There are many beautiful and interesting places in Pattaya and its surrounding areas. It is not always possible to reach them by public transport, and taxi fares are quite high. To fully enjoy your vacation and see as many new sights as possible, the easiest way is to rent a car. Confident drivers can certainly rent a bike, but long trips will be tiring and traffic is unsafe.
Car Rental in Pattaya
There are many companies in Pattaya offering various rental conditions. Three of them are the most popular and have received exceptionally positive reviews over the years.
In all companies, delivery of the car to your residence is free for long-term rentals. There is also an option to install a child seat. This service is paid for rentals shorter than one week.
Car Rental Prices in Pattaya (Current Approximate Prices):
Current average rental prices for economy class cars start at approximately 750 THB (around $21 USD) per day. Prices for SUVs and larger vehicles start from 1,200 THB (around $33 USD) per day.
| Model | Approximate Price in USD/Day (Short Term, 1-3 Days) | Long Term, 7 Days and more | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compact / Economy Class | |||
| Toyota Yaris | $25 – $35 | $20 – $30 | Maneuverable car for the city. The most popular choice. |
| Honda Brio / Mitsubishi Mirage | $23 – $33 | $18 – $28 | The most budget-friendly options. |
| Sedans / Mid-size Class | |||
| Honda City / Toyota Vios | $28 – $40 | $25 – $35 | Classic sedans, very common in Thailand. |
| Honda Civic / Toyota Altis | $35 – $50 | $30 – $45 | Enhanced comfort, better for longer trips. |
| Crossovers / SUVs | |||
| Toyota C-HR / Honda HR-V | $40 – $60 | $35 – $50 | Compact crossovers. |
| Mitsubishi Xpander / Toyota Fortuner | $50 – $75 | $40 – $65 | Large SUVs and minivans for families and larger groups. |
Rusich
Rental prices per day start from 600 THB (approx. $17 USD), with a minimum rental period of 3 days.
For document processing, a passport and driver’s license are required. Copies of the documents will be made at the office, and the originals will be returned to the owner. The minimum driver age is 18 years old. Payment is in cash at the office. The deposit is 5,000 THB (approx. $140 USD) for an economy class car, and 7,000 THB (approx. $195 USD) for a premium comfort car.
Russian-speaking staff and 24/7 support make the rental process easy and comfortable.
Address: Thailand, Pattaya, View Talay Condominium Beach 5 «D», 478/30.
Contact Phones: +66876-1111–28, 038-196-587.
MAKS Car Rental
The company’s fleet has about 100 vehicles of different classes and costs. Prices start from 700 THB (approx. $19 USD) per day. Budget options are quickly taken, so it is best to plan ahead and book a car by leaving a request on the website or calling.
Cars are rented to citizens who have reached the age of 18 and hold a driver’s license of any valid type.
Polite staff, many useful rental options, and Russian-speaking employees make the vehicle selection easier.
The deposit for a sedan is 5,000 THB (approx. $140 USD), and for an SUV is 7,000 THB (approx. $195 USD).
Pattaya Rent a Car
The company provides over 100 cars for rent. The price per day starts from 900 THB (approx. $25 USD).
The cost includes:
- Unlimited mileage;
- Additional driver;
- Premium class insurance;
- Third-party insurance;
- 24/7 support service.
The deposit for any car is 5,000 THB (approx. $140 USD). You can book in advance on the website or by phone. The non-refundable booking deposit is 2,000 THB (approx. $56 USD). The company is ready to lower the price if the renter finds a cheaper rate with the same insurance conditions.
The minimum driver age is 21 years old.
Address: 359/119 Moo 12, Pattaya, Banglamung, Nongprue, Thailand
Phone: +66 830 776 928
Prices and Car Selection
A deposit must be left when renting a car. It is fully refunded if there is no damage or fines. The amount may vary depending on the rental company. The average deposit for a sedan is 5,000 THB (approx. $140 USD), and for an SUV is 7,000 THB (approx. $195 USD).
As for the rental price, it is not fixed and depends on:
- The agency;
- The car make and model;
- The age of the vehicle;
- The season; prices are generally cheaper from March to October;
- The rental duration; the longer the rental, the cheaper the daily rate;
- The type and coverage area of the insurance.
The average daily cost for an economy car like a Toyota Yaris or Nissan Almera is about 700-900 THB (approx. $19-$25 USD). SUVs like a Toyota Fortuner start from 1,500 THB (approx. $42 USD) per day. The cost for luxury cars can reach up to 100,000 THB (approx. $2,780 USD) per day, but they are not easy to find. Companies mainly offer Toyota and Honda vehicles.
For those who want to drive a convertible, prices are much higher. A daily rental starts from 2,500 THB (approx. $70 USD) and can reach 200,000 THB (approx. $5,550 USD) per month. Such class cars are rare in Pattaya; they are more likely to be found in Bangkok.
Almost every company offers a car delivery service to your residence or the airport. This costs about 200 THB (approx. $6 USD) within the city and from 1,500 THB (approx. $42 USD) to Bangkok airport. Pay attention to this point when booking. Often, for long-term rentals, the option of delivery to the hotel or residence is a complimentary service.
For those who wish to rent a car but do not have a license, a number of companies offer driver services. There is no fixed price, but the average cost for a 5-seater sedan model is:
- 1 day – 3,500 THB (approx. $97 USD);
- 3 days or more – 2,000 THB (approx. $56 USD) per day + driver’s accommodation costs + fuel (gas or gas).
For large groups, vehicles are offered at the following daily rates:
- 7-seater Toyota Innova – 3,700 THB (approx. $103 USD)
- Hyundai H1 Deluxe – 6,500 THB (approx. $181 USD);
- Minivan – 4,500 THB (approx. $125 USD).
Where Can You Rent a Car?
Airport. You can rent a car immediately upon arrival without leaving the building. This method has a few drawbacks:
- Budget options are snapped up very quickly;
- Not all offices operate 24 hours a day.
Book Online. This is a convenient method, and you have the opportunity to choose almost any car model in advance.
We recommend the Discovercarhire service, which searches for available options across different companies.
- Thais. You can rent cheaply, but you need to know English and read the contract carefully. Minor misunderstandings often occur.
- Foreigners. There are now companies with Russian-speaking staff, which significantly simplifies clarifying nuances.
Facebook. There are many groups on social media offering everything for rent. However, there is a high risk of encountering scammers.
Pattaya Car Rental Nuances
When receiving the car, it is necessary to pay close attention to a few things:
- Chips and Scratches. Inspect even the bumper and wheels, and make sure that even the smallest damage is noted in the documents.
- Fuel. Some companies provide the car with a full tank, others with an empty one. In any case, this point must also be stipulated. Otherwise, an unpleasant situation may arise upon returning the car, and the renter may be asked to pay for fuel.
- Mileage and Travel Restrictions. Clarify immediately whether there are any mileage limits and if you can travel across the entire country with the car. Some companies do not allow the car to leave the province.
- Insurance. Clarify all the details immediately.
Traffic in the kingdom is left-hand and quite chaotic due to the large number of motorbikes. On the highway, be prepared for aggressive driving by surrounding drivers. Turn signals are rarely used here, and there are many inconvenient U-turns. When driving in the city, observe parking rules.
Some companies will rent a car to a person who has reached the age of 18, while others only from 21 years old.
Required Documents
The package of documents for processing a car rental agreement is minimal:
- Passport. The original is required. The agency will make a copy.
- Driver’s License. Some places may refuse service if the license is not International Driving Permit (IDP) or Thai standard. Also, the license must have the appropriate category open for the rented vehicle.
Deposit and Insurance
The insurance for rental cars varies and affects their price. The greater the coverage, the higher the rental cost. In some cases, the insurance only covers a single province. Read the contract carefully and check for a clause prohibiting travel outside the province. If such a note is in the documents, you must not leave the province.
The deposit amount depends on the company and the car make. The sum is paid in cash or blocked on a credit card. If the car inspection upon return reveals no new chips or other damage, and there were no fines requiring payment during the driving period, the money is fully refunded. A cash deposit is returned on the spot, while funds blocked on a card are unblocked according to bank policy. If damage is found, the repair cost is deducted from the deposit.
Is It Worth Renting a Car?
For those who came to lounge on the beach and do not plan to explore the surrounding area, there is no particular need to rent a car. On the other hand, for active individuals who do not like to stay in one place, a vehicle will be very useful and will reduce costs. Taxi drivers often charge an amount equal to a day’s rental, or sometimes more, for long distances. For example, if you wish to visit Koh Chang or even the closer Koh Samet.
Moreover, independent travel allows you to stop at interesting places or drive past unappealing ones, which is excluded or leads to additional expenses when traveling by public transport.
Renting a car is very simple, and there are many rental locations in Pattaya. All that remains is to choose a suitable car model and travel in comfort, without depending on public transport or a tour group.
