Bangkok car hire

A car rental in Bangkok gives you the freedom to explore the city at your own pace, as well as travel to beach resorts such as Pattaya, approximately a two-hour drive away. Keep in mind, though, that traffic in Bangkok is chaotic, if not outright dangerous, and is best attempted by only the most confident of drivers – so hire a car with a driver if you want independence without the hazards.

Language: Thai | Currency: Baht (฿) | Avg. Flight time: 11.5 hrs

All the major international car hire brands (such as Sixt, Budget, Europcar, Avis and Hertz), as well as a number of local firms, operate out of Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport. Alternatively, you can hire a car at a downtown depot, or arrange for your rental to be delivered to your hotel.

Make sure local insurance is included in the rental fee, as overseas insurance will not be valid. In addition, make sure that all pre-existing bumps and scratches are documented before you depart or you may be held liable for them; it’s a good idea to take photographs as proof.

The rules of the road are followed very loosely in Bangkok, so it’s vital to be alert at all times and to always look both ways. Drivers are aggressive, but this is perceived to be the norm – it’s highly inadvisable to succumb to road rage!

Traffic officially drives on the left-hand side of the road, but this doesn’t mean you won’t share a lane with vehicles coming in the opposite direction – usually motorbikes. You’ll also share the road with overloaded trucks and buses, street vendors pushing their carts, pedestrians and the odd stray dog.

Large vehicles often automatically assume right of way due to their size, and overtaking on the inside lane is common practice. It can take a long time for red lights to turn to green, and for this reason vehicles don’t usually stop. If the driver of a vehicle flashes the lights, do not assume they intend to stop – they are usually signalling that they intend to carry on.

Other drivers are not the only hazardous element to driving in Bangkok. Road signage is confusing and often contradictory, and there isn’t much overriding logic in the way the city is mapped out. It’s advisable to plan out your route carefully beforehand, and the use of a GPS is highly recommended.

Garmin’s GPS for Thailand, along with an up-to-date printed map, is your best bet. Avoid Google maps – the app automatically defaults into Thai, mobile roaming rates can be high, and you’ll be stuck if you lose coverage.

1. Seat belts are compulsory, including for passengers in the back seat – but if your taxi doesn’t have seat belts in the back, you won’t get into trouble.

2. Pedestrians always yield to cars, even at pedestrian crossings. Don’t stop to let people cross the road, as you’ll disrupt the flow of traffic and it could be dangerous.

3. Police roadblocks are common. If you’re stopped for a minor traffic violation, you’ll probably be asked to pay an on-the-spot fine that may or may not be justified. It’s advisable to pay it rather than get into an argument.

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.