South Africa Car Hire Tips

There is a wide selection of car hire companies in South Africa, which are easy to find and offer cheap rates to accommodate your budget.

SouthAfriCar is an agent for EuropCar South Africa, offering car rental throughout South Africa and neighbouring countries. They offer customers with affordable rental rates and excellent service and expert local car hire knowledge. Explore the diverse beauty of South Africa with the freedom of your own car. Hire a car, take a road map and tour South Africa at your own leisure. You can travel in and around the Cape, taking in the winelands, exploring the garden route or viewing the big 5 in one of the many game parks in South Africa.

Some of the car hire companies you will find are:

AVIS: well known for their services and offer an online booking facility
SIXT/Tempest: car rental for South Africa, also provide and online booking facitlity
RAV: claim to be the cheapest in Cape Town and South Africa, offer low or no excess
EUROPCAR: branches all over South Africa, offer excellent services
MAUI/BRITZ: 4x4s, camper and motorhomes
KENINGS: low rates nationwide, cooperate with big brands
BUDGET: also offers an online booking facility
HERTZ: country wide car hire at affordable rates

Car rental in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban is easy to find. You can hire anything from a traditional family car, to a 4x4 or even a luxury or sports car!

Some rental companies even offer to set up your entire itinerary, including flights, tours, trains, cruises, etc. You can hire a car for a day, or if your stay is to be longer, then you can buy a car from the rental agencies and they will guarantee a buy back.

By car in Cape Town you can see, Table Mountain, Camps Bay, Kirstenbosch botanical garden, Chapman’s Peak Drive, Cape Point and the vineyards around Stellenbosch and Franschoek. In Johannesburg the attractions are not as distinct, but you can drive through Soweto or to Gold Reef City Theme Park and Casino. You could also drive down the dramatic beachfront parade of towering hotels in Durban.

Car hire in South Africa definitely has its many benefits and you can find cheap car hire in South Africa to suit your budget. So next time you book a trip to South Africa why not hire a car and drive you and your loved around the country to enjoy its beauty at your own leisure!

Hints for Car Hire in Western Europe

1. Do you really need a car? If you prefer a multi location holiday having a car will give you more flexibility. If your accommodation is not close to your arrival airport it may be a bonus to have the car for the transfer. If you are staying a more rural location it may be useful to have your own transport.

2. Are you a fairly confident driver? Are going to a nervous wreck, worrying about each days drive? For example in Italy you will probably be honked at quite a bit, can you just shrug it off? I don't find that driving on the right hand side of the road is an issue, especially when you are in a left hand drive car.

3. Make sure that you have comprehensive insurance cover. Many rental companies so - called inclusive cover can often leave you with an excess of several hundred euros. As I hire a car in Europe several times a year I purchased an annual insurance cover for around £50. If you don't hire a car frequently then you can pay an additional amount per day, around £2 sterling, with Holiday Autos. with Auto Europe some prices are quoted with a excess refund included. Check if there is an extra charge for additional drivers.

4. Check if there is parking available at your accommodation. Some hotels charge for this. Will there be on street parking fairly close to your accommodation?

5. Invest a decent road map for the area(s) you are visiting and plan your routes in advance. Make a note of the road numbers and the towns along the way to your destination.

6. Be alert for road signs. I find that the roads signs are not as large and clear and don't give as much advance warning of junctions as in the UK.

7. Try to avoid city centres. Park in the outskirts and walk or get a bus in to the centre.

A Guide to Car Hire in Murica Spain

Many companies offer services for car hire in Murica or at the airport. San Javier airport in Murica is located at the northern shore of the Mar Menor. Since 1996, this airport has experienced tremendous growth in flights for tourists. This has resulted in more car hire companies operating in and around the airport.

Car Hire Murica Planning

Consider the size of the car you will need. An economy car is cheaper in terms of rental rates as well as fuel costs. A smaller car will get better gas mileage. If you are travelling with your family or a larger group, you may need a larger vehicle. Otherwise, a compact is a good choice.

Consider insurance when you are planning a car hire. You may have coverage with your car insurance or credit card company. Check with your broker before your tip. If you are already covered, you can save between $5 and $10 per day on your rental costs.

Book in advance for any car hire. You will pay more if you don’t reserve in advance. In addition, your choices may be limited. If you are travelling in the busy season, which is summer, you may not get the car you need. In the very busy weeks, you may not be able to get a car at all.

To hire a car, you will need the proper documentation. Most companies will ask for your driver’s license, proof of insurance and a credit card. Find out in advance which cards are accepted. Many companies have a minimum age requirement for rentals.

Inspect the car before you leave. Take not of any scratches, dents or areas where the paint is chipped. Call these to the attention of the company’s representative. Be sure all damage is noted on the rental agreement. If possible, take pictures with a digital camera to record the damage. You don’t want to be blamed later for damage that was already there when you picked up the car.

Comparing Companies for Car Hire Murica

The rates for the same car can vary considerably from company to company. Compare basic rates and the fees for extras. Some offer all inclusive rental packages, while others charge for extras. These extras can include insurance, mileage, the cost of additional drivers, airport taxes and other fees.

Find out what is included in the price you are quoted. If the company charges a basic rate with add on fees for extras, have the clerk calculate all expenses at the time you are given the quote. This will give you a more reliable comparison.

Get the agreement in writing and be sure to get a confirmation number. You don’t want to go through all the work of comparing prices only to end up paying a higher price later. A quote in writing with a confirmation number for your reservation will help you avoid headaches later.

Compare the cost for picking the car up at the airport or renting in the city. In many cases, there is no real difference in cost. In other cases, you may save money by hiring a car in the city. Most companies will provide transportation to and from the airport. In general, it is cheaper if you pick up and drop off the car in the same location, whether it’s in the city or at the airport.

Compare daily and weekly rates with each company. The weekly rates are often cheaper. If you are staying five days, it may still be less expensive to reserve the car at the weekly rate. You can still return the car early and save money.

Look for coupons or discounts for your car hire. If you book your flight through a travel agent, you may get a discount on a car hire. Organizations such as AAA or travel clubs often offer discounted rates to members. Travel magazines sometimes contain coupons for rental fees. Find and use any discount you can to save money.