The short answer
Localrent is an intermediary that lists cars of local, independent rental companies, and this guide's snapshot covers 36 destinations. It does not own any cars. You choose a specific car from a named local company. You pay an advance online by card and pay the rest at pick-up.
The rental contract is signed with that local company, not with Localrent. Your agreed conditions sit in your voucher. This page walks through each step, from search to return. For the wider picture, see the Localrent review and the methodology behind these figures.
Step 1: search with the right filters
Start with the destination, your dates and the pick-up point. Many trips begin at an airport, such as Tbilisi (TBS) in Georgia or Antalya (AYT) in Turkey. Others start in a town, for example Kemer on the Antalya coast.
The filters matter more than the sort order. Two of them are worth knowing:
- No deposit shows cars that need no deposit.
- No credit card shows cars you can rent without a credit card.
In the snapshot, the median destination has 56% of cars without a deposit. The median share of cars not requiring a credit card is 100%. These shares vary widely between places, so check them for your own trip. The no-deposit overview compares destinations side by side.
If you need an automatic, check the gearbox on each car card. Across the snapshot, the median share of automatic cars is 98.5%.
Step 2: read the car card closely
Every result opens a car card. The card is the core of a Localrent booking. It shows the model, year, photos, deposit, payment methods, mileage, insurance and cancellation terms.
Treat it as a preview of your contract. Check these points:
- Company: the named local firm that will hand you the keys.
- Model, year and photos: the exact car you are booking, not a vague category.
- Deposit: if one is needed, the amount and how it can be paid are shown.
- Payment methods: how you can pay the balance at pick-up.
- Mileage: the median destination has 98% of cars with unlimited mileage.
- Insurance: terms differ by company, so compare cover between cards.
- Cancellation: the median destination offers free cancellation on 36% of cars.
- Driver rules: minimum age and licence rules are set by each company.
Match the car to the route. The Toyota Corolla is a compact sedan that suits the coastal road from Antalya to Kemer. The Suzuki Jimny is a small 4x4 that suits the steep lanes of Madeira. The car card checklist covers each field in more detail.
Step 3: pay the advance online by card
To confirm a booking, you pay an advance online by bank card. Cash is not accepted for the advance. The rest goes to the rental company at pick-up.
The balance is paid by the methods shown for that car. Read them before you travel, not at the desk. If the car needs a deposit, the card also states how it can be paid.
Some travellers prefer to leave a deposit in cash. The median destination has 38.5% of cars that accept a cash deposit. See the cash deposit page and the deposit explainer for details.
Step 4: the voucher and the contract
After payment you receive a voucher. It records your conditions as booked. Keep a copy on your phone and, ideally, on paper.
At pick-up you sign the rental contract with the local company. Compare it with the voucher before signing. Look at the deposit, mileage, insurance and cancellation lines.
If anything differs, raise it with the company before you sign. The voucher is your reference for what was agreed. The guides section explains other parts of the process in more depth.
Step 5: pick-up at the desk or airport
Pick-up usually happens at an airport or in town. Typical airports include Larnaca (LCA) in Cyprus, Funchal (FNC) on Madeira and Denpasar (DPS) on Bali. Phuket (HKT) in Thailand and Tirana (TIA) in Albania are other common starting points.
Some cars include free delivery to your pick-up point. The median destination shows 17% of cars with free delivery. Mahe has the highest share in the snapshot.
Bring what the company asks for on the car card:
- a driving licence that meets the company's rules;
- your voucher;
- the payment method for the balance and any deposit.
Walk around the car before driving off. Photograph scratches, dents, the fuel gauge and the dashboard. Make sure existing damage is noted on the paperwork.
Step 6: return the car
Return the car at the place and time stated in your voucher. Do a joint inspection with the company staff. Your pick-up photos help if questions arise.
If the car had a mileage cap, check the odometer before you arrive. Any deposit is handled under the terms on the car card and in your contract. Ask for confirmation that the rental is closed.
How destinations differ
The process is the same everywhere, but the numbers are not. Destinations range from 43 to 3,283 cars, and Georgia has the largest stock. No-deposit shares run from 0% to 100%.
Abu Dhabi leads on free cancellation in the snapshot. Mauritius leads on unlimited mileage. Browse the destinations list or country pages such as Georgia, Turkey and Cyprus. The free cancellation page compares flexible options.