City guides
Car hire in Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha)
By CarRentalZA editorial team · 7 min read · Updated 29 September 2026
- Main pickup point
- Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport (PLZ)
- Airport to the beachfront
- About 5 km, roughly 10 to 15 minutes
- Small car, from
- About R202 a day nationally (Discover Cars, 29 September 2026)
- Vehicle that usually fits
- Hatchback, a bakkie only for farm or gravel access
- Local quirk
- Strong coastal wind, hold car doors when opening them
Car hire in Port Elizabeth, now officially Gqeberha, is unusually convenient because the airport sits only about 5 km from the beachfront, so you are in your accommodation within fifteen minutes of collecting, and a standard hatchback is all you need for the city, Addo Elephant National Park and the run west along the coast.
This is the natural starting point for a Garden Route trip driven from east to west, and it is also the cheapest end of that route to fly into on many days.
Below you will find who operates here, what the national rate benchmarks look like, how the airport works, the local driving quirks including the wind, and real drive times to the places visitors go.
Where to collect a car in Port Elizabeth
The airport is the obvious choice. It is a single small terminal with the rental counters right in the arrivals area, so collection is quick, and because the airport is inside the city rather than out on the edge of it, you are on the beachfront within about ten to fifteen minutes.
There are also branches in the city, typically around Newton Park, the Baakens Valley area and near the harbour side of town. These suit residents and business travellers more than visitors, because the airport is already so central.
If you are starting a Garden Route trip here and ending it in Cape Town, ask for the one way fee upfront. It is a common route so most brands will quote it, but the fee varies enough to be worth comparing.
Which rental brands have a presence in Port Elizabeth
| Brand | Presence |
|---|---|
| Avis | Airport and city |
| Budget | Run alongside Avis in South Africa |
| Europcar | Airport |
| First Car Rental | Airport and city |
| Hertz | Airport |
| Tempest | Airport and city, a long standing presence here |
| Pace | Port Elizabeth operation |
Coverage for the other brands on this site varies in the Eastern Cape. Check availability for your dates rather than assuming a branch exists nearby.
What you can expect to pay
Port Elizabeth is one of the better value rental markets in the country outside peak season, mainly because it is a smaller airport with steady fleet supply.
| What price comparison sites showed on 29 September 2026 | Per day |
|---|---|
| Discover Cars, small car, from | R202 |
| Discover Cars, average rental in South Africa | R271 |
| Discover Cars, premium car, from | R837 |
| Cheapflights, average paid over the last 12 months | R556 |
These figures come from Discover Cars and Cheapflights. Most are national, not Port Elizabeth quotes. A "from" price is the cheapest car found on the day; an average includes bigger cars and longer rentals, which is why the two sites differ so much. Discover Cars puts December at about R474 a day against about R387 in September, so holiday dates cost more.
Local demand spikes around matric farewell season in the second half of the year, when premium and specialty vehicles get booked out well in advance. If that is what you are after, book months ahead and expect premium pricing.
Driving and parking in Port Elizabeth
Driving here is easy. The city is compact, the N2 runs through it, and the M4 beachfront road links Summerstrand, Humewood and the harbour. Traffic is light compared with Cape Town or Gauteng, and parking is one of the least stressful things about the city.
Practical notes:
- Beachfront parking along Marine Drive is mostly free or cheap, with car guards at the busier spots.
- Baywest and Greenacres have large free parkades.
- The wind is the thing nobody warns you about. Gqeberha earned the nickname the Windy City honestly, and a gust catching an open car door in an exposed parking bay is a genuinely common cause of minor hire car damage. Hold the door.
- Sand and salt spray on the coastal road are hard on paintwork, so a rinse before you return the car is not a bad idea.
Drive times from Port Elizabeth
Approximate one way driving times:
| Destination | Distance | Typical drive |
|---|---|---|
| Addo Elephant National Park main gate | About 70 km | 1 hour |
| Jeffreys Bay | About 75 km | 1 hour |
| Makhanda (Grahamstown) | About 130 km | 1 hour 30 minutes |
| Storms River and Tsitsikamma | About 190 km | 2 hours |
| Plettenberg Bay | About 230 km | 2 hours 30 minutes |
| East London | About 300 km | 3 hours 15 minutes |
| Cape Town | About 750 km | 8 hours 30 minutes |
The N2 west towards Tsitsikamma and the Garden Route is in good condition and is a pleasant drive. The N2 east towards East London and beyond is more variable, with rougher surfaces in stretches.
Which vehicle makes sense here
A hatchback covers everything most visitors do. Addo's main access and the internal main roads there are manageable in a normal car, the Garden Route is tarred throughout, and the city itself needs nothing special.
A bakkie or higher vehicle is worth considering if you are staying on a private game farm or guest farm inland, where the last few kilometres are often gravel and can be corrugated after rain. That is also exactly where the rental agreement's gravel road clause becomes relevant, so ask the rental company directly whether your booking permits it.
If you are travelling with surfboards for Jeffreys Bay, check the roof rack situation before you book. Not every group comes with rails, and strapping boards to a bare roof is a good way to end up paying for the damage.
Frequently asked questions
How much is car rental in Port Elizabeth?
On 29 September 2026 Discover Cars showed small cars across South Africa from about R202 a day and an average rental of R271 a day, and Cheapflights' average over the previous 12 months was R556 a day. Prices move with the season, how early you book, how long you keep the car and the excess cover you choose, so get a quote for your dates.
How far is Port Elizabeth Airport from the beachfront?
Only about 5 km, roughly ten to fifteen minutes. The airport sits inside the city rather than on its edge, which makes it one of the most convenient collection points in the country and means you rarely need a city branch as a visitor.
Which car hire companies are at Port Elizabeth Airport?
Avis and Budget, Bidvest (now Bluu), Europcar, First Car Rental, Hertz, SANI SIXT, Tempest and Woodford all have an airport presence, with Pace also operating in the city. Coverage for other brands varies in the Eastern Cape, so confirm availability for your dates before you rely on a particular counter.
Do I need a 4x4 for Addo Elephant National Park?
No. Addo's main roads are accessible in an ordinary car, and most visitors self drive there in a hatchback or sedan. A higher vehicle gives you a better view over the bush, which is a comfort argument rather than a road surface one.
Can I drive the Garden Route from Port Elizabeth?
Yes, and it is a natural starting point. Storms River is about two hours, Plettenberg Bay about two and a half, and George around four. Many people drive one way to Cape Town, so ask for the one way fee upfront because it varies by brand.
Is Port Elizabeth windy enough to worry about?
Yes, in a practical sense. Strong coastal wind is normal here and a gust catching an open car door in an exposed bay causes real damage that comes out of your excess. Open doors carefully and park facing into the wind where you can.
Is parking expensive in Port Elizabeth?
Not really. Beachfront parking along Marine Drive is mostly free or inexpensive, and the malls have large free parkades. Informal car guards work most public parking areas and small change on your return is the normal courtesy.
Can I hire a bakkie in Port Elizabeth?
Bakkies are widely available in South Africa and are a common hire here, particularly for farm access and load carrying. Book ahead because the supply is thinner than for hatchbacks, and confirm the gravel road and towing terms before you sign.
