Car Rental in Beijing
Travelers wishing to explore Beijing, as well as its surrounding areas, typically rent a car in Beijing. Various car hire companies are present in the Chinese capital. Hence, both domestic agencies and international providers have desks scattered around the city. Overall, although the public transit network in Beijing is considered efficient and extensive, it can’t be compared to rental cars in terms of autonomy and flexibility. Subway, trains, and buses are a cheap yet often tedious and tiring way to travel around Beijing, whereas taxis, even though affordable, end up quite pricey if used exclusively throughout the entire journey. That’s one of the reasons why Beijing car rentals are a sought-after option among the city’s visitors.
Should I Rent a Car in Beijing?
If you plan to explore the city of Beijing, renting a car wouldn’t probably be the most convenient option. The city’s public transit network is effective, while traffic jams are notorious and motorists don’t always obey traffic laws. Moreover, countless cyclists and riders circulate in Beijing, requiring drivers to pay extra attention to avoid accidents. On the other hand, if you want to visit other nearby destinations or even those that are further away, such as Chengde, Tianjin, the Great Wall of China, etc., there may be no more convenient option than renting a car, as it allows you to schedule your itinerary exactly as you like and provides complete independence during your journeys.
How to Rent a Car in Beijing?
You’ll find numerous car hire agencies providing various and top-quality rental services in Beijing. Hence, all you’ll need to do to book your rental car in Beijing is choose your preferred car rental provider and the type of vehicle. Your choice will be significantly easier if you use a search engine. Once you settle on the agency and the car model, you’ll fill out the booking form, giving all the required details. As soon as you complete the procedure, you’ll receive a confirmation email that will most likely also be the voucher for your reservation.
Can a Foreigner Rent a Car in China?
Foreign travelers can rent a car in Beijing. However, even if they have valid driver’s licenses or even issued an International Driving Permit, they are still not allowed to drive in Beijing. Indeed, they have to obtain a Chinese provisional driver’s license to drive a car in China. Temporary driving licenses are valid for three months and issued by Beijing Traffic Management Bureaus. They can also be issued in the Beijing airports.
Our Tip: Do you value independence during your journeys but don’t want to go through the process of obtaining a temporary driving permit? You can always rent a car with a driver!
Is it Easy to Rent a Car in Beijing?
Do you have difficulties deciding on car hire in Beijing? Are you worried about ferreting out the top value-for-money option? Set aside all concerns by taking a look at the following handy tips and hints about Beijing rental cars:
- Early bookings typically come with lower prices. In other words, the sooner you make your reservation, the more deals you’ll ferret out while ensuring availability.
- If you want to be sure about the credibility of the car hire provider or seek advice on the most suitable vehicle type, you should check previous customers’ reviews.
- You should choose the fuel-to-fuel policy to save money on gas expenses.
- Beijing car hire companies charge per 24 hours. Therefore, if you don’t return the vehicle on time, you’ll be charged an extra fee.
- It’s always advisable to take pics of the rental car before picking it up. In that way, you’ll have evidence of already existing damage.
- Overall, renting a car in Beijing is somewhat more affordable than renting it from one of the Beijing airports.
- Do you want to pick up your Beijing rental car from one location and drop it off at another one? One-way car rental is usually an option. That being said, it brings up a surcharge.
- Car rentals in Beijing typically come with mileage restrictions.
- You can add extra amenities to customize your ride (GPS, luggage racks, etc.). However, you should expect a higher rental fee.
What Do I Need to Rent a Car in Beijing?
If you want to rent a car in Beijing, you’ll have to hand over to the car hire company your passport or ID (for Chinese citizens), a temporary Chinese driving permit, and your original visa. Moreover, you’ll have to obtain a Chinese mobile number. It’s important to keep in mind that all documents must be valid for at least two months after the vehicle’s drop-off date. On the other hand, payments can be made with Alipay, WeChat, etc. However, international credit cards aren’t usually accepted.
What is the Minimum Age to Rent a Car in Beijing?
The minimum age limit to rent a car in Beijing ranges, depending on the chosen car hire company. Thus, certain providers require their customers to be at least 21 years old, while others set higher age limits (23 or even 25 years of age). In any case, all drivers younger than 25 typically pay a young driver’s surcharge.
How Much is a Rental Car in China?
The cost of Beijing car rentals depends on several factors, such as the time of the year, the rental period, the vehicle’s type, the extra amenities, etc. Overall, a compact rental car in Beijing costs approximately 342RMB (44.40€/ 48$) per day.
What is the Best Car Rental in Beijing?
Visitors opt for various rental cars in Beijing based on their needs and preferences. In general terms, travelers typically rent a compact car during their stay in Beijing. In fact, some of the most popular Beijing rental cars are the Suzuki Jimny and Volkswagen Jetta.
What is Beijing’s Speed Limit?
The speed limit within the city area is around 30-50km/h (19-31mph). Moreover, motorists can drive at up to 70km/h (43 miles) on urban highways and up to 80km/h (49.7mph) on highways beyond the city limits. On the other hand, the speed limit on city express roads is 100km/h (62 mph), and on expressways 120km/h (75mph). In any case, it’s important to follow road signage.
Can I Rent a Car Without Insurance?
All Beijing car hires come with minimum insurance. Hence, you can’t rent an uninsured car in Beijing. In fact, if you want to be on the safe side in case of an accident or damage, you should check the available insurance packages (collision damage waivers, theft protection, etc.) and add one to your car hire. In that way, even though the cost of your Beijing car rental will be higher, you’ll be more covered if unexpected incidents occur.
Where Can I Park my Car in Beijing?
Although paid street parking in Beijing is an option, it is regarded as a challenging task, especially in the city center. Hence, you can always park your car in one of the car parks adjacent to the subway stations located outside the city center area and use public transit to reach downtown. Alternatively, if you are looking for a hassle-free way to park your car rental in Beijing, you should consider parking it in one of the numerous multi-level parking lots. Many of them accept previous reservations. In that way, you’ll ensure availability and save time during the parking process.
Tips & Hints about Beijing Car Rentals
- In Beijing, drivers use the right side of the road.
- The Beijing bottlenecks are notorious. Therefore, you should avoid using your Beijing rental car during rush hours (approximately from 07:00 am to 09:00 am and from 05:00 pm to 07:00 pm).
- Many of the highways around Beijing are toll roads.
- The car hire’s documents should be inside the vehicle at all times.
- You can rent a car in Beijing and explore the mainland. That being said, you aren’t allowed to drive beyond mainland China, at least without prior arrangements with the car rental agency.
- Even though passengers are required to wear seatbelts, many drivers in Beijing don’t. Nevertheless, you should comply with the traffic rules and always wear your seatbelt.
- If you are traveling with children, they must be seated in appropriate children’s seats.
- The use of mobile phones while driving is prohibited.
- The alcohol blood limit in Beijing is 0.02%.