Rio de Janeiro State car rentals

Economy (Volkswagen Polo or similar) is the most frequently booked rental car type in Rio de Janeiro State.

Take a look at our extensive car rental location map to find the best rental cars near you.

Rio de Janeiro State covers a wide swath of territory. This makes it incredibly rich with culture, sights, and activities. However, this also means that traversing the territory can be difficult for those who opt to rely on public transportation. While there are large coach buses, subway routes, and minibuses available, these options can often take a considerable amount of time—especially if your end point is off the beaten path. Exploring Rio de Janeiro State with a rental vehicle will ensure that your time to get to your destination is as quick as possible, and it will give you the freedom to explore at your leisure, rather than have your trip dictated by the timetables of public transport.

Like most major cities around the world, you can expect there to be a certain amount of gridlock on the major motorways during peak travel times—particularly the beginning and the end of the workday. What’s more, you’ll want to ensure that you stay vigilant while behind the wheel; in such a populated place, drivers are competing for highway lanes or to get onto key roads. You’ll want to keep your eyes on the road, too, to monitor for animals that may wander into the streets, which is a frequent occurrence. Finally, you’ll want to be aware that the Brazilian government has instituted restrictions on driving in the city to minimize overcrowding. Once you’ve retrieved your vehicle, you’ll want to look into what days, if any, you are permitted to drive in the city based on the license plate number.

The car rental age throughout Brazil is typically the same as the legal age for driving, which is 18 years old. That said, some rental car companies may require that renters be at least 25 years old. In some cases, companies that do permit renters to be under the 25-year-old threshold may charge additional young driver fees. Likewise, they may place some restrictions on vehicle categories and allow renters to select only from small or compact car options.