Budget Car Rental Introduce
For California locals and travelers arriving into the heart of Silicon Valley, Budget Car Rental at the San Jose International Airport (SJC) provides a critical link between arrival and exploration. Operating as a major Car Rental Agency and Van Rental Agency, this location is specifically designed to meet the high-demand, diverse transportation needs of the Bay Area. Whether you're a tech professional on a short business trip needing an efficient sedan, a family requiring a spacious minivan for a California road trip down the Pacific Coast Highway, or a group needing a large passenger van, Budget at SJC offers a wide-ranging fleet.
As one of the well-known national brands, Budget aims to provide affordability combined with convenience. The agency is centrally situated within the airport's designated rental car hub, streamlining the process for air travelers. Beyond standard vehicles, Budget is also adapting to California’s green initiatives by incorporating electric vehicles (EVs) into its fleet, catering to users who prefer a more sustainable or high-tech driving experience while exploring San Jose and the greater Bay Area. Customers should, however, be meticulous in their rental process—particularly regarding vehicle condition and understanding all associated charges—as a few user reports highlight potential complexities with billing (such as unexpected fees on EVs) and damage claims.
The agency’s services are optimized for speed, especially for members of its loyalty program, a necessary feature given the non-stop pace of the Silicon Valley environment. Furthermore, their acceptance of various payment methods, including modern NFC mobile payments, makes transactions flexible and quick for travelers from all over the world.
The Budget Car Rental counter and lot are conveniently located within the consolidated Rental Car Center serving Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC).
The physical address is 1659 Airport Blvd, San Jose, CA 95110, USA. This placement offers superb accessibility for all customers:
- Airport Terminal Access: The Rental Car Center is a short, well-marked walk directly across Airport Boulevard from the Terminal B baggage claim area. For those arriving at Terminal A, a frequent, free airport shuttle bus transports passengers directly to the Rental Car Center.
- Major Freeway Connections: The SJC location provides immediate access to major South Bay freeways, including US-101 and I-880, allowing renters to quickly head north toward San Francisco, south toward Gilroy, or east/west across the valley.
- Accessibility Features: Budget at SJC is committed to accommodating all customers. The facility features a Wheelchair accessible entrance and a Wheelchair accessible parking lot, ensuring a seamless transition from the airport to the rental vehicle for those with mobility challenges.
- Onsite Services: Being a part of the consolidated center means all key services, from counter check-in to vehicle pick-up and return, are centralized, providing efficiency and ease of use.
Budget Car Rental at SJC offers a comprehensive range of rental products and logistical services to cater to both leisure and business travel across California.
- Diverse Vehicle Fleet: As a dual Car rental agency and Van rental agency, the inventory includes:
- Economy, Compact, and Standard Sedans (such as the Toyota Corolla or similar).
- SUVs (Intermediate, Standard, and Premium models like the Toyota RAV4 or Chevrolet Suburban).
- Specialty Vehicles (Convertibles, Luxury Sedans like the Genesis G70, and Pickup Trucks like the Toyota Tacoma).
- Vans and Minivans (such as the Chrysler Pacifica or 12-passenger vans for group travel).
- Electric Vehicles (EVs): Offering newer models (like the Tesla Short Range Model 3 or Kia EV6) for environmentally conscious driving in California.
- Onsite Services: Provision of immediate, in-person assistance at the counter for check-in, modifications, and vehicle return, located within the Rental Car Center.
- Optional Equipment: Availability of add-ons such as GPS navigation systems, child safety seats, and various insurance/protection plans (e.g., Loss Damage Waiver or LDW).
- Flexible Payment Options: Acceptance of multiple modern payment methods, including Credit cards, Debit cards (with specific restrictions typically applying for debit use), and NFC mobile payments.
- One-Way Rentals: Facilitating one-way trips common in California, such as renting in San Jose and returning in Los Angeles or San Francisco.
Budget’s location at the San Jose Airport is particularly appealing due to several key features that benefit the California traveler.
- Fastbreak Program: A critical feature for frequent renters, this loyalty program allows members to skip the line at the counter, streamlining the pick-up process and saving valuable time in a state where schedules are tight.
- Centralized Airport Convenience: Being housed in the SJC Rental Car Center provides a quick, sheltered, and efficient experience, eliminating the need to wait for and ride separate shuttles to off-site lots.
- Adaptation to EV Demand: The inclusion of Electric Vehicles in the fleet highlights Budget’s effort to cater to the increasing demand for sustainable travel options in environmentally conscious California.
- Extended Hours: The typical airport rental counter operates with long hours (often 6:00 AM to 12:00 AM daily), offering high flexibility for customers arriving or departing on early or late flights.
- Pre-Return Documentation: A key highlight, particularly in light of customer feedback, is the importance of the initial vehicle inspection and documentation. Customers should note the necessity of thoroughly documenting the vehicle's condition, including any existing damage, at both pick-up and drop-off to safeguard against disputed claims.
To ensure a smooth rental process, travelers should use the following direct contact details for the SJC location:
- Address: 1659 Airport Blvd, San Jose, CA 95110, USA
- Phone: (408) 286-7850
- Mobile Phone: +1 408-286-7850
- Operating Hours: Typically 6:00 AM to 12:00 AM (Midnight) daily, but customers should confirm these hours directly, especially on holidays.
Budget Car Rental at the San Jose International Airport is an excellent choice for Californians and visitors seeking a balance of name-brand reliability, fleet diversity, and high operational convenience. The Fastbreak service is the single most valuable feature for time-sensitive professionals in Silicon Valley, enabling a near-instantaneous car rental experience. The convenience of a centralized Airport Car Rental Agency within a short walking distance of the terminal is a major draw that minimizes travel stress.
However, potential renters should approach the process with informed caution. As with any high-volume airport rental operation, the provided customer feedback highlights the necessity of meticulous personal documentation. It is highly recommended to take extensive photos or videos of the vehicle's exterior, interior, and dashboard (mileage/fuel/battery level) at both the time of pick-up and drop-off. This attention to detail is crucial for preempting or successfully disputing unexpected charges, such as those related to existing damage or incorrect refueling/charging fees (like the reported 'extra gas' charge on an EV). Choosing Budget is worthwhile for its convenience and broad fleet, but only when paired with a proactive, self-documenting rental strategy to mitigate common industry-wide issues. This ensures the affordability and ease that Budget is intended to provide are fully realized without post-rental complications.
Budget Car Rental Details
Service options
- Onsite services
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
- Credit cards
Budget Car Rental Photos










Budget Car Rental Location
Budget Car Rental
1659 Airport Blvd, San Jose, CA 95110, USA
Budget Car Rental Reviews
deskcounterreceiptcheckprepaidemployeefastbreak30 minutesfull sizeSFO
★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1Rented a EV car for 48h business Trip.Car was ready for pick up, I returned it on time with the battery at higher level than pick up.I got charged $18 for extra gas.. how do you guys charge gas on a EV car ?!!?!?I complained through the budget survey, i received an email acknowledging the issue and confirming a refund.. still waiting for it..Car rental company are all scam now, they all do this kind of stuff and you have no power against them
September 08 · Olivier AntunesI picked up my car from SJC rental center through the FastBreak and the car was at spot J05, about 200 feet from the elevator. I inspected the car, a Toyota Camry with Idaho license plate, and it had a few damages and not washed. I accepted it anyway since I was far from the office and there was no staff nearby to address my concern. I took it anyway and mentioned the damages to the attendant at the checkout stall. He gave me a carbon copy form and told me to circle the damage areas, and I marked up several areas. When I returned the car at SFO, I also pointed out the damages to the return staff and showed them my copy, and they still noted the car is damaged by me. The next day I received an email from Budget claiming that I got into an accident, and told me to file a report. I have pictures at the time I picked up at SJC the damages were already there. If the car already has substantial damages then it should have been in the system. Why should I be accountable for existing damages?
May 05 · Scott LaSo much better than experience I had with U-****.First off, they didn't tell.me the day before to go 25 miles to go pick up the truck. That would be unacceptable. Instead, Budget had my exact can ready for me 10 minutes away in Santa Clara. Clean, newer smaller truck was perfect for my rental. The gentlemen even gave me a discount since the gas had yet to be full, which I really appreciated. He explained everything in great detail, and I could understand every word he said, which I also appreciated too!The move went well and returned it with no hassles or questions in Arizona. Great, helpful, and kind people on the receiving end. Will use them again next time!!!
August 17 · Daniel ConnorRented a car at SeaTac and returned it in San Jose a week later. No one around to check the car in. Had to catch our flight so we left the keys on the seat. A week later I am getting a $450 bill for excessive cleaning!! There was some sand in the front floorboards and that is what they are claiming is the reason. $450 to vacuum out some sand?!?! It wasn't like we left a ton of sand either. I should have taken it to the car wash myself for $450. That is ridiculous! And there is nothing I can do about it. Never again Budget.
October 14 · Danielle OgleI do not like posting negative reviews but feel as if I have to to spread awareness. I understand cars have issues, but the problem here is that they felt no urgency to help.Our car, 20min in to the drive, said to pull over because it was going to shut off. This was terrifying as we have a baby in the car. We got off immediately, and then called the support number.Firstly, the number to call said to hit 0 for an operator, but then said the extension didn’t exist.Then we finally found another number. They took our information, but were asking if it was drivable (haha). Tow was over 1.5 hours, and they wanted us to go back to the airport and start over.Icing on the cake - they would not sort refund, we have to make ANOTHER call to ANOTHER number to start sorting that.Look, I understand this is not simple to solve, however I believe if it’s an issue on their end, it should be them going out of their way to help get another car to us.UPDATE: It is now May 1 and we still have not received a refund. They are now saying "reports such as ours are most appreciated since they help us target and correct areas of service that might be improved."We are absolutely shocked by how terrible of an experience this has been. NEVER rent from Budget.
May 01 · Amanda Nguyen
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