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About this rental office
Avis and Budget share a neighborhood rental office at 4230 El Camino Real in south Palo Alto. Avis calls it the Palo Alto location, code PA1, with the phone number 650-493-8888. Budget lists the same address with its own number, 650-424-0684. It describes the site as a corporate location rather than a franchise. The two brands belong to the same parent company and often share counters like this one.
Avis lists 16 of its locations near Palo Alto, from airport counters to other neighborhood offices on the Peninsula. This one is the only Avis office in the city open to the general public. That matters if you want to pick up a car close to home or to a hotel rather than travel to an airport first.
Avis describes the counter as sitting on El Camino Real with West Charleston Road as the cross street. Cars are kept on site. Returns go to the same place as pickups.
Hours and holidays
Both brands list the same weekly schedule: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday and Sunday. Weekend pickups need to happen before noon.
Budget's page also lists 2026 holiday hours for this office. It shows the office closed on November 8 for Diwali, open 8 a.m. to noon on Veterans Day (November 11) and closed on Thanksgiving (November 26). It reopens 8 a.m. to noon on November 27. For the winter holidays, Budget lists 8 a.m. to noon on December 24 and closed on December 25. Holiday schedules can change, so confirm on the brand page when you book.
How renting here works
Reservations go through the Avis or Budget website or app, where you choose the Palo Alto location, dates and car class. A few practical points from the Avis location page:
- Avis Preferred members go to the rental counter, show a driver's license and identify themselves as Preferred renters to collect their paperwork and keys.
- Avis tags this office with a "Free Pickup" label. Ask the counter how it works before you rely on it.
- Rental cars must be returned during office hours. Avis says some offices have a key drop box, but a customer who leaves a car after closing stays responsible for it until the contract is closed the next business day.
- If a late return is likely, Avis suggests changing the drop-off to the nearest airport location.
Avis also lists a separate Palo Alto counter for HP Inc. employees only. It is not open to the general public.
Who it suits
A neighborhood office like this works well for people who live in Palo Alto or are staying in a hotel along El Camino Real and need a car for a day or a weekend. It can also cover a replacement car while yours is in the shop, a day trip to the coast or a weekend in wine country. Visitors without a car can reach the office by bus or rideshare instead of going back to an airport.
The short weekend hours make it less useful for late arrivals. Travelers landing in the evening usually do better at an airport counter. Avis lists its San Jose airport office as open 6 a.m. to midnight every day and its San Francisco airport office as open 24 hours. Our guides to getting here from San Jose airport and getting here from SFO compare the options.
Tips
- Book ahead and pick up early on weekends, since the office closes at noon on Saturday and Sunday.
- Plan Sunday returns for the morning as well.
- Check whether your own auto policy or credit card covers rental cars before you buy extra coverage at the counter.
- Many hotels on this stretch of El Camino Real are within a short ride. Our guide to hotels along El Camino Real lists them.
- If you only need a car for short local trips, compare the cost with the options in our getting around guide.
Location and getting there
Avis and Budget Palo Alto is at 4230 El Camino Real, Palo Alto, CA 94306, in the South Palo Alto area of Palo Alto. Our South Palo Alto guide covers what else is around.
The nearest train stop is the San Antonio Caltrain station (Mountain View), about 0.8 miles away. That is roughly a 21 minute walk or a short bike ride.
Parking: street spaces or a small lot nearby; check posted limits.
Hours
| Monday to Friday | 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
|---|---|
| Saturday | 8 a.m. to noon |
| Sunday | 8 a.m. to noon |
Hours from the business's own website, checked October 30, 2026.
What is nearby
- Hobee's Restaurant, restaurant, under 0.1 mi
- Heavenly Nail Spa, salon or spa, under 0.1 mi
- Kitchen at Palo Alto, restaurant, under 0.1 mi
- The Sea by Alexander's Steakhouse, restaurant, 0.1 mi
- Dinah’s Poolside Restaurant, restaurant, 0.1 mi
- Juana Briones Park, 0.3 mi
- Terman Park, 0.5 mi
- Robles Park, 0.5 mi
Other everyday services nearby: Palo Alto Montessori School (0.1 mi); America's Tire (0.1 mi); McLaren San Francisco (0.2 mi); Edgewood House Preschool (0.2 mi). Browse the full everyday services list.
Before you go
- Call ahead to confirm hours and whether you need an appointment.
- Ask for a written estimate before any repair work starts.
- Bring an ID and any paperwork you may need, such as a receipt or account number.
About this listing
Checked October 30, 2026 against Avis Palo Alto (PA1) location page; Avis locations near Palo Alto; Budget Palo Alto locations. How our listings work. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Avis and Budget Palo Alto in Palo Alto?
Avis and Budget Palo Alto is at 4230 El Camino Real, Palo Alto, CA 94306, in the South Palo Alto area. The nearest Caltrain stop is the San Antonio Caltrain station (Mountain View), about 0.8 miles away.
Where is the Avis and Budget office in Palo Alto?
Both brands list the office at 4230 El Camino Real, Palo Alto, CA 94306. Avis says the counter is on El Camino Real with West Charleston Road as the cross street.
What are the Avis hours in Palo Alto?
Avis and Budget both list 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday and Sunday. Holiday hours differ, so check the brand's location page before you book.
Can I return an Avis car after hours in Palo Alto?
Avis's directions for this office say the car must be returned during office hours. If you need a late return, the brand suggests changing the drop-off to an airport location instead.
What are Avis and Budget Palo Alto's hours?
Monday to Friday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday: 8 a.m. to noon; Sunday: 8 a.m. to noon.