Car hire in Umtata, South Africa

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Choose from 13 pick-up spots

When's the cheapest time to hire a car in Umtata?

Our data shows that September is the cheapest month to rent a car in Umtata. It’s around $26 per day in September, compared to the yearly average of $41 per day.
Cheapest month avgSeptember • $26
Yearly avg price$41

Select your Umtata pick-up location

There are 13 car hire providers in Umtata. Check out the map below to find the most convenient pick-up spot.

Car hire pick-up spots in Umtata

Compare car hire prices at airports, train stations and in different neighbourhoods across Umtata. You might find a better price, or the perfect pick-up point nearby. Start your journey where it suits you.
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These are estimated prices to help you choose from a large number of options. Each is an average based on the lowest car rental prices found for each destination over the last 15 days.

The most popular car rental companies in Umtata

Firefly powered by Hertz
Europcar
H-Lead
Keddy By Europcar
Green Motion
Firefly

What's the most popular car to hire in Umtata?

Based on recent Skyscanner data, the Volkswagen Polo is the most popular car to hire in Umtata, with prices starting from $44 per day. The Hyundai i10 and similar models are also popular drives in Umtata.
Volkswagen Polo
Volkswagen Polo30% chose this
Hyundai i10
Hyundai i1012% chose this
Suzuki Swift
Suzuki Swift8% chose this
Toyota Corolla
Toyota Corolla6% chose this
Most popular carVolkswagen Polo
Why?Small, practical, easy to park

Umtata's cheapest car hire providers

Sixt has the cheapest car hire in Umtata right now, with prices from $44 per day. You'll save an average of $30 per day when you book with them.
Sixtfrom $44 per day
U-Savefrom $46 per day
First - Car Rentalfrom $72 per day
Green Motionfrom $105 per day
Cheapest providerSixt
Book with them to save around$30 per day

Hiring a car in Umtata: Fast facts

Here's everything you need to know to hit the road happy.
Most popular car hire companyFirefly powered by Hertz
Most popular carCompact, SUV
Average daily price$114
Best time to book2 weeks before

How to book the best car rental deals in Umtata

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 Umtata car rental search.

How to find a cheap car hire deal in Umtata

  • Need a cheap rental car in Umtata? With an average price of $114 a day, you're headed for some big savings. Whether you're wanting a compact ride, a spacious family car, or something else entirely, we round up all the top deals to help you spend less.

  • The cheapest daily rental price in Umtata is $44.

  • Planning an extended stay and want to explore beyond the usual highlights? $304 is the best rate for a weekly rental.

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

  • Check out the offers available with Green Motion, Firefly powered by Hertz and Budget. They're among the top-rated providers in the city.

  • The coverage Green Motion or another company offers for your Umtata car hire can differ, so be sure to go over the fine print. While some include a collision damage waiver (CDW), others will charge a fee for it.

  • Consider booking a one-way rental. You might be able to land a good deal if the provider needs to move cars between branches. Find the best available rates by selecting 'Return car to a different location.'

  • Avoid any unexpected fees by booking a ride with a 'Fair fuel policy.' Start your journey with a full tank and return it the same, paying only for what you use.

  • Hit the road without tracking every mile and racking up additional charges. Go to the 'Policies' filter and click 'Unlimited mileage' to find a ride that lets you drive as far as you want.

Best value car hire options right now

  • You get the best value with this company, with average prices at $82 a day.

  • Offering daily rates of around $94, [this provider](this provider) comes in next.

  • The third option also makes the list of budget-friendly suppliers. Cruise away in one of their rentals for roughly $95 a day.

  • After a car that works for most trips? The Compact rental category ranks as the top pick for travellers visiting Umtata.

Flying to Umtata? Think about an airport pick-up

  • Keep arrival day hassle-free by booking a car hire at Umtata Airport. If you're flying to Umtata through this airport, simply pick up your wheels after landing and get moving. The drive to the city centre is about 18 kilometres and takes around 20 minutes.

Compare car hire types in Umtata

  • Small: These cheap rental cars in Umtata may be small in size, but they live up to big expectations. Including mini and economy vehicles, they're agile, light on fuel, and just the thing for city driving.

  • Medium: Not too big, not too small, this is the Goldilocks of rentals! Typically including compact and intermediate cars, they offer a mix of fuel efficiency and interior space and are suited to small families and couples.

  • Large: Offering greater driving comfort and extra tech features, this Umtata car hire category includes full-size cars. With roomier rear seats and ample storage space, they let you load up and transport everyone, and everything, with ease.

  • SUV: When wanderlust strikes, an SUV goes wherever you do. It's your perfect road trip buddy, ready for highways, backroads, and everything in between. These sports utility vehicles also promise extra space and advanced safety features.

  • Van: If you're searching for a car for rent in Umtata that can handle a small crowd (and all their stuff), a van has space to spare. Including commercial vans and trucks, they're best suited for group trips, business use or moving.

Insurance and optional extras

  • Adding excess insurance to your Umtata car hire offers peace of mind. It protects you from paying a big excess fee in case of a collision or theft. Insurance policies can differ from one provider to another, so give them a quick comparison.

  • Make your trip smoother when you rent a car in Umtata by adding a few handy extras. Think things like a GPS unit to keep you headed the right way, or reverse cameras that make parking feel effortless.

Good to know

  • Age requirements vary by supplier and even car type, so know the rules before you book. Some companies in South Africa may rent to younger drivers for an additional fee. If you're outside the typical age range, just uncheck 'Driver aged between 25–70' and then enter how old you are to browse your options.

  • Kids coming with you? Car seat rules vary depending on where you are, and the correct setup may depend on their weight, height and age. Confirm whether you need to add one to your Umtata car rental reservation.

  • You'll need to bring a few things when picking up your rental car: a current driver's licence, extra photo ID, and a credit card to cover the deposit amount. Debit cards are generally not accepted. Any other requirements will be listed in your booking.

  • For first-time drivers in South Africa, be aware that traffic here sticks to the left side of the road.

  • Local speed limits can vary, but it's usually around 55kph in urban areas and 110kph or so on highways. Always obey the road signs.

  • In South Africa, the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit is 0.05%. If you expect to drink, hand the keys to someone else or take another form of transport.

  • One of the busiest times to be out on the roads in this destination is around 7am. Make driving smoother by avoiding rush hours in general.

  • The South African rand (ZAR) is the currency you'll be using for everyday purchases and activities. Use cards where you can, but have some cash ready when electronic payments aren't accepted.

Best hotels in Umtata for drivers

  • Offering parking, Garden Court Mthatha takes the stress out of finding a place for your car. This hotel is about 3 kilometres from central Umtata and also comes with a laundry and express check-in.

  • Hotel Savoy and Conference Centre is another good fit if your plans involve plenty of exploring. It features parking, along with luggage storage and a squash court. Check in here and you'll be roughly 2 kilometres from the city centre.

  • Explore the full lineup of hotels in Umtata and choose the stay that suits your travel style. Filters make it easy to tailor your search to what you need — like 'Parking,' 'Outdoor parking,' or 'Valet parking.' There's even an 'Electric vehicle (EV) charging station' filter to find hotels with charging access.

  • After you've found a car hire deal in Umtata and the right hotel, it's time to plan where to go first. Nelson Mandela Museum, Nduli Nature Reserve and Hluleka Nature Reserve are a classic introduction to the city.

Frequently asked questions

On average, hiring a car in Umtata will set you back around $114 per day or $530 per week. 

The cheapest car to rent in Umtata is an economy crossover (similar to SUVs). The most popular is Compact, SUV.

The cheapest car hire companies in Umtata are currently Green Motion and U-Save.

Bagging the best car hire deal depends on when you book  – often, it pays to book your wheels as far in advance as possible. But according to our data, the cheapest month to rent a car in Umtata is currently September.

On average, around $530. But the best price we found for car hire for a week in Umtata is $304.

Based on everything we know about daily prices, the average cost to hire a car in Umtata for a whole month is $2,675. 

But sometimes, you'll get a discount for booking a whole month instead of 3 and a half weeks. So play with your dates to find the best deals!

If you're looking for freedom to explore Umtata, 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 Umtata 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 Umtata.

Most places – Umtata 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 $46 per day. The average price per day is around $111.

Of course. Most major car hire companies like Firefly powered by Hertz, Europcar and H-Lead offer baby and child seats as an add-on when you book.

Other travellers rated Firefly powered by Hertz 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 Umtata.