Auto Europa Car Rental at San Diego International Airport

San Diego International Airport serves the large metropolitan area of San Diego, and is located just three miles from this city’s downtown area. San Diego is an important city of California, and is just 15 miles north of the border between Mexico and the United States, at Tijuana. This American airport has been voted as the fourth best airport in 2007, and in the same year, as the second best airport in its category in the world. Its facilities and services are therefore modern and efficient. The airport has car hire companies available for arriving passengers, however, Auto Europa and the other car rental companies are located off-site, and not at the airport terminal buildings.

Although the San Diego International Airport car hire companies are not within walking distance of the baggage claim areas, the shuttles for transport are free of charge and frequently available. There are also reservation boards and courtesy telephones nearby the arrival halls of Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, which can be used by airport passengers. If a shuttle is not available, or if a special vehicle for a wheelchair bound traveller is required, the courtesy telephones can be used to contact Auto Europa. The airport has three buildings for passenger operations, the third being the Commuter Terminal, for all flights heading to and from Los Angeles. All terminal buildings are also connected by complimentary shuttle services.

The journey to Auto Europa will take just a few minutes, as all the car hire companies are not far from the airport. Most of them are found along North Harbor Drive, just south of the airport complex. They are also open twenty-four hours a day, and are therefore convenient for passengers on all arrival flights. Once at Auto Europa, a drivers license and a major credit card should be produced, in order to validate the rental, and an alternative form of identification could be required. Persons from foreign countries may need to have arranged an International Driving Permit from their home country, and should have a valid passport. Sometimes a return airline ticket is necessary as well. For the best car rental rates from Auto Europa, book online, in advance of your arrival at the airport.

It is best to be over the age of 25 when hiring a vehicle, as there will be no extra charges on your rental contract, and usually all vehicle categories are available. However, younger renters have a good selection of vehicles as well, but will just be charged an additional amount per day of car hire for young drivers insurance. They will also need to use a credit card at the start of the rental period, whereas an older driver has the option to use a debit card with the MasterCard or Visa logo. Credit cards accepted by Auto Europa include American Express, MasterCard, Visa, Diner’s Club Int’l and Discover.

The car rental company of Auto Europa San Diego International Airport hires their vehicles according to various categories, such as Economy, Compact and Fullsize. Passengers will receive a car that is similar to the example shown for each category. Although it may not be exactly the same, it will have similar characteristics. Always choose a vehicle that is of an adequate size for your passengers and luggage items, rather than simply because it has the lowest rental rates. Driving in a cramped vehicle could be rather unpleasant. Compact and Economy class vehicles are smaller, but are ideal for city driving and for single drivers or couples. They include the Ford Focus and the Chevrolet Aveo. Slightly larger cars for hire are the Hyundai Elantra, Chevy Malibu, Ford Fusion, Hyundai Sonata and Chrysler 300.

The San Diego International Airport car rental companies hire SUVs as well, and minivans for groups of travellers. These cars are generally quite spacious, and are often a popular choice for people who wish to drive their vehicle further than the city of San Diego. A couple of Interstates lead north towards Los Angeles, as well as to the east and south. Be careful, however, to not cross the border into Mexico, as cross-border rentals are often not permitted, especially from the US into Mexico. One hires, however, may be available, and are when the vehicle is returned to a location other than San Diego Airport. One way hires are sometime more convenient, but could have extra charges. Confirm with Europcar to where your one way hire may be driven and delivered.

The larger vehicles from this airport car rental location include the Chrysler Town and Country, Ford Explorer, Ford Escape, Dodge Caravan, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Chevy Tahoe, some of which seat up to seven or eight passengers. From Auto Europa as well, child seats, satellite navigation systems and hand controls for disabled drivers may be requested. The first two items are available for any vehicle, but Auto Europa hand controls are only fitted to certain types of automatic vehicles. They should therefore be requested in advance. From San Diego International Airport, hand controls are free of charge to persons with a lower limb disability, but all other items of equipment will have extra charges.

From Auto Europa at San Diego International Airport, even motorcycles can be hired, such as the Harley Sportster 883, Harley Street Glide, Harley Road Glide, Harley Road King, Harley Fat Boy, Honda 3-Wheel Trike and Harley 3-Wheel Trike. Auto Europa is one of the only car rental companies to offer motorcycle rentals to airport passengers. Contact the company for further enquiries.

From North America only:

Tel +1 207 842 2000

Fax +1 207 842-2222

1-888-223-5555 toll-free

Alternatively – view international phone list on Auto Europa’s website, at www.autoeuropa.com.