How to Rent a Car in China as a Foreigner (Complete Guide)

How to Rent a Car in China as a Foreigner (Complete Guide)

Renting a car in China as a foreigner is not as simple as walking up to a counter at the airport. Major rental companies operate differently than they do in Europe or North America, and the requirements for foreign customers are specific.

But it is absolutely doable. Tens of thousands of foreigners rent cars in China every year for road trips, business travel, and expatriate life. You just need to know which companies accept foreign customers, what documents to bring, and how to navigate the insurance and deposit system.

This guide covers all of it — from choosing a rental company to returning the car without surprises.

Prerequisites Before You Rent

Before you can pick up a rental car in China, you need two things:

1. A valid Chinese driving credential — either a Temporary Driving Permit (for short-term visitors) or a full Chinese driver’s license (for residents). Your home-country license and International Driving Permit are not accepted by rental companies
2. A valid passport with a current Chinese visa or residence permit

If you do not have a Temporary Driving Permit yet, read our guide on how to get one before proceeding. No rental company in China will hand you the keys without a valid Chinese driving document.

Rental Companies That Accept Foreigners

Not all rental companies in China serve foreign customers. Some smaller, local companies refuse outright because of language barriers and insurance complications. Stick with companies that have experience with international renters.

Major Companies

eHi Car Services (Yi Hai Zu Che)

• One of the largest rental companies in China
• Has a dedicated English-language booking website
• Accepts foreign passports and Temporary Driving Permits at most locations
• Pickup locations in all major cities and most airports
• Good for first-time foreign renters

CAR Inc. (Shenzhou Zu Che)

• The largest car rental company in China by fleet size
• Accepts foreign customers but the booking process is primarily in Chinese
• Extensive network with locations in smaller cities where competitors do not operate
• Competitive pricing

Hertz China

• Operates in major cities under the global Hertz brand
• Familiar booking process for Western customers
• Higher prices than domestic companies
• Limited locations outside of first-tier cities (Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen)

Avis China

• Similar to Hertz — international brand, higher prices, limited coverage
• Good option if you have existing Avis loyalty benefits

Booking Platforms

Instead of booking directly, many foreign renters use aggregator platforms to compare prices and availability:

• Ctrip (Trip.com) — offers car rental booking in English, aggregates multiple companies
• Qunar — Chinese travel platform with competitive prices, limited English support
• Fliggy (Alibaba’s travel platform) — wide selection, best for users comfortable with Chinese-language interfaces

Important Note on Locations

Always confirm that your specific pickup location accepts foreign customers. A company may accept foreigners at their airport counter but not at a downtown branch, or vice versa. Call ahead or email the location directly to confirm.

Required Documents at Pickup

When you arrive to pick up your car, bring the following:

1. Passport — original, with valid visa
2. Temporary Driving Permit or Chinese driver’s license — original
3. Credit card — for the security deposit. Most major companies accept Visa and Mastercard. Some also accept UnionPay. Debit cards are generally not accepted for deposits
4. Confirmation voucher — printed or digital copy of your booking confirmation
5. International credit card in your name — the name on the card must match the name on your passport

Some locations may also ask for your hotel address and a local phone number. Having a working Chinese phone number (from a local SIM card or eSIM) makes the process smoother.

Insurance Options

Chinese rental car insurance is structured differently from Western systems. Understanding the options before you pick up the car can save you significant money and stress.

Basic Insurance (Usually Included)

Most rentals include basic compulsory insurance that covers:

• Third-party liability for injury and property damage
• Basic vehicle damage coverage with a high deductible (typically 1,500–3,000 RMB, or $210–$420 USD)

The deductible means you pay the first 1,500–3,000 RMB of any damage out of pocket.

Supplemental Insurance (Recommended)

Rental companies offer additional coverage to reduce or eliminate the deductible:

• Supplemental Damage Waiver (SDW): Reduces your deductible to zero for vehicle damage. Costs approximately 60–100 RMB per day ($8–$14 USD)
• Supplemental Third-Party Liability: Increases the coverage limit for damage to other vehicles or property. Recommended for peace of mind
• Personal Accident Insurance: Covers medical expenses for the driver and passengers. Costs approximately 20–40 RMB per day ($3–$6 USD)

What Is Typically NOT Covered

• Tire and wheel damage — curbed rims and blown tires are your responsibility
• Glass damage — windshield chips and cracks
• Undercarriage damage — from driving on rough roads
• Theft — car theft is rare in China, but if it happens, coverage varies by company
• Driving under the influence — any accident while intoxicated voids all coverage
• Driving without a valid permit — if your Temporary Driving Permit has expired, insurance does not apply

Consider buying a standalone travel insurance policy that includes rental car coverage as a supplement to the rental company’s insurance.

Deposits and Payment

Security Deposit

Every rental company in China requires a security deposit, which is pre-authorized on your credit card at pickup. This is not a charge — it is a hold that reduces your available credit.

Typical deposit amounts:

• Economy/compact cars: 3,000–5,000 RMB ($420–$700 USD)
• Mid-size/SUV: 5,000–8,000 RMB ($700–$1,100 USD)
• Luxury vehicles: 10,000–20,000 RMB ($1,400–$2,800 USD)

The hold is released when you return the car undamaged. Release time varies from 7 to 30 days depending on the company and whether any traffic violations are detected. This is one of the biggest complaints from foreign renters — plan for that credit to be unavailable for up to a month after return.

Violation Deposit

Some companies also hold an additional traffic violation deposit (typically 1,000–3,000 RMB) to cover any speeding tickets, red light violations, or parking fines incurred during your rental. Traffic cameras in China are extensive and automated, so violations are common even for careful drivers. The deposit is refunded minus any fines once the company receives violation notices, which can take 30–60 days.

Payment Methods

• Credit card (Visa, Mastercard) — accepted by major companies
• Alipay / WeChat Pay — increasingly accepted, but foreign-linked cards may not work for deposits
• Cash — rarely accepted for deposits, sometimes accepted for rental fees
• Debit cards — generally not accepted

GPS and Navigation

Getting around in China requires a navigation app that works with Chinese mapping data. Do not rely on Google Maps — it is inaccurate and slow without a reliable VPN connection.

Recommended Navigation Apps

Gaode Maps (Amap / Gaode Ditu)

• The most popular navigation app among Chinese drivers
• Accurate real-time traffic data
• Turn-by-turn voice navigation
• Available in English on newer versions, but the interface is primarily in Chinese
• Free to download

Baidu Maps (Baidu Ditu)

• Excellent coverage, especially in smaller cities and rural areas
• Detailed lane guidance and speed camera alerts
• Primarily Chinese-language interface
• Free to download

Getting a GPS Unit

Most rental cars do not come with built-in GPS navigation in English. Some rental companies offer portable GPS units as an add-on for 20–40 RMB per day ($3–$6 USD), but these units are typically in Chinese only.

Your best option is to use your smartphone with a local SIM card for data. Buy a Chinese SIM card at the airport on arrival — China Mobile, China Unicom, and China Telecom all offer short-term data plans for tourists.

Real Costs: What to Expect

Here is a realistic breakdown of rental costs for a compact car (e.g., Volkswagen Lavida or similar) in a major city.

Item	Daily Cost (RMB)	Daily Cost (USD)
Base rental (economy car)	150–300	$21–$42
Supplemental insurance (SDW)	60–100	$8–$14
GPS unit (optional)	20–40	$3–$6
Total per day	230–440	$32–$62

Additional Costs to Budget For

• Fuel: Gasoline costs approximately 7.5–8.5 RMB per liter ($1.05–$1.20 USD). Most rental cars use 92-octane gasoline. Return the car with the same fuel level as pickup to avoid refueling surcharges
• Tolls: Expressway tolls in China are significant. Budget 0.4–0.6 RMB per kilometer ($0.06–$0.08 USD per km). An 800 km trip will cost approximately 350–500 RMB ($49–$70 USD) in tolls
• Parking: Major city parking costs 10–20 RMB per hour ($1.40–$2.80 USD). Hotel parking is often free or inexpensive
• One-way fee: If you return the car to a different location, expect a one-way fee of 500–2,000 RMB ($70–$280 USD) depending on distance

Booking Tips

Book in Advance

Rental car availability in China is tighter than in Western countries, especially during Chinese national holidays (Chinese New Year in January/February, Golden Week in October, and Labor Day in May). Book at least 2–3 weeks ahead during these periods.

Take Photos at Pickup

Before driving away, photograph the car from every angle — including the roof, wheels, and undercarriage if possible. Note any existing scratches, dents, or damage on the rental agreement. This protects you from being charged for pre-existing damage at return.

Check the Vehicle Thoroughly

• Test all lights, turn signals, and wipers
• Check tire condition and inflation
• Verify the spare tire and jack are present
• Confirm the fuel type (92 or 95 octane) — filling with the wrong fuel can cause engine damage that you will pay for

Understand the Return Policy

Most companies allow returns during business hours only. After-hours returns may incur extra fees or may not be available at all. Confirm the return procedure and hours when you pick up the car.

Things to Know Before You Drive

Toll Roads

Chinese expressways are toll roads. You pay at toll booths with cash, Alipay, or WeChat Pay. Some rental cars come with an ETC device (electronic toll collection) that automatically charges tolls to your account. Ask the rental company if the car has ETC and how the charges are handled.

Speed Cameras

China has an extensive network of speed cameras. Speed limits on expressways are typically 120 km/h, on national roads 80 km/h, and in urban areas 40–60 km/h. Enforcement is automated and strict. The rental company will forward any tickets to you and charge them to your deposit.

Parking

Parking in city centers is challenging. Look for underground parking garages at shopping malls and hotels — they are the most reliable option. Street parking exists but is often limited to specific zones with time restrictions. Never park in front of a yellow-painted curb — these are no-parking zones and towing is common.

Fuel Stations

Fuel stations are plentiful in cities and along expressways but can be scarce in rural areas. Fill up when you have a quarter tank remaining. Most stations accept cash and mobile payment. Credit cards are rarely accepted at fuel stations.

Common Mistakes

Not getting a Temporary Driving Permit first. No permit, no rental. This is non-negotiable.

Underestimating the deposit. Make sure your credit card has enough available credit for both the rental fee and the deposit hold (which can be 5,000–10,000 RMB).

Assuming English will be available. Rental counter staff at domestic companies (eHi, CAR Inc.) may speak limited English. Have key addresses and your booking confirmation printed in Chinese if possible.

Ignoring toll costs. Tolls can add 30–50% to your total transportation cost on long trips. Factor them into your budget.

Returning the car late. Late returns are charged at a higher hourly rate, and returns more than a few hours late may be charged as an additional full day.

Next Steps

Ready to rent? We can connect you with vetted rental agencies that have a track record of serving foreign customers well — companies with English-speaking staff, transparent pricing, and fair deposit policies.

If you are still deciding whether driving yourself is the right choice, compare the total cost of renting against hiring a private driver in our self-drive vs private driver guide.

Key Takeaways

• You must have a Temporary Driving Permit or Chinese license to rent a car — no exceptions
• eHi Car Services and CAR Inc. are the most foreign-friendly rental companies
• Budget 230–440 RMB per day ($32–$62 USD) including insurance for an economy car
• Credit card deposits range from 3,000–10,000 RMB ($420–$1,400 USD) and can be held for up to 30 days after return
• Use Gaode Maps or Baidu Maps for navigation — Google Maps is unreliable in China
• Factor in tolls (0.4–0.6 RMB/km) and fuel costs when comparing driving to other transport options
• Book early, photograph the car at pickup, and return it with the correct fuel level