Rent a car in Cebu to get around various destinations more conveniently.
Public transportation offers tons of connectivity, but there are also key benefits when you rent a car in Cebu.
From convenience to cost effectiveness, it allows you to blend in with the locals, travel in style, and access more locations.
This is a worthwhile life hack no matter where you go, but especially in the Philippines where commuting can get competitive and uncomfortable. Many tend to avoid the public transport frenzy and prefer the comfort of a private vehicle.
Luckily, there are plenty of places to rent a car in Cebu, whether you want to be the driver, have someone else drive for you, or even let the car drive itself.
This helps you achieve the perfect itinerary as you traverse the city streets with ease.
But first, what should you prepare for when you rent a car in Cebu?
REQUIREMENTS FOR WHEN YOU RENT A CAR IN CEBU
Car rental companies have different requirements, but these are the primary documents you’ll need:
- Driver’s license
- Passport or two valid IDs
- Credit card (selected companies for security deposit purposes)
Foreigners may use the driver’s license issued by their home country for 90 days, as long as it is written in English. For licenses written in another language, you should have it translated at your local embassy.
If tourists wish to stay for over 90 days, they will need to visit the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and have the license converted to a local one, or get a brand new one.
Car rental companies will also require a security deposit fee which will be used to cover potential damages to the vehicles. If not used, this will be refunded once the car is returned.
However, payments made by card may take up to two weeks to be returned, so take note of this when making payments. Some also only accept a valid credit card to pay for it.
Some car rental companies accept cash, bank transfers, and digital transactions through GCash or Maya.
When searching for places to rent a car in Cebu, make sure to check for age restrictions as they might impose this. Most companies will have a restriction of at least the age of 25.
The same requirements apply to a motorcycle rental, which is more ideal for locations like Moalboal and Bantayan Island. Each motorcycle rented comes with two helmets for passengers and a full tank of gas.
ESSENTIAL TIPS FOR RENTING A CAR
- Where to book
For more convenient transactions, Cebu car rental companies offer online bookings through their website, phone numbers, or social media pages. It is advised that you make a reservation ahead of time to avoid the peak season.
If you’re already in Cebu and looking to rent a car for a couple of days, you can also visit their offices and check the availability.
Some companies can have the car pick you up from the airport or your hotel, but with an extra fee. Make sure to ask about the company’s policies, especially for any extra costs from flight delays.
- Choose your type of car
First, determine what kind of vehicle you might need for your trip. Most rental companies offer various sedans, sports utility vehicles, and vans, which can be very helpful if you’re going on a Cebu City tour.
You can choose from some of the best cars in the Philippines like the ones from Toyota or Honda that can carry around four to eight people. You can also choose your own driver or get a self driving car rental.
- Always bring your documents and follow traffic rules
Companies will advise you to always bring important documents such as your driver’s license, passport, and even the receipt for the rental with you.
Even if you’re a foreigner visiting the Philippines, you’re expected to follow all traffic rules and regulations.
You can find a list of the traffic rules in the Philippines to ensure the safety of the driver, passengers, pedestrians, and even the car itself.
RELIABLE CAR RENTAL SERVICES
- Cebu Car Rental (cebu-car-rental.com) – a reliable company known for catering to its customers’ needs, especially during flight delays, even helping foreigners get local passports for longer vacations.
- Cebu Easy Rent-a-Car (facebook.com/cebueasy.rentacar) – an affordable car rental recognized as a top quality service provider by multiple International Travel Agencies.
- Saferide Car Rental (saferide.ph) – a car rental focused on providing safety.
- Safe Trip Tours (cebutours.ph) – the best car rental in Cebu for tours with packages that include different locations around the island.
*****
A road trip with friends and family is one of the best ways to fully immerse yourself in the culture and history of any foreign city or country. But with so many places to visit, getting around can be taxing.
Having your own vehicle makes it much easier because you have full control of your time. You can create your own itinerary and your very own customized Cebu City tour.
The process to rent a car in Cebu is straightforward, as you can also make reservations before your scheduled arrival. With dozens of options to choose from, you can make your travel experience a smooth and enjoyable one.
