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If you are considering a car rental in Cebu City, please read this article carefully.
One of the most convenient, comfortable, and fun ways to explore Cebu Island is to rent a car in Cebu City, but renting a car in a foreign country can feel quite unnerving. Things can go badly wrong if you are not prepared. For example, we have heard of fake car rentals in Cebu City. Also, if you’re not careful, you can accidentally break the contract, which can lead to all sorts of problems.
We took a car rental in Cebu City, and we have used our experience and research to inform this article and help you know what to expect and how to avoid problems. In this article, we will also share a good car rental company in Cebu City.
DID YOU KNOW? – You can get a Private car rental with a driver on KLOOK
What is the advantage of renting a car in Cebu City?
- You can depart when you want, stop when you want, and go at your own pace.
- Using your car rental allows you to drive to your destination, and then you can use the car to explore the destination.
- If you have a car rental, you can just throw your bags in the boot (no need to struggle with your bags between buses and taxis).
- Car rental gets you a spacious and comfortable transport option for a family.
- If you’re traveling with a baby, you might be able to negotiate a baby seat in the car rental deal.
Get inspired – Some GREAT places to drive in Cebu
Save money and do it yourself! Here are some things that you can do once you have your own wheels!
- Go to Oslob to Swim with Wild Whale Sharks
- Go to Moalboal to See the Sardine Run and Swim with Wild Sea Turtles
- Go to Kawasan Falls for a Canyoneering Adventure
Things to know before you rent a car in Cebu City
Unfortunately, there are some scammy car rental companies in Cebu City. They will falsely advertise cars, take down payments, and then disappear off the map. If you are renting a car in Cebu City, we recommend renting through an official platform.
If you’re looking for a car rental in Cebu, it is important to search for “self-drive car rental.” In some cases, a car rental may include a driver.
It is also very important to be aware that most car rental dealers in Cebu have a strict Cebu Island-only policy. This means that you cannot take the car to any neighboring islands (with the exception of Mactan Island, which is connected to Cebu City by a road bridge). If you do try and take a car rental to another island, you could get into a lot of trouble and incur high fines.
Many car rental companies in Cebu City have additional charges for services like hotel drop-off and pick-up and cleaning fees. (Yes, this is weird; not many countries charge additional cleaning fees, but they do in Cebu.) Make sure that you check all of the fees before you finalize a car rental deal in Cebu.
How much does it cost to rent a car in Cebu City?
Car rental in Cebu City is not particularly cheap. In most cases, you will struggle to find a car rental for less than 1,000 pesos per day (which is around £14 or $18). If you are renting for a longer time period (such as 2 or 3 weeks), you may be able to get this price reduced by 100–200 pesos at the most.
A good car rental company in Cebu City
We can recommend Cool Transport Services, located on General Aviation Road in Lapu-Lapu City near the airport. You need to pay a 500 peso deposit to secure a reservation (online banking transfers accepted so that you can pay before you arrive).
They offer competitive car rental prices. For example, you can rent the Toyota Wigo (automatic) for 1,000 pesos per day, and you can negotiate it down to 900 pesos per day (long-term rental for a few weeks).
Uniquely, this car rental company does not ask for a deposit to rent the vehicles. You will, however, need to show your passport and driving license to receive the vehicle. They also charge a standard cleaning fee of 300 pesos (you can safely assume that you will have to pay this fee, especially if you have kids!). They also charge a delivery and pick-up fee of 500 pesos (unless you pick up the vehicle yourself from Aviation Road near the airport). For more information or to make a reservation, drop them an email at cherry.petiluna@gmail.com
Things to check when you rent a car in Cebu
- Check the body of the car for any scratches, dents, or scuffs, and take photographs of any damage to the vehicle.
- Check the interior of the vehicle for any damage and take photos.
- Check the fuel level of the vehicle (you will need to return the car with the same amount of fuel).
- Check what type of fuel the car takes and also identify the fuel cap release lever.
- Check the tires and brakes to ensure they are in good working condition.
- Find out what the excess is on the insurance policy.
- Check the contract carefully and make sure the deposit is written on the contract.
- Make sure that you have contact details for your car rental company so you can get in touch if you have any problems.
In most cases, you are responsible for any damage that results from your use. This includes accidental damage such as punctured tires, scuffs or scratches (even if it wasn’t your fault), and road traffic accidents.
The car rental dealer is responsible for the maintenance of the vehicle, general wear and tear, and any internal or mechanical problems which are outside of your control.
