Auto Europe
Car hire in Sanford – Gateway to Central Florida
Conveniently located midway between Orlando and Daytona Beach in central Florida, the enchanting city of Sanford is one of America's lesser-known tourism gems. Home to many beautifully-preserved 19th-century buildings, it sits very comfortably on the shores of Lake Monroe right at the top of St Johns River, offering plenty of cruise activities and watersport options to visitors.
Blessed with a warm year-round climate, Sanford is a pleasant city and the seat of Florida’s Seminole County. Besides its pristine waterfront area which stretches for miles, it boasts a plethora of possibilities for buying unusual antiques and collectibles in small family-run boutiques and many fine-dining options in peaceful lakeside restaurants, all in very close proximity to the city's famous downtown Magnolia Square.
Despite being a provincial city, Sanford is packed with first-rate attractions providing the potential for several days of exciting sightseeing opportunities. The main draws are the Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens, one of the best in the whole of the USA, and the excellent Museum of Seminole County History which tells the story of the Sanford area's unique heritage.
Besides having all the fun of exploring this beautiful city at your disposal, with a car hire in Sanford you have the nearby city of Orlando and all its world-renowned tourist attractions to enjoy, as well as the magnificent beaches of Florida's sun-baked Atlantic coast not too far away. And you won't want to miss the chance to visit the Kennedy Space Center just an hour's drive from the centre of Sanford.
Founded in 1954, Auto Europe is one of the world's leading car hire companies with more than 28,000 pick-up and drop-off locations in over 190 different destinations, including Sanford in the heart of Florida. We work with all the top car rental suppliers which enables us to offer the cheapest prices and widest range of vehicles on the market.
If you need any help with your reservation, please contact our rental specialists for assistance who will be happy to get you the best deal and give you general advice on getting around central Florida by car. You can also find out what previous Auto Europe customers thought of our products and services by reading the comments they posted on our Sanford car hire reviews page.
For more information on renting a vehicle in Sanford, click on the car hire related topics listed below:
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Where to pick up a car hire in Sanford
Auto Europe works with all the world's top car hire providers and as such can offer you a broad selection convenient pick-up/drop-off points in and around the beautiful city of Sanford, as well as Sanford Airport and the busy AMTRAC train station. Our website is designed to help our customers make the right choice with an interactive map that appears with all the available locations for low-cost car rental in Sanford.
Sanford Airport
One of the busiest air transportation hubs in the Sunshine State, Sanford Airport (often called Orlando Sanford International Airport) is situated less than an hour's drive from many of the Orlando’s world-famous theme parks, such as Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Walt Disney World. It has two terminals (Terminal A and Terminal B) where customers can collect up their vehicle at the dedicated car hire centre located close in very close proximity to both. Please make sure you have all the necessary documents ready when you arrive to pick up your car in order to save as much time as possible.
Sanford Airport (SFB)
Website: flysfb.com
Address: 1200 Red Cleveland Blvd, Sanford, Florida 32773, USA
Telephone: +1 407 585 4000
Sanford Train Station
Opened in 2010, Sanford Train Station is the southern terminus for Amtrak's Auto Train operation. Located a half-hour drive south-west of the city, it has capacity for 600 passengers and a wide range of on-site facilities, including a café, toilets, a gift shop and children's play-area.
Sanford Train Station
Website: amtrak.com
Address: 600 South Persimmon Avenue, Sanford, FL 32771-2385, USA
Telephone: +1 800 872 7245
Book with the best car hire suppliers in Sanford
Auto Europe is a leading international car hire company currently offering a vast selection of convenient pick-up and drop-off locations in 190 different destinations around the world. Thanks to our many years of experience dealing with all the global and local car rental companies, we can offer you the best standard of service and cheapest prices on the market.
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Should you require additional information about the car hire companies we work with or their policies, for example out of office pick up or questions regarding age restrictions, our car rental specialists are just a phone call or e-mail away and happy to assist you.
Frequently asked questions about renting a car in Sanford
This section features the most frequent questions asked by people booking a car hire in Sanford. Scroll down for important tips relating to a wide range of essential car hire topics, such as credit cards, coverage, tolls, traffic and much more. If you need any more information, please contact our reservations team for assistance and they will be happy to help you with your reservation and assist you with your travel itinerary.
Do I need a credit card to rent a car in Sanford?
Yes. To rent a car in Sanford, it is essential to present a major credit card (ie Visa, Mastercard, Diners, American Express, etc.) when you arrive at the car hire reception desk to collect your vehicle. This is because the supplier supplier will need to place a hold on the value of the deductible for the vehicle they give you for the duration of your rental period. Many people express surprise when they try to pick up their car with just a debit of pre-paid card (or even cash), which is why it is always advisable to have a high-limit credit card in the name of the main driver. If you book a premium- or luxury-category car, you might be asked for second major credit card (also in the main driver's name) due to the high value of such vehicles. You can easily check which cards (and types) can be used simpky by making a quick search in the Auto Europe booking engine, after which you'll find all the necessary details by clicking the blue and white info icon (i). Please follow the link to our related blog post if you require more information on credit card and deposit requirements, as well as our dedicated page relating to credit cards and car hire.
What insurance do I need for my car rental in Sanford?
When you hire a car in Sanford and elsewhere in the USA, it's important to make sure that you have the right amount of coverage to guarantee a safe trip. The first thing to bear in mind is the fact that Auto Europe's basic car rental prices include the minimum amount of legally-required coverage and that our Zero Excess product comes as standard with all rentals (including value added tax, liability insurance, fire insurance, collision damage waiver (CDW) zero excess and theft protection (TP). As its name suggests, Auto Europe's popular Full Damage & Theft Protection policy means that you will be completely protected should anything happen on the road, so it is always worth paying a little bit more for added peace of mind during your drip. In the event of having to make a claim, please note that you must pay the car rental supplier first before claiming the amount back from Auto Europe.
All this information and more is clearly stated in the Auto Europe booking engine search results by clicking on the blue and white info icon (i) after selecting your preferred car category and supplier. Please be aware of the fact that some local car rental employees might try selling you additional coverage on top of what you might have already purchased from Auto Europe, which is completely optional and will often prove to be surplus to your requirements. Follow the link for a for a general overview of the types of car hire coverage available, as well as our dedicated page about the key points to remember relating to car hire coverage.
How is the traffic in Sanford?
You'll have no problem getting around this part of central Florida with a car hire in Sanford. The city is well planned and the road system nicely structured to help people getting around, either by car or local public transport. One of the quickest approaches to the centre is along the main Interstate 4 thoroughfare, with State Road 417 (Central Florida Greeneway) another popular route into Downtown. As Sanford is so close to some of America's most popular theme parks, most notably Walt Disney World, you can expect more traffic during the school holidays, especially in the morning and late afternoon when the attractions are opening and closing, respectively. Please consult our USA Driving Guide for more advice on road rules, speed limits, driving distances, etc. in Florida and the rest of the country.
Where can I park my car hire in Sanford?
There's plenty of free, long-term parking available all over the city centre, which is known locally as Historic Downtown Sanford. One of the best places to park your cheap car hire in Sanford in Downtown is Courthouse Parking on the north-western corner of Commercial Avenue and Palmetto Street. Other options include the public car park on 1st Street and Palmetto which also has spaces for drivers of limited mobility. You might also want to consider parking on Seminole Boulevard along the RiverWalk which is two short blocks from all the downtown tourist attractions.
Do I need to pay tolls when driving my car hire in Sanford?
Yes. Central Florida has a series of toll roads for visitors looking to get around the Sunshine State quicker and more easily. Travelling between Sanford, Oviedo, the University of Central Florida, east Orlando and Kissimmee, for example, is possible on State Road 417 (known as the Central Florida GreeneWay), a 55-mile toll road operated by CFX and Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise. Furthermore, the Florida Turnpike, known as the Ronald Reagan Turnpike, encompasses 483 miles of toll roads that make travelling more efficient because of fewer exits and less traffic. Other key thoroughfares to consider include the Alligator Alley (1-75 between Miami and Naples) and the Bee Line Expressway (Orlando to Cape Canaveral), both major toll roads.
Do I need an international driving licence to hire a car in Sanford?
Although an International Driver’s Licence (IDL) isn't obligatory, it is highly recommended if the driver's home licence isn't printed in the English language. An IDL is also mandatory if your regular driving licence in the country where you reside isn't in the Roman alphabet (such as Japanese, Greek, Russian, Bulgarian, etc.), in which case it must be accompanied by your home driving licence.
Sanford Travel Guide
Besides its close proximity to the theme parks of Orlando, Sanford is a standalone travel destination featuring many award-winning restaurants, craft breweries, gastropubs, shopping centres, first-class international events, street-food festivals, art galleries and a spectacular marina where visitors can embark on fishing trips, boating adventures and dinner cruises.
Best day trips with my car rental in Sanford
Besides being a fascinating place to visit, the city is also a highly popular gateway to the many attractions to be found in Orlando and other key destinations in central Florida. With a car rental in Sanford you can quickly drive to many of the USA'a top theme parks and return the same day. Along with low-cost car hire in Sanford, Auto Europe also offers you the chance to share the experience with regular Free Additional Driver offers throughout the year, as well as one-way car hire opportunities allowing drivers to pick up their vehicle in one place and drop it off in another.
Jeanine Taylor Folk Art
Jeanine Taylor Folk Art is a locally-owned gallery that focuses on contemporary folk art. Located in the charming historic district of Downtown Sanford, native Floridian Jeanine Taylor established the gallery in 1997 to preserve Florida’s rich artistic culture. The gallery showcases works by local folk artists like Theresa Disney, Missionary Mary Proctor, Butch Anthony, Ruby C. Williams, John "Cornbread" Anderson and Purvis Young. The Jeanine Taylor Folk Art hosts a variety of rotating exhibitions and special events throughout the year.
Lower Wekiva River State Preserve
Covering more than 20,000 acres, the Lower Wekiva River Preserve State Park is a nature park and extensive wildlife habitat incorporating the St Johns and Wekiva rivers. Forming a corridor to the Ocala National Forest bordering the St Johns River, the park is home to numerous species, including alligators, river otters, black bears, sandhill cranes and wood storks. The park also offers a great variety of recreational activities, such as hiking, horse-back riding, camping, fishing, canoeing and kayaking.
Black Bear Wilderness Area
The Black Bear Wilderness Area spans some 1,600 acres of prime terrain in the north-western areas of Seminole County. Featuring an interesting array of wetland habitats in the St John River's floodplain, the area incorportates Wet Prairies, Cypress Swamps and Hydric Hammock where many rare species live, including Florida black bears, American alligators, river otters, swallow-tailed kites and white-tailed deer. There's also a trail system that follows a series of historic levees with boardwalks running over the wetlands along the St John River.
Walt Disney World
Opened in 1971, Walt Disney World Resort is the mother of all theme parks and arguably still the crème de la crème of America's many large entertainment complexes. Spread across 40 square-miles, the park comprises four different attractions, namely Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios and Disney's Animal Kingdom), in addition to two great water parks (Disney's Blizzard Beach and Disney's Typhoon Lagoon). It's the ultimate day out for families, especially young children who will remember meeting Mickey Mouse as much as going on any of the rides!
What to do in Sanford
Rich in history and culture, central Florida has warm, sunny weather right through the year, so there's great potential for a fun-filled holiday with your car rental in Sanford. The city has dozens of top tourist sights to enjoy, plus its close proximity (less than an hour's drive) to some of the world's largest and most popular theme parks in Orlando gives it lots of added appeal for families visiting the area.
- Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens: This 116-acre animal sanctuary and arboretum close to the city centre is home to over 500 animals representing 205 species, along with a wide array of exotic flora. The zoo comprises several different attractions such the Wharton-Smith Tropical Splash Ground Water Park, the ZOOm Air Adventure Park (which offers an aerial adventure course), the Barnyard Buddies Children’s Zoo and lots of other exciting prospects for young visitors.
- Museum of Seminole County History: Dedicated to preserving the history and culture of Seminole County, this excellent museum located in the heart of Sanford features a vast collection of photographs, documents, maps, artifacts and various exhibits portraying the heritage of the local Seminole Native American people.
- Historic Downtown Sanford: The city's beating heart is known as Historic Downtown Sanford, an area that's famous around the world for its award-winning restaurants, craft breweries, gastro-pubs, boutique-style shops, international events, large-scale street festivals, concerts, plays, art galleries and a spectacular marina where cruise operators cater for locals and tourists alike right through the year.
- Fort Mellon Park: Spread out along the waterfront of Lake Monro, Fort Mellon Park offers a wide variety of amenities for people of all ages. Besides a relaxing walk along the Sanford Riverwalk, the park's main attractions include a children's playground, barbecue cooking facilities, tennis and basketball courts, sports equipment to hire and plenty of toilet facilities.
- Goldsboro Historical Museum: Founded in 1891 by Mr William Clark, the Goldsboro Historical Museum depicts the life and history of the Goldsboro community of Sanford. Located on the Historic Goldsboro Boulevard, the museum was the second all-black township in the United States and houses an array of exhibits that showcase the residents, businesses, churches, schools and general stores in Goldsboro, which became a thriving community at the turn of the last century.