The Ultimate Guide to Renting a Car in Johannesburg
A trip to South Africa, the city of Johannesburg, will make for an enjoyable, educational weekend. The impressive bulk of high-rise buildings, temperate and subtropical climate, unique national parks will not leave indifferent even the most jaded tourists and travelers.
Geographical position, general information
Johannesburg is located in the center of the Republic of South Africa, on a high plateau, 1753m above sea level. In the winter months, clear and cool weather prevails, in the summer - wet, warm. The coldest time is in June. The average temperature is +4 Celsius.
The largest city in terms of population, one of several capitals of South Africa, official website: joburg.org.za. All significant economic and financial events take place here, there is a large turnover of money, this is the richest city in South Africa. It is the seat of the Constitutional Court of the country. The most popular with tourists is the central part of Johannesburg. Modern bulks of skyscrapers, offices of international banks, transnational corporations - all this is part of the economic center.
Not far from Johannesburg is the main airport. O.R. Tambo. It serves domestic and international flights. The most reliable and safest way to get to the city from the airport is to take a taxi or rent a car. In the second case, the car will remain in use for the right time. This adds comfort when visiting attractions. It takes 30 to 40 minutes to get from the airport.
The main sights of Johannesburg
Lovers of premium class entertainment should visit the Sandton Sun hotel and shopping center. The complex is located in the heart of Johannesburg's financial district. Includes:
five-star hotels;
stock exchanges;
contemporary art exhibitions;
concert halls;
restaurants;
marketplaces and shops.
One of the most popular and visited places is Constitution Hill. Initially, the complex of buildings was used as a prison. Outstanding political leaders served time there, such as: Nelson Mandela, Mahatma Gandhi. The current building of the Supreme Court is also located here. The old fort has been turned into a museum.
Tourists who prefer an educational holiday should pay attention to Apartheid Museum. The exposition tells about racial discrimination that appeared with the arrival of the first Europeans. The history of the struggle against apartheid is shown. The museum is located in Gold Reef City Park. The territory of the park is divided around an inactive gold mine. Excursions inside the mine are offered.
No less famous and popular is the Nelson Mandela House Museum. It is located in West Orlando. The decoration of the rooms of those times has been completely preserved in the building. Interesting facts from the life of the first black president of South Africa are presented. On the square of the same name there is a monument Nelson Mandela. This is a favorite place for walking locals and tourists.
Public transport is available in the city, so visiting attractions is not expensive or difficult. For a more comfortable pastime, you can rent a car. The easiest way to rent a car is to visit the Bookingautos website.
Nearby Attractions of Johannesburg
The location of the city is very picturesque, the metropolis itself is located on a flat area, but the Witwatersrand mountain range is nearby. High rocky mountains are covered with rich exotic vegetation, rivers form small waterfalls. Small lakes in the depressions delight the eye with untouched purity of water. Diamond mining is carried out in the surrounding mountains.
South of the city of Johannesburg, in the province of Mpumalanga, is Kruger National Park. In addition to contemplating the rich flora and fauna, safaris for tourists are organized in the park.
Transboundary Park "Greater Limpopo» is a nature reserve with a huge variety of exotic animals. It includes several dozens of small protected areas. Giraffes, rhinos, African elephants, leopards, cheetahs, hippos, alligators and others live here.
It will be interesting to visit the main capital of South Africa - Pretoria. It is located 60 km. from Johannesburg. The apartheid regime left its mark on the architecture of the city. This is a bizarre mixture of British colonial and native African styles.
Top Best Restaurants in Johannesburg
Traditional African cuisine is based on fish, seafood, meat, corn, fruits and vegetables. Mostly seasoned with hot spices,. Along with exotic national dishes, tourists are also offered popular European dishes. The best places to visit are highly rated, trusted restaurants.
Mozambik Linksfield" specializes in Portuguese cuisine. Seafood and meat dishes are offered. There is a separate menu for vegetarians and vegans. Fast and quality service. Tel. +27 11 264 1131. Address: 110 Cnr of Club &, Linksfield Rd.
A good selection of wines, quality national cuisine is offered by "Trumps Grillhouse and Butchery". The atmosphere of the room is suitable for both a romantic dinner and a business one. Tel. +27 11 784 2366. Address: Maude Street - Shop 11, Nelson Mandela Square, Sandton, South Africa.
Mediterranean and Greek food lovers should visit Plaka Restaurant Cresta. Friendly staff, quality dishes do not leave visitors indifferent. Tel. +27 11 478 0392. Address: Shop U224, Entrance 12, Cresta Shopping Centre, Beyers Naude Dr, Northcliff.
Johannesburg parking lots
When renting a car, you need to take care of parking spaces. When booking in advance, a reduced rate applies. Payment is mainly made by credit cards. City street parking is free on Sundays and public holidays.
International Airport has 9 parking lots. They include short and long stays at the airport, and right next to the adjacent hotels. Average parking rate up to 1 hour R35.
In the city center at Sandton City, parking spaces from R10 for 1 hour are located at 19 North Street. -Sandton Sun Mall.
When visiting the national park, you can leave your car in the parking lot at Rissik Street, 51. Contact phone +27 11 879 02 00.
Rest in Africa is a mass of emotions and impressions. It is important to take advantage of good recommendations and offers so as not to overshadow an exotic trip.
Good to know
Most Popular Agency
Budget
Most popular car class
Compact
Average price
34 € / Day
Best price
24 € / Day
Average cost for 7 days of rent:
January
€158
February
€114
March
€105
April
€131
May
€151
June
€182
July
€178
August
€168
September
€143
October
€151
November
€143
December
€219
* Data calculated based on car bookings for the previous 2 years.
A percentage showing the monthly occupancy of the fleet of available vehicles. During August, there is a maximum demand for car rental, which entails a decrease in the range of cars available for order. You should take care of booking a car in Johannesburg in advance, this will allow you to get the preferred option on the most favorable financial terms.
The best time to rent a car in Johannesburg is November. During this period the cost of renting a car of a compact category starts from €17, which is approximately 32% lower compared to the average price during a year.
During the summer months in Johannesburg there is a significant increase in demand for convertible rentals. This causes an increase in prices and the limited choice of such cars. A day of rental Chevrolet Camaro will cost you €189.
We offer a wide range of vehicles to suit every budget:
Economy cars - a great solution for everyday trips;
Premium segment - for those who love quality and comfort;
Business class is ideal for people who are used to being first.
Convertibles, SUVs and station wagons, as well as minivans and sedans are in demand among customers. The choice of car depends not only on personal tastes, preferences and its cost. Rental conditions are important, which in some cases should be taken into account in the first place.
The cost of renting a car in Johannesburg depends on the car class, rental period, as well as the season of the year. For long-term rentals, rental companies provide good discounts. During the high season, in the summer months, the rental price is much higher than in winter. For example, a daily rental of VW Polo or another budget car in the spring will cost about €17 per day. If you decide to rent this car for a week, then for each day you will have to pay about €24. The daily rental of middle-class cars, Mercedes CLA, BMW 5 Series Estate, Opel Mokka will be on average €40-€44. In Johannesburg convertible rental price starts from €73. Luxury cars can be rented for €189, and the cost of renting the most expensive, exclusive models can exceed 550€ per day.
The demand for electric cars is growing not only in the segment of their sales. These cars are just as popular when renting, which is often accompanied by the provision of a free parking space and the possibility of free car charging around the city. To rent an electric car you should set the appropriate filter. Moreover, the rental of Audi-E-tron when ordering in Johannesburg will cost quite a modest amount.
Documents required for car rental
Driving license
Credit card
Voucher
Passport
Attention!
A valid international driver's license is required!
10 Essential Tips for Hassle-Free Car Rental
Download Google maps offline
The presence of an offline navigator allows you to save on roaming. It is enough just to download the necessary maps from Google Maps and get directions even without a network connection. To do this, enter the phrase "OK MAPS" in the application, select the desired area and download offline maps to your smartphone.
Book a car 6 weeks in advance
Johannesburg is a popular holiday destination and the car rental service is in great demand here. Therefore, it is recommended to book a car in advance. When booking online, you know exactly which car, for what price and under what conditions you will get in Johannesburg. The main advantage of early booking is the cost savings. The less time left before the start of the rental, the higher the cost of the rental becomes. The optimal period for booking in rental companies is 6 weeks before receiving the car. If you book early, two days before receiving the car, you can cancel the order without any penalties.
Which car to choose for rent
Tourists who expect to drive only around the city and its immediate surroundings prefer to rent compact cars, Renault Twingo or VW Polo. For trips to the mountains, you need a car with increased power. You should go on such a trip with a full tank, as fuel consumption in the mountains increases one and a half to two times. An all-wheel drive crossover would be the ideal car for this. Renting BMW 5 Series Estate in Johannesburg will cost €29 per day.
What you need to pay attention to when receiving a car
Before picking up, you are required to carefully inspect the car and point out to the rental company manager for scratches, damage and defects, such as dirty seat upholstery. You should check the ignition and the fuel level in the tank. You need to know the conditions for returning the car - where exactly, with what amount of fuel to return the car.
The rental agreement must include a telephone number to contact the rental company. It is designed so that customers can get help in emergency situations, such as when a car breaks down or in the event of an accident. A call to the rental company should be done first, even before the arrival of the police.
Insurance advice
Rental companies in Johannesburg may offer different insurance options. They differ in price and set of options. Here are the basic types:
Third Party Liability (TPL)/Third Liability Protection (TLP). This is a third party liability protection. If you are the culprit of an accident, the insurance will compensate for the costs of the victims for you.
Collision Damage Waiver (CDW). This is to protect your vehicle from any damage. She works with a franchise. This is the amount that you will have to pay in case of damage in any case. The company will cover anything over the limit. The insurance does not cover theft.
Theft Insurance (TI)/Theft Protection (TP)/Theft Waiver (TW). This is car theft protection. Operates with a franchise.
Super Loss Damage Waiver (SLDW)/Theft Protection+Collision Damage Waiver (TP+CDW). Full protection against theft and damage, even if you are the culprit of the accident.
Personal Accident Insurance (PAI). This is medical insurance for the driver and passengers.
If you want to save money and choose the cheapest insurance, carefully inspect the car upon receipt. Make sure the machine is not damaged.
Fuel Policy
For trips over long distances, it is better to choose the option with the already included payment for a full tank. If you have a short trip, then this service is inappropriate. Be sure to read the fuel policy before making a booking:
If necessary, use the special filter to select the most convenient option for you.
Mileage without limits
The rental company may set a daily mileage limit. You will have to pay extra for exceeding the limit. Please check this condition before booking. It is possible that a more expensive rental option will turn out to be more profitable in the end: it will not require any additional expenses. To filter cars with unlimited mileage - use the "Mileage" filter in the search results.
Compare prices and conditions from different car rental companies
When choosing a rental car in Johannesburg, you should carefully read all the terms of the rental. This is due to the fact that different companies may differ not only in rental prices, but also in conditions for limiting mileage, the cost of additional services, and the amount of the deposit. To compare rental conditions, it is convenient to use the search and booking system on our website.
How to choose a rental company
When renting a car in Johannesburg, you should carefully read all the conditions offered by the rental company. Depending on the specific company, they may differ in mileage, insurance coverage, deposit amount, accompanying services and their cost. You should choose proven and reliable companies that offer new cars and stand out due to the well-thought-out organization of work with customers. Additionally, you can study the rating of distributors, which is also available on our website.
If we talk about the best companies in Johannesburg, then it is worth highlighting sixt with a rating 9.8 and budget, the average rating of which is 9.7 points.
Getting a car at a rental office
You should show a voucher and personal documents. A manager draws up a lease agreement. The deposit is blocked on the card.
Before leaving the rental, turn on the ignition, find out the amount of fuel and compare it with what is written in the contract.
Inspect the car carefully. Point out to the manager any paint chips and scuffs. The employee must record the damage. Take a photo yourself: they should show the defect, the number of the car and the employee of the rental company. This will help to avoid problems when returning the car: it will prove that it was not you who torn the upholstery or scratched the fender.
Our main advantages
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Change or cancel within 48 hours for free!
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Car rental reviews: Johannesburg
Based on 8255 reviews
Rate 4,8/5
Based on 8255 reviews
Tony
4,8
Without a doubt, I will continue to use Bookingautos on a regular basis. Thank you very much for your assistance!
Michael
4,7
Excellent value for money. The pick-up process was a little confusing, but I would use it again!
Luna
4,5
The search was very simple to use, the price was really low, and there were no problems with the rental car company.
Jody
4,9
Everything proceeded as expected. The complete coverage compensation really worked.
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