Car hire in Chennai, India

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

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

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

Select your Chennai pick-up location

There are 2 car hire locations in Chennai. Choose the cheapest or easiest now.

The most popular car rental companies in Chennai

Hiring a car in Chennai: Fast facts

Here's everything you need to know to hit the road happy.
Most popular car hire companyECO Mobility
Most popular carEconomy, 4-5 doors
Average daily priceRs5,513
Best time to book2 weeks before

How to book the best car rental deals in Chennai

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 Chennai car rental search.

How to find a cheap car hire deal in Chennai

  • Whether you need a compact for cruising the city streets or an SUV for a road trip, we'll help you find a cheap rental car in Chennai. Choose from options averaging Rs5,559 a day and travel your way for less.

  • Leave high costs in the dust by reserving your ride in August. With average daily rates of Rs19,186, it's the cheapest month to rent a car in Chennai.

  • If you like to plan with precision, book about three weeks ahead to grab a cheap rental car in Chennai.

  • Get behind the wheel with Europcar, Avis or North Car Hire. These are some of the most reliable providers offering car hire deals in Chennai.

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

  • Booking one-way could land you a cheaper deal on your car hire. Providers sometimes offer lower rates when vehicles need to be moved around. Simply choose 'Return car to a different location' when searching for a car for rent in Chennai.

  • Cut down on fuel costs by choosing a car hire in Chennai that offers a 'Fair fuel policy.' You collect the car with a full tank and drop it off full, so you're only paying for what you use.

  • Want to explore more without worrying about how many miles you rack up? Find rentals with 'Unlimited mileage' under the 'Policies' filter and go as far as you like without the extra charges.

  • Consider picking up one of the car rentals in Chennai Airport if you're arriving by plane. You can skip public transport or cab lines and start discovering Chennai right away.

Compare car hire types in Chennai

  • Small: These cheap rental cars in Chennai may be small in size, but they're big on practicality. Including mini and economy vehicles, they're easy to manoeuvre, light on fuel, and a match made in heaven for short trips.

  • Medium: A top choice when you need something that has a few more features but is still easy to drive. This category includes compact and intermediate models that come with a bit of extra space compared to smaller options.

  • Large: Offering a more comfortable driving experience and improved tech features, this Chennai car hire option includes full-size cars. With larger back seats and plenty of storage space, they let you load up and transport everyone, and everything, with ease.

  • SUV: When adventure calls, an SUV answers. It's your ultimate road trip buddy, ready for highways, country roads, and anything in between. These sports utility vehicles also promise extra space and advanced safety features.

  • Van: Choose this category of vehicle when you need a car for rent in Chennai that can handle the big jobs. Featuring options like commercial vans and trucks, they're built to carry more, whether that's equipment, suitcases or whoever's along for the ride.

Insurance and optional extras

  • Excess insurance covers the cost you'd have to pay if your Chennai car hire is damaged or stolen. While not compulsory, it's worth considering for extra protection. Keep in mind that policies differ from one provider to another, so make sure you understand exactly what's offered.

  • From GPS units to mobile Wi-Fi, the right extras can make every mile feel easier. Look into which add-ons could improve your trip when you rent a car in Chennai.

Good to know

  • Age requirements vary by supplier and even car type, so be clear on the rules before you book. Some suppliers in India may rent to younger drivers for an additional fee. If you're outside the typical age bracket, just uncheck 'Driver aged between 25–70' and then enter how old you are to explore your options.

  • Add a car seat to your Chennai car hire reservation if you're planning to travel with the kids. Rules change from place to place, but using a child seat suited to their size and age is always the safest choice.

Hit the road: Where to drive from Chennai

  • Don't leave town without visiting some of the city's biggest highlights, like Meenakshi Temple and Marina beach. Lock in a car hire deal in Chennai and then start putting together your sightseeing hit list.

  • When you need a place to rest your head, The Park Chennai and Lemon Tree Hotel Chennai are stays that'll make you feel at home in Chennai.

  • Shift gears and head toward Avadi. Around 19 kilometres west of central Chennai, you'll find must-do sights like Sri Angala Parameshwari Amman Temple and Sri Raja Ganapathi Temple.

  • They've got hospitality down to a fine art at OYO Flagship Grand Residency Ambattur and SPOT ON 44572 Jain Residency, two comfortable accommodation options in Avadi.

  • Add Pallāvaram to your travels too. Pick up your cheap car hire in Chennai and drive around 19 kilometres south-west to discover leading attractions like Sri Srinivasa Perumal Kovil and Pallavaram Forest.

  • Pallāvaram has some comfy stays where you can put your feet up and relax, such as Hotel Southern Comfort and Accord Chrome.

  • Keep the momentum going and road-trip it to Nellore, roughly 153 kilometres north of Chennai. Make your first stop Badshahi Masjid, then take your time exploring Science Museum.

  • The only thing calling your name now is a bed. Hotel Seasons Inn and Hotel Royal Park are waiting for you in Nellore.

Frequently asked questions

On average, hiring a car in Chennai will set you back around Rs5,559 per day or Rs37,998 per week. 
The cheapest car to rent in Chennai is an intermediate passenger van. The most popular is Economy, 4-5 doors.
The cheapest car hire companies in Chennai are currently ECO Mobility and Europcar.
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 Chennai is currently August.
On average, around Rs37,998. But the best price we found for car hire for a week in Chennai is Rs37,998.
Based on everything we know about daily prices, the average cost to hire a car in Chennai for a whole month is Rs661,515. 

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 Chennai, 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 Chennai 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 Chennai.
Most places – Chennai 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 Rs5,559 per day. The average price per day is around Rs5,559.
Of course. Most major car hire companies like ECO Mobility, Europcar and Avis offer baby and child seats as an add-on when you book.
Other travellers rated ECO Mobility 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 Chennai.