Last time I rented a car (which was a while ago) I was given the choice between paying for a tank of gas up front, in which case I could return the car with an empty tank, vs not paying for gas and being required to return the car with a full tank of gas. I always choose to return the car with a full tank, but if you actually are able to use up all the gas and return it nearly empty, the cost works out in your favor.
Very important that the epensive insurance you are buying from the rental company includes liability insurance. If you do not own a car and don’t have your own insurance then you have no auto liability insurance and you need to buy it, along with collision insurance on the rental car.
Car rentals are subject to all kinds of extra taxes depending on the state (I don’t know what they are in California) so make sure the rate you are being quoted includes all taxes and fees.
Check out Megabus and Amtrak. I know for sure that Megabus is way cheaper. The drive between LA and the Bay Area is long and extremely boring. I try to avoid it if at all possible.
Enterprise will rent to 21 to 24 year olds, which many other companies will not. There is an extra charge. You can often find cheaper discount rates over a weekend - look around before you book at the standard rate. Within a reasonable distance, Enterprise will also pick you up, if you call in advance.
Some companies have different requirements for renting at a non-airport location compared with airline ones. I only use a debit card and have never had a problem renting at the airport. Enterprise wanted a bank statement and 2 utility bills showing up to date payments to rent offsite with a visa debit card. I do everything online and had to print out these bills and bring them with me. The clerk then just eyeballed them and gave them back to me. I don’t know if that’s common as I have only rented a car once from a non-airport location but that could be a problem for some people.
I would avoid Enterprise at all costs. In our years of renting cars, they were the only ones who questioned every little scratch on the bumpers upon return. Duh, we had photos!
I find it pretty stressful to try to return the tank empty. Just a nagging worry I don’t need.
Oh… one more thing. Pay attention to how to get to the rental place when you get back! It is USUALLY pretty easy around airports, but not everyplace (cough, Boston, cough). Be sure you get the rental location address for your smart phone/GPS use.
Leave plenty of time if you want Enterprise to pick you up… I have done it a few times when my car was at my mechanic’s, and they are often late & you are a low priority if they are short staffed…
Be aware there is an additional charge for a second driver (if your friend is planning to drive around LA). Costco includes a second driver free of charge if you have access to a membership. Check to see if your regular auto insurance will cover you in a rental but be sure they cover “loss of use” of the rental. It may save you some money. I would avoid Amtrak at all costs. They are notorious for being very, very, very late and can really throw off your schedule. My sister just used it from Arizona to LA and they wer over 6 hours late. My son tried it from San Diego to Ventura and they were 5 hours late. Everyone we know who had tried it has had problems.
I also was thinking of Amtrak but the direct train route is an all day (9 or 10 hour) trip. The decision may depend on where in LA the friend lives. You can add an hour or more of driving just within the city depending.
This bus service looks promising - they pick up at the San Jose Caltrain station and drop at multiple locations in LA; no stops in between. http://www.cashuttlebus.com/index.php
thank you all for the suggestions and advice. I calculated costs and read some of the comments here and came to the conclusion that flying is cheaper. If I get someone to come along to LA with me then renting a car would a wiser choice, split costs etc.
