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Car rental in South Africa – The perfect escape
Located right at the bottom of the African Continent, you’ll come across a country with an abundance of beautiful landscapes and rich in wildlife. South Africa has its several distinctive geographical areas. Western South Africa has beautiful beaches and lush vineyards, Cape of Good Hope provides stunning cliffs whilst the Garden Route will take you through some lush forests and lagoons. In the east, you can visit Durban which hosts a theme park. Johannesburg and Cape Town with its famous table top mountain are two popular cities that many visitors head to with their car rental in South Africa.
Head towards the Nelson Mandela Museum not far from Johannesburg, or if you’re looking for beautiful beaches, then visit Port Elizabeth. For golf trips we would recommend heading to George or if catching the glimpse of the big five is your goal, then visit Nelspruit, which is regarded as the gateway to the Kruger National Park. Whatever you decide, South Africa will surely leave lasting memories.
Booking through Auto Europe will save you time and money. Through our long-standing working relationships, we can offer great rental rates, regular promotions and plenty of savings on your next car rental. From standard to luxury and even motorhomes, we’re able to provide great quotations backed with an excellent service. With over 70 years of global industry experience, we have created a booking engine to help you find the very best car rental offers for your budget. Have a read of our car rental reviews in South Africa section to see what previous customers have thought of our service.
For more information on renting a vehicle in South Africa, click on the car rental related topics listed below:
| Our Car Rental Suppliers | Car Rental FAQs | Vehicle Options |
Where to pick up a car hire in South Africa
As one of the most popular African destinations, South Africa is well served by all the major international, national and local car rental companies. Regardless of if you are visiting Cape Town, Port Elizabeth or Kimberley – you’ll never be too far from a pick-up point when opting for a car rental in South Africa. Avis, Budget, Hertz, First, Bluu and many more car rental suppliers operate out of key airports, central train stations and in downtown areas across the country.
Before arriving at the car rental supplier that you have chosen, make sure you have ready your driving licence (including if applicable an International Driving Licence), identification and your rental voucher. Furthermore, a physical credit card is required for deposit purposes. We highly recommend you read the rental terms and conditions before signing. This will set out amongst other things the fuel policy, opening times, fees and more.
Compare car rental rates at the most popular airports in South Africa
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Book with the best car rental suppliers in South Africa
Located across South Africa, Auto Europe is a worldwide car rental broker with over 65 years’ experience. Through our trusted suppliers we can offer great rental rates, special offers and a large fleet to choose from. Suppliers include internationally renowned companies such as Hertz, Enterprise and more. But we also have local and national suppliers such as Bluu and First. Booking through us not only saves you money via our free additional driver, free winter tyres and GPS Included offers - but with our ability to cancel your car rental up to 48-hours before collection – you’re covered for most eventualities.
The booking process is simple and straightforward, offering transparent information to make your rental choice easier. Our website offers information about insurance coverage, supplier policies, any extra fees if applicable and much more. We have also added handy filters so that you may narrow down your search and find the very best car rental for your budget. The following are just a handful of suppliers within South Africa.
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If you need more information regarding supplier opening times, locations, late pick-up or early drop-offs, or on how to cancel a booing, get in contact with our trusted agents who will help. If you happen to find a cheaper rental with the same conditions and terms, then our price guarantee will match any rate – simply give us a call.
Frequently Asked Questions about renting a Car in South Africa
Due to the successful working relationships that we have built-up throughout our many years established, we are now able to offer customers the very best car rental in South Africa. Our award-winning agents are available to answer any car rental related question you might have via email or by phone. Regardless if you are booking for Bloemfontein our Stellenbosch, you’ll find us present in all the key locations. We have put the following questions and answers together of the most commonly asked questions. If your question isn’t covered here, then please get in touch.
How old do I have to be to rent a car in South Africa?
When you are contemplating your first car rental, you need to be at least 18 years if age and have held your driving licence for at least one year. These are the minimum legal requirements in order to rent a car in South Africa. In addition to this, many suppliers have their own policies on age requirements. It is common practice for some suppliers to apply a Young Driver Fee for anyone under 21 years of age.
You may view the Young Driver Fee amount during the booking process by clicking on the desired rental offer. The amount is then displayed on the right-hand side. Fees are charged daily and paid directly to the supplier. We provide this information for transparency only. You must add your correct age during the booking process to be displayed only suppliers who are willing to rent a vehicle to your age group. For further information click on the blue icon (i) or refer to the rental vouchers terms and conditions once booked.
Can I pick up my car rental in South Africa in one place and drop it off in another?
Yes – you can collect your car rental in one location and leave it in another location within South Africa. This is known as a one-way car rental. Generally, a small fee is applied which is different per supplier. The fee amount is depends on the car type, rental duration and locations chosen. If is good to note that you are able to cancel your booking up to 48-hours before collection, should you need to.
If heading outside of South Africa, tu Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland or Zimbabwe – you must notify us beforehand so that we can make sure your insurance covers you. Failure to do so may make your insurance void. You must note all the countries you wish to visit during the booking process in the relevant field. Angola, Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania, Uganda, Zaire, Kenya, Madagascar, Congo, Somalia, Ethiopia, Sudan, Chad, Gabon, Cameroon, Central African Republic and Nigeria are all countries that will require pre-approval from the supplier before your visit.
For further information on one-way rentals, including international one-way rental, please click on the blue icon (i) during the booking or consult your rental vouchers terms after booking. The info is contained under “Standard Package’ – “General Terms”.
Do I need a credit card to rent a car in South Africa?
Yes – a credit card is needed for collecting your vehicle in South Africa. The supplier will only accept a credit card under the main driver’s name. Failure to provide this will mean the supplier won’t release the car and you may lose your booking. Credit cards will be used to play a deposit on. This deposit will be released bac onto your card once it is confirmed that the vehicle has been returned in the same condition as when it left.
For luxury cars, one or more credit cards may be required. Please click on the blue information icon (i) for details of what card types are accepted and deposit amount. Generally, all major credit cards are accepted, including Via and Mastercard. Debit cards are not accepted for this purpose. For more info look under “Supplier Payment Policy”. Details of which can also be found in your rental voucher’s terms and conditions. Please allow up to 14-days for the deposit to show up on your bank statement once released back onto your card.
What are the most important driving rules in South Africa?
When driving in South Africa you should stay on the left side of the road and overtake on the right. Road rules and regulations are similar to most other countries. You must carry with you your driving licence, identification, vehicle documents and insurance at all times. If an International Driving Licence is required, this must also be with your national driving licence to be valid.
General rules include the wearing of seatbelts by everyone within the car. Anyone under the age of 12 must have an appropriate child seat and is not allowed to sit at the front of the vehicle. Mobile phones are not allowed to be used whilst driving unless using a hands free device. Drink driving is also strictly regulated, with blood alcohol levels being limited to 0.05 grams per 100 millilitres, or 0.24 milligrams per 1,000 millilitres with a breathalyzer test.
Please note that within rural areas it can be difficult to find a petrol station. We therefore always recommend that you keep your vehicle as full as possible. If you are involved in an accident or you breakdown, always set out the triangle to warn other drivers. You must also inform Auto Europe and the supplier of such an event.
Do I need to pay tolls when driving my car hire in South Africa?
Yes – all national roads in South Africa have toll booths. These can be paid for in cash or via a valid bank card. Bank cards must be South African, otherwise will not be accepted. Gauteng has an e-toll system which drivers must register for firstly. Visitors may also buy daily toll passes from petrol stations and registered outlets.
What kind of insurance do I need for my car hire in South Africa?
With the standard car rental rate you’ll get the minimum legal insurance coverage for South Africa. This is Collision Damage Waiver (CDW), Limited Liability Cover and Theft Protection (TP). Although useful, this coverage does not cover you for all eventualities or vehicle parts. This is why you are able to upgrade your car rental coverage to a more suitable one if desired.
For a more comprehensive cover we would recommend taking out our Full Damage Protection for an additional fee. With this added protection you’ll be covered for more eventualities and vehicle parts that are otherwise not covered with the basic insurance. The fee is based on the type of car, location and rental duration. Further information can be found by clicking the blue info icon (i) next to your chosen vehicle. Your voucher’s terms and conditions will also lay out this fee.
Please note that it is common practice for local suppliers to offer you their own insurance covers. These are fully optional, and you do not need to take them. Insurance’s that could be offered include; Personal Effects Coverage (PEC), Personal Accident Insurance (PAI), Roadside Assistance, Travel Insurance and many more. Auto Europe does not recommend or profit from said insurance’s offered directly by the supplier. These will not be refunded even if deemed unnecessary afterwards.
Can I add an additional driver to my rental car in South Africa?
Yes – if you would like to add an additional driver to your booking it often comes with a small daily fee that is paid directly to the supplier. Often there are free additional driver offers when you opt for a car rental in South Africa. Any additional driver must present the exact same documents as the main driver - this includes a driving licence and identification. If you do not notify us of any additional drivers, then this will make the insurance void, and the driver will be fully responsible for any damage or theft to the vehicle.
Free Additional Driver offers can be found during the booking process and are dependent on supplier, location and dates. Click on the blue info icon (i) when placing your booking to see whether or not a additional driver fee applies. Information of which is contained under “Driver Information”. This information is also contained in your voucher’s terms and conditions.
Additional Vehicle Rental Options in South Africa
Via our website you are able to search and find the very best car rental offers for your budget. We have added useful filters so that you may narrow down your search results. Through our trusted partners we are able to offer a large selection of vehicles and an affordable rate whether in South Africa you may be. With pick-up points across the country, you’re never too far from an agent.
We have a vehicle for all your needs, from Mini categories – ideal for city driving, to SUV categories – ideal for off-road or longer drives. Our Compact and Economy categories also come with vehicles that are perfectly matched for economical driving. They have slightly stronger engines compared to the Mini versions. The larger the vehicle, the more luggage and leg room you will have. Your choice is endless and finding the right vehicle for you shouldn’t be too difficult. Please consult our South Africa Fleet Guide to see the advantages and disadvantages of vehicle each category.
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Luxury Car Rental South Africa - A massive benefit to visiting South Africa is its amazing weather. With so much sunshine it’s no wonder many opt for renting a luxury car during their visit. These vehicles are powerful, aesthetically pleasing and perfect for business trips. Depending on the vehicle you choose, some may have limited storage, but will be plenty of fun to drive especially if convertible.
Van Rental South Africa - For those who are visiting with a large group of more than five, we recommend renting a van to save you money. Often than not, renting a van that can seat up to 7 people or more is a cheaper alternative than renting multiple cars. It is also often cheaper than using public transport. Vans are ideal for taking equipment and thus are often used when attending events.
Campervan Rental South Africa - With so much to explore in South Africa many customers decide that renting a campervan is the best option. This allows you to uncover rural areas at ease, enjoy the wildlife and amazing landscapes. All campervans come fully equipped with many of the latest mod-cons. South Africa has ample campsites across the country, so finding a place to stay will be straightforward.
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