Car Hire in South Africa
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Cheapest Car Hire Rates
East London Fort Hare University
Compact
Toyota Etios
or comparable
£ 9.00
per day
Mthatha Airport
Mini
Chevrolet Spark
or comparable
£ 10.67
per day
Mthatha Airport
Economy
VW Polo
or comparable
£ 12.73
per day
Mthatha Airport
Mini
Chevrolet Spark Lite
or comparable
£ 13.72
per day
Most Popular Car Hire Deals
Mthatha Airport
Compact
Toyota Corolla
or comparable
£ 13.95
/ per day
Mthatha Airport
Economy
Chevrolet Spark Lite
or comparable
£ 14.81
/ per day
Mthatha Airport
Economy
Ford Figo AMB
or comparable
£ 15.61
/ per day
Mthatha Airport
Compact
VW Vivo Classic
or comparable
£ 17.65
/ per day
These prices are approximate and depend on the dates of the booking, hire length and type of car. This information was last updated at 23:06 on 2022-09-26.
Awards
World Travel Awards - World's Leading Car Rental Booking Website 2020
World Travel Awards - World's Leading Car Rental Booking App 2020
2021 Magellan Awards Silver Winner
Travel & Hospitality Awards 2021
2021 FT 1000: Europes Fastest Growing Companies - Top 100 Companies
2020 FT 1000: Europe's Fastest Growing Companies - Top 100 Companies
Uzakrota Travel Awards - World’s Leading Car Rental Website 2020
2019 Inc. 5000 Europe - Top 500 Companies
Travel Information
Language
IsiZulu,
IsiXhosa,
Afrikaans
IsiXhosa,
Afrikaans
Currency
ZAR
Traffic direction
Left-hand
Dialing code
27
Budget car hire price
£ 25.04 / per day
Average car hire length
2 days
Speed limit within city centre
40 km/h
25 mi/h
Speed limit out of city centre
100 km/h
62 mi/h
Acceptable limit of BAC
0.05%
Average gasoline price
£ 1.13 / 1 liter
Highest gasoline price
£ 1.34 / 1 liter
Lowest gasoline price
£ 1.02 / 1 liter
Why hire a car in South Africa?
From famous cities like Cape Town and Johannesburg to nature areas and an extensive coastline, South Africa really seems to have everything. 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.
If you want to know more about hiring a car in South Africa, don't miss our complete guide.
One-way Car Hire in South Africa
Here are the most popular one-way car hire options for pickup in South Africa and drop off in another country:
- From South Africa to Namibia - 92 offers from £ 33.99 per day
- From South Africa to Lesotho - 10 offers from £ 20.39 per day
- From South Africa to Botswana - 35 offers from £ 23.71 per day
- From South Africa to Swaziland - 10 offers from £ 20.39 per day
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 car hire company 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 and Maputo Airport in Mozambique.
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 hire car
The most hired car in South Africa are the VW Polo. The Toyota Corolla and the Chevrolet Spark are also popular choices.
Most popular types of hire car
The most popular 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 Hire Prices
- Station wagons - starting at £ 38 per day
- Large cars - starting at £ 48 per day
- Medium cars - starting at £ 37 per day
- People Carriers - starting at £ 77 per day
- Premium cars - starting at £ 81 per day
- Small cars - starting at £ 28 per day
- SUVs - starting at £ 93 per day
How can I save money on my hire car?
You can do a number of things to get a good car hire deal in South Africa:
- Compare rates of different car hire companies
- Book your 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 hiring a car is about 29% cheaper than the yearly average and about 56% cheaper than hiring a car in November.
Top 15 Most Popular Cities in South Africa
-
Car Hire in Johannesburg starting at £ 41.09 per day
-
Car Hire in Durban starting at £ 22.14 per day
-
Car Hire in Wynberg starting at £ 36.35 per day
-
Car Hire in Port Elizabeth starting at £ 22.14 per day
-
Car Hire in George starting at £ 22.14 per day
-
Car Hire in East London starting at £ 48.98 per day
-
Car Hire in Bloemfontein starting at £ 22.14 per day
-
Car Hire in Stellenbosch starting at £ 26.12 per day
-
Car Hire in Kimberley starting at £ 22.14 per day
-
Car Hire in Upington starting at £ 22.14 per day
-
Car Hire in Newcastle starting at £ 27.64 per day
-
Car Hire in Jeffreys Bay starting at £ 36.35 per day
-
Car Hire in Potchefstroom starting at £ 41.09 per day
Top 18 Most Popular Destinations in South Africa
-
Car Hire at Cape Town Airport starting at £ 25.07 per day
-
Car Hire at O.R. Tambo International Airport starting at £ 22.14 per day
-
Car Hire at Johannesburg Airport starting at £ 41.09 per day
-
Car Hire at Port Elizabeth Airport starting at £ 22.14 per day
-
Car Hire at King Shaka International Airport starting at £ 22.14 per day
-
Car Hire at Pretoria Hatfield starting at £ 25.07 per day
-
Car Hire at Wonderboom Airport starting at £ 25.07 per day
-
Car Hire at Durban Umhlanga Rocks starting at £ 25.07 per day
-
Car Hire at George Airport starting at £ 22.14 per day
-
Car Hire at East London Airport starting at £ 22.14 per day
-
Car Hire at Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport starting at £ 22.14 per day
-
Car Hire at Polokwane Airport starting at £ 22.14 per day
-
Car Hire at Pietermaritzburg Airport starting at £ 22.14 per day
-
Car Hire in Cape Town Century City starting at £ 30.48 per day
-
Car Hire in Cape Town Milnerton starting at £ 31.93 per day
-
Car Hire in Cape Town Victoria & Alfred Waterfront starting at £ 55.91 per day
Map of Car Hire Destinations
During which month is it most affordable to hire a car in South Africa?
Our data show how prices for hiring a car in South Africa fluctuate depending on the time of the year. This graph can assist you in finding the best bargain.
Average Price for Hiring a Car in South Africa
The cheapest month to hire a car in South Africa is May with prices starting at £ 22.46 for an Economy class cars. The most expensive month in which to hire a car is November with prices for for a Compact class) starting at £ 54.99. The average cost over the course of the entire year is £ 33. You can use this to plan your trip at the time of year when it would be most economical to hire a car. Note that these prices are only averages. The amount of time you hire a car for and the time at which you book will influence the prices.
How many days do people keep their hire cars, on average, in South Africa?
Hirers picking up a car in South Africa keep them for an average of 13 days during in January, while those picking up their cars in June keep them for an average of 7.
Average Hire Length in South Africa
What month is the most favoured for hiring a car in South Africa?
Though South Africa is popular for travellers all year long, the month for which the highest number of people search for a hire car is in October. in June is the month that sees the lowest demand for hire cars.
Monthly Car Hire Searches in South Africa Compared to the Yearly Average
Most Popular Car Hire Models
| Hire Agency | Model | Doors | Luggage | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Car Rental | Suzuki Celerio | 5 | 1 | Small cars |
| First Car Rental | Nissan Almera | 5 | 2 | Medium cars |
| First Car Rental | Honda Amaze | 5 | 1 | Small cars |
| Hertz | Toyota Agya | 5 | 1 | Small cars |
| Firefly | Toyota Agya | 5 | 1 | Small cars |
| First Car Rental | Suzuki Celerio | 4 | 1 | Small cars |
| First Car Rental | Ford Ecosport | 5 | 3 | SUVs |
| BLUU | Kia Picanto | 4 | 1 | Small cars |
| Thrifty | Hyundai i10 Grand | 5 | 1 | Small cars |
| BLUU | Toyota Rav4 | 5 | 3 | SUVs |
Our Customers Reviews
Because we want to make sure each review listed here is left by a real customer, we don’t have an option to post a review here. Instead, we ask each and every customer to leave a review after they return their rental. This way, you know that all reviews are authentic, verified, and trustworthy.
JD
United Kingdom
Toyota Avanza
3 September 2022
They were absolutely incredible. Fantastic customer service. Wonderful to deal with. No Ques or fuss on collection and drop off - so efficient. Great price, great car. definitely a returning customer. Best car rental company I have ever dealt with.
ST
United Kingdom
Suzuki Celerio
17 August 2022
The scenic coastal road from Gordon's Bay to Betty's Bay is beautiful, with a visit to the small coastal town of Hermanus is highly recommended. Hermanus is about an hours drive from Cape Town. Though with stopping for photos and a coffee (recommended) it will obviously take longer.
LM
United Kingdom
VW Kombi
15 August 2022
Visited key tourist attractions in the western cape
GW
United Kingdom
Toyota Rav4
2 June 2022
Visited umflozi Howick and Durban
SM
United Kingdom
Audi A4
29 April 2022
Went to Mpumalanga, Durban, Richardsbay and back to Johannesburg. Each town has its own local attractions. Safaris, casinos, beaches etc. SA is beautiful
BK
United Kingdom
Toyota Yaris
14 April 2022
Their vehicles are all in good and clean condition. I did not experience a single hiccup and the service was efficient and warm, especially after a long flight.
DJ
United Kingdom
Toyota Yaris
4 April 2022
We had a very pleasant holiday
SW
United Kingdom
Toyota Agya
4 April 2022
Great website & service, would definitely use them again
AR
United Kingdom
Toyota Quantum
9 March 2022
Not now
MT
United Kingdom
BMW 3 series Aut.
8 March 2022
A great experience and improved price. Well done.
YN
United Kingdom
Hyundai i10 Grand
21 January 2022
Cape Town I a beautiful place with lots of places to see and lots of things to do. If you love fish, check out the Strandloper in Langerbaan. Bit of a drive from central town but worth the drive- go in summer
KR
United Kingdom
Hyundai i20
6 March 2021
My car hire was in South Africa, Capetown, for me this is thee most wonderful place, there is so much to do, see and experience in this beautiful country. Hiking, sampling the most exquisite vineyards, gourmet meals alongside the everyday meal, both are to an exceptionally high standard, water adventures along with all of the other sights that the Cape has to offer. I could wax lyrical however that would be too boring for the reader, I’d strongly suggest just come to this country and experience it for yourself.
CA
United Kingdom
Toyota Starlet
21 February 2021
But not for you!
NZ
United Kingdom
Hyundai i20
20 January 2021
I visited Sun City in North West and Sudwala caves in Mpumalanga provinces,Mount Amanzi and many other little resorts around Jo,burg
I thoroughly enjoyed my stay knowing my car would take me anywhere without hassles
Car Hire Statistics
Highest rated company
Budget
8.97 / 10
Lowest rated company
Avis
8.38 / 10
Total number of reviews
82
Total rental companies
12
Average daily price
£ 25.04
Lowest daily price
£ 6.38
Total cars available
1222
Top 12 Hire Companies in South Africa in 2022
Budget
+27115735000
O.r. Tambo Int Apt
Working hours
Mon:06:00-22:00
Tue:06:00-22:00
Wed:06:00-22:00
Thu:06:00-22:00
Fri:06:00-22:00
Sat:06:00-22:00
Sun:06:00-22:00
BLUU
+27219272750
Cape Town Intl Airport, Main Building Unit BG12, Central Car Rental Building, Central Boulevard 7525
Working hours
Mon:08:00-17:00
Tue:08:00-17:00
Wed:08:00-17:00
Thu:08:00-17:00
Fri:08:00-17:00
Sat:08:00-17:00
Sun:08:00-17:00
Hertz
+270448014700
George Airport, George, 6530
Working hours
Mon:06:30-19:00
Tue:06:30-19:00
Wed:06:30-19:00
Thu:06:30-19:00
Fri:06:30-20:00
Sat:08:00-15:00
Sun:08:00-19:00
Keddy
+27219358600
Cape Town International Airport
Working hours
Mon:00:01-23:59
Tue:00:01-23:59
Thu:00:01-23:59
Fri:00:01-23:59
Sat:00:01-23:59
Sun:00:01-23:59
Europcar
+27219358600
Car Rental Terminal, Parow East, 7501 Cape Town
Working hours
Mon:00:01-23:59
Tue:00:01-23:59
Wed:00:01-23:59
Thu:00:01-23:59
Fri:00:01-23:59
Sat:00:01-23:59
Sun:00:01-23:59
SIXT
+27112309999
Cape Town Int. Airport
GreenMotion
+27215559561 / +27836274411
Unit 2, Airport Business Park, Michigan Street 14, Airport Industrial, 7490
Working hours
Mon:00:00-23:59
Tue:00:00-23:59
Wed:00:00-23:59
Thu:00:00-23:59
Fri:00:00-23:59
Sat:00:00-23:59
Sun:00:00-23:59
Firefly
+27448014700
R404 Airport Building, George Airport, George, 6529
Working hours
Mon:06:30-19:00
Tue:06:30-19:00
Wed:06:30-19:00
Thu:06:30-19:00
Fri:06:30-20:00
Sat:08:00-15:00
Sun:08:00-19:00
First Car Rental
+27120012165 / +27123422903
1017 Stanza Bopape St, Hatfield, Pretoria, 0028
Working hours
Mon:07:00-18:00
Tue:07:00-18:00
Wed:07:00-18:00
Thu:07:00-18:00
Fri:07:00-18:00
Sat:08:00-13:00
Sun:08:00-13:00
Bidvest
+219272750
Cape Town International Airport, Main Building Unit BG12, Central Car Rental Building, Central Boulevard
Working hours
Mon:00:00-23:59
Tue:00:00-23:59
Wed:00:00-23:59
Thu:00:00-23:59
Fri:00:00-23:59
Sat:00:00-23:59
Sun:00:00-23:59
Thrifty
+270324363042 / +270793145575 / +270724925369
Unit 8 KSIA, La Mercy, King Shaka International Airport, La Mercy, Durban, 4399
Working hours
Mon:07:00-18:00
Tue:07:00-18:00
Wed:07:00-18:00
Thu:07:00-18:00
Fri:07:00-18:00
Sat:07:00-18:00
Sun:07:00-18:00
Avis
+27324368400
King Shaka Dr, La Mercy, 4407, South Africa
Working hours
Mon:06:30-22:00
Tue:06:30-22:00
Wed:06:30-22:00
Thu:06:30-22:00
Fri:06:30-22:00
Sat:06:30-22:00
Sun:06:30-22:00