
[Car Rental for Hongkongers in Mainland China] 5 Recommended Rental Companies|Required Documents|Costs|Rental Process
Driving from Hong Kong to mainland China allows you to travel within Guangdong Province, but have you ever considered renting a car in mainland China to explore further? Renting a car gives you the freedom to travel beyond regional boundaries, with daily rental costs starting from just a few dozen yuan. With a wide variety of car models to choose from and the ability to complete the entire rental process through your mobile phone, Kwiksure is here to share with you the process, costs, required documents, and important considerations for Hongkongers renting cars in mainland China, along with recommendations for 5 car rental companies.
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Documents Required for Hongkongers to Rent a Car in Mainland China
Home Return Permit (valid for more than two months after the rental period)
Mainland China C-Class Driver’s License (valid for more than one month after the rental period)
How to Obtain a Mainland China Driver’s License for Hongkongers: Hong Kong residents can exchange their Hong Kong driver’s license for a Mainland China driver’s license without a test. For details, check: **[Mainland China License for Hong Kong Cars 2024] Exchange Hong Kong License for Mainland License Without a Test (Including Application Process and Fees)
Rental Process for Hongkongers Renting a Car in Mainland China
Step 1: Download the App
Register as a member. Although some car rental company apps can send verification codes to Hong Kong mobile numbers, it’s more convenient to register with a mainland China number. After registering, you need to upload your Home Return Permit for identity verification.
Step 2: Select Rental Dates, Pickup/Return Locations
Depending on the rental company, bookings are typically required at least 4 hours in advance, with a minimum rental period of one day. Many rental companies offer various pickup and return options, such as storefront service stations, self-pickup points, or door-to-door car delivery. If the pickup location is a storefront service station, staff will assist with the process. If you choose a self-pickup point, you can unlock and start the vehicle using the mobile app.
Step 3: Choose Your Vehicle
If you plan to take a long-term self-drive tour, some rental companies also offer monthly rental plans. Vehicles are generally categorized into comfort, SUV, electric, business, and luxury classes.
Step 4: Purchase Insurance
When renting a car, basic protection service fees (Compulsory Traffic Insurance) are mandatory and only cover third-party liability. For additional coverage, you can purchase optional car insurance to increase the coverage amount, vehicle protection, and nationwide roadside assistance. Daily insurance costs start from a few dozen yuan, depending on the coverage amount and the number of passengers insured.
Step 5: Complete Payment
Payment can be made through UnionPay credit cards. Some rental companies also accept VISA, MasterCard, WeChat Pay, and Alipay. Finally, confirm the order to complete the process. A special tip: when picking up the car, remember to take photos and videos of the vehicle's interior and exterior to record its condition and avoid disputes when returning the car.
Costs of Renting a Car in Mainland China for Hongkongers
Car rental costs in mainland China are relatively cheap, but keep in mind that in addition to the rental fee, car rental companies will also charge basic protection service fees (car insurance) and service preparation fees. Other optional services such as baby seats, door-to-door delivery, cross-location returns, and overtime usage will require additional charges. As an example, here are the approximate daily rental costs for different car models in Shenzhen:
Car Model |
Rental Fee (CNY) |
Compact 5-Seater |
¥55 - ¥100 |
SUV |
¥55 - ¥100 |
Luxury |
¥55 - ¥100 |
5-9 Seater Business |
¥360 - ¥500 |
Electric |
¥220 - ¥250 |
Example of Rental Costs
Item |
Cost |
VW T-ROC (5-Seater SUV Automatic) |
¥74/day |
Basic Protection Service Fee |
¥50/day |
Vehicle Preparation Fee |
¥20 |
Total Cost for 2 Days |
¥268 |
Important Considerations for Hongkongers Renting a Car in Mainland China
Holiday Charges
Rental fees may be higher during continuous long holidays of 3 days or more, as well as on weekends. It’s recommended to book and pay in advance to secure your reservation.
Traffic Restrictions
If you plan to drive into major cities, it’s advisable to check online for any traffic restrictions in your destination city before departure to avoid entering restricted zones during restricted hours.
Vehicle Deposit
Car rental companies will require a deposit, which can be paid via UnionPay credit card, WeChat, or Alipay. There are two types of deposits: vehicle deposit and violation deposit.
The vehicle deposit is to cover any damage to the vehicle, and some car rental companies may waive this deposit.
The violation deposit is used if the renter incurs traffic violations during the rental period and fails to pay the fines. The violation deposit, usually several thousand yuan, will be used to cover these fines. If no violations occur, the deposit is usually refunded 2 to 4 weeks after the car is returned.
Longer Rental Period
If you're unsure about the length of your trip, it's recommended to rent for a longer period, as the vehicle may already be booked for the next renter, making it difficult to extend your rental. However, if you return the car early, the unused rental fee can be refunded.
5 Recommended Car Rental Companies for Hongkongers in Mainland China
1. eHi Car Services
With over 5,000 service points and self-service pick-up locations in 400 cities nationwide, eHi is convenient for Hongkongers, with several branches in Shenzhen. They offer a wide range of vehicles, including economy, luxury, SUV, business, and electric cars, with brands such as Toyota, Volkswagen, Buick, and FAW Audi.
2. Wukong Car Rental
Wukong offers more affordable prices, with daily rental fees for economy cars ranging from ¥100 to ¥300. They also have a wide selection of vehicles, including farm trucks and sports cars like the Ford Mustang and Jaguar F-Type.
3. Shenzhou Car Rental
Shenzhou has branches in several familiar areas in Shenzhen, including Luohu, Nanshan, Futian, and Longgang, making it convenient for Hongkongers to pick up and return vehicles. Their electric car options include models less familiar to Hongkongers, such as the Nissan Ariya and Xiaopeng P7, which can be rented through the official mobile app and WeChat Mini Programs.
4. Maple Car Rental
Specializing in luxury vehicles, Maple offers models such as the Porsche Cayenne, Mercedes-Benz EQS, Maserati Ghibli, and even the Porsche 718 sports car.
5. Atzuche
Atzuche operates on a car-sharing model, where cars are listed on the platform by individual owners. This provides users with a rich variety of vehicles to choose from, many of which are less than a year old, and none older than 4 years, ensuring vehicle quality.
