The Real Cost of Driving in Kerala — How to Choose Smart Rentals

Kerala is a land known for its beautiful emerald backwaters, aromatic hill stations, and palm-lined coastlines. To enjoy your trip to Kerala to the fullest, you need to be freed from rigid itineraries and strict schedules. You must be able to breathe through your journey if you are to truly experience its soul. Nothing says freedom like an open road and a private vehicle,  which is why Self-drive cars in Kerala have become the most preferred choice for tourists and locals alike.

Though most rentals and websites seem like they are offering you cars at a very affordable price, at most times it’s because you overlook the hidden costs that unwillingly take the total budget out of your hands and out of your pockets.At Maaz Cars, we believe in total transparency. We want you to be aware of every penny you may have to spend in the entire journey. And it begins with the right vehicle from the right provider—the key to saving money and maximizing your trip.

Unmasking the Hidden Costs: Find what is hidden behind Offers

The price that you may be shown on advertisements or click baits may only be a small fraction of the total cost.Before renting out a self-drive car rental in Kerala, make sure that you have also kept aside a budget for other important expenses such as fuel, tolls, or even unforeseen situations.

The cost of fuel often goes unnoticed by travelers. With the unpredictable and varied roads of Kerala you will have to keep aside a significant amount for fuel expenses. A trip starting with a car rental in Kochi might quickly lead you into the high ranges and hairpin roads of Munnar or Thekkady. These scenic routes, while stunning, are dominated by steep inclines and sharp turns.Since driving on flat highways is vastly different from navigating these twisting roads, your car’s mileage will drop significantly, sometimes by as much as 30%, when climbing hills or braking frequently in dense city traffic.

Here comes Maaz cars to your rescue. While many rental companies prioritize the lowest daily rate by offering older, less fuel-efficient models, Maaz Cars only offers the latest model, well-maintained vehicles. We advise our customers to choose a modern, slightly smaller engine or even an automatic vehicle known for excellent mileage. While the daily rate might be marginally higher, the long-term fuel savings on a 5-day trip to the hills can easily save you thousands of rupees.Similarly toll charges and parking charges are also a few areas that might go unnoticed by tourists. With the rapid development in infrastructure, more national highway tolls exist particularly around major cities and on newer bypasses. While these are minor individually, they accumulate rapidly, especially if you use the same route repeatedly. Similarly, parking in popular tourist hubs like Fort Kochi or Varkala is rarely free and can add up over a week.

Don’t worry! We have a solution for this too.Always ensure your rental car is equipped with a functioning FASTag (electronic toll collection).

Monsoon? No more staying back!

The days of keeping indoors during the rainy season are long gone. The weather and geography of Kerala demand special choices in vehicles, more particularly during the rainy season.

The type of car for hire in Kerala matters, whether it’s a family trip or a solo expedition. For example, if your itinerary involves high-altitude plantations and rugged sections of forest areas, the sedan may work less aptly on steep, unpaved sections and result in undercarriage scraping, probably with damage fees at the end. Nevertheless, for true adventure and peace of mind, consider one of our compact SUVs or MUVs, especially for family trip car rentals that demand more baggage space. Vehicles with higher ground clearance offer better stability on rural roads and reduce the risk of expensive repairs.

Nothing is more important than safety and reliability, especially during monsoons. The Monsoon car rentals season between June and October is nothing less than magical, although driving conditions are pretty challenging. The visibility falls starkly, and the roads get very slippery. A well-maintained vehicle is more about safety than comfort. The tyres, brakes, and wipers need to be in top condition. At Maaz Cars, we take theMonsoon preparation seriously: our fleet undertakes strict pre-monsoon checks for the best tyre tread depth, good levels of brake fluids, and highly efficient wipers.Renting from us means choosing reliability when you need it most.

The Smart Rental Strategy: Matching the Car to the Trip

The most significant way to control your costs is to choose the correct vehicle type and rental package for your needs. This is where Maaz Cars excels in serving Car rentals for tourists with diverse itineraries.If you are planning on a short city ride, be it Kochi or Trivandrum, we recommend you choose a compact hatchback, preferably automatic since it is highly mileage friendly and easy for parking on buzzing streets.  For a family outing choose an SUV or MUV. These 7 seaters will give you the desired space and comfort especially for your kids or parents. This is also suitable for a trip to the hills like Munnar, Wayanad etc. For those embarking on a business trip or a luxury travel, premium sedans are the best choice.You will get comfort, mileage and much more.

When you’re looking for a car rental in Kochi, check your distance to your destination. Are you staying within a 100 km radius of the city, or are you crossing the entire state? Booking for a longer duration (weekly vs. daily) almost always unlocks significant savings in the daily rate.

Why Maaz Cars is the Smart Choice for Your Kerala Journey

Arguably, the most important choice is that of your provider. You want a partner who understands Kerala’s road network inside out and is committed to supporting you 24/7 on the road.

We hate hidden fees as much as you do. To be clear, our rental agreements have a firmly outlined damage responsibility policy, security deposit, and exact charges for mileage limit overages (where your package applies). When you book with Maaz Cars, what you see is what you pay. You can confidently budget your total travel cost.

And, when you’re hundreds of kilometres from the nearest service centre, reliable support can be absolutely vital. We take pride in saying that ours is a true 24/7 car rental service in Kerala. Whether you have a routine question about some local detour or need emergency roadside assistance up on some mountain pass, our service team is always ready to get your trip back in motion.

With Maaz Cars, you’ll find locations throughout the state that offer pick-up and drop-off convenience; your main hub offers unparalleled access and options for car rentals in Kochi. Ready to book the perfect ride for your next Kerala car hire for family trips or solo adventure? Pick up your perfect self-drive car in Kerala from Maaz cars right from the airport and begin your journey immediately.