Cheap car rentals in Shanghai
| Mini |
| Economy |
| Compact |
| Intermediate |
| Standard |
| Full-size |
| Luxury |
| People mover |
| Passenger van |
| SUV |
| Commercial |
| Pick-up truck |
KAYAK’s top tips for hiring a car in Shanghai
- Car hire in Shanghai is not, strictly speaking, a necessity, as the city has a very good public transport system. That said, having a car makes you more independent and less bound by the timetables of buses, the metro or trains. Overall, having a car will give you the freedom to move more independently and according to your own preferences. Be advised that foreigners must have a valid Chinese driver’s licence to hire a car or drive in China.
- If you are thinking of car hire in Shanghai, you have several options at both Pudong International Airport (PVG) and Hongqiao International Airport (SHA). There are car hire agencies in the arrivals areas of both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 at Pudong Airport, and you can choose from a number of international and Chinese agencies, including Hertz, Avis and Anfeishi Car Rental. At Hongqiao, there is a Hertz counter at Terminal 1, but no other companies work out of this airport. It is a good idea to book in advance and arrange to pick up your car from the airport, as hiring from airport agencies is considerably more expensive than hiring from off-site ones.
- When considering car hire in Shanghai, remember that Shanghai is a very large city and it may take some time to get used to driving in such intense traffic. Jaywalking is common, so you should keep an eye out for pedestrians on busy roads. Traffic in China drives on the right, which may take some getting used to if you are used to driving in Australia.
- Being such a large city, you should be prepared to face a few difficulties arising simply from the scale involved. Rush hour is 07:30-10:00 in the mornings and 17:00-19:00 in the evening. Traffic becomes more manageable at other times of the day, but you should be ready for a sometimes fairly chaotic situation on the roads. Drivers in Shanghai traffic may sometimes play a bit loose with traffic rules and may sometimes run red lights. Tailgating is also very common. You should also be very attentive with regard to pedestrians and cyclists/motorcyclists, who can pop up suddenly when you least expect them.
- Book your rental car in Shanghai at least 1 day before your trip in order to get a below-average price
- Compact rental cars in Shanghai are around 50% cheaper than other car types, on average
FAQs about renting a car in Shanghai
What type of car is recommended for driving in Shanghai?
Compact cars are definitely the way to go for Shanghai car hire, as you will be grateful for the flexibility they provide in traffic and in parking. Shanghai is a big, crowded city and space is at a premium for urban transit. Smaller, manoeuvrable cars with good fuel economy will serve your needs better than larger, thirstier vehicles in Shanghai traffic.
What’s the speed limit in Shanghai?
The speed limit is 30 km/h on single-lane urban roads; you can drive up to 70 km/h on multi-lane city roads, 100 km/h on express roads and 120 km/h on the express freeway. There is usually a 10 km/h tolerance but violations above this are penalised and, as speed cameras are common, it is very likely that violations will be detected.
Where are the best places to park in Shanghai?
Parking in Shanghai can be a challenge, as there is high demand and limited supply for space. There is some free parking available, but it is not easy to find a free spot, so it is usually better to assume you will have to pay. There are several parking areas and multi-level car parks around the city and many operate on a 24-hour basis. On-street parking is also generally paid, and there are a number of guarded streets where you can leave your car for a fee. Illegal parking is almost always detected and almost always results in a fine, so it definitely doesn’t pay to park illegally.
How much is the price of fuel in Shanghai?
The average price of fuel in Shanghai is $7.42 per litre over the past 30 days. Filling up a tank of uel costs between $89 and $119, depending on the car size.
What is the most popular car hire in Shanghai?
Compact (Class Compact Car or similar) is the most frequently booked car hire type in Shanghai.
How can I find car hires near me in Shanghai?
Take a look at our extensive car hire location map to find the best car hire deals near you.
How much does a Compact car hire cost in Shanghai?
A Compact car hire in Shanghai costs $61 per day, on average.
How much does a Premium car hire cost in Shanghai?
A Premium car hire in Shanghai costs $123 per day, on average.
Shanghai car rental reviews and directory
Hertz
2.0
Poor
3 reviewsCleanliness
2.0
Comfort
2.0
Pick-up/Drop-off
2.0
Value for money
2.0
13 locations in Shanghai
Locations in Shanghai
Filters
Reviews
3.6 Poor
Jan 2018
Pros:
Not much3.2 Poor
Mar 2017
Cons:
Although i booked the car for 6:00 am i was able to get a car at 9:00 am. No English spoken at the office, very difficult to communicate. The car I got had a non-Shanghai license plate which has limited access to the city. I asked to change to Shanghai license plate and had to pay extra's, whilst nothing was mentioned during the booking.2.0 Poor
Sep 2016
Pros:
We are in China and they did not rented us the car because we need a Chinese drivers license, the website never informed that!!Cons:
Informationkeddy by Europcar
6.4
Okay
No reviews available
One location in Shanghai
Europcar
5.3
Fair
No reviews available
2 locations in Shanghai
Avis
No score available yet
9 locations in Shanghai
Locations in Shanghai
Filters
No reviews available
Ehi
No score available yet
9 locations in Shanghai
Locations in Shanghai
Filters
No reviews available
Car hire locations in or near Shanghai
Good to know
Most popular car type | Compact |
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