop it off in another city (one-way rental)?

Accepted Answer

Yes, one-way rentals are commonly available from San Jose. This means you can pick up a car in San Jose (or at SJC Airport) and return it to a different city or airport. Many people do this for California road trips or multi-city itineraries for example, flying into San Jose but out of Los Angeles, or doing a coastal drive north to Seattle.
Here’s what to keep in mind for one-way rentals:
•	Availability: Most major rental companies allow one-way rentals between their locations. California is a popular one-way rental state, so dropping off at major hubs like San Francisco, LAX, Las Vegas, etc., is usually no problem. When you search on our site, just choose “Different Return Location” and input your drop-off city we’ll filter results to those that allow one-way for your route.
•	Drop Fees: Often, one-way rentals incur a drop-off fee, which can vary widely. Sometimes it’s small or even $0 (for example, a San Jose to San Francisco one-way might have little to no fee because the distance is short and cars can be easily repositioned). Longer distances or cross-country could have higher fees. A San Jose to L.A. one-way might be quite reasonable (and sometimes promotional deals make it cheaper to take cars southbound or northbound, depending on fleet needs). Our system will include any applicable one-way fee in the price you see. It’s not paid separately it’s just part of the total cost we quote. Keep an eye on the total; if it seems higher than a round-trip, the difference may be that drop fee.
•	Different Drop Locations in San Jose Area: If you’re picking up at SJC but want to drop off at, say, downtown San Jose, that’s usually fine and often without any fee (same metro area). Similarly, dropping at SFO or OAK (the other Bay Area airports) is typically allowed. In-state one-ways (within California) tend to be easier and cheaper than out-of-state.
•	Rental Duration: Some companies require a minimum rental length for certain one-ways, or they might restrict one-way rentals of very short duration on popular routes. For example, a 1-day one-way from San Jose to L.A. might not be offered by all companies or might include a hefty fee, whereas a 3-day one-way might be more readily available. It’s just how they manage their fleet.
•	Vehicle Selection: Occasionally, certain car categories might not be allowed for one-way or might be “return to originating city only.” This is rare for standard cars, but exotic or specialty vehicles might have this restriction. When you search with a different drop-off, we automatically show you only the cars you can take one-way, so you won’t have to guess.

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