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 ZAR 500/day for an economy car, the minimum age is 21, and airport pickup adds about 10%.
โ Free cancellation optionsโ No booking feeโ Full-to-full suppliersโ You book direct
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
Editorโs pickFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from ZAR 7600Min age 23Free cancellationAirportDowntown
FromZAR 640/day
all-in estimate
View Avis deal
#2
Europcar
Top ratedFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from ZAR 7200Min age 23Free cancellationAirportDowntown
FromZAR 580/day
all-in estimate
View Europcar deal
#3
Hertz
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from ZAR 8000Min age 23Free cancellationAirportDowntown
FromZAR 680/day
all-in estimate
View Hertz deal
#4
Budget
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from ZAR 7000Min age 23Free cancellationAirport
FromZAR 520/day
all-in estimate
View Budget deal
#5
Sixt
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from ZAR 8000Min age 23Free cancellationAirportDowntown
FromZAR 720/day
all-in estimate
View Sixt deal
#6
Thrifty
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from ZAR 6400Min age 23Free cancellationAirport
FromZAR 500/day
base rate
View Thrifty deal
#7
First Car Rental
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from ZAR 6400Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
FromZAR 540/day
all-in estimate
View First Car Rental deal
#8
Tempest Car Hire
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from ZAR 6000Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
FromZAR 480/day
base rate
View Tempest Car Hire deal
#9
Bidvest Car Rental
Local pickFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from ZAR 5600Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
FromZAR 460/day
base rate
View Bidvest Car Rental deal
Prices are indicative market estimates ยท Last checked 2026-07-22 ยท 2 public sources (DiscoverCars + market data)
Price guide
Prices by car type in Johannesburg
| Car type | From / day | Example | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ZAR 500 | VW Polo Vivo | 4 |
| Compact | ZAR 600 | Toyota Corolla Quest | 5 |
| SUV | ZAR 1050 | Toyota Fortuner | 5 |
| Minivan (7-seat) | ZAR 1550 | Toyota Quantum | 7 |
| Luxury | ZAR 1900 | BMW 3 Series | 5 |
Pickup locations
Where to pick up a car in Johannesburg
Airport โ 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 โ 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 (21โ22) | 160โ300 ZAR/day | Drivers under 23 |
| Additional driver | 100โ160 ZAR/day | Per extra driver |
| Cross-border permit | 500โ1,000 ZAR | Driving into Eswatini, Botswana or Mozambique |
| One-way drop fee | 1,400โ3,600 ZAR | Returning to a different city (e.g. Cape Town) |
| Refundable deposit | 6,000โ8,400 ZAR | 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 ZAR, the local currency.
- During load-shedding (rotating power outages), traffic lights at major intersections can go dark โ 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 4โ5 hours and is one of the most common self-drive routes in the country.
- Most petrol stations in South Africa are full-service โ 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 ZAR, the local currency.
What happens to traffic lights during load-shedding?
Power outages can knock out traffic lights at major intersections โ 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 500 ZAR/day. An SUV starts around 1,050 ZAR/day.
