Your Complete Guide to Booking SJU Airport Car Rentals in San Juan, Puerto Rico

10 min readSep 9, 2023

Arriving in beautiful San Juan for your Puerto Rico getaway? You’ll want the freedom of your own rental car to explore this vibrant city and island. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about booking affordable, convenient car rentals at SJU Airport.

We’ll compare on-site rental companies, provide navigation tips for pickup and dropoff, list additional airport location benefits, and share money-saving strategies. You’ll have all the knowledge to reserve the perfect San Juan airport rental car for your trip needs and budget. Let’s get started!

Overview of SJU Airport

Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU) serves as the main airport for flights into the capital of San Juan and the surrounding metro area. Understanding SJU airport logistics makes pickup and return smooth:

Single terminal with two concourses — gates 1–12 and 14–26. Conveniently compact layout.
On-site rental car center attached via moving walkways.
Wide range of dining, shopping, and lounges available airside.
Recently renovated to add modern amenities while preserving island theme.
Approximately 10 million passengers per year makes it the busiest Caribbean airport.
American, Delta, JetBlue, Southwest, and United are hub carriers.

With a single terminal, rental car center access, and abundance of airlines, SJU offers a straightforward experience for grabbing your rental and starting your San Juan vacation.

Navigating the SJU Rental Car Center

SJU’s rental car facility is connected directly to the terminal via moving walkways marked “Rental Car Shuttle.” Here are some navigation tips:

Follow overhead signs starting at baggage claim to the walkways.
Be sure to access the correct walkway for the terminal concourse your flight uses — they are in different corridors.
Allow at least 15–20 extra minutes to pick up luggage, take the walkway, and clear rental counter lines.
After renting, exit the garage to retrieve your car from numbered stalls matching signs above.
For dropoff, follow signs to the rental facility entrance and return your car to designated stalls.
Shuttle buses also run between the terminal and rental center if not walking.

Understanding the layout ahead of time prevents getting lost trying to pickup your SJU car rental.

Benefits of Booking SJU Airport vs Off-Airport Rentals

Should you pickup your car at San Juan’s airport or consider alternatives? Here are advantages of SJU airport rentals:

Convenience

Vehicles ready upon arrival. No extra transit needed.
Avoid rideshare surge pricing to/from other locations.
Walkway access limits airport shuttle needs.

Better Value

No transportation costs to/from offsite locations.
Time savings getting to your San Juan hotel sooner.

Selection

All major rental companies available onsite.
Broad choices from economy to luxury vehicles.
Airport facility keeps fleets well stocked. No shortages.

For a seamless start to your vacation, SJU airport rentals are worth the slight premium over alternatives.

Recommended SJU Car Rental Operators

San Juan’s airport rental facility offers every major nationwide brand along with local agencies. Recommended options:

Alamo

Modern counter with curbside luggage assistance.
Fastpass reusable counter bypass for quicker pickup.
Free additional driver and mobile check in.

Avis

Preferred service and vehicle selection for members.
Mobile app for remote check in and vehicle selection.
Kiosk availability to bypass counter lines.

Budget

Frequently offers some of the lowest total rates in San Juan.
Partners with Cruise America for RV rentals onsite.
Provides free shuttle service to/from hotels.

Dollar

Dollar Express rapid pickup kiosks and lane to skip counter wait.
Dollar Flight Club bonuses for frequent airport renters.
Good additional driver policy just requiring a license.

Hertz

Gold Plus Rewards skips counter and grabs car from exclusive selection area.
Wide range of luxury and sport vehicles available.
Rental Cars To Go lets you complete checkout via app.

Thrifty

Thrifty ExpressPASS for expedited pickup and dropoff.
Highly rated Blue Chip Service for rapid counter transactions.
Red Carpet lane provides vehicle delivery right to baggage claim on arrival.

All SJU rental operators work to deliver a fast, seamless experience getting on your way upon arrival.

Booking Your SJU Airport Rental Car

To ensure you lock in the best SJU car rental rates and vehicle for your needs:

Reserve early — Book at least 2–4 weeks before your travel dates if possible. Last minute rentals will carry higher pricing.
Double check dates — Verify pickup and drop off dates and times match your itinerary. Allow buffer time for flight changes.
Limit extras — Decline overpriced add-ons like unnecessary insurance and fuel plans. Watch for hidden fees.
Compare total cost — Punch in different vehicle sizes and rental lengths to optimize both rate and vehicle. Consider weekly/monthly discounts for long term rentals.
Use booking tools — Check aggregators like Kayak and compare brand sites directly for best deals.
Choose unlimited mileage — Remove concerns over driving distances across Puerto Rico.

Planning ahead and being diligent about total cost ensures you’ll secure the perfect SJU rental car for your needs at a competitive price.

Navigating SJU Airport Pickup and Dropoff

Once arriving at SJU, here are some tips for seamless car rental transitions:

Pickup

Verify terminal — Ensure you take the correct moving walkway from your concourse.
Have documents ready — Driver’s license, credit card for deposit, and reservation info speed the process.
Avoid counter lines — Use kiosks, status programs, and mobile check-in to bypass waiting when offered.
Review agreement — Understand all charges and policies before signing paperwork and driving away.
Inspect vehicle — Note any damage before exiting the garage. Review again when returning.

Dropoff

Fill tank — Avoid punitive fueling charges by refilling before returning.
Check hours — Return during normal hours to avoid extra after hours drop fees.
Have shuttle backup — If walking with luggage is difficult, use courtesy shuttles available.
Double check return location — Many levels and garages exist. Verify you are in the rental facility’s designated area.
Keep paperwork — Retain receipts and docs showing return date/time and fuel/damage status.

Following these procedures in San Juan guarantees no surprises on billing once your trip concludes.

Types of Rental Cars Available at SJU Airport

With San Juan’s diverse business and leisure demand, SJU rental companies offer an enormous fleet mix including:

Economy — Chevrolet Spark, Toyota Yaris or similar. Perfect for solo or couple island cruising on a budget.
Compact — Nissan Versa, Hyundai Accent or similar. Good mileage for getting around congested city areas.
Intermediate — Toyota Corolla, similar. Nice balance of space, comfort and efficiency.
Standard — Toyota Camry, Nissan Altima or similar. Ideal midsize roominess for 4 passengers and luggage.
Full-Size — Chevrolet Impala, Toyota Avalon similar. Comfort plus space for families and groups.
Premium — Lincoln MKZ, Mercedes C-Class, similar. Sophisticated luxury models.
Minivans — Dodge Caravan, similar. Flexible room for up to 7 plus ample cargo space.
Pickup Trucks — Ford F-150, similar. Perfect for outdoor adventure and exploring the island’s natural beauty.
Jeeps/SUVs — Jeep Wrangler, Ford Escape, similar. Off-road capability plus space for groups.

With abundant fleets, you’ll have your choice of the perfect vehicle rental for your SJU trip.

Insurance Tips for SJU Car Rentals

One decision that can impact your total rental costs in San Juan is insurance. Consider these tips when booking:

Review your personal auto policy — you may already have coverage that extends to rentals based on credit card you use, etc.
Understand your health insurance’s out-of-network coverage for the US territory if involved in an accident.
Note gaps — while your policy may cover collision/damage waiver, it may not include liability. Purchase extra liability if excluded.
For US residents, check if your car insurance provider operates in Puerto Rico. Local insurers are also available.
Understand the rental company’s damage waivers. Decline overlaps if your policy provides the same protections.

Analyzing your existing insurance alongside the rental company’s offerings prevents costly overlaps while ensuring you have adequate coverage during your trip.

Driving Tips for Navigating San Juan By Rental Car

Driving yourself in vibrant San Juan allows you to see so much more of what the city offers. Here are some tips for getting around:

Use GPS apps if unfamiliar — San Juan’s colorful winding streets and corridors in Old San Juan can be disorienting without navigation aids.
Note narrow alleys — Outside tourist zones, roadways are tight. Watch clearance with larger vehicles.
Parking is limited in major sites like Old San Juan — use public garages which are very affordable.
Avoid leaving valuables visible — Theft does occur so stow belongings out of sight.
Be alert for pedestrians, motorbikes, bikes, etc — Congested areas have a diverse mix of transportation types.
Get an International Driving Permit — While US licenses are accepted, an IDP adds extra validation if questioned.

With good maps or GPS and taking basic precautions, driving your SJU rental car in San Juan and beyond will be an amazing experience.

Driving Distances From SJU Airport to Top Destinations

A major advantage of having your own SJU rental is the freedom to reach attractions across the island. Here are driving times from San Juan’s airport:

DestinationDistance from SJUDrive TimeOld San Juan5 miles15 minutesEl Yunque National Forest35 miles1 hourCulebra Island75 miles2.5 hours + ferryPonce90 miles1 hour 45 minutesRincón95 miles2 hoursAguadilla100 miles2 hoursVieques Island115 miles3 hours + ferry

With an SJU rental car, iconic sites from historic Old San Juan to gorgeous Culebra island are easily within reach on your schedule.

Booking Car Rentals Outside of SJU Airport

While SJU airport rentals provide convenience, you can also consider:

Off-airport agencies — Local operators like Charlie Car Rental often offer cheaper rates but require a taxi or Uber to their site.
Neighborhood branches — Major rental brands have locations across San Juan proper. May be more accessible depending on hotel location.
Hotel-partnered agencies — Some hotels offer rental package rates or provide on-property pick-up.
Peer-to-peer rentals — Platforms like Turo connect you to locals renting their personal cars at affordable prices.

Evaluating all options against your itinerary, luggage needs, and transportation budget helps determine the best overall SJU car rental approach. Airport pickup remains easiest for most visitors.

Long Term and Specialty SJU Car Rentals

Along with ordinary rentals, you can find extended and specialty SJU rentals like:

Long term rentals — Weekly or monthly rentals offer cheaper rates for longer trips or seasonal snowbird renters.
15 passenger vans — Ideal for moving large groups, teams, wedding parties etc. Extra luggage capacity.
Luxury & Exotic rentals — Convertibles, luxury models, and even supercars can be rented from private San Juan specialty companies.
Overlanding vehicles — Rugged customized trucks and Jeeps outfitted for off-road camping adventures.
Classics & Collectibles — Unique vintage vehicle rentals like a 1956 Porsche Speedster, 1965 Mustang or 1950s Cadillac.

Whatever rare or specialty vehicle you need, the vibrant SJU rental market offers abundant options to consider.

Saving Money on SJU Car Rentals

To make your Puerto Rico rental car more affordable:

Use price comparison sites like Kayak to find the lowest total rate across multiple companies.
Consider alternatives like public transportation, taxis or tours for shorter trips — do you truly need a car the full trip?
Be flexible on vehicle type — midsize vehicles often provide the best value over compact or full-size.
Join free rental loyalty programs — Provides ability to bypass counter lines and earn free rentals.
Avoid prepaid fuel plans — Refill yourself before returning since fuel on PR is similar to US mainland prices.
Rent for longer durations — Weekly or monthly rentals have lower per day costs.

With smart shopping, flexibility and some strategic planning, you can secure an SJU rental car without breaking your Puerto Rico vacation budget.

FAQs About Renting Cars at SJU Airport

What is the cheapest car rental company at SJU Airport?

Local brands like Charlie Car Rental or Target Car Rental frequently offer the lowest rates. But confirm via comparison search as pricing fluctuates.

What is the best rental car company at SJU Airport?

National chains like Enterprise, Hertz and Budget offer excellent service and amenities. But most major brands score well in San Juan reviews. Compare policies carefully.

Are there any car rental deals or coupons for SJU Airport?

Yes, rental companies offer AAA discounts, coupon codes and special offers specifically for SJU renters. Check websites for current promotions before booking.

What hours are SJU rental car companies open?

Most operate daily 7 AM to 11 PM. Some close earlier Sunday. Holiday hours vary. Always pickup and return during normal hours to avoid extra fees.

How much does it cost to rent a car for a week in San Juan?

You can find weekly rentals for around $125-$200 on average, including taxes and fees, depending on vehicle type. Reserve early for lowest pricing.

Start Your San Juan Adventure with the Perfect Rental Car

There’s a huge selection of rental cars awaiting at SJU Airport to tour you around incredible Puerto Rico. Following the tips provided, you can easily compare companies, reserve the ideal vehicle, and leverage deals to keep your rental affordable. With the knowledge to navigate the SJU rental process smoothly, you’ll save time and money that is better spent enjoying paradise!

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