Shanghai car hire
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Cheap car rentals in Shanghai
KAYAK’s top tips for renting 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
- Standard rental cars in Shanghai are around 32% 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 RM 19.13 per litre over the past 30 days. Filling up a tank of fuel costs between RM 230 and RM 306, depending on the car size.
What is the most popular car hire in Shanghai?
Standard (Volkswagen Jetta 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 Standard car hire cost in Shanghai?
A Standard car hire in Shanghai costs RM 210 per day, on average.
How much does a Compact car rental cost in Shanghai?
A Compact car rental in Shanghai costs RM 177 per day, on average.
How much does a Mini car hire cost in Shanghai?
A Mini car hire in Shanghai costs RM 260 per day, on average.
Shanghai car rental reviews and directory All ratings and reviews are collected from KAYAK users with a verified car rental booking. Learn how KAYAK collects reviews.
Hertz
2.0
Poor
Cleanliness
2.0
Comfort
2.0
Pick-up/Drop-off
2.0
Value for money
2.0
13 locations in Shanghai
Locations in Shanghai
1200 Qihang Rd
+86 153 0198 8173
2250 Hongqiao Rd P7 Rallying P
+86 181 2128 5590
2nd Flr Carpark 239 Jufeng Rd
+86 181 2128 6330
3001 Changning Rd West
+86 181 2128 9116
350 Jinian Rd
+86 181 2128 5581
699 Yingkou Rd
+86 181 2128 6359
900 Qi Hang Rd
+86 21 6833 9811
B2 Carpark, 760 Datong Rd
+86 181 2128 9785
Dong Yi Htl,#555,ding Xiang Rd
+86 181 2128 5583
Hongmei Parking Lot
+86 181 2128 9809
Huaxia East Rd,nongwangzu Sq
+86 181 2128 9792
Parking Lot B3, Shanghai West
+86 21 3220 6673
Unit 101 Changfeng Centre
+86 21 6085 1900
Filters
No reviews available
keddy by Europcar
6.3
Okay
One location in Shanghai
Locations in Shanghai
Filters
No reviews available
Europcar
5.5
Fair
2 locations in Shanghai
Locations in Shanghai
Shop N.73-9, Jiachen Life Sq, N.479
+86 151 5015 7207
Shouqi Car Rental,n.188
+86 185 1212 3975
Filters
No reviews available
Avis
No score available yet
9 locations in Shanghai
Locations in Shanghai
Lane.1199 Minsheng Rd Parking
+86 215 833 5759
No 6000 Yinbin Road
+86 400 001 3600
No. 168 Zhengtong Road
+86 182 214 9098
No. 199 Fangdian Road
+86 215 833 5759
No. 5 Jinian Rd
+86 216 070 8600
No. 555 Guoquan Road
+86 182 214 9098
No. 913 Jiangxue Road
+86 186 0164 1650
No.3611 Zhangyang Road
+86 215 833 5759
Zone 5,No.2 Wulian Rd Floor 1
+86 215 833 5759
Filters
No reviews available
Ehi
No score available yet
9 locations in Shanghai
Locations in Shanghai
1st floor Parking lot P6, Hongqiao airport terminal T2
+86 181 4979 0731
Hongjing Rd., No.610 (intersection of Hongsong Rd.and Hongjing Rd., on the opposite side of Longbai village
+86 21 5439 2606
No. 103, Huashi Road
+86 400 888 6608
No.21 North Pusong Rd near West Tian Shan Rd, Changning District
+86 216 233 8565
No.2750, Gonghexin Rd.(near to Lingshi rd.,exit 4 of metro Line 1 )
+86 216 630 2501
No.355,Molin Road
+86 215 101 3275
No.413 Kaixuan Rd near Changning Rd
+86 216 260 7389
North Square of Shanghai South Railway Station,taxi transfer point(Line 1 No.4 Exit)
+86 216 422 4407
P4 Parking Lot, Pudong Airport
+86 216 833 6816
Filters
No reviews available
Car hire locations in or near Shanghai
Good to know
Most popular car type | Standard |
|---|
When to book a car hire in Shanghai
Everything you need to know for your car rental in Shanghai
Shanghai car hire information
| Pick-up location | Shanghai |
|---|---|
| Car types | |
| Hire locations | 35 |
| Airport locations | 8 |