Hertz LAX Car Rental Review 2026: Pick-Up, Costs & Tips
Navigating Los Angeles without a car is tough. Check out our detailed Hertz LAX car rental review, complete with pick-up steps, insurance tips, and pricing!
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Navigating Los Angeles without a car is tough. Check out our detailed Hertz LAX car rental review, complete with pick-up steps, insurance tips, and pricing!
LAX Car Rental Review & Guide Hertz Pick-Up, Drop-Off & Pricing Breakdown All rights reserved, @Jay's Records |
Los Angeles is famously sprawling. With top attractions scattered across different neighborhoods and public transit leaving much to be desired, the very first thing you need to book for your LA trip is a rental car.
At first, I thought, "Can't I just use Uber everywhere?" But after doing the math, a single Uber ride in LA can easily cost upwards of ~$77 (fare plus tip). Relying on rideshares quickly becomes an unpractical and budget-draining choice.
Plus, there are plenty of hidden gems and scenic lookouts where getting an Uber back is nearly impossible. That's why I decided to rent a car right from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and return it there before flying out.
I rented with Hertz for my 4-day, 3-night LA adventure. Here is my complete, hands-on review, covering booking, pick-up, and drop-off.
I've also included some crucial survival tips for driving in LA, so be sure to read to the end!
Traveling in LA without a car often leads to frustrating situations.
Ubers add up, public transit requires complicated transfers that eat up your day, and some iconic spots are simply off the grid for buses.
That's why my travel buddy and I decided to pick up our wheels the moment we landed at LAX. Having our own ride meant total freedom over our itinerary, a safe spot in the trunk for our shopping bags, and overall, it was much cheaper than Ubering everywhere.
When comparing platforms like Klook and others for booking in advance, Klook consistently came out on top. Not only was it the most affordable, but the process of adding full-coverage insurance during checkout was seamless.
👇🏻 Book the Lowest LAX Rental Car Rates on Klook
Airport Pick-up/Drop-off + Full Coverage Available
Compare Global Rental Car Prices & Book Instantly! - Klook
My booking criteria:
- Mid-size SUV for 4 days, 3 nights
- LAX pick-up and drop-off with full coverage insurance
- Free cancellation policy
After comparing, Klook was the cheapest at around ~$154, and the insurance rates were much more reasonable.
💡 Crucial Tip for Renting a Car in LA!
Never skip the full coverage insurance. In the US, deductibles for accidents are astronomical. Plus, the risk of car break-ins is real. Adding insurance at the counter can cost three times as much as booking it online.
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Book the Cheapest LAX Car Rentals Here
Includes Airport Pick-up/Drop-off & Full Coverage
Among the many providers, I chose Hertz.
As a major global brand, their fleet is well-maintained, they offer a wide selection of vehicles, there's no aggressive upselling, and their airport procedures are incredibly streamlined.
In reality, picking up the car took just 5 minutes after confirming my reservation. Dropping it off was even faster—thanks to the full coverage insurance, they just checked the gas gauge and waved me through.
It's so simple and the wait times are minimal. I highly recommend Hertz!
Including Airport Pick-Up & Drop-Off Procedures
As soon as we grabbed our bags at LAX, we headed straight for the rental center. Note that rental car companies are not located inside the LAX terminals. You need to take a free shuttle bus to the rental car facilities (this applies to all companies).
📌 LAX Rental Car Pick-Up Steps ① Exit the arrivals hall and follow the purple 'Rental Car Shuttles' signs. ② Board your company's free shuttle (Look for the Hertz logo). ③ Arrive at the LAX Rental Car Center after about a 10-minute ride. |
The shuttle dropped us off right at the Hertz counter, making it super easy. Inside, they verified my reservation, international driving permit, and the credit card for the deposit. Then, I was directed to the lot to pick any car within my booked tier.
I had booked an SUV via Klook. The great thing about Hertz is their "choose your own car" system. From the designated row in the lot, I picked a model with plenty of trunk space and Apple CarPlay.
💡 Pro Tip!
The later you arrive at the rental center, the fewer popular models are left. This is especially true during peak season in 2026, so hop on that shuttle as soon as you land.
Before driving off the lot, I made sure to check the following:
✔ Trunk space: Verify how many suitcases fit comfortably.
✔ Exterior & Interior: Take photos and a quick video of the car's condition to document any existing scratches (prevents disputes later).
✔ Fuel level: Confirm it's FULL TO FULL (receive it full, return it full).
✔ Tech check: Test CarPlay, backup camera, and air conditioning.
The SUV I picked from Hertz was spotless and smelled fresh. Just as the reviews promised, the vehicle's condition was excellent!
For 4 days, we cruised around LA from morning till night, packing our itinerary to the brim.
Having a car made getting to spread-out locations like Griffith Observatory, Santa Monica Beach, Dodger Stadium, and the Getty Center an absolute breeze.
Because the car was in such great shape, we didn't experience a single hiccup on the road.
The number one thing we were cautious about while driving in LA was "smash-and-grab" car break-ins.
Unfortunately, property crime can be an issue in certain tourist spots, and rental cars are prime targets for thieves who break windows to snatch bags. Never, ever leave valuables visible in your car.
We always made sure our suitcases and shopping bags were completely hidden in the trunk before parking.
Another critical tip:
Always park in designated, official lots, even if they're pricey! Avoid sketchy street parking or alleyways.
Parking tickets in LA are brutally expensive, so the peace of mind is worth the cost. I ended up spending around ~$38 to ~$46 a day just on parking. (Still cheaper than taking Ubers everywhere!)
On our final day, we returned the car to LAX.
The Hertz return process was incredibly straightforward.
📌 Drop-Off Steps ① Fill up the gas tank at a station near the airport (keep the receipt!). ② Drive toward the airport and follow the 'Rental Car Return' signs. ③ Pull into the Hertz return lane where staff are waiting. ④ Quick exterior check, and you're done! |
The entire process took maybe 10 minutes. After dropping off the keys, we hopped right onto the shuttle heading back to our departure terminal.
Because I had prepaid for full coverage insurance, the attendant barely even glanced at the exterior—they just checked that the gas tank was full. Seriously, book the full coverage in advance.
▾▾▾
Book the Cheapest LAX Car Rentals Here
Includes Airport Pick-up/Drop-off & Full Coverage
Right now in 2026, LA is experiencing a major travel boom. If you don't book your preferred vehicle early, prices will skyrocket, or worse, they'll be completely sold out.
A rental car is basically mandatory for an LA trip, so once your flights are locked in, make your car reservation your next priority!
👇🏻 Book LAX Car Rentals at the Best Price
Hertz with Full Coverage Insurance Included
According to the article, Uber in LA was not reasonable, costing at least ~$66 (fare + tip) for a single ride. Renting a car was reported to be much cheaper compared to Uber.
The author booked through Klook for a 3-night, 4-day SUV rental, with LAX airport pickup/return, full-coverage insurance included, and free cancellation. Klook was mentioned as the cheapest option, costing around ~$130.
From the LAX arrivals hall, follow the 'Rent Car Shuttle' signs and board the free shuttle marked with 'Hertz'. It takes about 10 minutes by shuttle to reach the LAX Rental Car Center.
To prevent car break-ins, never leave valuables in the car and hide luggage in the trunk. It's recommended to use official parking lots, even if they are more expensive. The author reported spending ~$33 to ~$40 per day on parking.
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