Car hire in Thailand
Renting a car in Thailand offers an excellent chance to enhance your relaxing beach holiday with dynamic and comfortable excursions across the country. With your own vehicle, you can discover authentic Thai villages, enjoy breathtaking national parks, and admire magnificent palaces. This freedom means you won't be tied to public transport schedules or crowded tourist buses. Simply input your destinations into a GPS navigator and embark on your adventure.
Essential documents for car rental
To rent a car, prepare the following documents:
- International Driving Permit (IDP)
- Your passport used for entering Thailand
- A valid bank card
Ensure you carry the IDP alongside your national driving license. Driving without an IDP in Thailand can result in a fine of 1,000 baht (approximately $30).
Note that your passport is only required to formalize the rental contract, and you won’t need to leave any personal documents as a deposit.
Age limits and driving experience prerequisites vary depending on the vehicle category. These details are specified on each car’s booking page, where you can also apply filters to find a car that best fits your needs.
Top cities for car rental in Thailand
Traffic regulations
The key aspect to remember when driving in Thailand is that traffic flows on the left side of the road. Adapting to this system is generally straightforward; however, exercise caution when making turns and take your time to get accustomed. Typically, it takes a few hours to feel comfortable with local driving patterns.
If this is your first experience driving a right-hand drive vehicle, we suggest opting for a car with automatic transmission (AT) for easier handling.
Although some local drivers may disregard traffic rules, it is crucial that you adhere to them. Thai law enforcement actively issues fines for traffic violations.
Parking regulations
In major urban areas, parking rules are strictly enforced. Avoid parking in prohibited zones to prevent fines or towing.
Parking is not allowed:
- Along curbs marked with red and white paint
- Along curbs marked with yellow and white paint
Additionally, stopping on yellow box junctions with criss-cross yellow lines is forbidden.
Fuel options
Fuel stations in Thailand provide petrol and diesel. There is also gasohol available, which is a petrol-ethanol blend. Gasohol is around 15% cheaper than standard petrol but typically offers a shorter driving range.
Some tourists attempt to save money by purchasing petrol from small local vendors who sell it in plastic bottles. Although cheaper, this fuel’s quality is unreliable, and the volume is uncertain. The risk of vehicle breakdowns in isolated areas outweighs the savings.
As with other countries, compromising on fuel quality in Thailand is not advisable.
Mobile connectivity
If your stay in Thailand is short-term, such as one or two weeks, and you plan to make numerous calls, buying a local SIM card is more economical.
The country’s three main mobile operators are Dtac, AIS, and TrueMove H. They offer comparable network coverage, reliable call quality, and tourist-friendly plans.