Budget car rental in South Africa

Budget is run here by Zeda Limited, the same JSE-listed operator behind Avis. Avis is the sister brand and Budget is the value one, so it makes sense to quote both for the same dates.

Budget shares Avis's operator, so it also shares its network of airport desks and branches. For a renter that means a national operation behind the Budget name, with the deposit and hold rules explained below.

• Optional extras with prices (subject to change): Mobile Wi-Fi R105 a day, GPS R110 a day, child seat R525 per seat per rental. (budget.co.za)
• International visitors can get unlimited-mileage rates with super or standard waiver options, on presentation of an international passport and a return airline ticket. (budget.co.za)
• QuickPass lets you supply your details in advance to speed up collection. (budget.co.za)
• Budget sells a Super Waiver option that lowers your liability if the car is damaged or stolen. (budget.co.za)

Checked on 29 September 2026 against Budget's official website. Numbers change, so confirm on the linked page before you call. A rental company will not ask you to pay a deposit into a new bank account by phone or WhatsApp; if anyone does, hang up and call the official number.

Sources: budget.co.za.

What Budget's own terms and FAQ pages said on 29 September 2026. Rules differ by vehicle group and branch, so check the terms for your booking.

Budget lists desks at OR Tambo International, Cape Town International, King Shaka International, Lanseria, George Airport, Port Elizabeth Airport, Bloemfontein Airport and East London Airport. It also lists Ulundi Airport and Midrand Grand Central Airport. The full list is in the Airport desks row at the top of this page.

Budget also has branches away from the airports. The branches named in its deposit rules include Sandton Gautrain, Umhlanga, Centurion and Menlyn. If your first stop is in the city, get a quote for a nearby branch as well as the airport desk.

Confirm the current rand figures and conditions with Budget before you pay.

Budget takes a hold on your card at collection. It equals the estimated rental plus a security amount and any extras, less anything you prepaid. The money is not spent, but you cannot use it. Your bank controls the release, and Budget says it can take up to 30 days.

Weekend rentals add a further hold. From Thursday to Monday, Budget asks for R3,500 at coastal branches. Inland branches ask for R7,500 on groups A to E and R10,000 on groups F to N. At airport locations the weekend hold is waived on a valid airline boarding pass.

At 56 named branches, including OR Tambo and King Shaka, a R10 000 hold applies on every rental instead. It is waived only on a same-day boarding pass in the renter's name. Weekend rentals also carry two limits: the waiver payment covers 80% of liability, and only direct family members may be additional drivers.

Budget does not publish a country list or a fee for cross-border trips. It issues a Budget Cross Border letter, which you arrange before collection. Do not assume Avis's country list applies to Budget. Ask the reservations line before you book.

South African residents should expect limited-kilometre rates. Unlimited mileage is on the international-visitor rates, which need an international passport and a return airline ticket. Check the kilometre allowance before a long road trip.

One-way hire is an optional extra. The fee depends on the route and appears in the rate breakdown. Delivery or collection within 25 km costs R600 in office hours and R1,100 out of hours, then R20 per km beyond 25 km.

Budget and Avis share an operator, so the real choice is between the value brand and the main brand. Quote both for the same group and dates. Prices move, so we do not claim one is always cheaper.

Against small local operators, Budget offers a national network and one-way hire as an optional extra. That matters if you need to drop the car somewhere other than where you collected it. If you are staying in one city, a smaller operator may quote less, so compare at least three.