Budget Car Rental Companies in Cape Town

A selection of reliable, cheap car hire agents in the Mother City

Last updated: Thursday, 22 August 2024

Cape Town is a great place to visit thanks to its cultural heritage, breathtaking scenery, adventure culture and major attractions, such as Table Mountain and Cape Point. That’s why the city summons all sorts of crowds, from those with a big budget to those with a small budget.

Regardless of how much you have to spend though, rental cars; with their deposit fees, additional driver add-ons, drop-off and collection fees and excess insurance charges, are often quite a pricey outlay that can compromise a fair chunk of your cash.

Luckily, we’ve compiled a list of car rental agents that won’t break the bank and that will keep you safe and sound for your entire stay. Whether you’re on a family holiday and looking for a safe, economical minivan or whether you’re an intern in Cape Town on a budget looking for a vintage Beetle rental to get you around town, there’s something to fit everyone’s fancy.

BEST BUDGET CAR RENTAL COMPANIES IN CAPE TOWN

EXPERTS FOR OVER 30 YEARS

AroundAboutCars has been in the business for over 30 years. They offer unlimited kilometres, fully-inclusive rates with no hidden costs, 24-hour emergency service and there are 40 affiliated branches nationwide. See when it’s cheapest to hire a car and the special rates at AroundAboutCars.

Hours: Monday to Friday, 7.30am to 5pm, Saturday & Sunday, 8am to 1pm

20 Bloem Street | Schotsche Kloof | Cape Town City Centre (nationwide service) | @aroundaboutcars | Image: Unsplash

FOUR SEASONS CAR RENTAL

Operating all over South Africa, this boutique company prides itself on providing a range of reliable, well-maintained cars. Whether it is a luxury vehicle you are looking for or you have your heart set on a 4X4 that can handle any terrain, this car rental company will keep you going during your time in the Mother City. Their no fuss, no hidden costs policy makes 4 Seasons the ideal choice for travellers who want to organize their trips with ease. The insurance is included in the rental fare and comes with free 24-hour roadside assistance, so you’re taken care of all trip long.

Hours: Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm; Saturday & Sunday, 8am to 1pm

Topaz Street | Heldervue | Somerset West | +27(0)21 855 5691

MLT CAR HIRE AND TOURS

Offering professional and affordable custom-made car and bakkie hiring options, as well as a plethora of other tailored facilities and activities, MLT Car Hire and Tours takes pride in offering personalised vehicle hire. You can enjoy shuttle, chaffeur services and car hire for a fraction of the price typically associated with larger car rental operators. Striving to provide local and international folk with a wide range of accessible and affordable automobiles and bespoke services, the car hire agent has a fleet of over 300 autos (choose from a Volkswagen Polo and Toyota Corolla to a Mercedes C Class and SUV Hyundai IX35) from leading car brands on offer ideal for every travel-need and hire-desire. Available for short-term, long-term as well as contract-based hires, the daily rental rate is inversely proportionate to the number of days a client rents for (MLT offers a 100-kms and 200-kms per a day free package – kms travelled over and above this will be charged additionally). Focusing on providing clientele with tailor-made packages explicitly suited to their particular travel needs and auto specifications, MLT aims to ensure that many Mother City adventures take place behind the wheels of their vehicles.

Hours: Daily, 24 hours

9 Duncan Road | Waterfront Port | Foreshore | +27 (0) 21 551 7365 

4 SEASONS CAR RENTAL 

If a personalized service and quality car is what you’re looking for, then 4 Seasons Car Rental delivers beyond expectations. Operating all over South Africa, this boutique company prides itself on providing a range of reliable, well-maintained cars. Whether it is a luxury vehicle you are looking for or you have your heart set on a 4X4 that can handle any terrain, this car rental company will keep you going during your time in the Mother City! Making a concerted effort to keep things easy for you 4 Seasons employs staff who can speak multiple languages, and booking a vehicle can be done efficiently on their website - which runs for 24 hours. Being attached to a tourism company offers clients the option of planning and booking their entire holiday through 4 Seasons. Their no fuss, no hidden costs policy makes 4 Seasons the ideal choice for travellers who want to organize their trips with ease. Furthermore, the insurance (included in the rental fare) comes with 24-hour roadside assistance making for a worry free time.

Opening Hours: Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm; Saturday & Sunday, 8am to 1pm

Topaz Street| Heldervue| Somerset West| Cape Town| +27 (0) 21 855 5691

FUN CAR HIRE

If you want a more reliable Beetle, Fun Car Hire is the way to go. This cheap car rental company offers a collection of well-groomed autos, all in relatively good condition. Let the breeze run through your hair in one of the business’s Beetle cabriolets or sit back and relax in one of the other colourful bugs while you cruise through the mountains and take in the breathtaking city views. Fun Car offers unlimited mileage within a 100-km radius of Cape Town (it’s 150-km for other cars), as well as 24-hour roadside assistance. There is an added charge of R250 per additional driver, and the company can drop off and pick up vehicles to locations within a 15-km radius of the city centre. If you’re not a Beetle lover, then check out their other cars; their fleet includes VW Citi Golfs, Polos, and Mazdas, which are suitable for long distance drives.

Hours: Monday to Saturday: 9am to 5pm

Engen Garage | 194 Buitenkant Street | Vredehoek | +27 (0)73 442 4273

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New in Cape Town and looking for a safe and reliable form of transport to and from work? Get the 411 on the MyCiti bus routes and timetables. Alternatively, if you want to be daring, why not whizz around the Mother City on a pretty scooter? You can see the popular attractions and pretty places while feeling the wind in your hair with Scooter Hire from Cape Bike Travel.

Are you looking for luxury accommodation, why not try out of Afribode Accommodation's 50 apartments in and around the CBD? 

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