1. Home
  2. Car Hire Blog
  3. September 2019
  4. Cross Border Car Hire South Africa

Cross Border Car Hire South Africa

We’re often asked if you take a rental car from South Africa to neighbouring countries and, what, if any restrictions or costs are associated? The simple is yes, you can take a rental car from South Africa across the border into some countries, but not all. We’ve checked all the leading car rental agents in South Africa to outline the restrictions and charges for cross border car rental in South Africa. It’s important to stress that if you are planning to take a rental car from South Africa across the border into neighbouring counties that you notify the rental agent prior to arrival to arrange the necessary paperwork and documentation. If you arrive at the desk and request the service, you may experience a delay in processing your rental whilst the paperwork is arranged.

Cross Border Car Hire South Africa
Woodford and Firefly are the only car rental agents in South Africa who do not allow cross border travel to any country, restrictions and charges apply from all other rental agents to permitted countries.
 
Car Rental Agent
Botswana
Lesotho
Mozambique
Avis
1770
550
not allowed
Bidvest
min 1300
min 1300
not allowed
Budget
1775
550
not allowed
Europcar
1250
1250
3000
Firefly
not allowed
not allowed
not allowed
First
1800
1500
3000
Hertz
1600
1600
1600
Keddy
1250
1250
3000
Sixt
1800
1500
3000
Tempest
1705
1705
1705
Woodford
not allowed
not allowed
not allowed
continued...
Car Rental Agent
Namibia
Swaziland
Zimbabwe
Avis
1770
550
not allowed
Bidvest
min 1300
min 1300
not allowed
Budget
1775
550
not allowed
Europcar
1250
1250
3000
Firefly
not allowed
not allowed
not allowed
First
1800
1300
not allowed
Hertz
1600
1600
not allowed
Keddy
1250
1250
3000
Sixt
1800
1300
3000
Tempest
1705
1705
not allowed
Woodford
not allowed
not allowed
not allowed

* see footnotes

Can you take a rental car from South Africa to Angola or Malawi?

At present, no rental agents permit cross border travel to Angola or Malawi as 2 border corssings are required.


*Notes
 
Rental Agent
Notes
Avis
Cross border to Namibia is permitted at an additonal cost of NAD180.00 road tax (to be paid at the Namibian border). When crossing the border into Swaziland, a road tax fee of ZAR 50.00 will be charged for all cars with a foreign licence plate.
Bidvest
A charge of 1300 or more will apply. For more information, please contact the rental desk.
Budget
Cross border to Namibia is permitted at an additonal cost of NAD180.00 road tax (to be paid at the Namibian border). When crossing the border into Swaziland, a road tax fee of ZAR 50.00 will be charged for all cars with a foreign licence plate.
Hertz
Border Crossing will only be allowed if pre-approved. If you intend to cross an International Border, you are required to provide Hertz Central Reservations with the required documentation at least two working days prior to pickup date.
Sixt
The following car groups are not permitted: SDAR, FCAR, PDAR, PSAR, PFAR, LCAR, LFAR

All rates in ZAR, payable locally on collection and correct at time of publication.

 

FAQs about cross border car rental from South Africa

Can you take a rental car from South Africa to Zimbabwe?

The only rental agents that permit cross border car hire from South Africa to Zimbabwe are Europcar, Keddy and Sixt, all of whom will charge 3,000 ZAR at the rental desk to cover additional insurances and documentation required at the border. The following car groups are not permitted for cross border travel from Sixt: SDAR, FCAR, PDAR, PSAR, PFAR, LCAR, LFAR.

Can you take a rental car from South Africa to Swaziland?

Only Firefly and Woodford prohibit cross border car rental from South Africa to Swaziland, all other rental agents permit the border crossing. Avis and Budget have the lowest price of just 550 ZAR cross border charge, whilst Tempest are the most expensive at 1705 ZAR.

Can you take a rental car from South Africa to Zambia?

Europcar, Hertz and Keddy are the only rental agents who permit cross border travel from South Africa and Zambia with Europcar and Keddy both charging 3000 ZAR, whilst Hertz charge only 1600 ZAR. All other rental agents prohibit travel.

Can you take a rental car from South Africa to Lesotho?

You can take a rental car from South Africa to Lesotho with all rental agents, except Firefly and Woodford. Rates start from 550 ZAR from both Avis and Budget, up to 1705 ZAR with Tempest.

Can you take a rental car from South Africa to Botswana?

Taking a rental car from South Africa to Botswana is only prohibited by Firefly and Woodford, all other rental agents permit cross border car hire from South Africa to Botswana with charges ranging from 1250 ZAR with Europcar and Keddy up to 1800 ZAR from First Car Rental and Sixt.

Can you take a rental car from South Africa to Mozambique?

Avis, Bidvest, Budget, Firefly and Woodford prohibit cross border travel from South Africa to Mozambique, whilst Europcar, Keddy and Sixt charge 3000 ZAR. Hertz are the cheapest cross border car rental company to Mozambique, charging just 1600 ZAR.

Can you take a rental car from South Africa to Namibia?

The cheaper cross border charge for car hire from South Africa to <a href="/Namibia.aspx">Namibia</a> is just 1250 ZAR, offered from both Europcar and Keddy. The most expensive being 1800 ZAR from First Car Rental. Firefly and Woodford both prohibit cross border travel from South Africa to Namibia.

Can you take a rental car from South Africa to Angola or Malawi?

At present, no rental agents permit cross border travel to Angola or Malawi as 2 border corssings are required.

 

 

Phil Partridge
Posted: September 18, 2019 by Phil Partridge
About the Author -

Travel writer, car rental guru, Phil has rented cars all over the world and shares his knowledge and experience on the Rhinocarhire.com Blog. Favourite country to visit: France.

Last updated: Sunday, February 4, 2024
Comments
Mosimanegape Kopang
How to hire 8 sitter to Namibia
2/9/2022 8:17:27 AM

Lazarus Dube
Hello I am looking for a car to hire to Zimbabwe.Is that possible
11/16/2021 7:16:04 AM

Mary Mafa
Qoute from HERTZ or Tempest VITO automatic SA to Maputo from 17th April to 23 April 2021
4/13/2021 11:31:47 PM

Nimrod Madar
Hei there, if I hire a car at south Africa, then travel to Botswana and pay the extra fees for the rental car company, & then decide to travel from Botswana or Namibia - would the car rental company charge me again? would they let me pass the border? thank's a lot - Nimrod, ISRAEL
2/27/2020 9:10:27 PM