Car hire in Soweto, South Africa

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Choose from 5 pick-up spots

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There are 5 car hire providers in Soweto. Check out the map below to find the most convenient pick-up spot.

The most popular car rental companies in Soweto

Hiring a car in Soweto: 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 priceRs10,216
Best time to book3 weeks before

How to book the best car rental deals in Soweto

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 Soweto car rental search.

How to find a cheap car hire deal in Soweto

  • Pick up a cheap rental car in Soweto for an average of Rs10,199 a day and hit the road happy. We do the hard work for you by searching the best rental providers, helping you find and book the best deal fast.

  • Daily rental prices in Soweto start from just Rs9,424.

  • For longer trips, grab a weekly rental from Rs47,254 and pack in more adventures.

  • Walk away with the best price on a Soweto car hire by booking in advance. You're more likely to get a better deal and more choice.

  • Browse the offers available with Avis, Budget and Firefly. They're among the top-rated providers in the city.

  • Whether you go with Avis or another supplier, be sure to check the coverage on your Soweto car hire. Some companies include a collision damage waiver (CDW), while others charge extra for it.

  • Consider booking a one-way rental. You might be able to pick up a bargain if the provider needs to shift vehicles between branches. Find the best available rates by selecting 'Return car to a different location.'

  • Spend less on fuel by choosing a vehicle that offers a 'Fair fuel policy.' You pick up the car with a full tank and refill it before drop-off, so you only pay for what you use.

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

Best value car hire options right now

  • The best value for money comes from this company, with average prices at Rs26,984 a day.

  • Next up is this provider, offering daily rates of around Rs35,659.

  • The third option also helps keep costs down. Expect to pay roughly Rs62,811 a day for one of their rentals.

  • The Mini rental category is a dependable choice if you're unsure which wheels are right for you. It's also the vehicle type that's booked the most in Soweto.

Compare car hire types in Soweto

  • Small: Whether you're zipping around the city or just planning a quick trip, this car category delivers big value in a small package. Including mini and economy classes, you can look forward to great mileage and easy handling.

  • Medium: Not too big, not too small, it's the definition of just right. Typically including compact and intermediate cars, they offer a mix of interior space and fuel efficiency and are great for small families and couples.

  • Large: Offering a more comfortable driving experience and extra tech features, this Soweto car hire category includes full-size cars. With larger rear seats and ample storage space, they let you load up and take everyone, and everything, with ease.

  • SUV: Enjoy a higher driving position and an open view of the journey ahead in an SUV. Whether you're carving through winding trails or cruising along smooth highways, many come with all-wheel drive to help you take on any road.

  • Van: Featuring options like commercial vans and trucks, this category of car for rent in Soweto makes light work of big hauls and group travel. They're roomy, reliable, and ready for whatever your trip demands.

Insurance and optional extras

  • Excess insurance covers your out-of-pocket costs if your Soweto car hire is stolen or damaged. While not compulsory, you'll be glad to have it if something goes wrong. Just remember that not all insurance policies are the same, so make sure you know exactly what's included.

  • Take your ride to the next level with handy extras like mobile Wi-Fi or a reverse camera. They can turn your drive into a smoother experience when you rent a car in Soweto.

Good to know

  • Rental age requirements aren't always the same everywhere. Companies can set their own policies, and if you're a younger driver, you could pay extra and face some limits. Check the rules for the supplier you choose before booking your car hire in South Africa.

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

  • Come prepared to make pick-up as quick as possible. You'll typically need your physical driver's licence (no digital copies) and a second photo ID. Also bring a credit card that can cover the deposit. If anything else is expected, it'll be listed in your booking.

  • If you've never driven in South Africa, remember that traffic here keeps to the left side of the road.

  • Stay within local speed limits of about 55kph in built-up areas and around 110kph on highways. Always check the posted signs, as limits may vary.

  • In South Africa, the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit is 0.05%. If you intend to drink, get someone else to do the driving or use public transport instead.

  • Around 7am is one of the busiest times for traffic in this destination. Try to avoid peak travel times generally for a more relaxed drive.

  • You'll be using the South African rand (ZAR) for all your purchases and expenses throughout your trip. You may find it useful to carry a mix of cash and cards to cover you in every situation.

  • English is the language most commonly spoken throughout this country.

Best hotels in Soweto for drivers

  • Browse through the hotels in Soweto for even more choices. Use the 'Parking,' 'Outdoor parking,' and 'Valet parking' filters to find the perfect fit. You can even select the 'Electric vehicle (EV) charging station' filter to bring up places with on-site charging.

  • After you've found a car hire deal in Soweto and your hotel, it's time to plan your adventures. Hector Pieterson Museum, Nelson Mandela Former House and Soweto Visits and Beyond are the perfect introduction to the city.

Hit the road: Where to drive to from Soweto

  • Around 21 kilometres east of central Soweto, Johannesburg should feature on your itinerary. Head straight for must-see sights like Apartheid Museum and Top of Africa.

  • They've got hospitality down to a fine art at City Lodge Newtown, Johannesburg and Reef Hotel, two reliable accommodation options with parking in Johannesburg.

  • Alternatively, pick up your cheap car hire in Soweto and then head for Pretoria. About 72 kilometres northeast of Soweto, Statue of Nelson Mandela and Museum of Natural History are big attractions that make the drive worthwhile.

  • Kick back after a day of exploring Pretoria at Inani Hotel Morning Star or Court Classique Suite Hotel. These hotels have arrangements for guests with cars.

  • Want to stretch this drive a little longer? Witbank is a popular road trip destination that's about 145 kilometres east of Soweto. Make a few pit stops at Witbank dam and Cosmos Gardens.

  • Catch up on sleep in Witbank at either ANEW Hotel Witbank Emalahleni or Anew Hotel Highveld Emalahleni. They've got a bed waiting for you and parking availability too.

Frequently asked questions

On average, hiring a car in Soweto will set you back around Rs10,199 per day or Rs47,177 per week. 
The cheapest car to rent in Soweto is a compact SUV. The most popular is Mini, 4-5 doors.
The cheapest car hire companies in Soweto are currently Budget and Avis.
On average, around Rs47,177. But the best price we found for car hire for a week in Soweto is Rs47,177.
If you're looking for freedom to explore Soweto, 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 Soweto 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 Soweto.
Most places – Soweto 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 Rs10,990 per day. The average price per day is around Rs11,402.
Of course. Most major car hire companies like First - Car Rental, Budget 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 Soweto.