Car hire in Calais, France

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Choose from 10 pick-up spots

When's the cheapest time to hire a car in Calais?

Our data shows that October is the cheapest month to rent a car in Calais. It’s around R 577 per day in October, compared to the yearly average of R 712 per day.
Cheapest month avgOctober • R 577
Yearly avg priceR 712

Select your Calais pick-up location

There are 10 car hire providers in Calais. Check out the map below to find the most convenient pick-up spot.

The most popular car rental companies in Calais

Hiring a car in Calais: Fast facts

Here's everything you need to know to hit the road happy.
Most popular car hire companyEuropcar
Most popular carCompact, Estate
Average daily priceR 5,744
Best time to book3 weeks before

How to book the best car rental deals in Calais

We’re frequently named as the most trusted travel search site out there. We scan hundreds of trusted travel providers and put it all in one place, allowing you to instantly compare car hire rates and then book with no fees. Here's how to get the most out of your Calais car rental search.

How to find a cheap car hire deal in Calais

  • Pick up a cheap rental car in Calais for around R 5,744 a day and drive off happy. We do the hard work for you by searching all the top rental companies, so you can easily compare prices and book.

  • Daily rental prices in Calais start from just R 713.

  • Planning an extended stay and want to explore beyond the usual highlights? R 4,987 is the lowest rate for a weekly rental.

  • Book early to snag the best price for a Calais car hire. Beyond just getting a great rate, you'll have a wider range of options to pick from.

  • Check out the offers available with Enterprise, Alamo and Avis. They're some of the most popular providers in the city.

  • Always check if a collision damage waiver (CDW) is part of your Calais car hire policy, whether you book with Enterprise or any other supplier. Some may leave it out of the standard package and offer it as an extra.

  • Consider booking a one-way rental. You might be able to score a bargain if the provider needs to move vehicles between sites. Discover the best available rates by selecting 'Return car to a different location.'

  • Avoid any unexpected charges by choosing a vehicle with a 'Fair fuel policy.' Start and end your trip with a full tank, and pay only for what you use.

  • Hit the highway without counting the miles and racking up extra fees. Go to the 'Policies' filter and choose 'Unlimited mileage' to find a car that lets you drive as far as you want.

Best value car hire options right now

  • You'll get the best value with this company. Prices average R 1,565 a day.

  • Coming in next is [this provider](this provider](https://www.skyscanner.co.za/car-hire/car-hire-with-provider/enterprise/702)), which offers daily rates of around R 3,279.

  • The third option also keeps costs reasonable. Expect to pay roughly R 4,772 a day for one of their rentals.

  • If you're not sure which ride is right for you, choose something from the Compact rental category. It's the most commonly booked type of car in Calais.

Compare car hire types in Calais

  • Small: Whether you're cruising narrow city streets or simply planning a quick trip, this car category offers big value in a small package. Including mini and economy classes, you can look forward to excellent fuel efficiency and easy handling.

  • Medium: Not too big, not too small, this is the Goldilocks of rentals! Typically including compact and intermediate cars, they offer a mix of fuel efficiency and interior space and are good for couples and small families.

  • Large: Long drives are effortless in this Calais car hire category. Also known as full-size, they're built with bigger engines for better driving. The extra legroom and comfort make them a great choice for families and groups of friends.

  • SUV: When adventure's on your mind, an SUV's made for the moment. It's your ultimate road trip companion, ready for country roads, highways, and anything in between. These sports utility vehicles also promise extra space and improved safety features.

  • Van: If you're searching for a car for rent in Calais that can handle a small crowd (and their suitcases), a van is the practical pick. Including commercial vans and trucks, they're best suited for group excursions, moving or business needs.

Insurance and optional extras

  • Choosing excess insurance for your Calais car hire offers peace of mind. It protects you from paying a hefty excess fee in case of a collision or theft. Insurance policies can vary between rental providers, so compare before you commit.

  • From GPS units to mobile Wi-Fi hotspots, the right extras can totally transform your drive. Think about which extras will suit your needs when you rent a car in Calais.

Good to know

  • Typically, you have to be at least 21 years old to rent a car in France. Being younger doesn't always disqualify you — just expect some extra rules or charges. Check the companies' terms and conditions before booking.

  • If you've got the kids in tow, check if you need to add a car seat to your Calais car hire booking. Whether local laws require them or not, they're always the safest way for youngsters to travel.

  • You'll likely be asked for these three things when collecting your rental car: your physical driver's licence, another form of photo ID, and a credit card with enough balance for the deposit. Debit cards are generally not accepted. Any extra must-haves will be shown in your booking.

  • Driving in France can take some adjustment if it's your first time. Don't forget all vehicles travel on the right side of the road.

  • Stay within the local speed limits. Most of the time that's around 45kph in urban areas and 125kph or so on highways, unless signs say otherwise.

  • The blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit in France is 0.05%. Because alcohol affects each person differently, the only way to be sure you're safe to drive is to avoid drinking.

  • Aim to travel outside high-traffic periods for a faster run. 8am is one of the busiest times to be on the road in this destination.

  • The euro (EUR) is the currency you'll be using for day-to-day expenses and activities. Use cards when it's convenient, and keep some cash handy when electronic payments aren't available.

Best hotels in Calais for drivers

  • Spend less time hunting for a parking spot and more time enjoying your stay at B&B Hotel Calais Terminal Cité Europe 4 Étoiles. About 3 kilometres from central Calais, it comes with parking, a bar and room service.

  • Or take advantage of the accessible parking at B&B Hotel Calais Terminal Cité Europe 3 Étoiles. The city centre is roughly 3 kilometres from this option, which also features a lounge and ironing services.

  • Explore the full range of hotels in Calais and pick the stay that matches your trip. Filters make it easy to tailor your search to your needs — like 'Parking,' 'Valet parking,' or 'Outdoor parking.' There's even an 'Electric vehicle (EV) charging station' filter to find hotels with on-site charging.

  • After you've found a car hire deal in Calais and your hotel, it's time to plan your first stops. La Citadelle, The Burghers of Calais and Eglise Notre-Dame are the perfect introduction to the city.

Hit the road: Where to drive to from Calais

Frequently asked questions

On average, hiring a car in Calais will set you back around R 5,744 per day or R 8,652 per week. 
The cheapest car to rent in Calais is a compact van or truck. The most popular is Compact, Estate.
The cheapest car hire companies in Calais are currently Free2move and Enterprise.
Bagging the best car hire deal depends on when you book  – often, it pays to book your wheels as far in advance as possible. But according to our data, the cheapest month to rent a car in Calais is currently July.
On average, around R 8,652. But the best price we found for car hire for a week in Calais is R 4,990.
Based on everything we know about daily prices, the average cost to hire a car in Calais for a whole month is R 32,677. 

But sometimes, you'll get a discount for booking a whole month instead of 3 and a half weeks. So play with your dates to find the best deals!
If you're looking for freedom to explore Calais, choose a car with unlimited mileage, or look for car hire deals with a ’full to full' fuel policy as opposed to a 'half-full to full' one.

We also clearly highlight car and van hire options in Calais that have free cancellation
Yes – you can easily find car hire companies that allow you to pick up your car in one place, and then drop it off in another. Just select ‘Return car to a different location’ when you search with us.
Public transport can only get you so far, and could be tricky to navigate with children or luggage. With your own set of wheels, you can go wherever you want, whenever you want, for as long as you want. And you'll be able to discover more outside of Calais.
Most places – Calais included – allow under 25s to rent a car as long as they provide a valid driver's license and the correct documentation. It may cost slightly more due to a higher insurance excess for young drivers. 
The cheapest price we found for an economy car is R 1,149 per day. The average price per day is around R 4,180.
Of course. Most major car hire companies like Europcar, Hertz and Alamo offer baby and child seats as an add-on when you book.
Other travellers rated Alamo as the best overall in terms of experience.
Yes – van hire is available in Calais.