How to Get a Cheaper Car Hire in Tonga
Stretch your Pa’anga a little further in Tonga by saving money on car rental! Saving money on car rental can only be a good thing, so you can spend more on the things that matter, like whale swimming, scuba diving or another pint of Tongan beer. From daily rental rates to the vehicle you choose, there are a few easy ways to save money on car rental in Tonga. We’ll show you how in the list below!
1. Choose a Small Car
Small cars are the cheapest type of cars to rent in Tonga, typically costing around TOP$70, but we’ve seen them as cheap as TOP$30 per day! Considering you’ll rarely be driving more than 50 km (30 mi) a day on roads with speed limits at a maximum of 70 kph (40 mph), you don’t need to worry about getting the most fuel-efficient vehicle. On top of that, many car rental agreements in Tonga don’t allow you to go off the sealed roads, so often, paying extra for a 4WD or a vehicle with high clearance makes little sense anyway. In short, a small car will usually do. Take a look at the daily rates for different types of vehicles in our guide, How Much Does it Cost to Rent a Car in Tonga?
© TongaPocketGuide.com2. Look Out for Weekly Deals
The standard price for car rentals in Tonga is based on a daily rate. However, some car rental companies offer discounts for multi-day hires. Deals we’ve seen include “Hire for seven, pay for six”, cheaper daily rates if hiring for 3+ days, and free accommodation/airport drop-offs for multi-day hires. Look out for these deals or be sure to ask when booking.
© TongaPocketGuide.com3. Or Just Rent a Car for a Day or Two
While having a rental car for your entire stay in Tonga is convenient, note that you can go a few days without a car if you’re looking to save money. Tonga’s main islands explored by car: Tongatapu, ‘Utu Vava’u, Lifuka and ‘Eua can be explored in just a day or two, while most travellers will fill the rest of their time with snorkelling, culture tours, whale watching or relaxing at their resort where a vehicle is not needed. Check out our curated day-trip itineraries for each island group for a concise itinerary that gets you to see as much as possible with as little kilometres as possible:
- A Self-Guided Day Trip of Tongatapu: One Day Itinerary
- A Self-Guided Day Trip of ‘Eua: One Day Itinerary
- A Self-Guided Day Trip of Ha’apai: One Day Itinerary
- A Self-Guided Day Trip of Vava’u: One Day Itinerary.
© TongaPocketGuide.com4. Compare Tonga’s Car Rental Companies
Don’t just go with the first car rental company you see. Tonga has multiple car rental companies on each of the four main island groups. Therefore, comparing companies is typically easy to digest and get prices. Start your research with the 10 Best Car Rentals in Tonga!
© TongaPocketGuide.com5. Choose Airport Drop-Off
If you want a car rental as soon as you land in Tongatapu, Vava’u or ‘Eua, then it makes financial sense to have the vehicle dropped off at the airport. Car rental drop-off rates are typically the same as getting a taxi or booking an airport transfer, so you might as well kill two birds with one stone and get the car dropped off at the airport. Better yet, rental car delivery to the airport or wharf on ‘Eua is usually free!
(c) tongapocketguide.com6. Book Early if Travelling in the High Seasons
If you’re planning on travelling to Tonga in the high tourist season (July to October) or the holiday season (December to January), make sure that you book your car rental as soon as you can. Not only do the best value cars go first, but it’s not unusual, especially on the outer islands, for all of the island’s rental cars to be fully booked. You don’t want to be left with the most expensive car rental vehicles or nothing at all!
© TongaPocketGuide.com7. Go Through the Car Inspection Thoroughly
This is super important to not retrieve nasty fees for damages to the vehicle that you did not cause. Upon pick-up, go around the vehicle with the car rental staff and point out all the damages you see. Many of the car rentals in Tonga are in old vehicles, so chances are, there will be a lot of wear and tear! Don’t be shy, point out all of the current dents and scratches and make sure the staff write them down on the car rental agreement.
© TongaPocketGuide.com8. Know the Road Rules in Tonga
Hardly any of the car rental companies in Tonga offer insurance. You are liable for any of the damages caused to the vehicle. For this reason, and for your safety and the safety of others, you should become seriously acquainted with the road rules in Tonga. That way, you lessen the risk of crashes. Check out How to Drive in Tonga and 10 Safety Tips for Driving in Tonga for some road rules to know.
(c) tongapocketguide.com9. Take the Car Back with a Full Tank of Fuel
Like anywhere in the world, if you don’t return the vehicle with the same amount of fuel as when you picked up the vehicle, you’ll be charged for the fuel you owe on top of a pricey fee. Gas stations are also fully serviced, so tell the attendant how much you want to fuel up.
(c) tongapocketguide.com10. Travel with Friends
Hiring a car just for yourself isn’t particularly good for the planet or your wallet. When it comes to car rental, the more the merrier! That way, you can split the cost of renting a car and enjoy a much cheaper holiday in Tonga. Invite some friends to travel to Tonga with you. For more planet-saving and money-saving tips like this, head to the 30 Ways to Travel More Sustainably in Tonga.
© TongaPocketGuide.comMore Ways to Save Money on Car Rental in Tonga
That’s it for the ways to save money on car rental in Tonga. For more about renting a car in Tonga, take a look at more of our insightful guides:
- The Guide to Renting a Car in Tonga
- How Much Does it Cost to Rent a Car in Tonga?
- Should You Rent a Car or Use a Taxi in Tonga?
Where can the road take you in Tonga? For itineraries to inspire you on where to go, take a look at the following compilations: The Best Tonga Itineraries for 2 Weeks, The Best Tonga Itineraries for 1 Week, The Best Tonga Itineraries for 5 Days and The Best Tonga Itineraries for a Weekend.
