The RenTrip Guide to Renting a Car for First-Time Travellers in India

Travelling in India might seem like a difficult task from the get-go, but with each successive step, it gets easier with easy car rental and bike rental services. Whether you need a one-day rental car or to car in monthly rental, self-drive vehicle rentals would surely complement your travelling throughout the nation.

According to reviews of first-time visitors, getting car rentals can also become a challenge for travellers. Hence, to aid all our traveller friends, here is an easy-to-follow guide to help you rent a car for the first time in India.

Why Renting a Car in India Can Transform Your Journey

India spans across an area of 28 states, and travelling across them can be a big challenge with public transport, hence we would recommend renting a car. Car rentals can transform your journey and make city-to-city travelling much easier. Forget about the issues of getting busses and trains for travelling across different cities, renting a car can make your everyday travels much easier. The affordable car rental prices would surely provide you with the advantage of being able to manage travelling in your financial budget. Forget about the hassles of getting bus and train reservations and get a vehicle to drive down to any place you feel like visiting.

Documents Required for International and Domestic Travellers

To have the best road trips across India, here are a few documents that every traveller should carry: your valid driving licence, insurance certificate, as well as a PUC certificate. If you are an international traveller seeking Self Drive Car Rental in India, we recommend that you bring along with you an appropriate driving licence. Foreigners can opt for an international driving license, which is valid for a duration of one year from the date of being issued, and these are recognised in India.

Essential Documents Necessary for a Foreigner while renting a car :

• Passport and Valid Visa
• International Driving Permit or an Indian License.    
• Proof of temporary residence. ( Flight tickets, hotel reservations etc)
• Traffic rules and regulations can be different in India, hence all foreign tourists should exercise caution while driving in India.

For domestic Travellers

• All the above-mentioned documents except Visa and Passport.

Choosing the Perfect Car for Your Indian Adventure

Tourists often try to seek the best car for long drives in India, its one of the most common searches that people go through over the internet as well. To help you choose the best vehicle we have divided few of the readily available vehicles in three categories.

Best Economic Cars for Indian Roads-

If, as a traveller, you want to keep your fuel costs to a minimum, we would recommend that you opt for smaller, more economical Hatchbacks. These would include

Suzuki Swift

Powered by the 1197cc engine with a three-cylinder  lay-out petrol engine, the Suzuki Swift produces 80 BHP @ 5700 Rpm and a peak torque fissure of about 111.7 NM @4300 rpm. This FWD drive is one of the most widely chosen hatchbacks for cheaper fuel expenses. As per the manufacturers, the car provides a mileage of about 24.8 kmpl. If you plan to rent a vehicle, Suzuki Swift could be one of the best vehicles for your trip as, along with the economic running costs, it also provides the comfort a traveller seeks.

Suzuki Baleno

From the same manufacturer, the Baleno is powered by an 1197cc  4 cylinder engine that churns out about 88.5 BHP and 113 nm of peak torque. The engine has been optimised to provide 22.53 kmpl mileage. If you choose Baleno above Swift, you get the added benefits of having a bigger, more comfortable car with better rear legroom.  

Tata Altorz

One of the safest cars in the segment, with a 5-star rating from Global NCAAP for adult occupants and a 4-star rating for Child Occupants. The car is powered by an 1199cc, 3-cylinder engine which produces 87 BHP 6000 rpm.  Further, the car churns out a peak torque figure of about 115 nm @ 3250 Rpm. You can expect a mileage of about 19.33 from the car, as projected by ARAI.

Hyundai Grad  I10 Nios

Powered by an 1197 cc petrol engine, the car produces a peak power of about 82 bhp and produces a peak torque figure of about 113.8 nm. The car could be a formidable choice when selecting a vehicle to rent while travelling. You can expect about 18 to 21.5 kmpl mileage from the vehicle.

Suzuki wagon R

One of the highest-selling cars in India, these provide users with an optimum blend of performance and comfort. The car has several engine options, such as a 998cc 66 hp producing  3-cylinder engine and a 1197cc 89bhp Producing 4-cylinder engine that provides a peak torque figure of 113 nm. Renting these cars could be some of the best options if you want to have a vehicle that is easy on the budget and petrol expenses.

Best SUV for Indian Roads

Mahindra Thar

The vehicle is powered by a 2184 cc Diesel engine, which churns out a max bhp figure of about 130.07 BHP @3750 Rpm. The max torque the motor churns out is around 300nm between 1600 – 2800 RPM. There are a few other engines as well, such as the 1500 cc Deisel available in Thar RWD. The Diesel engine produces close to about 117BHP@ 3500 RPM. Mahindra Thar is also available with a close to 2000cc Petrol engine that produces about 150 Bhp and about 320 Nm of Torque. If you plan to go on a serious off-road track, then this would be one of the best vehicles for you.

Suzuki Jimny

The Suzuki Jimny is powered by a K15B 1.5 cc Petrol Engine that produces close to about  103BHp at 6000RPM and a torque figure of about 134.2 NM @4000 Rpm. The car can easily handle your daily drives and off-road adventures. The powertrain is available with a manual as well as an Automatic transmission. This could be another top choice for your adventure, plus its 1.5 cc engine would keep the fuel costs down as well.

Thar Rockxx

Newly launched variant of the Thar with a 5-door setup for easier use. If you are planning an off-roading trip with family and friends, we recommend the Thar Rockxx. The car is available with a 2L m Stallion  Turbo Petrol Engine with Direct injection, which churns out about 160 HP with 330 NM of Torque. A  diesel engine produces about 172 BHP at 3500 Rpm and 370 NM torque at 1500 to 3000 RPM, and a 150 Hp engine with a peak torque figure of 330NM and a 2184 cc engine.

Fwd SUV

Grand Vitara

The car is powered by different engines in different variants. The petrol variant is powered by a 1490 cc 3-cylinder engine that produces about 91.81 bhp and a peak torque figure of 122 NM @ 4400- 4800 rpm. If you seek a vehicle for highway drives and moderate off-roading, the Grand Vitara would suffice.

Hyundai Creta

The Hyundai Creta is powered by a 1497cc 4-cylinder engine which produces about 113bhp @4000rpm and a peak torque figure of 143.8 NM @ 4500 rpm. The vehicle has a seating capacity of 5 people and, as per ARAI, returns a mileage of about 19.7 kmpl.

Kia Seltos

Powered by a 1497 cc 4-cylinder engine, just like the Hyundai Creta, the Seltos churns out about 113 bhp @6300 rpm and a max torque figure of 144 NM @ 4500 Rpm. As per the ARAI certificate, the car provides a mileage of 17 kmpl. The Seltos is a close competitor of the Hyundai Creta and would provide you with an easy ride with its comfortable ride quality.

Best Sedan Cars

Sedan Cars offer high comfort and easy rides but often lack the capability to pass through areas with inferior road conditions. While India's infrastructure is developing at a relentless pace, there are still a few places where the road conditions are not as optimal as in the metropolitan cities. If you want to rent a saloon car, we would recommend that you go with Either Honda City, powered by a 4-cylinder 1500 cc engine, or Volkswagen Virtus. Skoda Slavia, which is a Virtus underneath, could be a good choice as well.

Understanding Costs: What to Expect When Renting a Car

While collecting the vehicle after rental, always pay special attention to other charges that might be levied while renting a vehicle. When you rent a vehicle, you have to provide a security deposit when collecting the vehicle. Further, you can collect the security deposit when returning the vehicle. The charges for petrol and fast tag are paid by the customer. Every vehicle that you rent has a set km limit. If you exceed such a limit, you will be charged for the extra km you drive.

Checking and Returning Your Car

While collecting the vehicle, always take photos and videos of it so that you have proof of its appearance. You should also check its functions, tyre pressure, and service records. Thoroughly check the vehicle's appearance, and if it has any pre-existing dent or issue, report it to the provider while collecting the vehicle.

Beyond these, you should also check insurance papers and PUC validation while collecting the vehicle. While returning the vehicle, remember to collect your IDs and check for any remaining fast tag balance.

Booking Made Simple:

Now, you can easily rent a car in multiple cities with a wide variety of locations and cars. All you have to do is download the Rentrip Rental application, put in the necessary details, and choose a vehicle from our wide range and Book on the go. Renting is made easy with RenTrip with somple booking process.