How to find a cheap car hire deal in East London (ELS)
Flight just landed? Pick up a cheap East London rental car and get on your way for around $179 a day. From solo getaways to family escapes, we'll match you with a rental that works for you.
$27 is the cheapest daily price for a rental at East London.
Taking a longer break? Pick up a weekly rental from $187 and squeeze in a few road trips from East London.
To land the cheapest price, book your ELS car hire around three weeks in advance.
U-Save, Green Motion and First - Car Hire are the most popular providers at East London.
Whether you book with U-Save or another supplier, make sure you understand the coverage on your East London car hire. Some companies include a collision damage waiver (CDW), while others treat it as an add-on.
Consider booking a one-way rental. You might be able to pick up a bargain if the provider needs to move its fleet around. Discover the best available rates for a car for hire in ELS by clicking 'Return car to a different location.'
Avoid those steep refueling fees by booking a car hire in East London with a 'Fair fuel policy.' Start and end your trip with a full tank, and pay only for what you use.
Hit the road without watching the miles and racking up extra fees. Go to the 'Policies' filter and click 'Unlimited mileage' to find a ride that lets you explore without limits.
Best value car hire options right now
The best value for money comes from this company, with average prices at $99 a day.
Offering daily rates of around $82, this provider takes the runner-up spot.
The third option also claims a spot among the most affordable suppliers. Cruise away in one of their rentals for roughly $137 a day.
If you're unsure what kind of wheels you need, consider something from the Large rental category. It's the most frequently booked type of car at ELS.
Compare car hire types from East London (ELS)
Small: Including classes like mini and economy, this cheap East London rental car is all about getting you on the road for less. These agile, fuel-efficient rides are ideal for city driving and short trips.
Medium: Choose from compact and intermediate cars that combine comfort, fuel efficiency and space. Easy to handle in traffic and roomy enough for longer drives, they work well for most plans.
Large: Offering a more comfortable driving experience and enhanced tech features, this ELS car hire option includes full-size cars. With larger back seats and plenty of storage space, they let you load up and take everyone, and everything, with ease.
SUV: When the urge to explore hits, an SUV's all in. It's your perfect road trip buddy, ready for highways, backroads, and everything in between. These sports utility vehicles also offer extra space and advanced safety features.
Van: If you need a car for rent in East London that fits a small crowd (and all their stuff), a van is the roomy solution. Including commercial vans and trucks, they're just the thing for group excursions, business use or moving.
Insurance and optional extras
Excess insurance covers what you'd otherwise have to pay if your ELS 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 equal, so make sure you understand exactly what's offered.
Make driving easier when you rent a car in East London by adding some nifty extras. Think things like a navigation system to make sure you never miss a turn, or reverse cameras that upgrade your parking game.
Good to know
Check each company's age requirements before booking your rental in South Africa. Rules can vary, and extra charges or restrictions may apply if you're a younger driver. At the start of your search, uncheck the 'Driver aged between 25–70' box and enter your age to explore your options.
Add a car seat to your ELS car rental reservation if you're travelling with small kids. Requirements change from one place to another, but using a child seat suited to their size, age and weight is always the safest approach.
You'll need to hand over a few things when picking up your rental car: an official driver's licence, another form of photo ID, and a credit card with room to cover the excess. Debit cards usually aren't accepted. Your booking will show the full list of what's required.
Driving in South Africa can seem unfamiliar if it's your first time. Keep in mind you'll need to stick to the left side of the road.
Follow the local speed limits. In general that's around 55kph in built-up areas and 110kph or so on highways, unless signed otherwise.
In South Africa, the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit is 0.05%. If you're planning to drink, leave the driving to someone else or find a safe alternative way to get around.
The South African rand (ZAR) is the currency you'll be using for general expenses and outings. Use cards where you can, but have some cash ready when electronic payments aren't an option.
Drive smarter from the start
Wave goodbye to arrivals and hello to adventure once you've picked up your ELS car hire. Central East London is about 5 kilometres to the north if that's the direction you're heading.
Allow roughly 20 minutes to get from East London to the city centre during peak travel times.
One of the busiest times to be on the road in this destination is around 7am. Make driving smoother by avoiding rush hours in general.
Don't need a set of wheels right after landing? Consider grabbing a car hire in East London instead of at the airport. That way, you won't be paying for days you don't use.
Hit the road: Where to drive from East London (ELS)
Before leaving town, do some sightseeing around East London first. Highlights such as Orient Beach and Nahoon Reef are a perfect start to your adventure.
Stutterheim is about 64 kilometres northwest of ELS and should be somewhere on your radar. Stationary Engine Museum is reason enough to go.
Or pick up your East London car hire and go straight to Butterworth. Roughly 80 kilometres north of the airport, Nongqawuse Pool is a major highlight around here.
Still got fuel in the tank? Take off to Queenstown, around 153 kilometres northwest of ELS. From Queenstown and Frontier Museum to Queenstown Railway Graveyard, it's the perfect finale to your trip.
