Car Rentals in Kuala Lumpur: Costs and Things to Consider
Getting around Kuala Lumpur is fairly easy thanks to its accessible and systematic public transportation options such as buses and trains. However, none of these options quite offer the convenience and privacy of driving your car with your loved ones.
Thanks to the amazing car rental companies in Kuala Lumpur, you don’t have to own a vehicle to let your family enjoy a seamless travel experience. The question is: How much would it cost to rent a car in Kuala Lumpur?
Join us here as we answer this question to give you a better idea of the amount you’d have to spend. Plus, we’ve also provided a deep dive into the different kinds of cars you can rent and what they’re best for to help you decide which one suits your needs.
How much does it cost to rent a car in Kuala Lumpur?
The average cost of renting a car in Kuala Lumpur ranges around RM70 to RM500 per day. These prices will change depending on different factors such as the rental duration, season and the model of the car itself.
Simply put, longer the longer the duration of the rental, the cheaper the deal will be. Meanwhile, the larger the car is, the more expensive its cost will be.
It’s also worth noting that some rental car companies will require you to do credit payments in advance to lend you the car. Make sure to take note of this so that you won’t be surprised once they ask for it when you book one of their cars.
Types of Cars Available for Rent and Their Costs
In Kuala Lumpur, rental car companies will offer you different models that they think will best suit your needs.
What’s the most popular car to rent in Kuala Lumpur?
One of the most famous cars to rent in Kuala Lumpur is the Myvi from the local car brand Perodua. It’s a compact car that’s known for fuel efficiency, ample space and useful features such as parking assist, advanced safety assist, driving assist and more.
To guide you on getting the perfect one, here’s a quick rundown of the different models and their respective average costs:
Compact
Average rental price per day: RM70+
Compact cars are the smallest of the bunch, which provides a fair share of pros and cons. Starting with the good, these models are much more fuel efficient since their engine is smaller, which is great if you’re on a tight budget.
However, it does come with some disadvantages as well, with the most glaring one being limited cargo space. You may have to strategically place your luggage inside because the allotted space for them is only enough for a few litres.
All in all, these cars are perfect for couples and backpackers who don’t have a lot of luggage to haul. Plus, its fuel efficiency makes it a great option for environmentalists and budgetary travellers.
Here are some of the most famous compact cars you can rent in Kuala Lumpur:
- Honda Jazz
- Toyota Yaris
- Perodua Axia
- Perodua Myvi
- Perodua Viva
Sedan
Average rental price per day: RM170+
For small groups and families, we recommend renting a sedan because of its ample passenger and luggage space. However, this can also be a great option for couples who have lots of baggage as the backseat and the trunk can serve as cargo space.
They’re also the ideal option for driving within a busy city like Kuala Lumpur because of their small size. This will allow you to have better maneuverability which can help you squeeze into lanes with ease!
You can also save money on gas with these cars because of their fuel efficiency. This is more impressive once you see that these models usually have 4-cylinder engines.
The most famous sedans you can rent in KL include:
- Toyota Vios
- Honda City
- Nissan Almera
- Hyundai Elantra
MPV
Average rental price per day: RM210+
If you’re with a larger group, then you should rent a multipurpose vehicle (MPV). The model that you’ll choose should depend on the number of people you’re with and how much luggage you’re bringing with you.
These can usually accommodate 6 to 11 people depending on the model so make sure to choose wisely. They do come with some luggage space at the back, but some models have limited space, especially if you’re going to use all of the seats.
We do recommend this type of car for more experienced drivers, however, because it’s relatively tougher to maneuver. Because of its larger size, it would be a challenge to switch lanes and squeeze into parking spaces.
These are the most famous MPVs you can rent in KL:
- Toyota Hiace
- Honda Odyssey
- Toyota Vellfire
- Proton Exora Bold
- Nissan Serena
SUV
Average rental price per day: RM500+
Sport utility vehicles (SUVs) are great for mid-sized groups because of their relatively spacious cabins and cargo space. More specifically, these cars can house groups of 7 or 8 (including the driver).
The great thing about this car is that even though it’s spacious, it’s not as hard to maneuver, unlike MPVs. Plus, they’re more comfortable which makes them a great option if you’re going in and out of the city for long drives.
Some of the most popular SUVs for rent in Malaysia include:
- Honda HR-V
- Mazda CX-5
- Kia Sportage
- Honda CR-V
- Toyota Fortuner
Premium Cars
Average rental price per day: RM250+
If you want to travel lavishly across the city during your visit to Malaysia, some rental companies also offer premium cars. These are high-end models that came from premium brands such as BMW, Mercedez Benz, Audi and more.
Free/Paid Inclusions of Rental Cars in Kuala Lumpur:
• GPS Kit (costs additional, we recommend using Waze or Google Maps instead.)
• Aux Cables
• Toolkit
• Child seat (costs additional, children under 4 are required to sit in child seats)
Things to Prepare When Renting a Car in KL
For a more seamless transaction, make sure to have these essential documents at hand when renting a car in KL:
Proof of Identity
Before handing you one of their cars, a rental company will ask for a valid proof of identity, issued by the government. This way, they can validate and record your details, and of course, hold you accountable if anything wrong happens with you and the vehicle.
Proof of Age
The legal driving age is 21, so a rental service won’t approve your request if you’re anywhere below it. This is why we recommend bringing an ID or any kind of document that proves that you’re of legal driving age.
Driver’s License
Last but not least, you need to present your driver’s license, more specifically, one that has a validity of up to two years. This ensures the company that you are indeed eligible to drive a vehicle in public.
If your driver’s license features non-Roman characters (Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, etc.), you’ll need to present an International Driver’s Permit.
Things to Remember Before Renting a Car in KL
Choose a local car renting service
As much as possible, we recommend opting for a local car renting service because you’ll be saving a lot more money. We understand that you may want to choose an international service because of its reputation, but some local ones are also credible.
That being said when you’re looking for a local car renting service, we advise you to do your research before your trip. This way, you can make sure that you know everything about the company and that you can be comfortable trusting them with your money.
Learn about the speed limit
Since you’ll be driving your vehicle and not relying on a local, you must learn the speed limits reinforced in different areas. These are:
- Expressways: 110 km/h
- Federal and state roads: 90 km/h
- Urban areas: 60km/h
Furthermore, we advise you to check out our easy driving tips for tourists here to help you avoid accidents and master the roads of KL.
Compare prices across different sites
When looking for a car rental company, we don’t advise settling for a single option. Instead, we recommend looking for multiple rental services online so that you can compare their prices and their overall offerings.
From there, you can choose the one that you think will suit your needs the most. This way, you can get the best value out of your money!
Avoid pick-ups and drop-offs at the airport
One of the first and most important things you need to remember when renting a car is to never set the pick-up or drop-off at the airport. For some reason, pinning these at the airport cost more as opposed to anywhere else in the city.
Fill the tank before dropping the car off
Before dropping off your rental car, make sure to fill up its tank to make up for what you used during your trip. This is because, rental services will usually charge you for what’s missing from what they initially lent you, including gas.
Additionally, you won’t get a refund for leaving some gas to spare after you’ve used the car, so might as well use it.
Return the vehicle on the agreed date and time
As you settle the drop-off date with the rental company, make sure that you’re 100% sure of that date. This is because most agencies will charge extra if this agreement isn’t followed, leading you to spend more money than you intended.
If you feel like you’re going to need the extension, we recommend discussing your terms with the rental company beforehand.
Record and take pictures of the car after the turnover
Once you’ve been handed the keys to your desired unit, one of the first things we recommend you do is take detailed photos and videos of the car itself. This comes in handy when the agency tries to pin damages on you after you’ve returned the car.
By doing this extra step, you’ll have solid evidence of what the car looked like before you even had the chance to drive it.