India car hire

Cheap car rental in India gives you the chance to crack the nation wide open – getting off the beaten track isn’t difficult in such a large, complex and diverse place. Expect to become an object of wonder and delight if you stray into villages where few foreigners have been before. Hiring a car also gives you the opportunity to roll up to ancient cities still teeming with activity, and to drive to the old English hill stations of Shimla or Coorg to escape the heat of the plains.

Language: Hindi | Currency: Rupee | Avg. Flight time: 9 hrs 40 mins

Car hire is available at all the major airports in India, and although it’s often limited you’ll usually find a kiosk once you pass through immigration and into the arrivals hall. Book in advance, however, to get the cheapest rates and avoid the hassle; you can compare India car rental prices on TravelSupermarket.

Cars can be rented from the three main entry airports of Goa, New Delhi and Mumbai via local suppliers, as you’ll find that very few of the international rental companies are represented. If you prefer to go with a brand you recognise, Sixt and Avis have inner-city sites in New Delhi and Mumbai.

One of the most popular ways to get around the country, especially up in the Himalayan foothills, is by motorcycle. Of these, the most popular brand is the Royal Enfield, which is now manufactured in India.

Nothing in India quite compares to the freedom of a motorcycle trip. Just like car hire in India, motorbike rental is a sure way to circumvent the unpredictability of the Indian public transport system.

An alternative to car hire in India is to rent a car with a driver. You’d be forgiven for thinking this sounds decadent, but hiring a car and driver is surprisingly cheap in India.

Somewhere between a taxi service and a rental, it works best when you wish to do a round trip to places a little off the beaten track. Prices are very much open to negotiation.

1. The main rule to bear in mind when driving in India is that there aren’t really any rules, yet there is a sense of road etiquette nonetheless. Be ready to give way, to brake quickly and to honk your horn, which seems to be used more as a reminder that you are there than an angry gesture.

2. Always wear a seatbelt and have insurance. Request another car if the one presented to you does not have functioning seatbelts.

3. One aspect of India’s road rules that is much stricter than in the UK is that of driving under the influence of alcohol. The legal limit is roughly a third of what it is in the UK and penalties if caught can include up to six months in prison.

Fair fuel policy

A fair fuel policy (also known as full-to-full or same-to-same) means you’ll only pay for the fuel you use. All car rental deals compared on TravelSupermarket come with a fair fuel policy, so you can book your hire car safe in the knowledge there will be no nasty surprises at drop-off. More information on TravelSupermarket’s commitment to fair fuel policies can be found here.

No hidden fees

All rental deals compared on TravelSupermarket include mandatory fees (for example, one-way and young driver surcharges) in your rental quote at the time of booking, meaning you’ll know the full price of your car hire upfront.