Renting a Car in Thailand: What You Need to Know

Renting a car is a great way to explore the Kingdom of Thailand, especially if you’re not staying in Bangkok.

Having a car in Thailand makes it easier for you to visit different places in the country at your own pace and venture off the beaten path.

You can discover Thailand’s quaint villages, natural parks, and secluded sandy beaches that aren’t part of the usual tourist itineraries.

This guide shows you how to find and rent a car of your choice, the cost of car rentals, and other important things to consider. Or, you can use the form below to find out available deals right away.

If you want to skip all the details and get right to renting a car in Thailand, check out Discover Cars.

If you want to get into the nitty-gritty of renting a car, continue reading.

Disclaimer: This article may include links to products or services offered by ExpatDen’s partners, which give us commissions when you click on them. Although this may influence how they appear in the text, we only recommend solutions that we would use in your situation. Read more in our Advertising Disclosure.

Preparing to Rent a Car

Before you rent a car in Thailand, you should know about a few things, like if you’re eligible, what you need, and what you’re up against.

Who Can Rent a Car in Thailand?

The minimum age is set by car rental companies. Some companies set the minimum age at 21, while other car rental companies require the driver to be at least 23.

All car rental companies in Thailand require the driver to have a driver’s license for at least one year. Luxury cars are reserved for more experienced drivers.

Required Driving License

If you plan to drive in Thailand, you should have either a Thai driver’s license or an international driver’s permit.

The driver’s license from your home country might be valid in some cases; the downside is that you risk not being covered by insurance.

You should always carry your driver’s license or international driver’s permit along with a copy of your passport’s photo and visa page.

Failure to carry these documents can result in a hefty fine if you get stopped by the Thai police.

Road Conditions

Many of the roads in Thailand are well-maintained, but it’s not out of the ordinary to find some rough patches of road with lots of potholes.

In fact, according to the World Health Organization, Thailand is ninth in the world ranking for the highest number of road fatalities, with 32.7 deaths for every 100,000 people.

The hazards mainly come from drunk drivers and motorcycle-related accidents. In addition, traffic laws in the country are not well enforced, which results in reckless and speedy driving everywhere.

Minor roads, especially those in the countryside, are not always well lit.

If you’re driving on these roads for the first time, avoid driving at night to reduce the risk of accidents.

Danger can also come from stray animals like street dogs that lie in the middle of the road or dart across moving cars. This is not so much a problem in Bangkok anymore, but still common among the islands and rural parts of Thailand.  

Street dogs can be particularly difficult to spot at dusk, so motorists should keep a lookout for them at all times.

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You shouldn’t run into any problems while driving in Thailand if you stay aware at all times.

You can find out more about travel insurance in Thailand here.

Cost of Renting a Car

The cost of renting a car varies depending on the location in Thailand and the car rental company.

But car rental companies like Avis and Budget tend to offer standardized prices.

The other major factor that affects rental costs is the size and style of the car.

The cost for renting a small, standard budget car starts at 800 baht per day and runs all the way up to 3,000 baht per day for a luxury model.

You could pay as much as 5,000 baht per day for a large, luxury car with a few added extras.

Below is an average daily price for popular models.

Model	Daily Price (THB)	Daily Price (USD)
Toyota Yaris 1.2	1,400 THB	$42 USD
Toyota Vios	1,500 THB	$45 USD
Toyota Altis	1,800 THB	$55 USD
Toyota Camry	2,200 THB	$67 USD
Mitsubishi Pajero	2,500 THB	$76 USD
BMW 3 Series	10,000 THB	$303 USD
BMW 520D	10,000 THB	$303 USD

You can get discounts by making a reservation in advance.

It’s always a good idea to use a comparison site and book online at least a month in advance to get the best deal.

There is also a standard VAT charge of 7%, which is usually included in the rental charge.

There is a 24-hour minimum rental charge, as well. If you return the car late, you should expect to pay extra charges or a full day’s rate.

Some rental companies like Sixt don’t charge for a few additional hours.

If you want to extend your rental period beyond the agreed length of time, you usually need to let the rental company know at least two days in advance.

Rental companies then charge you the regular daily rate. Added features, like baby seats and GPS, increase daily rates.

After selecting the type of car you want to rent, you need to leave your credit card details with the rental company and pay a deposit.

You can pay the remaining balance upon returning the vehicle.

Although most car rental companies prefer drivers to pay using a credit card, some companies take cash or wire transfer.

Two major credit cards, Visa and Mastercard, are accepted throughout Thailand, while American Express and Diners Club are used sparingly as they are not as widely accepted as the two aforementioned cards.

But some car rental companies only accept credit cards issued by banks.

If you rent a car for several weeks or even months, you may get a discount.

Rental prices tend to drop slightly in the low season and rise in the high season (Nov-Mar).

Many of the larger car rental companies offer special deals and promotions throughout the year.

The remaining number of cars the rental company has for your date also affects your rental costs.

If there are a lot of rental cars left, the cost is lower. If there are only a few left, the price goes up.

But some rental companies have a fixed price, no matter what time of year or how many cars they have left.

These are usually small companies aiming at long-term rentals.

Car Rental Procedure

When renting a car in Thailand, the procedure is usually the same with every company. Here’s what to expect.

Signing a Car Rental Contract

To rent a car in Thailand, you must sign a car rental contract, which is a legally binding document designed to protect you and the rental company.

Before signing, however, you should ask certain questions such as:

• What am I expected to do if the car breaks down?
• What happens if I lose the car key?
• What phone numbers can I call if the car is stolen, breaks down, or is damaged?

Car rental contracts vary between companies, but generally you get a few pages of A4-sized paper full of terms and conditions written in fine print.

You might be tempted to skim through contracts and sign them as quickly as possible.

If you don’t read and understand all of the terms and conditions, you could have problems later on.

International companies usually post a copy of their car rental contract online, which allows you to read it in advance so you understand and agree with everything.

Here’s what a typical car rental contract looks like.

There are three things to be aware of before signing the contract.

First, you must return the rental car with a full tank of gas or pay extra for the car rental company to fill up the tank, usually at a much higher price of gas.

Second, if there is a clause in the contract that limits the amount of miles that can be covered, you should stay within the limits. The excess mileage fee can be very high.

Third, you may be charged for returning the rental car late or early. It’s important to check this carefully before signing the contract.

Inspecting the Rental Car

You should fully inspect the rental car along with a member of the rental car company before signing the rental car contract.

There are several things to pay attention to while walking around the car and checking for obvious signs of damage.

If you happen to notice scratches, dents, or other signs or damage, point them out to the member of staff and make sure the staff notes it.

You and the company should keep a signed record to prevent being charged for this damage when you return the vehicle.

Make sure that the license plates on the rental car are current and that the tires are fully inflated and have even tread wear.

The interior of the vehicle should be clean and tidy with the owner’s manual in the glove box.

Check under the hood and trunk, and look for a spare tire, lug wrench, and jack.

Picking Up and Dropping Off the Car

If you plan to use a rental car to explore Thailand, you may find that you have to leave the country at a different airport or land border from where you arrived.

In this case, you can specify your preferred drop off location when renting the car.

Many of the larger car rental companies have several offices throughout the country, so selecting a different drop off location isn’t usually a problem.

For example, you can fly to Bangkok, rent a car there, take a road trip to Chiang Mai, and then return the car there. In some cases, rental car companies may charge a small fee.

Some companies also charge a fee for dropping off the rental car outside of office hours.

Most car rental companies in Thailand offer a delivery and pickup service, but these should be booked in advance.

The service is usually free if you are located within 10 km of the nearest rental office, otherwise, car rental companies charge a collection fee.

Inspecting the Car During Drop Off

When you return your rental car, a staff member inspects it carefully.

In addition to checking for damage, the staff checks the trunk, glove box, storage compartments, underneath the back and front seats, and the mileage and gas gauge.

If they find any dents or scratches, you are expected to pay for them.

Check out this website for a full car rental checklist.

Car Rental Companies in Thailand

You can choose to rent a car from many different local and international car rental companies in Thailand.

But because the rates, insurance coverage, and types of vehicles differ between each company, you should use a comparison site to get the best deal.

Local Thai car rental companies generally offer better prices, both in terms of the rental price and other related costs like insurance, delivery services, and extras.

In addition, they tend to be flexible and less strict with policies and regulations, making communication easier in case a renter encounters unexpected problems.

On the other hand, when renting a car from an international company, you get international standards and service.

International companies generally have better selections of vehicles with more branches throughout Thailand.

If you’re an Avis, Hertz, or other international car rental company customer, you can collect membership points for discounts on future car rentals.

Local Companies

When it comes to local rental car companies, Thailand has a lot of options. Below are some of the more popular choices

Thai Rent a Car

Minimum Age Requirement	21
Estimated Price Per Day	1200 – 2,550 THB
Minimum Rental Period	1
Deposit	5,000 – 25,000 THB
Cash Acceptance	No
Debit Card Acceptance	No
Weekly Rent Estimated Discount	15%
Monthly Rent Estimated Discount	25%
Contact Number	1647
Office Locations	Most parts of Thailand
LDW/CDW Excess Amounts	5,000 – 10,700 THB
Super Collision Damage Waiver	200 – 500 THB a day
Personal Accident Insurance	Not provided
Theft Protection	Included in LDW/CDW
Excess for Total Loss	4,280 – 10,700 THB
GPS	N/A
Child Seat	100 THB a day
Out of Hours Charge	No
Additional Driver Charge	No
Delivery Pickup/Return	Price based on duration
Grace Period	4 hours

Thai Rent a Car is the biggest and one of the most well-known car rental companies in Thailand.

They’ve been in the industry for over 30 years and have 7 branches and counting spread across Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai, and Khon Kaen. 

Thai Rent a Car has similar standards and policies as international companies but at cheaper prices. Walk-in prices are also good and they have short wait times.

Thai Rent a Car fleet offers about 12 available models in total.

Toyota and Mitsubishi are the main vehicles in their standard fleet.

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The luxury fleet includes vehicles from Mercedes Benz, but with five different sedan models to choose from.

But Thai Rent a Car uses the base car models for their luxury fleet, so you might not get basic features such as a remote key.

Thai Rent a Car may offer a free delivery and pickup service if you’re located near one of their offices.

Although Thai Rent a Car offers promotions that decrease your cost by as much as 50% from weekday rates, the information is mostly available in Thai. 

However, you can message them on their Facebook page to ask about promotions and promo codes in English. 

There is a surcharge of 250-400 THB/day for weekend rentals and 500 THB/day for public holidays and peak periods. 

Chic Car Rent

Minimum Age Requirement	21
Estimated Price Per Day	820 – 2,100 THB
Minimum Rental Period	1-2 Days
Deposit	5,000 THB
Cash Acceptance	No
Debit Card Acceptance	No
Weekly Rent Estimated Discount	15%
Monthly Rent Estimated Discount	25%
Contact Number	+6622866799
Office Locations	A few major tourism provinces
LDW/CDW Excess Amounts	2,000 – 10,000 THB
Super Collision Damage Waiver	100 THB a day
Personal Accident Insurance	Not provided
Theft Protection	100 THB a day
Excess for Total Loss	10,000 THB
GPS	100 THB a day
Child Seat	200 THB a day
Out of Hours Charge	535 – 1,070 THB
Additional Driver Charge	No
Delivery Pickup/Return	15 km within Bangkok, only for renting at least 3 days
Grace Period	4 hours

Chic Car Rent is a prominent Thai car rental company that was established in 2004.

The company has pick-up locations in 18 airports in Thailand, such as Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phuket, Hat Yai, Ubon Ratchathani, and more. The full list is available on their website. 

Chic Car Rent is supported by the leading Honda dealer in Thailand. And they supply customers with a full range of Hondas, from economy models to full-size SUVs.

Chic Car Rent is among the cheapest car rental companies in Thailand, with the average starting price at only 820 baht per day. 

There is a minimum rental of 2 days for bookings made Friday-Sunday or on public holidays. 

The price can be even lower with their regular promotions and vouchers.

Similar to Thai Rent a Car, rental cars from Chic Car Rent are usually standard models in the series.

Chic Car Rent has offices and kiosks mainly at airports and a few in downtown Bangkok and Pattaya.

Bizcar Rental

Minimum Age Requirement	23
Estimated Price Per Day	1,300 – 6,500 THB
Minimum Rental Period	1
Deposit	5,000 THB
Cash Acceptance	No
Debit Card Acceptance	No
Weekly Rent Estimated Discount	–
Monthly Rent Estimated Discount	–
Contact Number	+66818608483
Office Locations	Most major tourism provinces
LDW/CDW Excess Amounts	321 THB a day
Super Collision Damage Waiver	200 – 300 THB
Personal Accident Insurance	Not provided
Theft Protection	Included in LDW/CDW
Excess for Total Loss	N/A
GPS	Free of Charge
Child Seat	Free of Charge
Out of Hours Charge	N/A
Additional Driver Charge	Free of Charge
Delivery Pickup/Return	Free within 10 km
Grace Period	59 minutes

Bizcar Rental is another well known Thai car rental company that was established more than 15 years ago in Bangkok.

Bizcar Rental stands out because they offer a range of economy and luxury cars, SUVs, and vans from Toyota, Honda, and Mercedes Benz.

Bizcar Rental also offers chauffeur services but you will need to contact them via email or phone to book this service.

Customers are offered free cancellation on bookings with regular promotions.

While the company headquarters is in Bangkok, you can find branches in Rayong, Hua Hin, Chiang Mai, and Phuket. Their branches in Suvarnabhumi, Don Muang, and Phuket offer 24-hour services. 

ASAP Car Rental

Minimum Age Requirement	21
Estimated Price Per Day	THB900 to THB2,700
Minimum Rental Period	1
Deposit	THB6,000
Cash Acceptance	No
Debit Card Acceptance	No
Weekly Rent Estimated Discount	10 percent
Monthly Rent Estimated Discount	25 percent to 30 percent
Contact Number	+6620918000
Office Locations	Most major tourism provinces
LDW/CDW Excess Amounts	THB5,000
Super Collision Damage Waiver	THB200
Personal Accident Insurance	Included in CDW
Theft Protection	Included in LDW/CDW
Excess for Total Loss	N/A
GPS	N/A
Child Seat	Free of Charge
Out of Hours Charge	Hourly rate
Additional Driver Charge	Free of Charge
Delivery Pickup/Return	THB10 per km
Grace Period	4 hours

ASAP car rental is a Thai-owned company that provides both short- and long-term rental services in Thailand. The company is owned by Synergetic Auto Performance, which also deals with used cars, insurance, and corporate car rentals. 

ASAP provides car rental services mainly through its mobile app, but you can also use Line to book as well. 

It can be found in most major Thai airports in Thailand and is easy to spot because its kiosks are almost always located near the baggage claim areas. The full list of pick-up locations are available on the app. 

ASAP’s fleet consists of these four Toyota models: Yaris, Vios, CHR, and Fortuner.

There are promotional codes and prices available on the app. ASAP also sells discounted vouchers on Lazada. This means you can get a Toyota Fortuner for THB1,800 per day instead of the standard THB2,700.

SCB cardholders can also receive up to a 30 percent discount on total booking.

Sawasdee Rent a Car

Minimum Age Requirement	25
Estimated Price Per Day	12,000 – 18,000 THB (per month) *minimum 3 months
Minimum Rental Period	3 months
Deposit	None
Cash Acceptance	No
Debit Card Acceptance	No
Monthly Rent Estimated Discount	–
Contact Number	+66813466888
Office Locations	Bangkok
LDW/CDW Excess Amounts	Free of Charge
Super Collision Damage Waiver	Free of Charge
Personal Accident Insurance	Not provided
Theft Protection	Included in LDW/CDW
Excess for Total Loss	5,000 THB
GPS	–
Child Seat	Not provided
Out of Hours Charge	Free of charge
Additional Driver Charge	No
Delivery Pickup/Return	Free within Bangkok
Grace Period	3 hours

Open since 2006, Sawasdee Rent a Car is recommended for those who want to rent a car in Bangkok for long-term. 

They offer monthly rentals with a minimum of 3 months. They also require proof of work permit or a valid visa for long-term rentals.

They offer only standard 4 seater sedans, such as the Toyota Yaris or Honda City.  

Sawasdee offers free delivery within Bangkok and ’round-the-clock roadside assistance at no extra cost.

One of the best things about Sawasdee Rent a Car is the full coverage insurance they offer, which brings you peace of mind.

The only thing that isn’t covered in the insurance is the total loss of the car. In this case you’d need to pay an excess of 5,000 baht.

Sawasdee Rent a Car offers fixed prices for monthly rentals without hidden costs.

In addition, they do not require a deposit, just a credit card upon pick-up. 

If you would like to rent a car from Sawasdee Rent a Car, you will need to contact them via email, Facebook, or phone as their website does not have a booking portal. 

North Wheels Rent A Car

Minimum Age Requirement	20
Estimated Price Per Day	1,200 – 2,500 THB
Minimum Rental Period	1 day
Deposit	5,000 THB
Cash Acceptance	No
Debit Card Acceptance	No
Weekly Rent Estimated Discount	–
Monthly Rent Estimated Discount	33% – 44% off
Contact Number	+6653874478
Office Locations	Chiang Mai, Chaing Rai, and Pai
LDW/CDW Excess Amounts	5,000 THB
Super Collision Damage Waiver	214 THB a day
Personal Accident Insurance	Not provided
Theft Protection	Included in LDW/CDW
Excess for Total Loss	5,000 THB
GPS	150 THB a day
Child Seat	Free of charge
Out of Hours Charge	100 THB per hour
Additional Driver Charge	No
Delivery Pickup/Return	Free of charge within downtown area
Grace Period	1 hour, then 1/5 of the daily rate applied per hour

Established back in 1988, North Wheels Rent A Car is one of Thailand’s longest running car rental companies in the North.

The main branch is located in Chiang Mai and, as the name suggests, is the perfect option for people who are planning to rent a car to explore northern Thailand.

In addition to supplying quality rental cars at reasonable rates, the company offers first class accident insurance and 24-hour emergency service.

North Wheels Rent a Car fleets consist of sedans, SUVs, vans, and trucks from Toyota and a few popular models from other car companies. 

They also offer Yamaha motorcycles for rent at a daily rate of 200 THB.

If you prefer having a driver, you can pay an additional 500 THB per day. Drivers are available only from 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM.

Although the daily rate is slightly higher than their competitors’, they compensate with other features, such as:

• free delivery and pickup service from downtown
• free child seats
• single excess rate of only 5,000 baht for total loss and theft

You should reserve a car through their website 72 hours in advance. Otherwise, calling is the only other option.

Car Sharing

Car sharing is a relatively new business model in Thailand. It is an alternative to traditional car rentals where people rent or share cars at any time via their smartphone. 

The most popular one currently is Haupcar, which is modeled after Zipcar, the world’s largest car-sharing service.

Haupcar 

Haupcar is a startup in Thailand founded in 2016 and provides 24-hour car rental services via its mobile app. 

Instead of going to car rental shops, you can easily use your phone or Haupcar card to pick up a rental at one of its mobility stations in shopping malls, condo parking lots, and hotels throughout Bangkok.

There are also pickup points in Pattaya, Hua Hin, Phuket, and Chiang Mai. The full list is on the app and updates regularly as more people join Haupcar. 

To register for an account, all you need is to upload your Thai or international driver’s license that is valid for one year or more, and your passport. 

It can take up to 24 hours for approval. You can start booking cars once your documents are verified. 

This step-by-step guide shows you exactly how to apply for, pick up, and return a Haupcar.

You can rent a vehicle for as little as 30 minutes. You pay only for the amount of time and the number of kilometers you drive.

Gas and insurance are also included in the rental fee, so you won’t have to worry about filling up after you return the car. 

Because it’s a car-sharing business, there are many makes and models to choose from. Haupcar also has a large selection of electric vehicles. And its luxury fleet contains some BMW models. 

Haupcar charges an average of THB120 per hour for a size S car. Rates less than an hour are divided accordingly, so 30 minutes would be THB60. 

When renting a car by the hour, there is a mileage limit. If you exceed the distance, you will be charged per kilometer. Size S cars are given an allowance of around 10 kilometers per hour, then THB5.5 per kilometer after that. 

Daily rates start around THB700 to THB1,300 for most size S and M cars. 

Haupcar also recently allowed long-term rentals from one week up to one year, but you will need to book well in advance for this option. 

It frequently runs promotions shown on its app or Facebook page, offering anywhere from 10 percent to 30 percent off based on the number of days you rent the car. 

International Companies

Local companies aren’t your only choice when renting a car in Thailand. You can also use an international car rental company.

Sixt

Minimum Age Requirement	21
Estimated Price Per Day	800 – 9,000 THB
Minimum Rental Period	1
Deposit	8,000-30,000 THB
Cash Acceptance	No
Debit Card Acceptance	No
Weekly Rent Estimated Discount	N/A
Monthly Rent Estimated Discount	N/A
Contact Number	1798
Office Locations	Most major tourism provinces
LDW/CDW Excess Amounts	8,000 – 15,000 THB
Super Collision Damage Waiver	200 THB a day
Personal Accident Insurance	100 THB a day
Theft Protection	Included in LDW/CDW
Excess for Total Loss	50,000 THB
GPS	200 THB a day
Child Seat	300 THB a day
Out of Hours Charge	321 THB per hour
Additional Driver Charge	No
Delivery Pickup/Return	Not provided
Grace Period	3 hours

Sixt is the fifth largest company in the world and boasts several locations scattered throughout Thailand.

Their Thailand branches are run by Master Car Rental, which runs under Master Group Corporation Asia, Thailand’s leading automotive retail and service sector.

Sixt Thailand has a range of cars for rent. Their fleet consists of Honda and Toyota, and luxury and premium cars from BMW and Peugeot. They’ve recently added electric vehicles as well from BYD, ORA Good Cat, and MG. 

They offer the lowest excess rate among international companies, starting at 8,000 baht, which is 2,000 baht lower than other companies.

In addition, the theft protection insurance is also included in their LDW, but it comes with the most expensive excess at 50,000 baht.

Extras provided by Sixt such as GPS and a child seat are generally higher than those of other international service providers.

Despite not having delivery service, Sixt Thailand airport offices make it easier to pick up and return a car if you travel by plane.

Their prices are higher than average, but they come with a grace period of three hours—six times longer than the grace period offered by other companies.

Hertz

Minimum Age Requirement	21
Estimated Price Per Day	1,200 – 2,500 THB
Minimum Rental Period	1 day
Deposit	10,000 THB
Cash Acceptance	No
Debit Card Acceptance	No
Weekly Rent Estimated Discount	16%
Monthly Rent Estimated Discount	35%
Contact Number	+6622664666
Office Locations	Most parts of Thailand
LDW/CDW Excess Amounts	2,000 – 10,000 THB
Super Collision Damage Waiver	200 – 500 THB a day
Personal Accident Insurance	160 THB a day
Theft Protection	Included in SCDW
Excess for Total Loss	30,000 THB
GPS	214 THB a day
Child Seat	321 THB a day
Out of Hours Charge	Fixed cost at 1,000 THB
Additional Driver Charge	No
Delivery Pickup/Return	Free within 15 km
Grace Period	1/4 of daily rate applied per hour

Hertz has one of the largest selections of vehicles in Thailand.

Drivers looking for newer models of rental cars from Honda and Toyota can be certain that Hertz carries them.

This is one of the most popular and experienced car rental companies in the world. Expect to get similar standards as Hertz locations in other countries.

Similar to Sixt, Hertz provides Toyota and Honda cars as its two main car companies. They also offer ORA Good Cat under their electric vehicle options.

Also, the 10,000 baht deposit is around two times lower than their international competitors.

Average daily prices are higher than average, but Hertz has deals for long-term renters, providing a 15% discount for weekly rentals and 35% for month rentals.

Hertz also offers free delivery service within a 15-kilometer radius from all of its Thailand offices.

Hertz charges a quarter of their daily rates for every hour you return the car late.

Hertz is also a partner of Thai Airways and Bangkok Airways. They offer discount and loyalty points when you use their service while flying with these airlines. They will also frequently have promotions with Thai credit card companies to offer up to 30% off rentals.

Avis

Minimum Age Requirement	21
Estimated Price Per Day	800 – 1,600 THB
Minimum Rental Period	1
Deposit	20,000 THB
Cash Acceptance	No
Debit Card Acceptance	No
Weekly Rent Estimated Discount	–
Monthly Rent Estimated Discount	30%
Contact Number	+662255300-4
Office Locations	Most parts of Thailand
LDW/CDW Excess Amounts	8,000 – 15,000 THB
Super Collision Damage Waiver	300 – 500 THB a day
Personal Accident Insurance	128 THB a day
Theft Protection	300 – 500 THB a day
Excess for Total Loss	8,000 – 15,000 THB
GPS	N/A
Child Seat	170 THB a day
Out of Hours Charge	300 THB per hour
Additional Driver Charge	170 THB a day
Delivery Pickup/Return	Free for long-term rentals
Grace Period	4 hours

Avis is another leading international car rental company that has offices in Bangkok, Pattaya, Hua Hin, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Samui, Krabi, and Hat Yai.

The company offers a full range of vehicles for customers to choose from.

Avis daily rates are some of the lowest for their standard vehicles. They also offer up to 50% discounts with a valid boarding pass from Thai Airways, Bangkok Airways, Nok Air, and Thai AirAsia.  

However, some rental cars might be in poor condition. Inspect the rental car before signing the contract.

The long-term rental option is a good deal for expats who plan on spending at least a month or even years in Thailand but don’t want to buy a car. 

The monthly price to rent a Toyota Yaris or Toyota Vios starts around 13,000 baht a month. 

The company also offers limousine and other first rate services. And their car rental contract is clear and straightforward.

Avis fleets consist of vehicles from Honda and Toyota, ranging from economy to mid-size cars and from trucks to vans.

Although Avis charges for extras such as an additional driver, theft protection insurance, and baby seats, they offer a free grace period of four hours and one-time free reservation modification. 

In addition, a long-term renter can enjoy their free delivery and pickup service within 30 kilometers of one of their offices when you rent for at least five days.

Europcar

Minimum Age Requirement	21
Estimated Price Per Day	1300 – 5,000 THB
Minimum Rental Period	1 day
Deposit	12,000 THB
Cash Acceptance	No
Debit Card Acceptance	No
Weekly Rent Estimated Discount	–
Monthly Rent Estimated Discount	–
Contact Number	+6622030740
Office Locations	Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Phuket
LDW/CDW Excess Amounts	15,000 THB
Super Collision Damage Waiver	450 THB a day
Personal Accident Insurance	160 THB a day
Theft Protection	160 THB a day
Excess for Total Loss	15,000 THB
GPS	400 THB a day
Child Seat	500 THB a day
Out of Hours Charge	N/A
Additional Driver Charge	214 THB a day
Delivery Pickup/Return	No
Grace Period	30 minutes

Europcar has been in business for more than 60 years and expanded into Thailand in 2015.

With more than 3,700 different locations around the world, Europcar is now the largest car rental company on the planet.

Average prices are normally higher than average, but they offer several extras, including an additional driver, child seats, navigation system, and insurance.

The company has offices in Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Krabi, Samui, and Khon Kaen. 

Europcar carries a variety of cars from Nissan, Mitsubishi, Toyota, and Honda with choices of sedans and family cars.

Europcar has the most expensive car insurance cost of all. They have the highest excess at 15,000 baht per accident unless you buy SCDW for 300 baht a day.

Currently, KTC, Kasikorn, and Standard Chartered credit card members can save an additional 20% when booking a car from Europcar 48 hours in advance.

Other promotions are geared toward tourists who are flying to Thailand through its airline partners.

Budget

Minimum Age Requirement	21
Estimated Price Per Day	1,000 – 2,000 THB
Minimum Rental Period	1
Deposit	20,000 THB
Cash Acceptance	No
Debit Card Acceptance	No
Weekly Rent Estimated Discount	–
Monthly Rent Estimated Discount	20%
Contact Number	+6622039222
Office Locations	Most parts of Thailand
LDW/CDW Excess Amounts	10,000 – 20,000 THB
Super Collision Damage Waiver	199 – 289 THB a day
Personal Accident Insurance	Included in SCDW
Theft Protection	69 – 99 THB a day
Excess for Total Loss	10,000 – 20,000 THB
GPS	200 THB a day
Child Seat	200 THB a day
Out of Hours Charge	No
Additional Driver Charge	200 THB a day
Delivery Pickup/Return	Free within 3 km
Grace Period	59 minutes. ⅓ daily rate applied for every extra hour.

As the name suggests, Budget specializes in providing low-cost rental vehicles and boasts several different branches in Thailand.

The company has 33 locations throughout Thailand and they’ve established a strong reputation for quality service and well-maintained cars.

Budget also updates their range of cars, SUVs, mini vans, and trucks, while delivering friendly service.

Honda and Toyota are the two main fleets of Budget.

Budget has eight models starting from economic cars like Toyota Yaris to higher-end models like Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Toyota Fortuner, Isuzu Dmax, and vans.

Budget vehicles are usually in good condition since they promise to use only the latest models and replace their fleet every two years.

Budget also offers a free delivery service within three kilometers of their offices.

Budget doesn’t charge for out-of-hour operations, making it a good choice for those who fly at night or early in the morning.

ATA Car Rental

Minimum Age Requirement	21
Estimated Price Per Day	1,000 THB
Minimum Rental Period	7
Deposit	5,000 – 10,000 THB
Cash Acceptance	Yes
Debit Card Acceptance	No
Weekly Rent Estimated Discount	–
Monthly Rent Estimated Discount	35%
Contact Number	+6627443180
Office Locations	Bangkok
LDW/CDW Excess Amounts	Free of charge
Super Collision Damage Waiver	Free of charge
Personal Accident Insurance	Not provided
Theft Protection	Included in LDW/CDW
Excess for Total Loss	Free of charge
GPS	Free of charge
Child Seat	200 THB
Out of Hours Charge	Negotiable
Additional Driver Charge	No
Delivery Pickup/Return	Free within Bangkok area
Grace Period	Negotiable

Unlike other international car rental companies, ATa Car Rental is a small company with family-minded service.

They aim to serve only long-term clients who plan to rent a car for months or years. ATa requires a minimum 1 month rental. 

Prices range from 14,000 baht per month for a Toyota Altis to 25,000 baht per month for a Ford Everest.

The best part of ATa Car Rental is that the rental price includes unlimited mileage, insurance, booster seats, and other free features. You don’t have to pay more in addition to the rental price.

ATa Rental offers free delivery and pickup services in Bangkok and airport transfers.

They provide additional limousine and driver services for those who don’t want to drive.

ATa Car Rental only accepts cash in some cases and wire transfers.

Van Rentals with a Driver

If you want to rent a van with a driver, you need to look elsewhere because most car rental companies don’t offer this option. 

In Thailand, a van rental with a driver is usually provided by an individual who purchases a van of their own and provides this service. So, the driver is also the owner of the van in many cases.

It costs around THB2,000 to THB3,000 per day to rent a van with a driver, excluding fuel and tolls. In total, eight to 10 people can fit in the van. 

Although it’s not necessary, you should also pay for the driver’s accommodations if you’re taking an overnight trip. This is to make sure that your driver is well rested so that he or she can drive safely. When it comes to meals, it’s also common in Thailand to provide food for your driver. 

The easiest way to find a van rental with a driver is to use a travel website such as Klook. You can choose your initial destination on the website, but you can then tell your driver to stop anywhere during the trip.

Popular Provinces

Let’s take a look at where you can rent a car in Thailand’s more popular provinces. 

Bangkok

Although you can rent a car from any car rental company mentioned in this article in Bangkok, it’s not a good idea to rent a car and drive in the city.

It’s a real challenge to drive in Bangkok, especially when you’re new to the country. Traffic can be a nightmare, roads can be hard to navigate, and some drivers don’t follow traffic rules.

In addition to that, many popular attractions in Bangkok don’t have sufficient parking lots. 

Therefore, it’s much more convenient to take public transportation, whether that’s a taxi, MRT, or BTS.

The exception is when you want to drive to a nearby province such as Chonburi (home to Pattaya City), Ayutthaya, or Nakhon Nayok. 

In this case, the most convenient way to rent a car is at the airport. All major car rental companies in Thailand allow you to pick up and drop off rental cars at both Suvarnabhumi Airport and Don Mueang Airport. 

Phuket

It’s highly recommended to rent a car in Phuket. It won’t only allow you to explore all of the island, but you can even save money on taxi fares, which tend to be very expensive in the province. 

In fact, a one-way airport transfer in Phuket could cost just as much as renting a car for the day. 

You have plenty of car rental options in Phuket. All major car rental companies in this article have branches on the island. There’s also a company that’s dedicated to jeeps rental if you want to go off-roading. 

One thing you need to be careful of when driving in Phuket is that roads can be small and steep in certain areas because of the mountainous terrain. 

Chiang Mai

You have fewer car rental options in Chiang Mai than in Phuket or Bangkok. Still, all major car rental companies have branches in the province. And Chiang Mai has more local companies than the two aforementioned provinces. 

These local companies tend to be cheaper. For example, you can rent a car from T Carrent Chaing Mai from THB700 per day. It has a decent selection of cars and accepts cash. You will need to contact them via Facebook for a booking.

In some cases, customer service at these local companies might also be better than the service you’d receive at international companies.

Pattaya

Similar to Phuket, we recommend renting a car to get around Pattaya and visit different beaches and restaurants, as Grab and taxis are limited and expensive. 

If you plan to spend most of your time in Pattaya City near Walking Street, then you may not need to rent a car. There are many tuk-tuks and songthaews (red trucks) available in the area. 

Pattaya Rent a Car is the popular local car rental company in Pattaya for both cars and motorbikes. They offer free delivery within Pattaya and accept cash or debit cards. 

Hua Hin

If you plan to visit a few attractions in Hua Hin, you should rent a car. Although Grab and taxis are more reasonably priced in Hua Hin than Pattaya, attractions are quite far apart from each other, so it would be more time and cost-effective to rent a car. 

There are quite a few rental companies to choose from, including Budget, Hertz, and Chic Car. The cost of renting a car in Hua Hin is the same as renting one in Bangkok with these companies.

Koh Samui

Most people who visit Samui don’t need a car because they spend most of their time at the hotel or resort or on a tour that includes transportation.

But if you want to explore Samui on your own, you’ll need to take a car or scooter because taxis and public transportation are very limited and pricey. 

Even though there are local rental companies on the island, it’s best to go with a larger company like Hertz, Budget, or Avis to make sure everything goes smoothly and there are no hidden costs. 

You can also ask your hotel to help you rent or hire a car during your time on Koh Samui. 

Krabi

Krabi is a larger island, so renting a car would be useful to explore all the beaches, national parks, and surrounding areas. 

Driving around Krabi is also easy; most signs are available in both English and Thai. 

All major rental companies operate from Krabi Airport. Prices are quite different among the companies, so we recommended using comparison portals to get the best rental deal.

Finding Budget Options

If you’re looking for the best possible deal on car rentals in Thailand, you should carefully weigh your options.

Comparison portals provide a fast and effective way to offer side-by-side comparisons of the costs of rental cars, the vehicles offered, and other important factors.

Comparison portals are industry professionals who secure the best deals.

These portals pass on the savings to visitors of their sites.

The deals available to industry connections are much better than those that can be secured by individuals.

In addition, comparison portals provide a one-stop service to prospective renters.

On the other hand, individual car rental companies often offer special limited time offers as well as deals and discounts that you can’t find elsewhere.

Like airlines and hotels, many international car rental companies offer rewards for frequent customers, which are designed to entice repeat business and loyalty.

Using a car rental comparison portal is a good way to get an idea of the best and most affordable options.

Comparison portals display user ratings and let visitors to these sites gain insight into the kind of service they’re likely to get.

This differs from the mostly positive reviews that you find on the sites of individual car rental companies.

Here are some of the recommended comparison portals that can be used for renting a car in Thailand.

Discover Cars

Discover Cars provides a dedicated car rental page, and allows visitors of the site to see many options at a glance.

In addition to international car rental companies, Discover Cars makes it easy for visitors to book their car with local car rental companies.

A listing of the various cities in Thailand where car rentals are available is provided at the top of the site.

Simply click on the city of your choice to be taken to the relevant page, where you can submit your pick up and drop off dates, receive a quote, and book your rental.

Discover Cars presents a very comprehensive table of what each car rental company in the specified location offers, like:

• the specific address of the office
• whether delivery to another address is possible
• whether or not tax is included
• the types of insurance included

Rentalcars

Rentalcars covers local and international car rental companies in Thailand like Thai Rent a Car, Chic Car Rent, Avis, Hertz, Budget, and Sixt.

This site has features that ensure you have everything you need to find the cheapest option.

Select the dates and location for your car rental and the website lists cars from the cheapest to most expensive, along with average prices for car rental companies.

Listings offer details on the make and model of the available car, customer reviews, insurance, fuel policy, and other special offers.

Rentalcars also offers its own full protection service for an additional fee.

This covers you in full for damage to windows, mirrors, wheels and tires, administration and breakdown charges, and theft.

But it’s usually not necessary and comes at 100 baht more than the Super Collision Damage Waiver insurance that rental companies provide.

RentalCarGroup

RentalCarGroup provides details of international car rental companies in Thailand like Hertz, Europcar, Thrifty, Enterprise, Avis, Sixt, and Budget.

The site also comes with reviews and ratings from customers as well as important facts for driving in Thailand.

Visitors to the site can choose to rent a car from one of Thailand’s international or domestic airports or any major city.

After the desired city is selected, the car rental dates and the type of vehicle, a comprehensive list of options are presented, suitable to all styles and budgets.

Skyscanner

Skyscanner is known for its price comparison services for flights. But it also functions as a car rental comparison site.

You can use Skyscanner to compare car rental company prices found in comparison portals like Rental Car Group, so you can select the best option.

This makes Skyscanner a good option for people focused on price, not location.

Skyscanner offers a number of different ways to search and filter your preferences, such as by reservation sites, car types and classes, and pickup policies.

But renting a car from Skyscanner requires additional steps since the reservation needs to be completed on external sites.

Luxury Car Rentals

If you prefer driving in style in one of your dream cars, Thailand has a few luxury car rentals for you to try out. Many people also rent these cars for special occasions such as weddings or photoshoots. 

The majority of these luxury cars are only available in Bangkok. The available makes are usually Mercedes, BMW, Audi, Porsche, Lamborghini, and Ferrari. 

Here are some recommended luxury car rental companies and average costs.  

Luxury Car Rental Companies

You can find some luxury options such as Mercedes and BMW at car rental places such as Sixt or Bizcar. However, they only offer one or two models at most and are usually base models.

If you’re looking for more variety, check out local or private-owned car rental companies. 

Exclusive Car Rentals and Prime Car Rentals offer a wide variety of luxury sedans and SUVs, Mercedes, BMWs, and Toyota Alphard vans. Prime Car also rents out higher-end cars such as Porsches and Ferraris. 

Thai Sports Car, Rich Cars, and Prime Car Rentals are the more popular luxury car rental companies for exotic sports cars and supercars in Bangkok. 

It lists available cars as well as prices and even descriptions of each supercar detailing the engineer power, acceleration, and year. These cars usually have special features such as parking assist, sunroofs, upgraded sound systems, and more.  

Requirements

To rent these vehicles, you must be at least 21 years old and have a valid Thai driver’s license or international driver’s license. Some companies may request driving experience with supercars, particularly luxury models. 

To rent the vehicle, you must submit a copy of your ID and driver’s license via email or Line app. After confirmation, you can schedule a time to pick up or have it delivered (free within Bangkok). 

You can also visit a car rental location and request a test drive before committing to a rental.

All these cars will come with first class insurance included in the rental cost. 

Costs

In addition to comfort and style, many people rent luxury cars because it can be more cost-effective than purchasing a multi million-baht vehicle with expensive maintenance costs. 

Besides the rental fee, you must pay a reservation fee upon booking confirmation and a refundable deposit fee when you pick up the vehicle.

Depending on the model, luxury sedans such as Mercedes, BMWs, and Mini Coopers cost between THB7,500 THB and THB15,000 per day. The deposit fee is roughly THB15,000. 

Supercar sedans and convertibles by Porsche, Maserati, and Audi can be rented for between THB15,000 and THB40,000 per day. Deposit fees can cost as much as THB50,000. 

Lastly, the current daily rate for renting a Ferrari or Lamborghini is THB125,000. Generally, deposit fees are THB100,000. 

Car Insurance

When renting a car in Thailand, insurance is something you shouldn’t overlook. Here are a few ways to get coverage for your rental car in Thailand.

Car Rental Companies

Before signing a car rental contract and driving away from the car rental office, make sure that you and the vehicle are insured in case of an emergency.

Things could go wrong while renting a car in Thailand. Potential hazards include accidents, theft, or breakdown.

If you rent from local car rental companies, cars tend to come with basic insurance.

Only a few car rental companies provide premium insurance, giving you full protection in case of accidents and theft.

If car rental companies only offer basic insurance, you might want to take out additional insurance to fully cover you, the car, and your passengers.

There are many different types of insurance to choose from. Here are the main types.

Related Articles: Car Insurance in Thailand: A Complete Buying Guide

Compulsory Third-Party Liability Insurance

This type of insurance, known as ‘por ror bor’ in Thai, is always included in car rental contracts as it comes under the Road Protection Act.

This provides special limited injury and death coverage to anyone who is injured or killed in an accident.

This insurance is free and comes with a coverage of 80,000 baht for medical expenses and 300,000 baht for loss of life.

Personal Accident Insurance

This type of insurance is usually an add-on that covers you and your passengers in case of:

• accidental death
• dismemberment
• permanent disability
• loss of sight
• medical expenses incurred while in the rental vehicle

You can also opt for the personal accident and effects policy, which covers your belongings if they’re damaged or broken in an accident.

Personal accident insurance usually isn’t provided by local rental companies in Thailand since they tend to rely on compulsory third-party liability insurance.

Collision Damage Waiver

This insurance is usually included in the rental rates offered by car rental companies and reduces your financial responsibility if the car is damaged.

However, the amount of coverage and excess can vary dramatically, so it’s important to check the amount of coverage offered before renting a car.

Super Collision Damage Waiver

This type of insurance is useful and lets you waive an excess in case you have an accident.

You can buy a Super Collision Damage Waiver when renting a car. This reduces the amount you need to pay if the rental car is damaged or totaled.

Theft Protection

This type of insurance covers you in full if the rental car is stolen, making it a good option in case you need to leave the car in a dangerous area.

Collision Damage Waiver or Super Collision Damage Waiver usually comes with theft protection.

But you may need to pay an excess of 30,000 to 50,000 baht if the car is stolen.As of 2020, the private car-theft rate in Thailand is 1.6 cases per 100,000 population.

Vehicle Loss and Damage

Drivers with this type of insurance aren’t held responsible for loss of the rental car or damage caused by acts of God, such as earthquakes, tsunamis, or fire.

However, very few rental car companies offer this insurance in Thailand.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance may also come with rental car coverage, too.For example, an Explorer Plan from World Nomads comes with rental car excess and rental car key replacement coverage.

Many other travel insurance companies like TravelSafe, Travel Guard, and RoamRight cover car rentals too.

It’s a good idea to read the fine print and check if rental car coverage is included, and what kind of coverage you get with your travel insurance. And if it isn’t included, ask for it.

Related Article: How to Pick the Best Travel Insurance for Your Thailand Trip 

Credit Card Companies

Some credit card companies offer rental coverage if you pay for the rental using their credit card.

This can save you the cost and hassle of opting for insurance from the car rental company.

The terms and deals available can vary between credit cards. It’s a good idea to do a little research in advance to make sure that you’re under coverage.

Most credit cards that provide car rental coverage offer Collision Damage Waiver.

These are the most important aspects of car rental insurance policies as they cover you if a rental is damaged in an accident or stolen.

In some cases, higher premium credit cards offer a few extra types of car insurance, although this is quite rare.

The credit card car rental insurance doesn’t cover third-party drivers or medical expenses from an accident.

And anyone who is discovered to have been driving under the influence when the rental car is damaged can’t make a claim.

Restrictions and Usual Policies

If you want to take advantage of the car rental coverage offered by your credit card, you need to follow certain provisions.

First, you must use your credit card to pay in full for the car rental.

Second, you must be the person renting and driving the car, and your name must be on the car rental contract.

Third, for the credit card’s car rental insurance to apply, you must decline the Collision Damage Waiver or Loss Damage Waiver offered by the rental company.

Many insurers refuse coverage in Northern Ireland, Israel, Jamaica, New Zealand, and Australia.

Some of the credit cards that don’t come with country restrictions include Citi, Discover, Diners Club, MasterCard World, and Chase.

Only standard cars are usually covered by credit card companies.

Some credit card companies only offer car rental coverage for periods of 15 consecutive days or less. Others offer consecutive car rental for up to 31 days.

Discover and Mastercard both offer 31 days of car rental coverage, while Visa offers 31 days of consecutive coverage if you rent a vehicle outside of your country.

If you rent a car for a long time, you may find that American Express is a good choice. They offer standard 30-day car rental coverage.

You can also get 42 days of coverage if you have American Express’s premium program. But very few car rental companies in Thailand take American Express.

How to Make a Claim

If you need to make an insurance claim with your credit card company, you can do so either by phone or in writing.

Your claim needs to be verified by a member of the car rental team as well as Thailand’s local police.

Depending on the terms and conditions specific to your credit card company, you usually have to pay for damages to the rental car first.

Then you get either partial or full reimbursement within 30 days of making the claim.

Using the car rental coverage offered by a credit card company or taking out extra insurance from car rental companies depends on your needs.

Read all of the small print on insurance documents and see to it that there are no limitations that would prevent you from making a claim in case of an accident.

Opting for the Collision Damage Waiver or Loss Damage Waiver coverage offered by car rental companies offers extra peace of mind and makes filing a claim easier.

The only downside is that this peace of mind comes at a price that some motorists may prefer not to pay.

Do I Need to Purchase Extra Rental Insurance?

Check in advance the amount of insurance, including the excess fee, that your credit card company gives you to make sure that you’re fully covered.

In many cases, credit cards offer full coverage, which means that no extra insurance is needed.

But if your credit card company offers partial coverage, you need to pay the balance for damages or theft and may be stuck with a hefty fee if things go wrong.

Check the fine print carefully and determine if you’re fully protected by your credit card’s car rental coverage.

Complying with Insurance Terms and Conditions

If you must make a claim for damages, injury, theft, or break down, make sure that you have complied with the terms and conditions and provide proof if necessary.

Anyone making a claim with car insurance companies must be the authorized driver and must not let more passengers ride in the car than there are seat belts.

You must also stick to well-maintained roads at all times.

If the vehicle is lost or stolen, the doors and windows must’ve been locked and the car must’ve been in a safe place in order to be covered.

Now, on to You

If you’re still not sure where to start, head over to the car rental comparison site Discover Cars.

Happycar helps you narrow down your searches for car rentals, making it easier to find the perfect car for your needs at the best rate available.