Hertz car hire in South Africa

On 7 April 2025, Hertz Southern Africa announced that Hertz, Thrifty and Dollar had come under one banner, framed as three brands, one standard. One set of rental terms, updated in August 2025, covers Hertz, Hertz Ride, Firefly, Dollar and Thrifty across South Africa, Namibia and Botswana.

Thrifty still has its own website, thrifty.co.za. Hertz SA's CEO said the change widens choice and pricing for local and international customers. In practice, you can quote Hertz and Thrifty for the same dates and group, and the rules that apply to you are the shared ones.

• Since April 2025 Hertz, Thrifty and Dollar operate under one banner in South Africa; Hertz's CEO for Southern Africa is named as Julian Visagie. (hertz.co.za)
• One set of rental terms (updated August 2025) covers Hertz, Hertz Ride, Firefly, Dollar and Thrifty across South Africa, Namibia and Botswana. (hertz.co.za)
• Monthly car hire from R 5,999 a month for a Group A Suzuki Swift or similar (super waiver, glass and tyre waiver, 100 km free a day); Group B Polo Vivo from R 6,799 a month. Prices as shown 29 Sep 2026. (hertz.co.za)
• Hertz Ride motorcycle rental operates from Cape Town and Stellenbosch, with a minimum rider age of 23 and a Western Cape limit unless Hertz approves in writing. (hertz.co.za)
• The Hertz SA site also lists branches in Botswana (Gaborone, Francistown, Kasane, Maun) and Namibia (Windhoek, Walvis Bay, Ondangwa). (hertz.co.za)
• Smaller-town and city pick-up points include Stellenbosch, Hermanus, Paarl (Val De Vie), Potchefstroom, Krugersdorp, Centurion, Sandton Eye, Umhlanga Rocks, Cape Town Cruise Terminal and Cape Town Downtown (De Waterkant). (hertz.co.za)

Checked on 29 September 2026 against Hertz'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: hertz.co.za, hertz.co.za.

What Hertz'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.

Hertz lists airport desks from Cape Town International, OR Tambo and King Shaka to Kimberley, Mthatha and Upington. The full list is in the Airport desks row at the top of this page.

City and town pick-up points include Cape Town Downtown (De Waterkant), Cape Town Cruise Terminal, Hatfield in Pretoria, Centurion, Sandton Eye and Umhlanga Rocks. Hertz also lists Stellenbosch, Hermanus, Paarl (Val De Vie), Potchefstroom and Krugersdorp, which suits a winelands or Whale Coast itinerary. The Hertz SA site also lists branches in Botswana and Namibia.

Dollar is not a separate operator in South Africa. Since April 2025 it has been a brand inside Hertz Southern Africa. We found no Dollar website for South Africa, no Dollar branch list, no separate Dollar contact numbers and no way to select Dollar on the Hertz site.

If you searched for Dollar car rental, book through Hertz and ask for a Dollar rate if you want one. Dollar rentals are governed by the same Hertz SA rental terms, so the age, card, deposit and cross-border rules on this page apply. The customer service centre named in those terms is 0861 600 136.

Thrifty is the other Hertz SA brand, with its own website and branch list. Our Thrifty guide covers it.

Confirm the current rand amounts with Hertz before you pay.

Hertz asks for a credit card in the main renter's name at collection, and if you prepaid you must bring the same card. Every rental is subject to a credit check at the counter, and Hertz can decline. Some vehicle categories need two credit cards in your name, one to pay and one as security. Hertz's pages mention no debit card acceptance, so plan on a credit card.

The deposit is a R2000 hold on top of the estimated rental, a fuel deposit and 100% of the applicable damage responsibility. Banks can take up to 21 working days to release it. If your card limit is tight, that is the number to plan around.

The minimum age is 18 for a car. Hertz does not publish a young driver surcharge or a years-held licence rule on its South African site, so ask before booking if you are under 25 or hold a recent licence.

Cross-border travel needs a permit requested through Hertz's cross-border form at least 48 working hours before pick-up. Only selected vehicle groups may cross into selected countries, and Hertz can decline. Crossing without a permit is a material breach and your waivers may not apply. Hertz publishes no country list or fee, so ask.

Hertz accepts a valid unendorsed local or international driver's licence and asks international visitors for a passport. The rental terms say the licence must be issued in an official South African language.

Other published amounts include R500 per additional driver, a contract fee of R120 per rental and R300 for an online cancellation. Airport surcharge is generally around 13% at ACSA airports, plus a 1% tourism levy.

Hertz Gold Service has three tiers: Gold, Five Star and President's Circle. It gives you the first additional driver free and skip-the-counter pick-up if you call two hours ahead. Members must be 21 or older.

Hertz makes sense if you have Gold status, if you want a pick-up in a smaller town such as Stellenbosch or Hermanus, or if you want an internationally known brand for an inbound trip. If you just want the cheapest small car in one city, quote Thrifty and other operators as well.