How to find a cheap car hire deal in South Lake Tahoe
Searching for a cheap rental car in South Lake Tahoe? With prices averaging £63 a day, you're on the road to big savings. Whether you're after a small ride, a family sedan, or anything in between, we round up all the top offers to get you real value.
Daily rental prices in South Lake Tahoe start from just £63.
Making it more than a quick visit? Book a weekly rental from £345 and explore beyond the usual highlights.
Book early to secure the best price for a South Lake Tahoe car hire. Besides saving money, you're more likely to find a car that fits your style or needs.
Check out the offers available with Enterprise, Budget and Avis. They're some of the most popular providers in the city.
Always check if a collision damage waiver (CDW) is part of your South Lake Tahoe car hire policy, whether you book with Enterprise or another supplier. Some may charge separately for it instead of including it in the base rental.
Booking one-way could save you cash on your rental. Providers sometimes offer lower rates when vehicles need to be moved between sites. Just click 'Return car to a different location' when searching the cars for rent in South Lake Tahoe.
Skip the hidden fees by booking a vehicle with a 'Fair fuel policy.' Start your journey with a full tank and return it the same, and pay only for what you use.
Want to explore more without worrying about how many miles you rack up? Find rentals with 'Unlimited mileage' under the 'Policies' filter and travel as far as you like without the extra charges.
Best value car hire options right now
You'll find the best deal with this company. Prices average £93 a day.
Coming in second, this provider offers daily rates of around £94.
The third option also makes your money go further. Expect to pay roughly £91 a day for one of their rentals.
Want a car that handles just about any journey? The Economy rental category comes in as the leading choice for travellers visiting South Lake Tahoe.
Compare car hire types in South Lake Tahoe
Small: Including classes like mini and economy, this cheap rental car in South Lake Tahoe gets you moving without breaking the bank. These zippy, fuel-efficient cars are excellent for city driving and short trips.
Medium: Choose from compact and intermediate cars that combine comfort, space and fuel efficiency. Easy to manoeuvre in cities and roomy enough for longer drives, they work well for most plans.
Large: Offering a more comfortable driving experience and extra tech features, this South Lake Tahoe car hire category includes full-size cars. With bigger back seats and plenty of storage space, they let you load up and transport everyone, and everything, with ease.
SUV: Enjoy a higher driving position and better visibility of what's ahead in an SUV. Whether you're carving through winding trails or cruising down long stretches of highway, many come with all-wheel drive to help you tackle any road.
Van: Select this vehicle category when you need a car for rent in South Lake Tahoe that makes light work of heavy loads. With options like commercial vans and trucks, they're built to carry more, whether that's supplies, luggage or big groups.
Insurance and optional extras
Choosing excess insurance for your South Lake Tahoe car hire offers peace of mind. It protects you from paying a hefty excess fee in case of theft or a collision. Insurance policies can differ between rental providers, so take the time to shop around.
Make driving easier when you rent a car in South Lake Tahoe by adding some nifty extras. Think things like a navigation system to be your trusty co-pilot, or reverse cameras to park like you're pulling off a choreographed routine.
Good to know
To rent a vehicle in the United States, you usually have to be at least 21 years old. Some places may allow younger drivers to rent vehicles for an extra fee, so always go over the policies before finalizing your ride.
If the kids are coming with you, check if you should add a child car seat to your South Lake Tahoe car hire booking. Whether local laws require them or not, they're always the safest way for little ones to ride.
Make sure you have the necessary documents when collecting your car. As a general rule, bring a valid driver's licence, a credit card with enough funds for the excess (most companies don't accept debit cards), and additional photo ID. Your booking will outline the exact requirements.
Driving in the United States can seem unfamiliar if it's your first time. Don't forget all vehicles travel on the right side of the road.
Keep within local speed limits of about 40kph (25mph) in built-up areas and around 110kph (70mph) on highways. Always check the posted signs, as limits may vary.
In the United States, the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit is 0.08%. If you intend to have a few drinks, get someone else to do the driving or find an alternative way to get around.
Aim to travel outside high-traffic periods for a faster run. 5pm is one of the busiest times to be on the road in this destination.
You'll be using the United States dollar (USD) for all your purchases and expenses on your trip. You may find it handy to carry a mix of cash and cards so you're covered for every situation.
English is the language spoken by most people in this country.
Best hotels in South Lake Tahoe for drivers
Spend less time looking for a place to park and more time making the most of Hotel Becket, BW Signature Collection. About 5 kms (3 miles) from central South Lake Tahoe, it comes with parking, internet access and bicycle rentals.
Alternatively, make use of the parking at Edgewood Tahoe Resort. The city centre is roughly 5 kms (3 miles) from this option, which also features a fireplace and a restaurant.
Explore the full range of hotels in South Lake Tahoe and pick the stay that suits your trip. Filters make it easy to tailor your search to what you need — like 'Parking,' 'Outdoor parking,' or 'Valet parking.' There's even an 'Electric vehicle (EV) charging station' filter to find hotels with charging access.
It's time to start exploring now you've locked in a car hire deal in South Lake Tahoe and your hotel. From Heavenly Ski Resort to South Lake Tahoe and Observation Deck Heavenly Ski Resort, the city's packed with places worth visiting.
Hit the road: Where to drive to from South Lake Tahoe
Reno should be on your to-do list if you'd like to visit Bicentennial Sculpture Park and Truckee River Whitewater Park. This city is around 72 kms (45 miles) north of central South Lake Tahoe.
You'll be well looked after at Circus Circus Reno Hotel & Casino and Eldorado Resort Casino at THE ROW, two accommodation options with parking in Reno.
Alternatively, pick up your cheap car hire in South Lake Tahoe and travel around 72 kms (45 miles) north to Sparks. Featuring Tahoe-Pyramid Bikeway and Truckee River, its attractions are worth the drive.
Sparks has some great places to stay such as Circus Circus Reno Hotel & Casino and Eldorado Resort Casino at THE ROW. Both give you somewhere to leave your car during your stay.
When the drive's been this good, why hit the brakes? Motor on to Fresno, around 241 kms (150 miles) south of South Lake Tahoe. From African American Museum to Forestiere Underground Gardens, your journey will end on a high note.
Find a room at La Quinta Inn by Wyndham Fresno Yosemite or Best Western Village Inn. Use one of them as your base and enjoy everything Fresno has to offer. They come with space for your wheels too.
