rental car minvan from SFO to lax?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 1
rental car minvan from SFO to lax?
Here is my issue :
I'm planning a trip for 6 people from dfw to SFO and then drinving to lax and fly from lax back to dfw.
The price for a van on dec 25th 2011 to 12/31/2011 is close to $1000. Taking rental at airport always
Please help me
I'm planning a trip for 6 people from dfw to SFO and then drinving to lax and fly from lax back to dfw.
The price for a van on dec 25th 2011 to 12/31/2011 is close to $1000. Taking rental at airport always
Please help me
#3
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: SEA
Programs: AS MVP, Hhonors Gold, National Executive, Identity Gold, MLife Gold
Posts: 2,687
Have you considered renting a car @ SFO, flying SFO-LAX and renting another car for your time there?
Even with 6 people, it may actually be cheaper. I know flights are typically expensive around Christmas, but it's generally not as bad on Christmas day.
I just looked at alaskaair.com, and see that you can get a flight from SJC for $83, or OAK/SFO for $89. Even with checked bag fees, you might end up saving money. And it's very likely that you'd save more time here. I think the drive from SFO-LAX is pretty brutal, though it may not be as bad on a holiday.
Note: There's a $20 fee per rental to rent at SFO. So even for a short rental there, it might be somewhat expensive. I've priced a 2 day mid-December rental at SFO at $115-$193, depending on the codes I've used.
Even with 6 people, it may actually be cheaper. I know flights are typically expensive around Christmas, but it's generally not as bad on Christmas day.
I just looked at alaskaair.com, and see that you can get a flight from SJC for $83, or OAK/SFO for $89. Even with checked bag fees, you might end up saving money. And it's very likely that you'd save more time here. I think the drive from SFO-LAX is pretty brutal, though it may not be as bad on a holiday.
Note: There's a $20 fee per rental to rent at SFO. So even for a short rental there, it might be somewhat expensive. I've priced a 2 day mid-December rental at SFO at $115-$193, depending on the codes I've used.
#4
In memoriam
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 4,020
It is often cheaper to rent at OAK--you can easily take BART there from SF. Or try Hotwire or PL.
Also, how are you planning to go. If down Interstate 5, I agree that flying may be better. Down Highway One on the Coast it is really a two day trip. Or, you could take Amtrak along the coast route which is very lovely.
Also, how are you planning to go. If down Interstate 5, I agree that flying may be better. Down Highway One on the Coast it is really a two day trip. Or, you could take Amtrak along the coast route which is very lovely.
#7
Moderator: Hilton Honors, Practical Travel Safety Issues & San Francisco
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: San Francisco CA
Programs: UA, Hilton, Priceline, AirBnB
Posts: 10,999
if you are driving to see the coast etc
$1000 is the going rate for a minivan one way. You could check out pricing on Amtrak but I am assuming it'd be about the same.
You could also try seeing what a rental from downtown SF to LAX would be if it'd be any cheaper.
You could also try seeing what a rental from downtown SF to LAX would be if it'd be any cheaper.
#9
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,188
Is this for a 7-passenger van? What days are where? Minivans are expensive. I assume you've looked into alternatives, such as a larger SUV or renting two sedans. You don't say what, if any, discounts you could sue and whether your price includes insurance. On a recent trip I used discount codes from Costco and from AARP, and in the past I've used codes from airline frequent flyer programs. I looked into Priceline and Hotwire but in our cases they were not less expensive. Are you arriving at SFO and then driving to L.A.? As noted, having a car in SF itself can be a liability, due to traffic and parking fees, even at hotels. Sometimes you can save money from renting at an off-airport location (e.g., downtown SF), though you will likely have a much smaller selection of vehicles to choose from (not sure if they always have minivans). One-way fees aren't always listed as such; sometimes there is just a higher (sometimes much higher) base fee. I found this to be true with Enterprise, for example (which is one company that doesn't normally allow one-way rentals except between airport locations).
I-5 is the quickest route to L.A. The part over the Tehachapi Mountains can be closed by snow, but that is usually for a fairly brief period of time. You might say why you want to drive vs. flying or taking the train (of course, you'd still need a car in L.A., even if you don't use on in S.F.).
I-5 is the quickest route to L.A. The part over the Tehachapi Mountains can be closed by snow, but that is usually for a fairly brief period of time. You might say why you want to drive vs. flying or taking the train (of course, you'd still need a car in L.A., even if you don't use on in S.F.).
#10
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Athens, GA
Programs: Delta PM,UA 1P,
Posts: 902
I do this alot, albeit in the other direction LA-SF and usually pay about 850 for a 7 day rental @ Dollar. Its funny that although I usually specify a minivan I seem to get one even if I reserve a compact.