Navigating in India can be complicated, especially when in-car GPS systems do not function well, as can happen in rural areas. It is advised to use a local SIM card to navigate with a phone-based maps system, and in fact, many car hire agencies such as SS Travels now offer the chance to rent a mobile phone along with the vehicle for a daily fee of around 1390 INR (20 USD).
Although the best type of vehicle for your trip will depend largely on where you wish to go, travelers who choose to rent a car in India often prefer a four-wheel drive. This provides flexibility and stability on just about any type of terrain, from busy city streets to bumpy mountain roads. Plenty of space in the car is also important for carrying essentials like spare tires, flashlights, water, and extra petrol.
While there are no laws about the use of car seats for children in India, it is strongly recommended that children under 12 years of age should be restrained in an age-appropriate baby or booster seat. Most agencies, such as Hertz, can provide child seats for an additional fee of approximately 150 INR (2.20 USD) per day, but these must always be booked at least 24h in advance.
Cross-border travel into neighboring countries like Pakistan and Bangladesh is generally not permitted to travelers who rent a car in India. One-way domestic rental is, however, a popular option thanks to the scale of the country; many agencies like Sixt and Avis allow this service for an additional fee of around 720 INR (10 USD) per rental.
25% of our users found rental cars in India for $173 or less
Book your rental car in India at least 1 day before your trip in order to get a below-average price
Intermediate rental cars in India are around 31% cheaper than other car types, on average
FAQs about hiring a car in India
Intermediate (Mahindra Scorpio or similar) is the most frequently booked car hire type in India.
Take a look at our extensive car hire location map to find the best car hire deals near you.
Based on car searches on KAYAK, the most popular cities to hire a car in India are New Delhi (21% of total searches of users looking to hire a car in India), Hyderabad (21%) and Mumbai (21%).
On average a car hire in India costs $1,217 per week ($174 per day).
On average a car hire in India costs $5,217 per month ($174 per day).
Road conditions can vary greatly, and cities are subject to immense traffic congestion. It is also important to watch out for hazards, such as potholes, landslides, and animals on the road, especially when straying away from the major cities. Driving is on the left in India, and there are several regulations to observe in terms of turning, intersections, and traffic lights.
The minimum age to rent a car in India is 18 years, with popular companies like Avis sticking to this limit. Some companies, however, have a higher age limit of 21 or 23 years. To rent a car in India you must present an International Driver’s Permit (IDP) and passport; the driver should also have held his or her domestic license for at least 1 year.
Petrol prices in India can fluctuate considerably and are also subject to significant variation from city to city. On average, however, you can expect to pay around 75 INR (1.10 USD) for a liter of petrol and 65 INR (0.95 USD) for a liter of diesel; this is around 4.16 USD per gallon of petrol and 3.59 USD for a gallon of diesel. Petrol stations are usually open from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm and are far more common in urban areas.
Speed limits in India vary greatly from province to province, so it is essential to always carefully observe local signposts. As a general rule, you can expect to be limited to 50 km/h (31 mph) in urban areas and 80 km/h (50 mph) on both single-lane highways and national expressways.
The rates displayed include all taxes and fees for hire cars for the class listed and were found by KAYAK users in the last 48 hours. Offers are subject to change and may not be available on all car hires listed or dates of travel. Some hire car providers charge additional fees for other services (GPS, infant car seats, etc.). Please check the website of the respective hire car provider.