The rental companies with the lowest base rates in Los Angeles
The cheapest daily rates in Los Angeles typically come from Budget, Enterprise, and Fox Rent A Car, which often undercut the major chains on base price. However, the final cost depends heavily on what you add during checkout — insurance, airport fees, fuel options, and taxes can double the advertised rate. A $25-per-day quote can become $60 or more once those charges are included.
Los Angeles has multiple rental locations: at LAX (the most expensive due to airport concession fees), at Long Beach Airport, at Burbank, and at off-airport locations throughout the city. Off-airport branches in neighborhoods like Santa Monica or Downtown LA typically charge 20 to 40 percent less than airport counters for the same car, because they avoid the airport's facility fees and taxes.
Comparison sites like Kayak, Autoslash, and Priceline let you search all companies at once and see the total cost upfront, including taxes and fees. These sites also show you which location is cheapest for your dates — sometimes a branch five miles away costs significantly less than the nearest one.
Key Takeaways
- Budget, Enterprise, and Fox Rent A Car usually have the lowest starting rates, but the final bill depends on insurance, fuel, and location fees you choose at checkout.
- Renting from an off-airport branch in Los Angeles costs 20 to 40 percent less than renting at LAX, Long Beach, or Burbank airports for the same vehicle.
- Comparison sites show you the total price including all fees and taxes before you book, so you can see which company and location is actually cheapest for your dates.
- Your personal auto insurance or credit card may cover rental car damage, which means you can decline the rental company's insurance and save $15 to $30 per day.
How airport fees and location affect your final price
Los Angeles airports charge rental companies a concession fee — typically 10 to 15 percent of the rental cost — which the company passes to you. A $30-per-day rate at LAX becomes $34 to $35 after the airport markup alone. Long Beach Airport (LGB) and Burbank (BUR) charge lower concession fees than LAX, so the same company may be noticeably cheaper there.
Off-airport locations avoid this fee entirely. Enterprise, Budget, and Hertz all have branches in Santa Monica, West Hollywood, Downtown LA, and other neighborhoods. Picking up from a branch near your hotel or destination often costs less than driving to the airport, waiting in line, and paying the facility charge. Use the company's location finder to compare prices at different branches for your exact dates.
Some rental companies also charge a "location surcharge" at certain branches — usually $5 to $10 per day — so always check the full breakdown before you confirm. The cheapest option is not always the company with the lowest advertised rate; it is the one with the lowest total at your chosen location.
Insurance and fuel options that affect the real cost
Rental companies offer collision damage waiver (CDW) or loss damage waiver (LDW) insurance, which covers damage to the car. This costs $15 to $30 per day and is optional. Before you buy it, check whether your personal auto insurance or credit card covers rental cars — most do. If your policy covers rentals, you can decline the company's insurance and save hundreds of dollars on a week-long rental.
Fuel options also change the final price. You can prepay for a full tank at a discounted rate (usually cheaper than paying per gallon at the pump), buy fuel as you go, or return the car empty and pay the company's per-gallon rate. Prepaying is cheapest if you will use most of the tank. If you are renting for a short trip and will return the car nearly full, paying as you go at a gas station near the rental location is usually cheaper.
Additional driver fees, GPS rental, and roadside information are all add-ons that increase the daily rate. Many phones have free GPS, and roadside information through your auto insurance or roadside membership (AAA, for example) covers rental cars, so you can skip these options.
Booking strategies that lower your total cost
Booking directly through a rental company's website sometimes shows lower rates than comparison sites, because the company avoids paying the site a commission. Check both the company's site and Kayak or Autoslash for the same dates and location, then book whichever is cheaper.
Rental rates in Los Angeles change based on demand. Booking several weeks in advance usually costs less than booking a few days before, but rates can drop if demand falls. If you have flexible dates, check the price for a range of dates to find the cheapest days. Weekday rentals are often cheaper than weekend rentals.
Membership programs like AAA, AARP, or corporate discounts through your employer can reduce the daily rate by 10 to 20 percent. Ask whether your membership includes a rental discount code before you book. Some credit cards also offer rental car discounts or points that can be applied to the booking.
What to check before you confirm your reservation
Before you click "book," verify the total price includes all taxes and fees. Los Angeles adds state sales tax (8.625 percent) plus a city tax on car rentals (10 percent in some areas), so a $30-per-day rate becomes roughly $35 per day after taxes alone. The comparison site should show this total, but confirm it matches what the rental company's website shows.
Check the cancellation policy. Most rental companies allow free cancellation up to 24 hours before pickup, but some discount rates are non-refundable. If your plans might change, book a rate that allows cancellation without penalty.
Read the fuel policy carefully. If you prepay for fuel, you are charged for the full tank even if you return the car with fuel remaining. If you buy fuel as you go, you pay the company's per-gallon rate, which is usually higher than a gas station. Returning the car with a nearly full tank and paying per gallon is usually the cheapest option for short rentals.
Comparing the major budget rental companies in Los Angeles
| Company | Typical starting rate | Strengths | Watch for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | $25–$35/day | Lowest advertised rates; many LA locations | Additional fees at checkout; older vehicles |
| Enterprise | $28–$38/day | Off-airport locations; free local pickup | Damage fees can be strict; fuel surcharge |
| Fox Rent A Car | $22–$32/day | Lowest rates; local company; flexible terms | Smaller fleet; less brand recognition |
| Hertz | $30–$45/day | Newer cars; good customer service | Higher base rates; premium pricing at LAX |
| Avis | $32–$48/day | Frequent renter rewards; newer fleet | Higher rates than competitors; airport fees |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it cheaper to rent a car at LAX or pick it up elsewhere in Los Angeles?
Off-airport locations are almost always cheaper. LAX charges rental companies a 10 to 15 percent concession fee, which gets passed to you. Renting from an Enterprise or Budget branch in Santa Monica, Downtown LA, or near your hotel typically costs 20 to 40 percent less for the same car. If you are flying in, consider taking a rideshare to an off-airport location or renting from a branch near your hotel instead.
Do I have to buy the rental company's insurance?
No. Check your personal auto insurance policy or credit card benefits first — most cover rental cars. If you are covered, you can decline the company's collision damage waiver and save $15 to $30 per day. Call your insurance company or credit card issuer before you book to confirm what is covered.
What is the cheapest way to handle fuel?
For short rentals, return the car with a nearly full tank and pay per gallon at a gas station near the rental location. For longer rentals, prepaying for a full tank at the rental company's discounted rate is usually cheaper than paying per gallon at the pump. Avoid returning the car empty — the company's per-gallon rate is the most expensive option.
Can I save money by booking through a comparison site instead of the rental company's website?
Sometimes. Comparison sites and the company's own website occasionally show different prices for the same dates and location. Check both before you book. The company's website sometimes has lower rates because it avoids paying the comparison site a commission, but comparison sites sometimes have exclusive discounts. The total price (including all taxes and fees) is what matters, not the advertised daily rate.
Are there hidden fees I should watch for?
Yes. Additional driver fees, GPS rental, roadside information, fuel surcharges, and location surcharges can add $50 to $100 to your total. Check the full breakdown before you confirm. You can skip GPS (use your phone), roadside information (use your auto insurance or AAA), and additional drivers (if you are the only driver). Fuel and insurance are the main costs to compare across companies.