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Explore Philippines on your own schedule

Car rental in Philippines

More choice, more flexibility, better prices.

★★★★★★ 4.5 / 8,764 reviews
Rent a car in Philippines
✓ No hidden fees · ✓ Free cancellation

Popular cities in Philippines

Manila
Manila
Davao
Davao
Naga
Naga
Cagayan De Oro
Cagayan De Oro

Why drive in Philippines

On Luzon, driving from Manila to Tagaytay or Batangas lets you pause at Taal viewpoints, farm stalls and hidden coves. You can time your trip to dodge rush hours and crowded buses.

On Cebu or Palawan, a car makes it simpler to reach Kawasan Falls, Port Barton or quiet beaches between El Nido and Nacpan. You keep the freedom to stop at village eateries and viewpoints along the way.

At a glance
Drives onRight
Motorway tollCheck locally
CurrencyPhilippine Peso (₱)
Min. rental age21 years

Good to know before you drive

The essentials for a smooth, ticket-free trip.

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Speed limits

Town50 km/h
Open road90 km/h
Motorway130 km/h
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Parking

Paid short-stay zones in city centres — buy a ticket and display it.

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Alcohol limit

Typically 0.05% blood-alcohol limit; lower for new drivers.

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Vignette / tolls

Check whether a motorway vignette or tolls apply — many rentals include one.

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Save up to 80%
Exclusive negotiated rates from 1,000+ rental companies.
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No hidden fees
No card or admin charges — every cost shown up front.
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Free cancellation
Change or cancel free up to 24 hours before pick-up.
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24/7 support
Real people, every day of the year, in your language.

Practical Information for Drivers

Traffic Laws

  • Drive only on the right-hand side of the road.
  • Within built-up areas, you may use any lane; outside towns you must keep to the right.
  • The frequent use of the horn is common.
  • On Mondays, cars with number plates ending in 1 or 2 are not allowed on the roads; on Tuesdays, plates ending in 3, and so on until Friday (to reduce traffic).
  • At weekends, there are no such restrictions.
  • Do not exceed the speed limit, run red lights, drive without wearing a seat belt or talk on the phone while driving.

Speed limit: features of car hire in the Philippines

Specific speed limits are set for each type of road in the country and must be observed by drivers:

  • within built-up areas the maximum speed is 40 km/h;
  • next to municipal roads and various children's institutions the speed limit is 30 km/h;
  • before traffic lights and pedestrian crossings, speed should be reduced to 30 km/h;
  • the limit for country roads is 80 km/h.

Allowable alcohol

The Philippines belongs to the group of countries where a moderate legal limit for alcohol in a driver's system is set, at 0.5 ppm. This is one of the most common limits worldwide. It is strictly forbidden to drive a vehicle if this level is exceeded, and the driver can be punished with a fine.

The cost of fuel

The Philippines has relatively low fuel prices compared with most countries. Prices remain at the following approximate levels:

  • 1 litre of petrol can be bought for $1.04;
  • 1 litre of diesel fuel costs $0.66.

Gas is not used as a vehicle fuel.

What drivers say about Philippines

★★★★★★4.5
★★★★★ 5

"I travelled with a friend and the rental went smoothly from start to finish. Staff were kind, car was clean and fuel-efficient, and pickup and drop-off at the airport were fast."

M
Maria Angelica Dela Cruz
Philippines
★★★★★ 5

"We are a family with two kids and had a seamless experience. The car was spacious, aircon was strong, and child seats were ready on arrival. Staff were patient and friendly, though a clearer map for returning the car would have helped us a lot in Manila traffic."

J
Juan Miguel Santos
Philippines
★★★★★ 5

"We travelled as a couple and were very impressed. Booking was easy, confirmation emails were clear, and the car was almost brand new and very economical on fuel. Staff at the counter explained tolls and routes to our hotel. Only wish the phone holder in the car was sturdier for long drives."

A
Ana Patricia Mendoza
Philippines
More reviews →

Renting in Philippines — FAQ

For Manila, Cebu, and popular islands like Palawan or Boracay (via Kalibo/Caticlan), it is wise to book 2 to 4 weeks ahead for the best choice and prices. During Christmas, New Year, Holy Week, and long weekends, cars sell out quickly, so aim for 4 to 6 weeks in advance if you need an automatic or larger vehicle.
Most Philippine car hire companies place a temporary hold on your card when you collect the vehicle. This is usually released within 3 to 10 working days after drop-off, once the car is checked for damage and fuel. The exact timing depends on your bank, and some foreign-issued cards can take up to 14 days to show the funds as available again.
The excess (deductible) is the maximum amount you must pay if the rental car is damaged or stolen, even when basic insurance is included. In the Philippines this is often around PHP 15,000 to PHP 40,000, depending on vehicle class. If repair or loss costs are lower than the excess, you pay the lower amount. You can usually buy extra cover to reduce or even reclaim this excess for added peace of mind.
Many major rental companies in the Philippines still require a credit card in the main driver’s name for the security deposit. However, some local suppliers and special offers allow rentals with a debit card or even no deposit, no credit card deals, especially for smaller cars. These options often come with stricter conditions, such as limited mileage, extra ID checks, or higher daily rates.
Average daily prices in the Philippines vary by season and city. As a guide, a small economy car in Manila or Cebu typically costs around PHP 1,600 to PHP 2,500 per day. SUVs, vans, and automatic models usually range from PHP 2,800 to PHP 5,000 per day. Prices are often higher during peak holidays, and may exclude extras such as cross-island use, GPS, child seats, or additional drivers.
Bookingcar focuses on price comparison. It brings together offers from many international and local rental companies in the Philippines so you can quickly compare daily rates, included mileage, insurance conditions, and deposit requirements. This helps you identify the best-value deal for your trip without visiting multiple websites, ensuring a more transparent choice before you reserve.
If you return your car late in the Philippines, most rental firms charge an additional fee, often calculated per extra hour and then as a full extra rental day once you exceed a grace period (typically 30 to 59 minutes). A significant delay can also affect insurance coverage. Always check your voucher for the exact policy and, if you expect to be late, contact the rental office or roadside assistance number as soon as possible.
Official speed limits in the Philippines are usually:
  • Urban areas: around 30 to 40 km/h, lower near schools and busy streets
  • Provincial roads: typically 60 to 80 km/h, depending on signage
  • Expressways (NLEX, SLEX, etc.): generally 60 to 100 km/h, with minimum and maximum limits clearly posted
Always follow local signs, as limits can change for roadworks, bridges, or accident-prone zones.
Traffic fines vary by city and highway. Common penalties include:
  • Speeding: often around PHP 1,000 to PHP 3,000 or more, higher on expressways
  • Illegal parking or obstruction: roughly PHP 500 to PHP 2,000
  • Driving without a valid licence or registration: can exceed PHP 3,000, with possible vehicle impound
Unpaid fines may be charged to your rental and could incur administrative fees.
The Philippines has strict rules under the Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act. The general blood alcohol concentration limit for private drivers is 0.05%, and commercial drivers or those operating public vehicles are effectively expected to have zero alcohol. Penalties can include heavy fines, licence suspension or revocation, and even imprisonment if you cause an accident. Roadside sobriety and breath tests are increasingly enforced on busy routes.
Fuel prices in the Philippines change frequently with world oil markets and local taxes. As a ballpark figure, petrol (gasoline) often ranges around PHP 65 to PHP 80 per litre, while diesel is usually slightly cheaper. Rates can be higher at stations in remote islands or tourist hotspots. Many rental contracts expect you to return the car with the same fuel level, so remember to refuel before drop-off.
Yes, the Philippines has numerous toll expressways, especially around Luzon, such as NLEX, SLEX, Skyway, TPLEX, and Cavitex. Tolls are charged per use at plazas or via electronic payment tags like RFID. Some rental cars are equipped with RFID, and tolls may be billed to you later, sometimes with a small service fee. There is no vignette system; you simply pay for each journey or section you drive on.

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