Car rental in
Los Angeles
Our top branches in Los Angeles
Our services at Los Angeles
SIXT Car Rental in Los Angeles
Pick up your rental car in Los Angeles from convenient branches like the Los Angeles Airport (LAX), Downtown Los Angeles, or Los Angeles Studio City. Enjoy access to a varied fleet, vehicles from top manufacturers, and seamless booking flexibility. The useful SIXT App helps make every step in the process straightforward. Explore LA’s attractions, trendy neighborhoods, and the Pacific coastline on your own schedule when you rent a car in Los Angeles. We’ll give you the flexibility for multi‑stop trips and even convenient one‑way rentals.
Recommended Vehicle Options for Car Rental in Los Angeles
- Convertibles: Ideal for enjoying California’s sunshine and scenic drives along the Pacific Coast Highway.
- SUVs: Essential for road trips into California’s gorgeous nature or for families visiting theme parks and beaches.
- Luxury cars: Perfect for making an impression in the entertainment capital of the world and cruising down famous boulevards.
How much does it cost to rent a car in Los Angeles?
With SIXT, checking rates for your rental car in LA is easy. Prices will depend on these factors:
- Vehicle category: Convertibles, luxury cars, and SUVs each come with unique pricing.
- Rental duration: Longer bookings often provide increased value over short-term rentals.
- Pick-up/drop-off location: Different branch locations in LA can influence your rate.
- Seasonal demand: Rates can be higher during movie premieres and events like the LA Auto Show or the Academy Awards.
SIXT Pro Tip: Opt for “Best Price” at checkout to prepay and secure maximum savings on rental cars in LA.
Add-ons & Protection Packages
Customize your reservation with bookable add-ons and personalized protection:
- Popular extras include GPS navigation, additional drivers, and child seats.
- Feel more safe with your rental car and choose from our protection options.
Driving Tips for Los Angeles
Driving around LA is typically straightforward, although the city is famous for its traffic.
Traffic Rules in Los Angeles
- Right turns on red are permitted unless otherwise posted.
- The city has strict rules for mobile phone use: only hands-free devices are allowed.
- Watch for lane changes and frequent stop signs in residential neighborhoods.
Road Conditions and Navigation
- Major highways and streets are generally well maintained.
- Be extra cautious around tour buses and local cyclists, especially near beach areas.
- Wildfire season or sudden rain can impact visibility and road traction.
Parking in Los Angeles
There are several public and private garages and lots located around the city near top attractions. Consider these options:
- Music Center Garage: Best for visiting downtown cultural venues
- Pershing Square Garage: Convenient for hitting central shops and restaurants
- Parking Hollywood & Highland Center: Ideal for accessing Hollywood Boulevard and nearby attractions
Fueling Instructions
- Local labels include Regular Unleaded, Premium Unleaded, and Diesel.
- Most gas stations in Los Angeles are self-serve and accept credit and debit cards.
SIXT Pro Tip: For maximum convenience, let us handle refueling at return with our refueling service.
Tolls
No tolls apply for driving into central Los Angeles or on city streets. However, nearby express lanes and several Orange County highways use the FasTrak electronic toll system. For travel south or east, check if your route covers tolled segments. Our customer service team will help with toll info and available payment solutions at pick-up.
Top Places to Visit by Car in Los Angeles
A car rental in LA brings you closer to the city’s iconic settings and unforgettable road trips.
Santa Monica Pier: For Classic Beachfront Fun
- Distance from Downtown LA: 16 miles (25 km)
- Estimated driving time: 25 minutes
This vibrant pier, located at the end of Route 66, offers an amusement park, restaurants, and photo-worthy sunset views. Enjoy a laid-back atmosphere with plenty of entertainment along the coastline. The Santa Monica Pier Deck parking lot makes beach access simple.
Griffith Observatory: For LA’s Best Views
- Distance from Hollywood & Highland: 8 miles (13 km)
- Estimated driving time: 25 minutes
The observatory provides sweeping city vistas and is a must-see for movie fans. It’s a great place to learn about astronomy or start a hike on nearby trails. Park at the Observatory Lot or utilize overflow Greek Theatre parking during peak times.
Universal Studios Hollywood: For A Theme Park Adventure
- Distance from LA Studio City: 2 miles (3 km)
- Estimated driving time: 10 minutes
This major attraction combines thrilling rides and live shows with film history tours, making it perfect for families and movie lovers alike. The multi-level Universal Studios Parking Garage is on site.
Road Trip to Las Vegas with a One-Way Rental
- Distance: 270 miles (~435 km)
- Estimated driving time: 4-5 hours
Enjoy a classic desert road trip from Los Angeles to Las Vegas, taking in dramatic landscapes, roadside attractions, and sweeping open highways. This trip is ideal for travelers planning to continue their journey by air or extend their vacation in Nevada without returning to California.
Book your SIXT car rental in Los Angeles today.
Customer reviews & feedback
What our customers are saying
*Our Customer Excitement Score is based on a survey sent to all customers who booked in Los Angeles. The score is an average of all customer responses.
Good to know when renting in Los Angeles
We offer our Diamond Service at Los Angeles International Airport. Among the perks are access to our Diamond Lounge and chauffeur service at arrival and departure.
You can rent a car with SIXT in Los Angeles from the age of 21 with a valid driver’s license. Some car categories require the renter to be 25. An underage fee applies.
Booking an SUV is a great idea so you can take a group on a tour of the city’s attractions. This is also a great vehicle to keep your group comfortable in freeway traffic jams. To save on gas, book a compact car.
It is possible to rent a car one way between a SIXT station in Los Angeles and a neighboring state. A fee may apply. For more information about one-way rentals, please see the rental information.
Have your plans changed? Don't worry! Select our flexible option when booking and change or cancel your reservation free of charge.
If you don't have a credit card, most SIXT locations also accept debit cards in the name of the main renter for some car rental categories. You will also need to show up to 2 forms of government-issued ID and meet other criteria depending on the rental location and where you live.
There are toll roads in Los Angeles and payment methods vary by location. Find here more information on Los Angeles toll roads and check out the local toll rules before driving, or use a GPS app to find toll-free routes if you prefer to avoid them.
Find the best car rental rates in Los Angeles for your travel dates through our booking funnel. Prices can vary based on the pick-up/drop-off location, car type, number of rental days and demand. Optional protection and add-ons may also affect the final cost. To save more, book your rental well in advance and choose the prepaid option when possible. Don’t forget to check our latest car rental deals—they might apply to your trip.
Learn more about our car rental pricing here.
Yes. SIXT places a temporary hold on your credit card at pickup for the amount of the deposit. For payments with debit cards, please refer to our rental information for more details about deposits. The amount depends on the location and vehicle. Please check for more details on payment information in this article.
In the U.S., generally a minimum of $200 will be charged to the payment method for security purposes. The deposit for high-value vehicles may be higher. Non-airport locations in Texas, Colorado, Louisiana, Minnesota, and Illinois have higher minimum authorization amounts. Additional details on the deposit can be found in this article.
Reservations are by vehicle category (“or similar”), not by an exact model. When a "guaranteed model" option is shown for your dates and location, selecting it reserves that specific model. Otherwise, you’ll receive a comparable car in the same group with similar size and performance subject to availability.
The exact mileage policy for your booking is shown during the reservation process, so you’ll know what’s included before pickup.
Vehicles rented at most SIXT locations in the contiguous United States may be driven throughout the contiguous states. Travel into Canada must be in accordance with our geographical restrictions, which can be found in our rental information. Travel to Mexico is not allowed. If you drive outside authorized areas, a fee of $0.50 per mile will apply.
All renters and authorized drivers must present a valid, unexpired, original driver’s license at the time of rental. Renters with a non-U.S. driver's license may also need to provide a valid passport or other government-issued ID. Licenses in non-Roman alphabets (e.g., Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Cyrillic) must be accompanied by an international driver’s license. If the license is from a country not in the international driver’s license treaty, an official translation is required. See our rental information for full driver’s license and age requirements.
