South America car hire

On average a car hire in South America costs £33 per day.

Intermediate (Class Intermediate SUV or similar) is the most frequently booked car hire type in South America.

In the past 72 hours, the cheapest car hires were found at Unidas (£18/day), MOVIDA (£19/day) and Dollar (£19/day).

Based on ratings and reviews from real users on KAYAK, the best car hire companies in South America are Localiza (7.9, 80 reviews), Dollar (7.4, 111 reviews), and Alamo (6.9, 433 reviews).

Take a look at our extensive car hire location map to find the best car hire deals near you.

Based on car searches on KAYAK, the most popular cities to hire a car in South America are Sao Paulo (12% of total searches of users looking to hire a car in South America), Lima (11%) and Santiago (7%).

On average a car hire in South America costs £228 per week (£33 per day).

On average a car hire in South America costs £978 per month (£33 per day).

Absolutely. Hiring a car in South America offers unique freedom to explore. Many of the continent's jewels, like the Atacama Desert in Chile or Argentina's Route 40, are best explored by car. While big cities like Buenos Aires or Rio have public transport, gems like Patagonia or Bolivia's Salt Flats aren't as well-connected. Plus, the continent boasts stunning drives, from Brazil's coastline to the Andes mountain range. Hiring a car trumps waiting on bus schedules, especially in remote areas. So, if you're dreaming of sunrises in untouched spots, having your own car is a game-changer.

Driving in South America is quite the experience. For starters, it's right-hand driving throughout. In big cities, traffic can be bustling, while in the countryside, it's peaceful. Brazil's got numerous toll roads, so keep some cash handy, if you're in the area. When tackling the Andes, be prepared for winding roads and changing altitudes. The Pan-American Highway is a dream to drive on, but some rural roads can be less forgiving, especially after rain. The speed limit varies, but the standard range is around 100–130 km/h (62–80 mp/h) on highways and 40–60 km/h (24–37 mp/h) in towns.

In South America, most countries require you to be at least 21 to hire a car. However, if you're between 21 and 24, there might be a young driver surcharge added to your bill. Good news for the mature adventurers; there's often no upper age limit! As for your licence, a valid one from your home country with an International Driving Permit usually does the trick. That said, it's smart to check specific age and licence requirements with your chosen car hire agency, as these can vary country by country. Also remember to bring along a credit card in your name or the main driver's name.