Johannesburg car rental guide
Top 10 Car Rental Companies in Johannesburg
The best car rental companies in Johannesburg are Avis, Europcar, Hertz. Prices start from €25/day for an economy car, the minimum age is 21, and airport pickup adds about 10%.
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Ranked comparison
Top 10 rental companies in Johannesburg
Ranked by customer rating, price transparency and pickup convenience. Each opens a pre-filled search.
#1
Avis
Editor’s pickFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €380Min age 23Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€32/day
all-in estimate
View Avis deal
#2
Europcar
Top ratedFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €360Min age 23Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€29/day
all-in estimate
View Europcar deal
#3
Hertz
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €400Min age 23Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€34/day
all-in estimate
View Hertz deal
#4
Budget
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €350Min age 23Free cancellationAirport
From€26/day
all-in estimate
View Budget deal
#5
Sixt
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €400Min age 23Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€36/day
all-in estimate
View Sixt deal
#6
Thrifty
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €320Min age 23Free cancellationAirport
From€25/day
base rate
View Thrifty deal
#7
First Car Rental
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €320Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€27/day
all-in estimate
View First Car Rental deal
#8
Tempest Car Hire
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€24/day
base rate
View Tempest Car Hire deal
#9
Bidvest Car Rental
Local pickFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €280Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€23/day
base rate
View Bidvest Car Rental deal
Prices are indicative market estimates · Last checked 2026-07-21 · 2 public sources (DiscoverCars + market data)
Price guide
Prices by car type in Johannesburg
| Car type | From / day | Example | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | €25 | VW Polo Vivo | 4 |
| Compact | €30 | Toyota Corolla Quest | 5 |
| SUV | €52 | Toyota Fortuner | 5 |
| Minivan (7-seat) | €78 | Toyota Quantum | 7 |
| Luxury | €95 | BMW 3 Series | 5 |
Pickup locations
Where to pick up a car in Johannesburg
Airport — O. R. Tambo International Airport (JNB)
JNB sits about 24km east of the city center, roughly a 30-minute drive via the R21/N12. South Africa drives on the left.
Downtown — Sandton / Johannesburg CBD
Downtown desks near Sandton suit travelers who want a car mainly for day trips to Pretoria or the Cradle of Humankind.
Fees
Fees at a glance
| Fee | Typical amount | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Airport surcharge | ~10% of base rate | JNB airport pickup |
| Young-driver fee (21–22) | €8–15/day | Drivers under 23 |
| Additional driver | €5–8/day | Per extra driver |
| Cross-border permit | €25–50 | Driving into Eswatini, Botswana or Mozambique |
| One-way drop fee | €70–180 | Returning to a different city (e.g. Cape Town) |
| Refundable deposit | €300–420 | Standard credit-card hold at pickup |
Local intelligence
Things to know before renting in Johannesburg
- O. R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) is about 24km east of the city center, roughly a 30-minute drive via the R21/N12, and South Africa drives on the left.
- Prices are displayed in EUR for easy comparison, though Johannesburg's local currency is the South African rand (ZAR).
- During load-shedding (rotating power outages), traffic lights at major intersections can go dark — local practice is to treat a dead intersection as a four-way stop.
- The Cradle of Humankind UNESCO site, home to the Sterkfontein Caves, is about an hour's drive from central Johannesburg.
- Pilanesberg and Sun City are a popular roughly 2-hour self-drive day trip for a safari experience without needing a dedicated safari vehicle.
- Driving to Kruger National Park from Johannesburg takes about 4–5 hours and is one of the most common self-drive routes in the country.
- Most petrol stations in South Africa are full-service — an attendant pumps the fuel for you, and a small tip is customary.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about renting a car in Johannesburg
Do you need a car in Johannesburg?
The city is spread out with limited public transit outside the Gautrain corridor, so a car is very useful for getting around and for day trips.
How far is O. R. Tambo Airport from the city center?
About 24km, roughly a 30-minute drive via the R21/N12.
Which side of the road do you drive on in South Africa?
South Africa drives on the left, and most rental cars are manual unless you specifically request automatic.
What currency are prices shown in for Johannesburg?
Prices are displayed in EUR for easy comparison, though Johannesburg's local currency is the South African rand (ZAR).
What happens to traffic lights during load-shedding?
Power outages can knock out traffic lights at major intersections — locals treat these as four-way stops, so slow down and proceed with caution.
Can I drive a rental car into Eswatini or Botswana?
Yes, but you need a cross-border permit and letter of authorisation from the rental company, arranged before pickup.
What is the cheapest car type in Johannesburg?
Economy cars like a VW Polo Vivo start around €25/day. An SUV starts around €52/day.
