Cheap Car Rental in Orange County

Car Rental in Orange County: Surf, Sun, and Fun

If you`ve never been to Southern California, the best first place to go is Orange County. Located right in between two major cities and two incredible geographical features, Orange County has plenty to do and see for every type of visitor. Los Angeles lies at the northern edge of Orange County and San Diego sits just beneath. To the West you will find the breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean, and as you go east you will find California`s Santa Ana Mountains. This famous destination is popular for many reasons, and whether you are interested in California’s legendary surf culture, outdoorsy activities like camping and hiking, the world-class amusement parks, or the subdued atmosphere, Orange County has what you’re looking for.

Best Time to Visit

Orange County is a city that is almost perfect year round. With highs of 70 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter and 80 in the middle of summer, you could say that there is a nice, warm summer to enjoy that lasts all year. The summer months are peak time in Orange County, despite that fact that you can find nice weather all year. Travelers like to plan trips in the summer, and all the parks and touristic places fill up fairly quickly during these months. We would say that the best time to visit is anytime other than mid-summer, as you have easier access to local attractions as well as more affordable rental cars.

Easy to Get Around

Getting around in Orange County couldn`t be any easier. There are multi-lane highways that connect every major part of the famous county, and they are very well taken care of, making for smooth sailing wherever you decide to go. It is so easy that the locals will often tell you that everything in Orange County is only 20 minutes away. Of course, that is just a saying that is fun for them to say, but there is some truth to it. Getting where you need to go is generally fast and easy as long as you have a car.

Car Rental Prices in Orange County

Prices for car rentals in Orange County start at $25 per day. While there are always going to be fluctuations in price based on time of year, length of rental, and many other factors, $25 per day is a fantastic baseline for a place like SoCal.

1. Kia Rio (economy class) - $27 per day
2. Mazda 2 (compact class) - $29 per day
3. Hyundai Elantra (intermediate class) - $32 per day
4. Volkswagen Jetta (standard class) - $34 per day
5. Ford Fusion (fullsize class) - $36 per day

The cheapest companies to rent from are Thrifty and Dollar, but there are many others that are quite close in price as well.

The Best Way to Rent a Car Cheap in Orange County

You will find the cheapest rentals in the winter months. The price per day is approximately $10-15 different in the winter and summer.

Booking in advance is somewhat beneficial. During busy months there are more people renting so the prices are usually fixed at a peak rate, so if you plan to go in mid-summer book your car at least three months out for the best deal.

Getting a car for longer than three days also leads to cheaper rates. You will find the most affordable per day rates when you book for one week.

Travel Tips – General Rules

It is good to remember that when you drive in California there are a few rules that are different from other US states, but most are the same.

• There is no requirement for an international driving license in California. Drivers with a valid driving license from their home country or state can drive for up to one year before having to obtain a California driving license.
• Seatbelts are a must in California. People of all ages are obliged to wear their seatbelts, no matter which seat they sit in.
• People drive on the right in California. Slower traffic uses the right-most lanes and the left lanes are for passing.
• California has special lanes designated for car pools which are marked with large diamonds. Generally, if your car has more than three people in it, you can use these lanes, but if you attempt to use them with fewer than the required number of riders in the car the fines can be very high.
• Speed limits are watched very closely in California. On major highways the speed limits are around 100 km per hour, on smaller highways the limit is 90 km per hour, and 50 km per hour on normal city streets.
• Text messaging in California in all forms is illegal while driving. In fact, you cannot use your phone while driving unless you have a hands-free device.
• It is fine to make U-turns in California.
• The legal blood-alcohol level in California is 0.08%.