Car Rental Shanghai

Reasons to book a car rental in and around Shanghai

Renting a car in Shanghai offers the freedom and flexibility to explore this vibrant metropolis at your own pace. With a rental vehicle, you can manage your luggage easily while visiting key attractions like Shanghai Disneyland©, The Bund, and People's Square. Each of these sites is conveniently located in different neighborhoods, making it simple to plan your day without relying on public transportation. For families, a rental car provides ample space for strollers and luggage, ensuring everyone can travel comfortably together.

Exploring areas like Downtown Shanghai, Pudong, and Jing'an becomes effortless with your own vehicle. You can visit the iconic Shanghai Tower and Jin Mao Tower in Pudong or take a leisurely drive to Jing'an Temple. Whether you're seeking a family outing, a romantic evening stroll by The Bund, or a business-related trip, having a rental car allows for flexible travel plans. Enjoy your time in Shanghai with the convenience of a car, ensuring you make the most of your visit to this incredible city and its surroundings.

Most popular car rentals in Shanghai

• Midsize SUV: Accommodating up to 5 travelers and up to 3 large suitcases, a midsize SUV is an excellent choice for families, couples, or small groups exploring Shanghai. This vehicle type offers ample space for luggage and passengers, making it ideal for those who need flexibility and comfort during their travels. With a midsize SUV, you can navigate the city with ease while enjoying the freedom to stop at various attractions along the way.
• Compact: The compact car option is perfect for up to 5 travelers with room for 3 medium suitcases. This choice is particularly well-suited for solo travelers, couples, or families looking for an economical and efficient way to get around Shanghai. Compact cars are easy to maneuver in the bustling city streets and provide a more cost-effective rental option without sacrificing comfort. Enjoy the flexibility to explore at your own pace with this practical vehicle choice.

Top rated car suppliers in Shanghai

• Hertz: Hertz is the most popular car rental supplier in Shanghai, boasting over 5 rental locations throughout the area. Known for its reliability, Hertz offers a flexible rental experience, allowing travelers to explore attractions at their own pace. The most booked vehicles with Hertz are Compact and Fullsize cars, catering to a variety of travel needs. Customers appreciate the convenience of managing luggage and adjusting itineraries with ease, making Hertz a top choice for those renting a car in Shanghai.

Where to stay in Shanghai

• Pudong: Pudong is a vibrant district in Shanghai, perfect for family, city-themed, or business-themed experiences. It features popular shopping centers and malls. Notable attractions in the area include the iconic Shanghai Disneyland©, ideal for family vacations, and the impressive Shanghai Tower and Jin Mao Tower, both suitable for city exploration. Visitors can enjoy various dining options nearby, making it a convenient spot for travelers.
• Downtown Shanghai: This bustling neighborhood is great for families and business travelers alike. Downtown Shanghai offers numerous shopping venues and is home to key landmarks such as The Bund, a picturesque esplanade perfect for outdoor and romantic outings, and People's Square, a modern square vibrant with activity. The serene Yu Garden provides a beautiful escape, while numerous dining options cater to diverse tastes, ensuring a fulfilling stay.
• Puxi: Puxi is another appealing neighborhood for families and city explorers. It features a variety of shopping centers and areas. Key attractions include the Former French Concession, a charming tourist precinct ideal for outdoor exploration, and West Nanjing Road, a lively street for city adventures. Zhongshan Park offers a peaceful urban retreat, complemented by an array of dining and café options for travelers to enjoy.

10 tips to save on your car rental in and around Shanghai

1. Use filters to find the right car: Refine your search by vehicle type and features. Whether you’re looking for an SUV for additional space, a convertible for summertime fun, or an economical car for budget-friendly travel, utilize the filters on Expedia to discover the ideal vehicle for your journey.
2. Book in advance to help lower costs: Rental rates can vary based on demand, so it’s wise to secure your reservation well ahead of your trip. By booking early, you’re likely to find better rates and have access to a wider selection, especially during peak seasons.
3. Consider a smaller car for savings: Compact cars typically come at a lower rental price and are easier to maneuver and park in crowded areas. Mid-size rentals strike a good balance between affordability, comfort, and fuel efficiency.
4. Age guidelines: Drivers under 30 years may encounter higher deposits or daily fees, and certain vehicle categories—like SUVs or luxury models—might not be available. This can also apply to renters over 70 years old. Always verify age requirements before completing your booking.
5. Check fuel policies: Some rental agreements require a full-to-full fuel policy, which means you must return the car with a full tank to avoid additional charges. This is usually the most advantageous option. Other policies may include full-to-empty or prepaid fueling alternatives, which are acceptable as well; just ensure you return the car empty in those cases.
6. Save on city and airport pickups: Picking up your rental car at the airport often incurs a surcharge, but the added convenience may justify the extra cost.
7. Know your payment options: Many car rental companies only accept credit cards for payment.
8. Understand your insurance coverage: Car rental insurance can help you avoid unexpected expenses and provide peace of mind in case of unforeseen events during your trip. It’s easy to add rental insurance when booking through Expedia.
9. Consider unlimited mileage: If you’re planning to embark on long road trips, seek out rentals that offer unlimited mileage to prevent additional charges.
10. Bring your driver's license and ID: A valid driver’s license is necessary to rent a car.

Best time to rent a car in and around Shanghai

The best time to rent a car in and around Shanghai is January, when prices are slightly low and demand is at its lowest. Following this, May offers slightly low prices with average demand, making it another good option. As the year progresses, demand and prices increase, with July being the most expensive month due to slightly high prices and average demand. October also sees high demand and slightly high prices, marking a busy period for rentals.

Calendar Month	Temperature	Precipitation	Cloudiness	Demand	Pricing
January	42.3°F (5.7°C)	No Rain (Dry)	Mostly Sunny	Low	Slightly Low
February	44.2°F (6.8°C)	Light Rain	Mostly Sunny	Low	Average
March	50.7°F (10.4°C)	Light Rain	Mostly Sunny	Average	Average
April	59.2°F (15.1°C)	Light Rain	Mostly Sunny	High	Average
May	68.5°F (20.3°C)	Light Rain	Mostly Sunny	Average	Slightly Low
June	75.0°F (23.9°C)	Moderate Rain	Mostly Cloudy	High	Average
July	82.0°F (27.8°C)	Moderate Rain	Mostly Sunny	Average	Slightly High
August	82.8°F (28.2°C)	Light Rain	Mostly Sunny	Low	Slightly Low
September	75.7°F (24.3°C)	Light Rain	Mostly Sunny	Average	Average
October	67.1°F (19.5°C)	Light Rain	Mostly Sunny	High	Slightly High
November	58.1°F (14.5°C)	Light Rain	Mostly Sunny	Average	Slightly High
December	45.9°F (7.7°C)	No Rain (Dry)	Mostly Sunny	Average	Average

Finding the cheapest car rentals in Shanghai

Using our Search Wizard

If the deals that are available on our page do not suit your needs, then enter Shanghai into the search wizard at the top of the page. We will compare all the best deals available for your car rental in Shanghai and provide you with a list of the cheapest options, with no added fees.

Renting a car in Shanghai

Pay at pickup is available, so you don’t have to worry about spending your money until you arrive at your vehicle in Shanghai. We partner with reliable partners that guarantee an enjoyable experience for solo travelers, couples, and families. Package your car with a flight or hotel to unlock even more savings from Expedia.

Expected prices in Shanghai

Prices are subject to seasonal change depending on when you decide to arrange your car rental but right now you can book .

Flexibility & Cancellation

Most car suppliers offer penalty-free cancellations, so you don’t have to worry about losing money if your plans change. To cancel your booking log into your account through the Trips portal. Click manage booking and cancel this car. If you needed to alter your booking, then you can create a new one once you have canceled.

We all love being rewarded

One Key members save 10% or more on select hotels, cars, activities and vacation rentals. Not only that, earn OneKeyCash for every dollar spent on eligible hotels, vacation rentals, flights, car rentals, and more when you book across our family of brands: Expedia, Hotels.com and VRBO. Learn more and join today.

Car classes available from Expedia in 2026

The classes of vehicles available will change depending on your chosen location.

• Compact car rentals    
• Convertible car rentals    
• Economy car rentals    
• Fullsize car rentals    
• Luxury car rentals
• Midsize car rentals    
• Mini car rentals    
• Minivan rentals    
• Pickup car rentals    
• Premium car rentals
• Sportscar rentals    
• Standard car rentals    
• SUV rentals    
• Van rentals