Car rental services in South Africa

Thinking about having a holiday in South Africa? If so, you might be wondering about the best way to get around the country. Should you rent a car or rely on public transport? (The answer is rent a car, but more on that later.) If you do hire a vehicle, when and how should you book it? How do you find an affordable car hire quote? How does payment work?

Here's everything you need to know about hiring a car in South Africa.

Should you hire a car in South Africa?

Yes, if you are travelling in South Africa, hiring a car is recommended. Public transport isn't always reliable or even accessible everywhere. Unless you own a car or know friends in the area with one, you're going to need to rent a vehicle. Even e-hailing services, like Uber and Bolt, are limited at certain times of the day or night and in some areas.

How do you book a rental car in South Africa?

You can easily find the most affordable car hire options in South Africa online. For example, with the hippo.co.za car hire comparison tool, you can look at multiple options side by side to find one that suits you best. We can help you find a car to hire in thousands of locations across South Africa and internationally, and once you've found the right car hire option, you can book it online in just a few minutes.

Tips for booking a car safely online

  • While you're comparing car hire quotes, make sure you read the terms and conditions before you book and pay.
  • Check and recheck the dates you've entered before you finalise your booking.
  • Ensure you understand your responsibilities when it comes to third-party damage, theft, loss, and collision damage.
  • We advise you to book your rental car before you arrive in the country to make sure you get one in your budget before they're all booked up.
  • You can choose from a variety of vehicle types including sedans, hatchbacks, 4x4s, and automatic or manual transmission. Consider where you'll be going, how much luggage you'll have, and how many people will be with you before simply choosing the smallest and cheapest option. You don't want to end up with too little space for your escapades in the hired car!

How does payment for a rental car work in South Africa?

You might not need to pay for your rental car when booking; you'll probably pay when you collect it. However, most car rental companies in South Africa will ask for your credit card details upfront. Take note that you will need to present the credit card you booked with when collecting the car.

When you collect the car, you'll likely pay a deposit that is higher than the quote you received. Once you return the car, the final amount you owe will be calculated, taking into consideration your mileage, the number of days you rented it for, any damage you caused, and other relevant factors. Once this is calculated, the car hire company will return the deposit you paid minus the final amount you owe.

Using a rental car in South Africa

If you're travelling to South Africa from another country, our road rules may differ from what you're used to, so do a little research beforehand. If you incur a fine by driving recklessly or dangerously, parking illegally, or speeding, the car rental company will expect you to pay for it.

It's advisable to read up on the safety of different areas you want to travel to; South Africa can be quite dangerous in certain locations. Also be aware that some cars are greater theft risks, so keep this in mind when deciding on the vehicle you want.

Collecting the rental car

When collecting your rental car, remember the documents you'll need. These typically include:

  • Your driver's licence. If you're an international traveller, check with your car rental company beforehand. Some will accept your foreign driver's licence, some have specific conditions (e.g., it should be in English), and others may require you to produce an International Driving Permit.
  • Identifying documentation like your ID or passport.
  • Your booking voucher and reservation number.
  • The credit or debit card you booked with.

When collecting the car, ask about vehicle insurance because it might not be automatically included. You can choose between different levels of insurance such as cover for accident damage, theft, loss, windscreen, or tyre damage.

Always check the vehicle very carefully before you take possession of it. Take note of any dents and scratches, the condition of the tyres and rims, and whether there is a spare tyre. Ensure the car rental company has recorded the correct mileage and details of the car. You can even take photos of any flaws to avoid being charged for damage you didn't cause when you return it.

Returning the rental car

We suggest you refuel the rental car before returning it as the car rental company may charge you to fill it up plus add on an admin fee for their trouble.
Return the car before the time stipulated on the agreement. If you're late, you could be charged a full extra day! Play it safe and plan to leave enough time to get it back on time.

Are you ready to roll in the perfect rental car for your trip in South Africa? Search and compare quotes with our online car rental comparison tool today. You can save money, time, and effort, so before you commit, hippo it!

Prices quoted are correct at the time of publishing this article. The information in this article is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal, or medical advice.

Sources: CapeTownCarHire; CarHireSouthAfrica;