Car Hire Johannesburg, South Africa

Johannesburg, also known as ‘the city of gold’ is the commercial capital of South Africa, with a legacy linking back to the gold rush to the area in the late 1800’s. Jozi as it’s more fondly referred to by locals is a sprawling urban playground with a wealth of shopping centers, beautiful public parks and a rich heritage that has shaped South Africa’s history.

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Streets of Gauteng Johannesburg

The city has a lot to offer nearby with many options for car rental Johannesburg to these various locations, immerse yourself in African tribal culture at Lesedi Cultural villages which isn’t far from the CBD, so renting a car in Johannesburg will be sufficient. Johannesburg also isn’t far from the wildlife abundant country of Botswana and renting a camper to cross over the border is also an option if one wishes to do a self-drive safari. When hiring a car in Johannesburg it is a good idea to have better knowledge and background of the city to take full advantage of your trip.

Best Time to Visit

Johannesburg experiences chilly winters with sunny days, but the mornings can become unbearably cold. It’s widely considered that the best time to visit Johannesburg would be during the spring or summer months, where the weather is warm and dry. This is also the best time to see all the flora in bloom and Johannesburg is also accredited for having the biggest man-made forest on the planet. The weather is quite pleasant in Johannesburg which will make your car hire choices in Johannesburg a whole lot easier.

Car rental Johannesburg or a 4×4 if you are travelling up north, but avoid convertibles as rain or bad weather could adversely affect your trip. However, the choice is up to you when you hire a car in Johannesburg.

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Johannesburg City

Around the Area

Johannesburg is famous for its parks for which there are many, Emmarentia Dam is a popular picnic destination and every now and then they host live music. The Maboneng Precinct is great for those wanting to experience the newly developed urban life in Johannesburg.

The Braamfontein area is great for the abundance of arts, culture and nightlife. Other notable areas are the iconic Melville and cosmopolitan Greenside. Another great option to taking a short drive to the UNESCO World Heritage Site – The Cradle of Humankind. These sights are a must-see and are easily done when hiring a car with Drive South Africa.

Getting around

Johannesburg really is a sprawling city scape of roads and routes. Although public transport has improved with the introduction of the world-class Gautrain rail network, this facility is still limited to where it can get to, so even more so than the other two major urban areas of the country, car rental Johannesburg is absolutely essential when wishing to navigate the city. Hiring a car in Johannesburg will ensure that you are very free to get around on your own time and own steam.

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Pretoria, South Africa

Length of stay

Johannesburg is doable in a week but if one wishes to really immerse themselves in the culture whilst experiencing neighbouring towns, nature and wildlife, roughly two weeks would be a more sufficient time frame. Make sure you take this into account when hiring a car in Johannesburg.

What to Pack

It’s best to prepare for all weather conditions, the summer months are generally hot and dry and the winter months can become bitterly cold. Summer has the occasional thunderstorm so pack some waterproof clothing and a jacket or two. Make sure that you hire a car that will be able to transport all your luggage. 

Where to Stay

Maboneng

Maboneng is a newly developed area in the heart of Johannesburg, dedicated to building a more holistic, artistic city. There is a world of guest houses, backpackers and boutique hotels to choose from in the area.

Melville

Melville is a very established urban, residential, business and entertainment area in Johannesburg with a world of accommodation facilities to choose from which suit all budgets.

Greenside

Greenside is very similar to Mellville but is also in close reach to some of picturesque parks the city has on offer. A very peaceful alternative.

Sandton

Sandton is one of the financial and business hubs of the city and is definitely a region which is for the higher end tourist looking for a bit of pampering and luxury in the city.

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The Mighty Elephant

Why hire a car in Johannesburg with Drive South Africa

Johannesburg really is a sprawling metropolitan area almost impossible to navigate without your own vehicle. Not to worry, with Drive South Africa’s extensive experience in this field, renting a car in Johannesburg really is a click or a phone call away. Call today to find out what the best deals are for Car rental Johannesburg to ensure you have the best experience possible while travelling through South Africa’s biggest and most commercially driven city. When hiring a car in Johannesburg with Drive South Africa you can rest easy knowing that you are competent hands that will receive outstanding service.

Car Hire Johannesburg FAQ’s

How old must be to hire a car in Johannesburg?

Most suppliers require you to be 21 as an international drivers and 23 for South African drivers, you are also required to have held a valid license for at least 2 years before renting a car.

There are various options depending on the supplier so please contact us if you are below this age and need to rent a vehicle.

When I hire a car in Johannesburg will the tank be full?

Fuel is charged from depot to depot in Johannesburg and the rest of South Africa. Every vehicle leaves the depot full and is re-fuelled upon return. If your vehicle is delivered to you then the tank may not be completely full depending on the distance from the nearest depot.

In the same way, if your vehicle is collected from you it will be re-fuelled when it returns to the depot so you will be liable for the cost of the fuel from the collection point to the nearest depot.

How does the car hire deposit work in Johannesburg?

When you rent a car in South Africa, if you have chosen a package with an excess then you will be required to have he full excess value available on your credit card for a deposit. If you return the vehicle without any damages then this amount will be refunded to you. If repairs are required or parts need to be replaced then you will be charged the correct amount and any remaining funds will be refunded to you.

No matter what package you have chosen you will be required to pay a rental deposit. This varies from R1000 to R2000 depending on which supplier is used. This deposit will be refunded if the vehicle is returned on or before the agreed date and time with a full fuel tank. If the vehicle requires re-fuelling then you will be charged for this and the remaining funds will be refunded. If you return your vehicle late without contacting Drive South Africa then you will be charged for the additional days at the supplier’s extension rates.

What do I do if I am in a accident with the car I hired in Johannesburg?

f a third party is involved make sure you get all their details – name, ID or passport number, address and telephone number, vehicle registration, make, and model. You will need to contact the supplier as soon as possible but no more than 24 hours after the incident. They will require a full and detailed description of the accident.

If your vehicle needs to be replaced the supplier will arrange to do this. You also need to report the accident to the nearest police station and supply the car rental company with the case number.

We always recommend Super cover instead of Standard cover as this will cover you more extensively if an accident should occur while travelling through Johannesburg and South Africa as a whole.

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