Car Hire in Port Elizabeth

About Port Elizabeth

Port Elizabeth is a city in South Africa. It was officially renamed Gqeberha, so many people now use both names for this port city. Port Elizabeth is the main seaport and the largest city in the Eastern Cape Province. The city is the seat of the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality, which is the second-largest municipality in South Africa by area. It is also the sixth most populous city in the country and is the cultural, economic and financial centre of the province.

The city is relatively young, having only been founded in 1820, but it still has a lot to offer. You can visit many historical, cultural and religious sites here and also enjoy some fantastic beaches. The city is famous among Africans and tourists and travellers from all over the world for its blue-flagged beaches and great infrastructure. The city is a perfect blend of modern and old and is truly a must-see for any tourist or traveller exploring South Africa. It is also the perfect starting point for a road trip through this amazing country. If you are already on your road trip through South Africa, be sure to pay Port Elizabeth a visit, you will not regret it.

The city's nickname is "windy city", which says a lot about the fact that this is also a perfect destination for surfers. There are many great beaches in this area and, of course, perfect conditions for surfing on the waves of the Indian Ocean.

Port Elizabeth was also one of the venues for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, and the city is home to the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, which was built for the purpose of this tournament and is still in use today.

And of course, there are plenty of wildlife viewing opportunities around Port Elizabeth or Gqeberha. As in many African cities, there are several national parks near the city and you can always take a day trip to one of them. So, all in all, Port Elizabeth is a perfect holiday destination. There is something for practically every type of tourist and traveller. Before you come here, do some good research and make a plan of what you want to see and do here, because the offerings are truly abundant. Fasten your seatbelts and drive safely!

Basic info and car hire in Port Elizabeth

• Location: Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
• Population: 967,677
• Official language: Ndebele, Pedi, Sotho, Swati, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa, Zulu and Afrikaans. Another official language is English, which is the primary language used in parliamentary and state discourse.
• Currency: South African Rand
• Weather: Port Elizabeth has an oceanic climate
• Internet coverage: Hotels, bars, restaurants, and cafés offer Wi-Fi.
• Road conditions:  Most roads in Port Elizabeth are in good condition.
• Car hire in Port Elizabeth:  The most common pick-up point for vehicles in Port Elizabeth is at the Port Elizabeth Airport. Please note that prices vary frequently. It is best to book a car 3 to 8 weeks in advance of your desired pick-up date - this will ensure you get the cheapest rental rate. Alternatively, it is also possible to find cheap last-minute car hire. Find the best deal on car hire in Port Elizabeth!

 Driving in Port Elizabeth

Port Elizabeth is a city where you will really enjoy driving. Renting a car here is the best solution if you want to explore the city and its surroundings properly. Traffic jams are really uncommon and very rare here. People are very relaxed and there is almost never chaos on the streets of this city. Of course, like everywhere, there is a problem finding a parking space, but if you are looking for a guarded parking space, you will always find one. The car is the best means of transportation in Port Elizabeth because every attraction and every part of the city can be reached by car and public transport is not very well organised.

The infrastructure is well maintained and the views are breathtaking, so you can expect a great travel experience when driving through Port Elizabeth. But of course, not all roads are perfect and if you want to explore more rural areas and villages, you should expect that roads are not as well maintained and signage is not as visible and frequent as in larger cities and on main roads.

It is also important to be extra careful when travelling in South Africa, as there are often wild animals on the road. In larger cities there are also many pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, etc., so you should also be careful here.

• Age limits: The minimum age to rent a car is 18 years old and you need to have had your driver’s license for at least two years. You are required by law to carry your Drivers Licence when driving. It is possible that some suppliers have a policy that anyone under the age of 23 is not eligible for vehicle hire.
• International Driving Permit:  If your driving license is not issued in English, you need to provide an official translation or have an International Driving Permit (IDP). You are required by law to carry your Drivers Licence when driving. An International Driving Permit is required in addition to a National Driving License if the National Driving License you or any of the Additional Drivers hold is not clearly identifiable as a Driving License, eg, it is in a non-Latin alphabet (eg Arabic, Chinese, Cyrillic, Japanese). It can also depend on the country or car rental company you are renting with. If you have found a car on our website, you can press the rental terms link from the supplier for more information about driving license requirements.  
• Additional papers:  A credit card in the name of the main driver needs to be presented. A security deposit may be required while renting a car so the credit card must have sufficient funds. You can find details about the security deposit listed while booking the vehicle as well as on your voucher. It is important to have a valid driving license with the name of the main driver as well as additional drivers when it applies.Identification(passport or ID), and valid proof of insurance. When you pick up your rental car you need to have your voucher with you.  
• Additional requirements:  Glasses (in case you need glasses, you must always have a spare pair in the car), light bulbs (which are usually already in the car and are provided by the car rental company), and 2 warnings triangles, First aid kit, fire extinguisher.
• Children in the car:  In South Africa, it is illegal to travel in a car with a child under 3 years old not strapped into an approved child safety seat. Children must not sit in the front of a car without a suitable restraint system. Up to three years old they can sit in a rear-facing child seat where the airbag is disabled. Up to twelve years old they must sit in the rear of the car with an appropriate booster seat. Ask when booking for a suitable system to be included when you collect your hire car.
• Driving side of the road: Left-hand
• Lights:  You must turn your lights on any time you can't see at least 1000 feet ahead. Use your low beam headlights whenever it is raining.
• General speed limits: Speeding is taken seriously in South Africa. There are speed cameras in most towns and cities as well as on the outskirts of urban areas. Speed limits in the city are 60 km/h (37 mph), on rural roads 100km/h, and on the highways 120 km/h (74 mph), road signs alert drivers if the limit in a particular area is different from this.

Popular day trips from Port Elizabeth

Addo Elephant National Park, River Cruise on the Sundays River, Bungy and Skydive Combo · Big 5 Private Game Reserve...

What to see in Port Elizabeth

Port Elizabeth is a fantastic destination in many ways. There is a lot to do and especially if you are looking for great beaches, this is the place to be. Port Elizabeth has one of the best and most famous city beaches in South Africa. Wells Estate Beach, Humewood Beach, Kings Beach, Hobie Beach, Pollock Beach, Sardinia Bay, Bluewater Beach and New Brighton Beach are just some of the most famous ones. Each of them is different and special in its own way. There are many facilities at the beaches, so you can also have lunch on the beach or drink a coffee or cocktail. It's up to you what kind of holiday you prefer. Of course, there are also quieter beaches with many trees that provide shade during the day.

Besides great beaches, there is much more to see and do here in Port Elizabeth. One of them is undoubtedly a day trip to the third-largest national park in South Africa, Addo Elephant National Park. This amazing park is located about 80 kilometres from Port Elizabeth and offers an unforgettable experience. You can also spend several days here in the park. The nights in these parks are especially romantic and you should definitely spend a day or two here. However, if you do not have time for longer safari experiences, there are other options near Port Elizabeth. One of them, for example, is the Kragga Kamma Game Park.

For those interested in art, there is a great experience on Route 67, which is a route from Donkin Reserve to Campanile Tower. There are many works of art along the route, from mosaics to sculptures to poetry.

Other places to visit and things to do in Port Elizabeth: Market Square, Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds, The Boardwalk, Cape Recife Nature Reserve, Van Stadens Wildflower Reserve, South End Museum, Shamwari Private Game Reserve, Storm River Bridge, Opera House, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Art Museum, The Athenæum, Artec Community Centre...

Drive your rental car beyond Port Elizabeth

South Africa is officially called the Republic of South Africa. This huge country is 23rd on the list of the most populous nations in the world. The interesting thing about South Africa is that it has three capitals. The executive, judicial and legislative branches are based in Pretoria, Bloemfontein and Cape Town respectively. The largest city in the country is Johannesburg.

If you are planning a road trip through South Africa, you can be sure that a fantastic experience awaits you. There are so many fabulous destinations for a road trip here in this country and there are also some spectacular roads that you will experience while driving through South Africa. The most famous of these is the Garden Route, which stretches between Mossel Bay in the west and Storms River in the east. It is about 200 kilometres long and offers an unforgettable experience with its many rivers, lakes, the sea, mountains, forests and much more.

South Africa is known for the many different things you can see and do here. The country is probably best known for its amazing landscapes, diverse and unique wildlife, vibrant cities and unique culture. But in recent years, South Africa has seen significant growth in many different areas of tourism. For example, there are some world-famous wineries here that are also fantastic tourist attractions.

When in Southern Africa, be sure to visit one of the many safari parks that exist throughout the country. You can learn a lot when visiting these parks, especially about wildlife conservation, which is also very important. There are hundreds of national parks in South Africa and you should definitely visit at least one of them. A stay here in the midst of wild animals is a very special experience. The nights in these parks are especially entertaining and unique. This is an experience you will never forget in your life. The most famous safari park in the country is Kruger National Park, which is home to incredible diversity and tons of amazing wildlife, including the "Big Five" (lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos and Cape buffalo). But of course, there are many more parks in the country, here are some of them: Hluhluwe and iMfolozi National Park - It is located in the east of the country and is known for its rhino populations. Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park - It is located on the border with Botswana in the north and is known for its black-maned lions. Addo Elephant National Park - Located near Port Elizabeth on the south coast, this is a good choice for safaris on your own. Pilanesburg National Park & Game Reserve - Home to the Big 5, the park can be visited on a day trip from Johannesburg if you are short on time.

But there is another fantastic option for wildlife lovers. You can go whale watching, as South Africa is considered one of the best places for this kind of activity. The best time for whale watching is from June to November. There are several companies that offer and organize whale watching tours. The best and most reliable ones are Southern Right Charters, Hermanus Whale Cruises and Xplora Tours. Another nice activity you can do here is, of course, scuba diving. There are several centres for this sport spread all over South Africa. It is a great place both for beginners, who can take various courses here and for the more experienced divers, who will find some fantastic dive sites here.

For those who prefer a more active vacation, there are plenty of options here in South Africa. One of the most popular options is undoubtedly surfing. There are many fantastic beaches for surfing in both the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, providing endless opportunities for surfers from all over the world. The most popular destination for surfers is Jeffrey's Bay, located on the south coast near Port Elizabeth. Other famous places for surfing are Dungeons, Long Beach, Durban...

If you are not interested in surfing, then you should look for an activity in the Drakensberg region. The Drakensberg is the highest mountain range in South Africa and there are numerous opportunities for hiking, climbing, mountain biking, trekking, etc. Some of the best places in the Drakensberg are Rainbow Gorge: An easy and beautiful two-hour hiking trail in the Cathedral Peak area. Plowman's Kop: A half-day hike with a steep climb. Chain Ladders Hike: A challenging one-day hike with ladders attached to the rock wall. Cathedral Peak: This hike is best climbed with a guide. Giant's Cup Trail: Usually a five-day hike.

Where to eat, drink, and party in Port Elizabeth

Port Elizabeth is one of the best places in South Africa for all foodies. There are so many great restaurants throughout the city. You can also enjoy great street food here. But restaurants are just everywhere. On the beaches, in the city, on the streets...

The heart of modern African cuisine is in Richmond Hill. There are a lot of great new restaurants there with some of the best young chefs developing new African cuisine. So if you are looking for a great destination to discover African gastronomy, Port Elizabeth is undoubtedly the best choice.

But of course, besides African cuisine, you can also enjoy many different menus from all over the world. For example, there are restaurants with great sushi and amazing Asian dishes. Whatever comes to your mind, you will find a restaurant in Port Elizabeth that will offer you your favourite dish.

Best restaurant in Port Elizabeth

Backstreet Grill

Muse Restaurant

Sticky Fingers Wood fire Kitchen

SUKI Sushi & Asian Cuisine

Mellas Dim-Sum & Noodle Bar

TORO Sushi, Teppanyaki & Seafood