Bangkok car rental guide
Top 10 Car Rental Companies in Bangkok
The best car rental companies in Bangkok are Sixt, Enterprise, Europcar. Prices start from ฿800/day for an economy car, the minimum age is 21, and airport pickup adds about 12%.
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Ranked comparison
Top 10 rental companies in Bangkok
Ranked by customer rating, price transparency and pickup convenience. Each opens a pre-filled search.
#1
Sixt
Editor’s pickFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from ฿10000Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From฿950/day
all-in estimate
View Sixt deal
#2
Enterprise
Top ratedFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from ฿12000Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From฿1050/day
all-in estimate
View Enterprise deal
#3
Europcar
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from ฿12000Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From฿900/day
all-in estimate
View Europcar deal
#4
Hertz
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from ฿10000Min age 23Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From฿1100/day
all-in estimate
View Hertz deal
#5
Avis
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from ฿10000Min age 23Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From฿1050/day
all-in estimate
View Avis deal
#6
Budget
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from ฿10000Min age 23Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From฿850/day
all-in estimate
View Budget deal
#7
Thai Rent A Car
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from ฿0Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From฿800/day
all-in estimate
View Thai Rent A Car deal
#8
National
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from ฿12000Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From฿1150/day
all-in estimate
View National deal
#9
Alamo
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from ฿12000Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From฿1000/day
all-in estimate
View Alamo deal
#10
Thrifty
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from ฿10000Min age 23Free cancellationAirport
From฿820/day
base rate
View Thrifty deal
Price guide
Prices by car type in Bangkok
| Car type | From / day | Example | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ฿800 | Toyota Yaris | 5 |
| Compact | ฿950 | Honda City | 5 |
| Midsize | ฿1200 | Toyota Vios | 5 |
| SUV | ฿1800 | Honda CR-V | 5 |
| Pickup (4-door) | ฿1600 | Isuzu D-Max | 5 |
Pickup locations
Where to pick up a car in Bangkok
Airport — Bangkok Suvarnabhumi (BKK)
On-site desks on the 2nd floor Arrivals; Sixt via shuttle to a nearby lot.
Downtown — Central Bangkok
Desks near Sukhumvit, Silom and Don Mueang (DMK) for city pickups.
Fees
Fees at a glance
| Fee | Typical amount | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Airport surcharge | ~12% of base rate | Any airport pickup |
| Expressway tolls | THB 30–120 per segment | Using Bangkok expressways / motorways |
| Young-driver fee (21–24) | THB 300–600/day | Drivers under 25 |
| Additional driver | THB 150–300/day | Per extra driver |
| One-way fee | THB 1,000–3,000 | Different drop-off location |
| Security deposit | THB 10,000–25,000 hold | Credit-card hold at pickup |
Local intelligence
Things to know before renting in Bangkok
- Drive on the left (British system); most rentals are automatic in Bangkok.
- An International Driving Permit (IDP) is mandatory for non-ASEAN visitors, carried with your home licence.
- Bangkok traffic is notoriously heavy — allow extra time and consider the elevated expressways.
- Expressway tolls run THB 30–120 per segment; use cash lanes as rentals rarely have an Easy Pass/M-Pass tag.
- Minimum rental age is typically 21, with a young-driver surcharge for drivers under 25.
- The monsoon/flooding season peaks in September–October; sudden downpours can flood streets for 1–3 hours.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about renting a car in Bangkok
Which side of the road do you drive on in Bangkok?
Thailand drives on the <strong>left</strong>, following the British system. The steering wheel is on the right and most rental cars in Bangkok are automatic, so it is easy to adapt.
Do I need an International Driving Permit in Thailand?
Yes. An <strong>International Driving Permit (IDP)</strong> is mandatory for non-ASEAN visitors and must be carried together with your original home-country licence. ASEAN licence holders may drive on their national licence.
What is the minimum age to rent a car in Bangkok?
Most companies rent from age 21, though premium categories may require 25. Drivers aged 21–24 usually pay a young-driver surcharge of about THB 300–600/day.
How do the Bangkok expressway tolls work?
Bangkok’s elevated expressways charge THB 30–120 per segment. Use the cash lanes, since rental cars rarely carry an Easy Pass/M-Pass tag and M-Flow billing can be problematic for the rental agency.
What deposit should I expect?
A credit-card hold of roughly THB 10,000–25,000 is standard. It is a hold, not a charge, and is released after you return the car undamaged, usually within a month.
Is it safe to drive during the rainy season?
The monsoon peaks in September–October, when heavy downpours can flood Bangkok streets for 1–3 hours, especially around Asok, Thonglor and Bang Rak. Drive slowly, avoid low-lying roads and allow extra time.
Where can I pick up a car — airport or city centre?
Both. Suvarnabhumi (BKK) has desks on the 2nd-floor Arrivals level (Sixt via a short shuttle), and there are central Bangkok desks near Sukhumvit and Silom, plus Don Mueang (DMK).
What is the cheapest car type in Bangkok?
Economy cars such as the Toyota Yaris start around THB 800/day. A pickup like the Isuzu D-Max starts around THB 1,600/day, and an SUV around THB 1,800/day.
Nearby trips