Car hire in Durban, South Africa

Use the same magic that powers our flight search to find cheap car rental in Durban

Compare car hire on price, ease of pick-up, a fair fuel policy and more

Find Durban car rental deals you can amend or cancel if your plans change

Select your Durban pick-up location

There are 36 car hire locations in Durban. Choose the cheapest or easiest now.

The most popular car rental companies in Durban

Hiring a car in Durban: Fast facts

Here's everything you need to know to hit the road happy.
Most popular car hire companySixt
Most popular carMini, 4-5 doors
Average daily priceR 497
Best time to book1 week before

How to book the best car rental deals in Durban

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 Durban car rental search.

How to find a cheap car hire deal in Durban

  • Pick up a cheap rental car in Durban for an average of R 497 a day and drive away happy. We do the hard work for you by searching all the top rental companies, making it easy to compare prices and book.

  • Reserve your ride in October and fast-track your savings. It's the cheapest time of year to rent a car in Durban, with average daily rates of R 391.

  • If you want to time it just right, book around two weeks ahead to grab a cheap rental car in Durban.

  • Find your perfect ride with U-Save, Green Motion or Alamo. These are some of the most trusted providers offering car hire deals in Durban.

  • Whether you go with U-Save or a different supplier, double-check the coverage on your Durban car hire. Some companies include a collision damage waiver (CDW), while others charge extra for it.

  • Booking one-way could land you a cheaper deal on your car hire. Providers sometimes offer lower prices when vehicles need to be moved between branches. Just choose 'Return car to a different location' when searching for a car for rent in Durban.

  • Avoid any unexpected charges by choosing a car hire in Durban with a 'Fair fuel policy.' Start your journey with a full tank and return it the same, paying only for what you use.

  • Hit the highway without tracking every mile and racking up extra fees. Go to the 'Policies' filter and choose 'Unlimited mileage' to find a car that lets you roam without limits.

  • If you're flying into Durban, you might prefer to skip the city pickup and grab one of the car rentals in King Shaka International Airport instead. Throw your luggage in the back seat and drive straight to where you want to go.

Compare car hire types in Durban

  • Small: Including classes like mini and economy, this cheap rental car in Durban gives you the freedom to explore for less. These nimble, fuel-efficient cars are great for short trips and city driving.

  • Medium: Choose from compact and intermediate cars that combine space, fuel efficiency and comfort. Easy to handle in cities and with enough space for longer drives, they're a reliable pick for most journeys.

  • Large: You've got the kids, the bags, the snacks, the works. Large vehicles have got the space to fit it all in without a hassle. Ideal for long-distance journeys, this Durban car hire category includes full-size cars.

  • SUV: When adventure calls, an SUV says, 'let's go.' It's your ultimate road trip buddy, ready for highways, country roads, and everything in between. These sports utility vehicles also deliver on space and advanced safety features.

  • Van: Featuring commercial vans and trucks, this category of car for rent in Durban makes light work of big hauls and group travel. They're tough, dependable, and ready for whatever task you throw at it.

Insurance and optional extras

  • Excess insurance covers what you'd otherwise have to pay if your Durban car hire is stolen or damaged. While not compulsory, it's a smart add-on if you'd rather play it safe. Keep in mind that not all insurance policies are equal, so make sure you understand exactly what's offered.

  • Level up your ride with handy extras like a navigation system or mobile Wi-Fi. These add-ons can make your journey easier and more relaxed when you rent a car in Durban.

Good to know

  • Age requirements for rentals can vary by supplier and even car type, so be clear on the rules before you book. Some providers in South Africa may rent to younger drivers for an additional fee. If you fall outside the typical age bracket, simply uncheck 'Driver aged between 25–70' and then enter how old you are to unlock the right options.

  • Add a car seat to your Durban car hire reservation if you're planning to travel with the kids. Requirements change from one place to another, but using a child seat suited to their age, size and weight is always the safest way to go.

Hit the road: Where to drive from Durban

  • Check out the biggest attractions in the city once you've lined up a car hire deal in Durban. Durban Beach and Ushaka marine are a great lead-in to the rest of your trip.

  • When you need somewhere to lay your head, Blue Waters Hotel and Pavilion Hotel Durban offer a welcome end to the day in Durban.

  • Pietermaritzburg has to be on your itinerary if you're eager to visit Sri Siva Soobramoiniar And Marriamen Temples and KwaZulu-Natal National Botanical Garden. This city is about 72 kilometres north-west of central Durban.

  • Tancredi B&B and Regal Inn Pmburg are recommended accommodation options in Pietermaritzburg.

  • Add Mpumalanga to your list of stops. Grab your cheap car hire in Durban and drive about 40 kilometres west to explore hot spots like Mpumalanga Assembly Of God and CG 03 Qhubeka Womens Club co-op.

  • Up for a bigger adventure? Vryheid is a top road trip destination that's around 241 kilometres north of Durban. Consider making a few pit stops at Vryheid Hill Nature Reserve and Hlobane Battlefield.

  • Find a room at His Glory Guesthouse or Villa Beryl Guesthouse. They're an ideal base for exploring everything Vryheid has to offer.

Frequently asked questions

The cheapest car to rent in Durban is a full-size pickup. The most popular is Mini, 4-5 doors.
The cheapest car hire companies in Durban are currently Firefly powered by Hertz and Dollar.
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 Durban is currently October.
On average, around R 2,719. But the best price we found for car hire for a week in Durban is R 1,463.
Based on everything we know about daily prices, the average cost to hire a car in Durban for a whole month is R 7,822. 

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 Durban, 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 Durban 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 Durban.
Most places – Durban 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 299 per day. The average price per day is around R 784.
Of course. Most major car hire companies like Sixt, Bluu Car Rental and First - Car Rental offer baby and child seats as an add-on when you book.
Other travellers rated Hertz as the best overall in terms of experience.
We search the internet for all kinds of vehicle hire deals, including vans. But at the moment, we can't find any van hire in Durban.