Compare Thailand car hire

Car hire in Thailand is not for the faint-hearted. Thailand’s drivers, particularly within the cities, have a reputation for being pretty erratic, and you’ll be sharing the road with a merry melee of motorcycles, tuk-tuks, dogs and pedestrians.

Once you’ve got your head around it, though, driving around Thailand is a great way to explore beyond the well-worn tourist routes, and outside the cities the traffic is much more manageable.

Language: Thai | Currency: Baht (฿) | Avg. Flight time: 12 hrs

Thailand becomes a richer cultural destination with a car. The Isan region, in north-eastern Thailand receives far fewer tourists, but a foodie pilgrimage to the city of Khon Kaen – easily doable when hiring a car from Chiang Mai – will reveal the Lao influence in the area, and give you access to a fine selection of bugs to snack on, such as grasshoppers, crickets and dung beetles. Don’t knock ‘em ‘til you’ve tried ‘em!

Other highlights include the UNESCO World Heritage city of Sukhothai, the 13th-century capital of Siam (the former name for Thailand), which is around 400 kilometres (250 miles) from Bangkok. It’s well worth a stop if you’re on the way north.

Its location means it’s less visited than Thailand’s other famous former capital, Ayutthaya, but its temple ruins, including Wat Sorasak, the majestic elephant temple, are equally splendid. And with a car, you can easily visit both sites.

The big car hire companies may not offer Thailand’s cheapest options but when it comes to driving in Thailand, reliability should be a key concern when comparing costs. It’s also worth paying that little bit extra for a GPS system when you choose car rental in Thailand, so that you can go on day trips and longer adventures without worrying about getting lost.

If budget is a factor, you’ll bag the cheapest car hire rates in Thailand by booking in advance. Consider collecting your vehicle from alternative locations to the airport and make sure you compare the varying rates of Thailand’s car hire options to further cut your costs.

1. Unless you understand Thai, expect to experience some difficulty reading signs. Around half of the signs are likely to have an English translation underneath, but you’ll have to do your best to decipher signs when this is not the case.
   
   
2. Visitors should have an International Driving Permit, even though in Thailand, car rental companies often only require your original licence. If you have an accident and cannot produce the permit, this may invalidate your car insurance, leaving you liable for any bills.
   
   
3. In Bangkok, it’s common for roads to switch function suddenly: one-way roads can change direction depending on the time of day, and the number of lanes is often severely reduced due to road works. So, pay close attention at all times.

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.