When planning your excursion to “God’s Own Country,” the type of transportation you will use to get around is likely to be one of the most essential factors. If you are a local resident needing a temporary vehicle or a visitor arriving by plane, the decision whether to rent a vehicle for a short or long time is an issue faced by all types of travelers. While the increase in the popularity of car rentals in Kerala now gives travelers even more flexibility in their travel options, the appropriate choice will depend largely on our travel itinerary, your budget, and the specifics of your stay.
What is a Short-Term Rental?
Short-term rentals are the “ad-hoc” solutions of the travel world. They are designed for immediate, temporary needs where convenience and variety outweigh long-term price stability. Short-term rental typically involves making arrangements to rent a vehicle for a number of hours or days up to one week sometimes extending up to 3 weeks. If you are a tourist traveling within a condensed time frame, short-term car rental is your best option. After arriving at the airport in a busy commercial area and needing to travel to many of the city’s tourist attractions or head to the Athirappilly waterfalls for a three-day visit, you can rent a car and return it prior to your departure for another region by train or airplane.You will pay a higher daily rate, but the total commitment is low. It’s often “pay-as-you-go” with minimal documentation.
When Do I Choose a Short-Term Rental?
Weekend Getaways: This is a great option for spur-of-the-moment adventures from the city to the hills.
Special Events or Social Gatherings: If you need to rent a vehicle for a wedding or business conference.
Monsoon Exploration: When it rains, renting a car to explore the tropics is safe, tidy, and allows you to see the greenery without the uncertainty of public transport
Long Term Rental Car Rental is Popular With NRIs: A long-term rental usually starts at a few weeks and can go as long as a few months. Long-term rentals have become more popular with NRIs returning to visit relatives during their holidays and professionals doing extended projects. When renting a car in Kerala for a family trip across the entire state, it is usually cheaper to rent it for a long term than it is to rent it short term.The per-day rate drops significantly (often 30–50% cheaper than daily rates). Most companies offer a fixed monthly fee that bundles insurance and roadside assistance.You get a consistent vehicle that starts to feel like your own. You won’t face the “surge pricing” that often hits short-term rentals during peak tourist seasons (like December or Onam).
The biggest reason to rent for a long term is the much lower daily rental rates. When you book for a month, most rental companies offer very significant discounts off their daily rates, and with the rental of the car for a longer period, you don’t have to constantly pick it up and drop it off, you feel like you own the car for your entire time there. Long-term contracts may require a bit more paperwork or a security deposit, but they often include unlimited mileage, which is a huge perk for exploring the length of Kerala without watching the odometer.
Another factor for your decision is whether you want to drive. Rentals of self-drive vehicles in Kerala have greatly increased. The privacy that comes with self-drive vehicles is out of this world for some couples on their honeymoon and for families who need to have private conversations.
If you’re not familiar with travelling along the narrow, winding roads of the Western Ghats, renting a long-term vehicle fitted with a driver may be useful to you.
Pro Tip: It’s recommended when creating a family travelling vehicle rental to plan ahead to ensure a vehicle has enough luggage space and a high enough ground clearance, especially if you’re travelling to rural plantations or to hilly locations.
Key Factors to Consider
Cost effectiveness
While short-term vehicle rentals typically cost much more per day, they can cost less in total for very short amounts of time. Long-term rentals usually require a greater up-front commitment of funds than are needed through short-term rentals, but they come at a much lower cost-per-day after you rent one. Regardless of the type of rental you’re using for your travels, include any insurance and maintenance that may be necessary; this is usually the responsibility of the rental agency regardless of which type of vehicle rental you are using.
Flexibility with support
While travelling by car, things can and will happen that you did not anticipate. Renting from a reputable, 24/7 rental agency in the state of Kerala, regardless of how long you have rented, will provide you with peace of mind to know there is someone just a phone call away who can provide assistance to you should a minor mechanical issue turn into a major inconvenience during the extremely wet monsoon season.
Variety of Terrains
Geographically speaking, Kerala has a wide range of terrains. If you’re only using your car to drive around town, you would probably prefer a compact hatchback because they are small and easy to maneuver in heavy traffic. If you plan on renting a car, however, perhaps to take your family on vacation to the higher altitudes of Munnar, you might want to consider renting an SUV instead. Renting cars during the rainy season from June through August is usually best with vehicles that have good gripping tires, as well as fog lights.
In conclusion, if your trip is primarily based around visiting one city or if you’re taking a quick trip through several cities, short-term (one-way) car rentals in Kochi or other localities provide a viable option for cutting expenses and keeping your trip uncomplicated. Conversely, if you’re someone who likes to explore different cultures and enjoy the scenery of our state over an extended period of time, the benefits and ease of long-term (one-way) car rentals in Kerala cannot be overstated.
Finally, no matter what option you choose, be sure to select a rental car company that provides self-drive vehicles in Kerala to give you the greatest amount of freedom while you travel around the state. Also, always check to see if the rental car company you are using offers 24/7 car rental services in Kerala so you can remain on the same schedule as you travel throughout your journey.