Car Rental South Africa
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The above prices are only approximate and were last updated at 13:09 on 2020-02-16. Prices may vary based on the booking dates, length of rental, and car class.
Travel Information
Language
IsiZulu,
IsiXhosa,
Afrikaans
IsiXhosa,
Afrikaans
Currency
ZAR
Country code
27
Average car rental length
7 days
Economy car rental price
$26.30 / per day
Traffic direction
Left-hand
Speed limit out of town
100 km/h
62 mi/h
Speed limit within town
40 km/h
25 mi/h
Acceptable limit of BAC
0.05%
Why rent a car in South Africa?
South Africa offers everything from large cities like Cape Town and Johannesburg to nature areas and extensive coastline. The large distances can sometimes feel overwhelming, but the road network is generally in good shape and even if you choose to stick to just one region of the country, you’ll most likely end up being surprised by the incredible diversity that you’ll find.
Top ways to enter South Africa
- Cape Town Airport: The fifth-busiest in Africa, this airport serves not only Cape Town, but also the wider Western Cape Region.
- Johannesburg Tambo Airport: South Africa’s busiest airport serves nearly 30 million passengers annually.
- Durban King Shaka Airport: Named after a leader of the Zulu nation, Durban serves not only domestic routes, but also flights to and from many other African countries like Namibia, Zambia, Mozambique, and Ghana, as well as destinations in Europe and the Middle East.
- By land: If your rental car provider permits it and if you have the right visa and other documentation, it’s possible to rent a car in a neighboring country and then drive to South Africa. Some large international airports near South Africa are Gaborone Airport in Botswana, Maputo Airport in Mozambique, and Harare Airport in Zimbabwe.
Top cities and places to visit
- Cape Town: One of the most popular city destinations in Africa, Cape Town is home to the Cape of Good Home, Table Mountain, a large wine region, and an extensive sea coast.
- Johannesburg: Huge and hugely impressive, Johannesburg is home to interesting museums and great cuisine from all over Africa. Many great national parks are also nearby.
- Durban: The city on the Indian Ocean has many natural landmarks, opportunities for water sports, and the famous Crocodile Creek.
- Eastern Cape: This regions is best known for having one half of the beautiful Garden Route (that starts in Western Cape), as well as its surfing towns and villages, but the Addo Elephant National Park and the Tsitsikamma National Park shouldn’t be overlooked, either.
- Limpopo: Something of an unknown quantity up to this day, the South African region bordering Mozambique and Zimbabwe is best known for the beautiful Kruger National Park.
Most popular rental car
The most popular rental car in South Africa are the VW Polo. The Toyota Corolla and the Chevrolet Spark are also popular choices.
Most popular types of rental car
The most popular rental car types in South Africa are economy, mini, and compact.
Top driving routes
- Cape Town - Port Elizabeth (282 km / 175 mi) It’s a long road between the capitals of Western Cape and Eastern Cape provinces, but many travelers still choose to do it because of the many nature reserves, coastal areas, and the beautiful Garden Route that are on the way.
- Johannesburg - Durban (568 km / 353 mi) The two great cities of Eastern South Africa are about six hours apart. Many travelers also choose to visit Lesotho that is on the way, but if you’d like to do the same, first make sure that your rental car provider permits it as you’d be entering another country.
- Johannesburg - Nelspruit (341 km / 212 mi) Cozy Mbombela, still often referred to by its former name, Nelspruit, is about four hours drive east of Johannesburg.
Car Rental Prices
- Station wagons - from $47 per day
- Large cars - from $45 per day
- Medium cars - from $28 per day
- People Carriers/Vans - from $78 per day
- Premium cars - from $65 per day
- Small cars - from $21 per day
- SUVs - from $70 per day
How can I save money on my rental car?
You can do a number of things to get a good car rental deal in South Africa:
- Compare rates of different rental car providers
- Book your rental car well in advance
- Plan your route before you go
- Know your fuel and mileage requirements
- Visit on the month when the rental prices are the cheapest. According to our data, visiting South Africa is the cheapest in May when renting a car is about 29% cheaper than the yearly average and about 56% cheaper than renting a car in November.
Top 17 Most Popular Cities in South Africa
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Car Rental in Cape Town from $11.96 per day
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Car Rental in Johannesburg from $13.90 per day
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Car Rental in Durban from $12.36 per day
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Car Rental in Port Elizabeth from $11.82 per day
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Car Rental in Nelspruit from $15.84 per day
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Car Rental in Pretoria from $13.90 per day
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Car Rental in George from $23.76 per day
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Car Rental in East London from $11.82 per day
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Car Rental in Bloemfontein from $11.89 per day
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Car Rental in Pietermaritzburg from $15.84 per day
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Car Rental in Polokwane from $14.91 per day
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Car Rental in Kimberley from $11.89 per day
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Car Rental in Richards Bay from $15.84 per day
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Car Rental in Upington from $11.89 per day
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Car Rental in Stellenbosch from $11.96 per day
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Car Rental in Hermanus from $11.96 per day
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Car Rental in Sishen from $13.42 per day
Top 20 Most Popular Locations in South Africa
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Car Rental at Cape Town Airport from $11.96 per day
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Car Rental at Johannesburg, Tambo International Airport from $13.90 per day
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Car Rental at Durban, King Shaka International Airport from $12.36 per day
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Car Rental at Johannesburg Lanseria Airport from $13.90 per day
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Car Rental at Port Elizabeth Airport from $11.82 per day
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Car Rental at George Airport from $23.76 per day
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Car Rental at Cape Town, Downtown from $11.96 per day
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Car Rental at Pretoria, Wonderboom Airport from $11.93 per day
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Car Rental at East London Airport from $11.82 per day
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Car Rental at Nelspruit, Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport from $13.90 per day
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Car Rental at Nelspruit Airport from $15.84 per day
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Car Rental at Bloemfontein Airport from $11.89 per day
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Car Rental at Pietermaritzburg Airport from $15.84 per day
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Car Rental at Polokwane Airport from $14.91 per day
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Car Rental at Kimberley Airport from $11.89 per day
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Car Rental at Pretoria Hatfield from $13.90 per day
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Car Rental at Richards Bay Airport from $15.84 per day
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Car Rental at Durban, Downtown from $12.36 per day
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Car Rental at Johannesburg, Downtown from $15.84 per day
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Car Rental at Upington Airport from $11.89 per day
Map of Car Rental Locations
Which is the cheapest month to rent a car in South Africa?
The cost of renting a car in South Africa depends on the time of year. This graph compares price changes from month to month in order to find the best offer.
Average Rental Price in South Africa
The cheapest month of the year to rent a car in South Africa is May — prices start from $27.24 for an Economy class vehicle. This is 32% cheaper than the yearly average and 59% cheaper than renting a car in the month of November (when prices start at $66.69 for a Compact class). This information can help you identify the low season. But these are only average numbers. The exact price for your trip will depend on the length of your rental and the number of days until your rental period begins. Just enter your dates in the form at the top of the page to see exact prices and offers.
What’s the average rental length in South Africa?
The average length differs from month to month. The longest rental periods are in January — an average of 13 days. The shortest are in June — an average of 7 days.
Average Rental Length in South Africa
What’s the most popular time for renting a car in South Africa?
Discover Cars users search a lot of locations daily. We gathered this information in order to analyze car rental popularity in South Africa. The most popular month is October, while the least popular is June.
South Africa Car Rental Popularity by Monthly Searches
Most Popular Car Models of Rental Suppliers
| Rental Agency | Model | Doors | Luggage | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hertz | Renault Clio | 5 | 2 | Small cars |
| Hertz | Chevrolet Spark | 5 | Small cars | |
| Hertz | Toyota Corolla | 4 | 1 | Medium cars |
| Hertz | Toyota RAV 4 | 5 | 2 | SUVs |
| Hertz | Toyota Fortuner | 5 | 1 | SUVs |
| Hertz | Toyota Corolla | 4 | 2 | Medium cars |
| Bidvest | Kia Picanto | 4 | 1 | Small cars |
| Budget | VW Polo | 4 | 2 | Small cars |
| Bidvest | Toyota Avanza | 5 | 1 | People Carriers/Vans |
| Budget | Kia Picanto | 4 | 1 | Small cars |
FAQ
Should I rent a car in South Africa?
A majority of the ratings and reviews left by Discover Cars’ customers recommend renting a car (9.3 from 17 reviews).
What do you need to rent a car in South Africa?
In most cases, you need a driver’s license, passport or ID card, and a credit card (in the name of the main driver), and the booking voucher to rent a car. Some companies may have additional requirements (be sure to check the rental conditions).
On what side of the road do they drive in South Africa?
Drivers must drive on the left side of the road.
Can I rent a car at 18 in South Africa?
Yes, you can rent a car at the age of 18.
How old do you have to be to rent a car in South Africa?
You must be between 18 and 99 years old.
Can you rent automatic cars in South Africa?
Yes, automatic cars are available from Keddy, Europcar, Avis, Budget, Bidvest, Hertz, SIXT, First Car Rental, Thrifty, Direct Car Rentals, Drive-A-Matic Car Rentals, Stoutes Car Rental, Ace Rent a car, Courtesy and National in South Africa.
Can I rent a car with a debit card?
Though most companies require a credit card to leave a deposit, some accept debit cards. Check the rental conditions for more information.
Can I rent a car without a credit card?
Most companies require a credit card to pick up the car. Some may accept debit cards or cash. Check the rental conditions for more information.
What car classes can I rent?
Small cars, Medium cars, Large cars, SUVs, People Carriers/Vans, Premium cars, Station wagons and vehicle types are available in South Africa.
Can I rent a car in South Africa with my home country’s driver's license (for example, U.S., U.K., or Australia)?
In most cases, a driver’s license from your home country is acceptable if it uses the Latin alphabet. In some cases, you will need an International Driving Permit (IDP). Check the rental conditions for more information.
If your driver’s license does not use the Latin alphabet, you need an International Driving Permit (IDP) in South Africa.
Do I need an International Driving Permit in South Africa?
In most cases, if your driver’s license uses the Latin alphabet, you can rent a car in in South Africa without an International Driving Permit (IDP). In some cases, you will need an International Driving Permit (IDP). Check the rental conditions for more information.
If your driver’s license does not use the Latin alphabet, you need an International Driving Permit (IDP) in South Africa.
How much does an additional driver cost? Is there an option for a free additional driver?
No rental company in South Africa offers a free additional driver.
How much does it cost to rent a car in South Africa?
A rental car costs $41 per day, on average. The lowest daily price found in the past 48 hours was $12 at Bidvest, Hertz, Keddy, Budget, SIXT, First Car Rental, Direct Car Rentals, Thrifty, National and Europcar.
How much is car rental for a week?
The average price for a weekly rental in South Africa is $289. In the past 48 hours, the lowest price for a weekly rental in South Africa was $83.
What car rental companies are located in South Africa?
Keddy, Europcar, Avis, Budget, Bidvest, Hertz, SIXT, First Car Rental, Thrifty, Direct Car Rentals, Drive-A-Matic Car Rentals, Stoutes Car Rental, Ace Rent a car, Courtesy and National can be found in South Africa.
What is the best car rental company in South Africa?
Ratings and reviews left by our users indicate that the best providers are Keddy (8.8, 26 reviews), Thrifty (8.7, 175 reviews) and Bidvest (8.6, 20 reviews).
Our Customers Reviews
DM
South Africa
Toyota Corolla
September 29, 2019
Booked online and everything was ready and waiting at the arranged time
MM
Swaziland
Chevrolet Spark
September 5, 2019
Capetown is OK.
BM
Australia
Nissan Almera
July 18, 2019
Easy driving within Cape Town and along the Garden Route
ND
South Africa
VW Polo
July 10, 2019
Durban is my home. I don’t like it that much coz I’ve lived there my whole life. But travelers can definitely find value for money at hertz.
DD
United States of America (USA)
VW Polo
March 1, 2019
As an American I had to get used to driving on a different side of the road.
SM
Australia
Hyundai Accent
February 12, 2019
Obviously table mountain and the waterfront are big ones, however Chapman drive to all the smaller towns is also amazing.
SJ
United Kingdom
Chevrolet Aveo 5d
January 3, 2019
Great destination. Easy to drive around.
Top 5 Suppliers for South Africa in 2020
Hertz
Thrifty
Keddy
Bidvest
First Car Rental
Highly recommended by our customers
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