Thailand car hire

On average a car hire in Thailand costs R329 per day.

Take a look at our extensive car hire location map to find the best car hire deals near you.

Based on car searches on KAYAK, the most popular cities to hire a car in Thailand are Phuket City (30% of total searches of users looking to hire a car in Thailand), Chiang Mai (30%) and Bangkok (15%).

On average a car hire in Thailand costs R2 300 per week (R329 per day).

On average a car hire in Thailand costs R9 856 per month (R329 per day).

Driving in Thailand is on the left-hand side and is not without its hazards. Watch out for congested and chaotic traffic in cities, while in rural areas, drivers need to be aware of potholes, street dogs, and people unexpectedly crossing the street. Monsoon rains can make road surfaces slippery. It is recommended to avoid driving at night, maintain a defensive attitude, and get accustomed to accepted local maneuvers like tailgating.

To rent a car in Thailand, drivers should usually be at least 21 years old, although some agencies like National will accept drivers from 20 years and up. An International Driver’s Permit (IDP) is always required, along with a valid domestic driver’s license.

Petrol stations in Thailand can vary considerably in style depending on the location, from familiar-looking ones in urban areas and on highways to small roadside kiosks in rural areas. It is always advised to have cash on hand when paying for fuel. Prices are around ฿37 ($1.20) for a liter of petrol and ฿28 ($0.90) for a liter of diesel. By the gallon, that comes to $4.54 for petrol and $3.40 for diesel.

Although it may seem as though many drivers speed in Thailand, fines for traffic offenses can be high, and roadside police patrols are not uncommon. Always stick to the general speed limit or any roadside signs that state differently. Commonly, you will find a speed limit of 50 km/h (31 mph) in urban areas, 90 km/h (55 mph) on open roads, and 120 km/h (74 mph) on highways.