Car hire companies in South Africa

The same car can cost very different amounts depending on who you hire it from, and the headline rate is rarely the whole story. Deposits, excess, mileage limits, minimum driver age and whether you can take the car across a border vary a lot between operators. These guides set out what each company actually offers, and which ones suit a short city hire, a long road trip or a month-to-month rental.

Rental company reviews

Avis car rental in South Africa

Avis car hire reviewed: contact number, age, credit and debit card, deposit and cross-border rules, checked 29 September. Independent.

First Car Rental in South Africa

First Car Rental reviewed: contact number, minimum age 23, credit card only, deposit and cross-border rules, checked 29 September. Independent.

Hertz car hire in South Africa

Hertz car hire reviewed: contact number, minimum age, credit card, deposit hold, cross-border permit, plus Dollar and Thrifty, checked 29 September.

Woodford car hire in South Africa

Woodford Car Hire, which also runs Enterprise, National and Alamo in South Africa: contact number, age, cards, deposit and borders. Independent.

Enterprise Rent-A-Car in South Africa

Enterprise Rent-A-Car car hire reviewed: contact number, age, card, deposit and cross-border rules from its own terms, checked 29 September. Independent.

Xtreme car rental in South Africa

Xtreme Car Rental reviewed: contact number, age, card, deposit and cross-border rules from its own terms, checked 29 September. Independent.

Tempest car hire in South Africa

Tempest Car Hire reviewed: contact number, age, credit and debit card, deposit and cross-border rules, checked 29 September. Independent.

Pace Car Rental in South Africa

Pace Car Rental reviewed: contact number, age, cash and debit card rentals, deposit and cross-border rules, and rent to own through SA Motor Lease.

Thrifty car rental in South Africa

Thrifty car hire reviewed: contact number, minimum age, credit card, R2000 deposit hold, cross-border permit and Hertz link, checked 29 September.

Green Motion car rental in South Africa

Green Motion South Africa car hire reviewed: contact number, age, card, deposit and cross-border rules from its own terms, checked 29 September. Independent.

Firefly car rental in South Africa

Firefly Car Rental reviewed: contact number, age, card, deposit and cross-border rules from its own terms, checked 29 September. Independent.

Budget car rental in South Africa

Budget car hire reviewed: contact number, minimum age, deposit holds, cross-border letter and mileage rules, checked 29 September. Independent.

BLUU car rental in South Africa

BLUU Car Rental (formerly Bidvest): contact number, age, credit card only, deposit and borders from its own terms. Not the Icelandic Blue Car Rental.

Around About Cars car hire in South Africa

Around About Cars reviewed: contact number, age, cards, deposit and cross-border rules for a Cape Town head-office brand with 40+ branches. Independent.

SANI SIXT car rental in South Africa

SANI SIXT, the SIXT franchise partner in South Africa: contact number, age, credit and debit card, deposit and border rules from archived terms.

Europcar car hire in South Africa

Europcar car hire reviewed: contact number, age, credit and debit card, deposit and cross-border rules, checked 29 September. Independent.

Rent A Cheapie car hire in Cape Town

Rent A Cheapie car hire in Cape Town reviewed: contact number, R350 young driver fee, debit card, deposits from R4000 and no cross-border. Independent.

U-Save car and van rental in South Africa

U-Save Car & Van Rental South Africa reviewed: the site publishes no local contact numbers, age, card or deposit rules, so here is what to ask. Independent.

Compare on price

Budget and economy car hire in South Africa

Budget and economy car hire in South Africa explained: what each group gets you, indicative daily rates, kilometre caps and the traps in the cheapest rates.

Cheapest car hire in South Africa

The cheapest car hire in South Africa is rarely the lowest headline rate. Here is how to find the real cheapest total, with indicative daily ranges.

Car hire contact numbers in South Africa

Reservation, customer care and roadside numbers for 17 South African car hire companies, each checked on the company's own website on 29 September 2026.

Compare car hire companies in South Africa

Compare South African car hire companies side by side: who owns which brand, national versus franchise, airport reach, one-way and cross-border ability.

Compare by vehicle

Luxury car hire in South Africa

Luxury car hire in South Africa: what the premium groups get you, indicative rates, deposits, driver age rules and how matric dance hire differs.

Bakkie hire in South Africa

Bakkie hire in South Africa explained: single versus double cab, licence class, load limits, unlimited km options, deposits and where to hire one.

Camper and 4x4 hire in South Africa: Britz, Maui, Bobo and others

Camper, motorhome and 4x4 hire in South Africa compared: what Britz rents now, Maui, Bobo, Happy Campers and Bushlore, with ages, minimum hire and border fees

Trailer hire in South Africa

Trailer hire in South Africa: car trailers, luggage and box trailers, towing licence rules, towbar checks, deposits and where to hire near you.

Minibus, Quantum and Hyundai H1 hire in South Africa

Minibus and Toyota Quantum hire in South Africa: who rents 8 to 23 seaters, why the Hyundai H1 is now the Staria, and the licence and PrDP conflict.

Truck hire in South Africa

Truck hire in South Africa: 1 tonne to 8 tonne sizes, code C1 licence rules, tail lifts, deposits and where to hire in the major cities.

Van hire in South Africa

Van hire in South Africa: panel van sizes, what fits, licence class, moving van costs, deposits and where to hire in Cape Town and the other metros.