Car hire in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa

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There are 10 car hire locations in Pietermaritzburg. Choose the cheapest or easiest now.

The most popular car rental companies in Pietermaritzburg

Hiring a car in Pietermaritzburg: Fast facts

Here's everything you need to know to hit the road happy.
Most popular car hire companyFirst - Car Rental
Most popular carMini, 4-5 doors
Average daily priceRs8,759
Best time to book4 weeks before

How to book the best car rental deals in Pietermaritzburg

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 Pietermaritzburg car rental search.

How to find a cheap car hire deal in Pietermaritzburg

  • Pick up a cheap rental car in Pietermaritzburg for an average of Rs8,759 a day and drive off happy. We do the hard work for you by searching all the major providers, making it easy to compare prices and book.

  • October is the cheapest month to rent a car in Pietermaritzburg. With average daily rates of Rs4,172, you've got the green light to save.

  • Book early to lock in a cheap rental car in Pietermaritzburg. Beyond just getting a great rate, you'll have first pick of the most popular options.

  • Browse car hire deals in Pietermaritzburg from leading providers like Enterprise, Firefly powered by Hertz and First - Car Hire.

  • Whether you book with Enterprise or another supplier, be sure to check the coverage on your Pietermaritzburg car hire. Some companies include a collision damage waiver (CDW), while others sell it as a separate extra.

  • Look into booking a one-way rental. You might be able to lock in a good deal if the provider needs to shift vehicles between branches. Discover the best available rates for a car for rent in Pietermaritzburg by clicking 'Return car to a different location.'

  • Avoid any surprise charges by choosing a car hire in Pietermaritzburg with a 'Fair fuel policy.' Start and end your trip with a full tank, and only pay for what you actually use.

  • Hit the road without watching the miles and racking up additional charges. Go to the 'Policies' filter and choose 'Unlimited mileage' to find a ride that lets you roam without limits.

  • Jetting into Pietermaritzburg? Think about booking one of the car rentals in Pietermaritzburg Airport. That way, you can get going shortly after landing.

Compare car hire types in Pietermaritzburg

  • Small: Whether you're navigating busy cities or taking a quick trip, a cheap rental car in Pietermaritzburg from this category offers big value in a small package. Including mini and economy classes, you can expect great mileage and easy handling.

  • Medium: Not too small, not too big, this is the kind of rental even Goldilocks wouldn't second-guess. Typically including compact and intermediate cars, they offer a mix of interior space and fuel efficiency and are popular with couples and small families.

  • Large: Offering a more comfortable ride and enhanced tech features, this Pietermaritzburg car hire category includes full-size cars. With roomier back seats and ample storage space, they let you load up and transport everyone, and everything, with ease.

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

  • Van: If you're looking for a car for rent in Pietermaritzburg that fits a small crowd (and all their stuff), a van is the practical pick. Including commercial vans and trucks, they're a solid pick for group excursions, business needs or moving.

Insurance and optional extras

  • Adding excess insurance to your Pietermaritzburg car hire can take the stress out of driving. It protects you from paying a hefty excess fee in case of damage or theft. Insurance policies can vary from one provider to another, so check how each one stacks up.

  • Level up your ride with extras like a GPS unit and reverse camera. These features can turn your drive into a smoother experience when you rent a car in Pietermaritzburg.

Good to know

  • Rental age requirements generally aren't a one-size-fits-all. Companies can set their own policies, and if you're a younger driver, you could pay extra and face some limits. Check the specific rules for each supplier before booking your car hire in South Africa.

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

Hit the road: Where to drive from Pietermaritzburg

  • Line up an epic car hire deal in Pietermaritzburg and then get ready to explore the city's most popular attractions, such as Sri Siva Soobramoiniar And Marriamen Temples and KwaZulu-Natal National Botanical Garden. Whether you drive or get there another way, you'll want to see these highlights before you take off.

  • When check-in time comes around, Tancredi B&B and Regal Inn Pmburg are stays that'll make you feel at home in Pietermaritzburg.

  • Around 72 kilometres south-east of central Pietermaritzburg, Durban belongs on your itinerary. Make your way to must-see sights like Durban Beach and Ushaka marine.

  • Reliable accommodation options in Durban include Blue Waters Hotel and Pavilion Hotel Durban.

  • Alternatively, pick up your cheap car hire in Pietermaritzburg and then head for Mpumalanga. Around 32 kilometres south-east of Pietermaritzburg, Mpumalanga Assembly Of God and CG 03 Qhubeka Womens Club co-op are major attractions that are well worth the trip.

  • Up for a bigger adventure? Vryheid is a fun road trip destination that's around 209 kilometres north of Pietermaritzburg. Consider making a few pit stops at Vryheid Hill Nature Reserve and Hlobane Battlefield.

  • Get some shut-eye in Vryheid at His Glory Guesthouse. Villa Beryl Guesthouse has a cosy bed waiting for you too.

Frequently asked questions

On average, hiring a car in Pietermaritzburg will set you back around Rs8,815 per day or Rs29,480 per week. 
The cheapest car to rent in Pietermaritzburg is an intermediate pickup. The most popular is Mini, 4-5 doors.
The cheapest car hire companies in Pietermaritzburg are currently Firefly powered by Hertz and Woodford Car Hire.
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 Pietermaritzburg is currently October.
On average, around Rs29,480. But the best price we found for car hire for a week in Pietermaritzburg is Rs29,480.
Based on everything we know about daily prices, the average cost to hire a car in Pietermaritzburg for a whole month is Rs160,274. 

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 Pietermaritzburg, 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 Pietermaritzburg 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 Pietermaritzburg.
Most places – Pietermaritzburg 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 Rs6,937 per day. The average price per day is around Rs10,965.
Of course. Most major car hire companies like First - Car Rental, Bluu Car Rental and Europcar offer baby and child seats as an add-on when you book.
Other travellers rated First - Car Rental 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 Pietermaritzburg.