How to find a cheap car rental deal in China
Whether you need a small car for scooting around the city or bigger wheels for bigger plans, we'll help you find a cheap rental car in China. Compare prices that start from C$53 a day and go your own way for less.
C$369 is the lowest available rate for a weekly rental if you're planning a longer adventure.
Explore the range of car rentals in China. This is where you'll find the cheapest wheels in China.
Overall, the most popular city to rent a car in is Shanghai.
Browse the deals from Hertz before making a decision. More people choose it than any other company in China.
Swap your plane seat for the driver's seat by picking up a ride at the airport. Guangzhou Airport, Shanghai Pudong Airport and Beijing Capital Airport all provide access to car rentals.
You can rent some wheels easily in cities including Shanghai, Beijing, Chengdu, Guangzhou and Shenzhen.
Think about going with a one-way rental. Providers sometimes lower prices on selected routes to shift vehicles between sites. When searching for a car for rent in China, select 'Return car to a different location' to find those deals.
Covering more ground than usual? Consider a 30-day rental. Longer bookings can cost less since there is less admin involved for the company.
Reserve a vehicle with a 'Fair fuel policy' and avoid additional fuel charges. It comes with a full tank and goes back full, so it's easier to keep track of what you're paying.
Unlimited mileage lets you focus on the journey rather than the odometer. Find this feature under the 'Policies' filter and cover more ground without added fees.
Best time to book a car rental in China
If you want to time it just right, book around two weeks ahead to grab the best price on a car rental in China.
The most affordable month to rent a car is May, with an average rate of C$84 a day.
If you want to steer clear of the most expensive time of year, avoid booking in February.
Compare car rental types in China
Economy: Drive away in one of these and keep your travel budget on track. Lower daily rates and strong fuel efficiency mean you spend less overall while still getting a relaxed, easy-to-handle ride.
Small: This category features mini and economy cars that focus on doing the basics well. Compact size, fuel-efficient engines and good manoeuvrability make it a practical choice when searching for a cheap rental car in China.
Medium: Medium rentals are the happy middle ground. Bridging the gap between small and large, they give you a step up in comfort and space without going all out on size. Compact and intermediate models are included in this lineup.
Large: No fighting for space. No stuffing bags under seats. Also known as full-size, large cars offer generous passenger space and the luggage capacity to go with it. Choose this category when you're covering some serious ground or bringing everyone with you.
SUV: From motorways to scenic detours, SUVs can do it all. With a higher driving position, configurable seating, and the ability to take on different terrain with ease, they're perfect for road trips throughout China.
Van: When there's more to bring than usual, a van is up to the task. This category of car for rent in China makes room for everything and everyone. Including commercial vans and trucks, they're a reliable solution for group travel, moving or business transport.
Luxury: Hit the road in ultimate style. Featuring premium design, innovative technology, and performance engineered for precision and power, these vehicles redefine what a rental experience can be.
Insurance and optional extras
Adding excess insurance to your rental car lets you drive with confidence. It protects you from paying a hefty excess fee in case of damage or theft. Insurance policies can vary from one provider to another, so compare before you book.
Make life easier when you rent a car in China by adding a few handy extras. Think things like a navigation system to be your trusty co-pilot, or reverse cameras that make parking feel effortless.
Driving in China: What you need to know
Rental age requirements aren't always the same across the board. Companies can set their own policies, and if you're under the minimum age, you could face extra fees or restrictions. Check what applies with each supplier before booking your car rental in China.
Bringing the kids with you? Car seat regulations vary according to the location, and the right setup may depend on their age, weight and height. Make sure you add the right one to your car rental reservation in China.
You'll need to bring a few things when picking up your rental car: a current driver's licence, another form of photo ID, and a credit card with enough balance for the deposit. Debit cards are generally not accepted. Your booking will show the full list of what's required.
If you're unfamiliar with driving in China, be aware that traffic here keeps to the right side of the road.
Make sure you stay within the local speed limits. Usually that's around 45kph in built-up areas and 110kph or so on highways, unless road signs indicate differently.
A blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit of 0.02% applies in China. The safest way to stay legal to drive is to avoid drinking altogether.
The Chinese yuan (CNY) is the currency you'll be using for everyday expenses and activities. Pay with your card where you can, and keep a little cash when electronic payments aren't accepted.
Where to road trip in China?
China is easy to explore by car, with major rental hubs in Beijing, Shanghai and Chengdu, plus airport pickup points like Beijing Capital International Airport and Chengdu Tianfu International Airport. If you're planning car rental in China, these routes show how different pickup points, trip lengths and vehicle types can shape your journey.
History and Culture: The Ancient Capitals Route, Central and Northern China
Pick up your car in Xi'an and drive east through one of China's most historically layered corridors, passing imperial sites and walled cities along the way. It's a strong choice if you want a culture-rich drive at a relaxed pace without covering vast distances each day.
Recommended car: Standard sedan.
Suggested pickup point: Xi'an Xianyang International Airport.
Good for: History enthusiasts, couples and first-time visitors to China.
Road conditions: Paved highways, urban ring roads, well-maintained intercity expressways.
Best time to go: April to May or September to October for mild temperatures.
Trip length: Seven to ten days.
Key stops: Luoyang, Zhengzhou.
Nature and Adventure: The Yunnan Highlands, Southwest China
Pick up your car in Kunming and head north into the highland region of Yunnan, where the terrain shifts from fertile plains toward dramatic gorges and high-altitude valleys. This route suits adventurous drivers prepared for mountain roads and happy to take things slowly between stops.
Recommended car: Mid-size SUV.
Suggested pickup point: Kunming Changshui International Airport.
Good for: Adventure travellers, nature lovers and photographers.
Road conditions: Mountain switchbacks, high-altitude paved roads, some unpaved rural sections.
Best time to go: March to May for clear skies and accessible passes.
Trip length: Eight to twelve days.
Key stops: Dali, Lijiang.
Food and Culture: The Sichuan Basin, Southwest China
Pick up your car in Chengdu and explore the broader Sichuan Basin, where small cities and rural towns give a ground-level view of one of China's most distinctive regional food cultures. The driving distances are manageable, making it a good fit for travellers who want time to eat, explore and linger rather than simply move between sights.
Recommended car: Compact car.
Suggested pickup point: Chengdu Tianfu International Airport.
Good for: Food lovers, cultural travellers and slow travellers.
Road conditions: Paved expressways, flat basin roads, some narrow town-centre streets.
Best time to go: October to November for cool, dry weather.
Trip length: Five to seven days.
Key stops: Leshan, Zigong.
Weather and driving conditions in China
Weather
China follows four seasons across most of the country, with spring running March through May and autumn covering September through November bringing mild, dry conditions. Summers from June to August are hot and humid in the east and south, while winters from December to February bring cold, dry weather to the north.
Driving in China means preparing for heavy rain along southern and eastern routes during the warmer months, so keep your speed down and your following distance generous. Fog is a real factor on inland plains and mountain roads, where visibility can drop sharply, making headlights and reduced speed your best tools. Snow affects northern regions and higher elevations, so check road conditions before heading into those areas in colder months. Intense heat builds across inland and desert regions in the northwest, so carry extra water and watch for tire pressure changes on long stretches.
Driving conditions
China has one of the world's largest highway networks, and the expressways connecting major cities are modern, well-maintained and easy to navigate. If your road trip in China takes you into rural areas or western regions like Tibet or Xinjiang, expect rougher surfaces and stretches of unpaved road, so a capable vehicle matters.
On rural roads across China's northwest and the Tibetan Plateau, yaks and free-roaming livestock regularly wander onto unfenced roads, particularly at dawn and dusk, so keeping your speed measured in these areas pays off.
Complete your road trip with a hotel
Wherever your drive takes you, a solid overnight stop changes everything when you've put in the miles. Once you've booked your car rental in China, explore hotels in Shanghai if you're passing by this major stop. You can also compare Beijing accommodation options or browse places to stay in Chengdu as you put together your full route.
