KAYAK’s insights & trends for South of France car hire
Check out the latest trends and booking tips to hire a car in South of France with confidence.
How far in advance should you book car hire in South of France?
You should book your car hire in South of France around 7 days before your trip in order to get a below-average price.
What is the cheapest month to hire a car in South of France?
The cheapest month to hire a car in South of France is January at an average cost of R629/day. August is the most expensive month to hire a car in South of France when prices are R909/day on average, which tends to be 1 791% above the yearly average hire price for South of France.
South of France car hire price comparison by vehicle type
Find the right car hire in South of France by comparing prices across vehicle types.
Small
Medium
Large
4x4
Van
Luxury
Convertible
Small cars
R462 - R875
All Car Types
R1 111 - R1 921
How much does it cost to hire a small car in South of France?
How much does it cost to hire a medium car in South of France?
How much does it cost to hire a large car in South of France?
How much does it cost to hire an SUV in South of France?
How much does it cost to hire a van in South of France?
How much does it cost to hire a luxury car in South of France?
How much does it cost to hire a convertible in South of France?
Small car hire in South of France typically costs around R722 per day. The best time to book is January, when prices average R462 per day, which is about 37% less than the yearly average. Small cars are usually 53% cheaper than the average car hire in South of France, making them ideal for budget-conscious travellers.
Medium car hire in South of France typically costs around R1 674 per day. The best time to book is November, when prices average R1 332 per day, which is about 21% less than the yearly average. Medium cars are usually 10% more expensive than the average car hire in South of France, offering a good balance of space and value.
Large car hire in South of France typically costs around R1 847 per day. The best time to book is November, when prices average R1 499 per day, which is about 19% less than the yearly average. Large cars are typically 18% more expensive than the average car hire in South of France but offer more comfort for longer trips.
SUV hire in South of France typically costs around R1 309 per day. The best time to book is January, when prices average R967 per day, which is about 27% less than the yearly average. SUVs can be 14% cheaper than the average car hire in South of France, providing extra space and capability for groups or road trips at a reasonable price.
Van hire in South of France typically costs around R1 554 per day. The best time to book is February, when prices average R1 333 per day, which is about 15% less than the yearly average. Vans are typically 3% more expensive than the average car hire in South of France but are the best choice for families or groups needing maximum passenger capacity.
Luxury car hire in South of France typically costs around R2 539 per day. The best time to book is January, when prices average R1 790 per day, which is about 30% less than the yearly average. Luxury cars are typically 41% more expensive than the average car hire in South of France but deliver premium comfort and style for special occasions.
Convertible hire in South of France typically costs around R1 836 per day. The best time to book is January, when prices average R1 308 per day, which is about 29% less than the yearly average. Convertibles are typically 18% more expensive than the average car hire in South of France but are perfect for scenic drives and warm-weather destinations.
Good to know
Most popular agency
Most popular car type
Average price
Good deal
Budget
Small
R1 038/day
R797/day
Top tips for hiring a car in South of France
It is against the law to drink and drive in France. If you are thought to have been drinking, police can pull you over and breathalyse you. If you’re found to be over the legal alcohol blood limit of 0.05%, you will be prosecuted accordingly. It’s highly recommended that you consume no alcohol in the build-up to driving.
If you have children in the vehicle, you must abide by the child safety laws of the region. Infants under 15 months, that weigh less than 13 kg, must be in a rear-facing child seat. Children younger than 4 years of age, that weigh less than 18 kg, need to be in a forward-facing child seat. Whereas those younger than 12, who weigh less than 35 kg, need to be in a booster seat or booster cushion.
You are normally permitted to drive your South of France hire car over the border to countries such as Spain. However, you must request written permission before you do so. If you do not have this, then your insurance might be voided as soon as you cross into another country. You should also check that your vehicle does not have a mileage-cap, which could restrict you from driving long distances.
You will normally need a credit card to pay for your car hire in the South of France. This is usually used for the reservation and also for a damage deposit. Some major debit cards will also be accepted, depending on the agency you use. Cash is not accepted by any of the car hire branches. You should also ensure you have a valid driving licence and current photo ID in order to hire a car in this region.
25% of our users found a car hire in South of France for R797 or less
Small hire cars in South of France are around 29% cheaper than other car types, on average
FAQs about hiring a car in South of France
How much does it cost to hire a car in South of France?
On average a car hire in South of France costs R868 per day.
How can I find car hires near me in South of France?
Take a look at our extensive car hire location map to find the best car hire deals near you.
Where should I hire a car in South of France?
Based on car searches on KAYAK, the most popular cities to hire a car in South of France are Nice (50% of total searches of users looking to hire a car in South of France), Toulouse (25%) and Carcassonne (13%).
How much does it cost to hire a car for a week in South of France?
On average a car hire in South of France costs R6 073 per week (R868 per day).
How much does it cost to hire a car long term for a month in South of France?
On average a car hire in South of France costs R26 028 per month (R868 per day).
Should I hire a car in the South of France?
It’s a great idea to hire a car in the South of France. A hire car gives you more flexibility and freedom to explore at your own speed, which isn’t always possible with public transport. In addition, it makes it easier to reach remote and scenic locations. The South of France has a diverse landscape, from the endless coastline to the rugged mountains, all of which you will be able to explore fully in your hire car. A hire car makes it easier to reach some of the region’s most popular attractions too, such as Dune du Pilat, Parc national des Pyrenees and Massif de Chartreuse. You will also be able to drive amongst the quaint villages in the south of the country, which don’t tend to have the best transport connections.
What is driving like in the South of France?
Driving in the South of France is an enjoyable experience. The roads are well-maintained throughout the country, and driving in the rural areas is relatively stress-free. In larger cities, it’s worth noting that driving styles can become a bit more aggressive, with the use of the car horn a common sound. Whilst main roads tend to be spacious, country lanes and roads in urban areas are narrow, so take care on tight corners. The whole of France is well-signposted, so you should be able to get to your destination with ease. In the South of France, you must drive on the right-hand side of the road, which is the opposite of the UK.
How old do you have to be to hire a car in the South of France?
Most car hire companies require drivers to be a minimum of 21 years of age in France, although some agencies have the minimum age as high as 25 years old. You will normally will need to have held your licence for one year too. Most drivers under the age of 25 will be required to pay a young person’s surcharge, whilst it’s also common for there to be age restrictions on certain vehicle types.
Car hire directory
Free2Move car hire locations in South of France
72 Locations
Sunnycars car hire locations in South of France
50 Locations
keddy by Europcar car hire locations in South of France
41 Locations
Rent@Car car hire locations in South of France
40 Locations
Hertz car hire locations in South of France
38 Locations
ADA car hire locations in South of France
32 Locations
Europcar car hire locations in South of France
32 Locations
Avis car hire locations in South of France
27 Locations
Sixt car hire locations in South of France
26 Locations
FLIZZR car hire locations in South of France
25 Locations
Thrifty car hire locations in South of France
25 Locations
Dollar car hire locations in South of France
24 Locations
Car hire locations in South of France
Everything you need to know for your car hire in South of France
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