ZanCars

Long-Term vs Short-Term Car Rentals: Which Saves You More?

Sat - 25th Oct 2025

Have you ever thought about trying to rent a car in Zanzibar? There are multiple different options available when it comes to car rentals, and short and long-term rentals are the two primary factors to choose between. In other words, is it better to choose car hire Zanzibar just for when you need it (short-term), or does it work out more cost-effective to take on a longer-term hire car?

Well, if this is something you’ve been wondering, today’s quick guide covers everything you need to know about affordability when choosing a car rental Zanzibar to help.

Short Term Rentals: Perfect for One-Off Trips

In many cases, you won’t necessarily need a car for a long period of time. Perhaps you’re visiting Zanzibar on holiday and have an ideally located hotel, but just need a car to get you from the airport to your room? Or perhaps most of the sights you’re looking to visit are easy to get to on foot or by public transport, but you just need a car for one particularly far-out destination?

Well, in this case (or other similar scenarios), a Zanzibar airport car rental or short-term rental could be the ideal option. This allows you to hire a vehicle for a limited amount of time - and this will often be the cheapest way to hire a car. After all, if you only need it for a very short amount of time, what’s the point choosing a long-term rental?

Or, perhaps you’re a local resident who just needs a replacement car while your own is in the garage getting repaired? Again, in this sort of short-term situation, choosing a limited term rental may be more cost-effective.

Long Term Rentals Often Deliver Better Value for Money 

As we’ve seen, short-term car rentals are the ideal cost-saving option if you only need a car for one or two short trips. However, it’s important to also consider the cost of longer-term rental periods, as the freedom of driving in Zanzibar when you feel like it can often open up new opportunities for your trip or time locally.

Indeed, the costs involved with preparing a hire car for short-term rental can be pretty high, from arranging the paperwork to refuelling and cleaning the vehicle and much more. Given this thought, the costs involved for a rental company per day are far lower with a long-term rental than a short-term rental.

As such, while the exact cost of longer-term rentals will vary depending on each brand, it’s often worth considering this option if you need a car for more than a single trip. For example, if you’re visiting Zanzibar on holiday and need a car to get to and from the airport, and perhaps for one long journey during your time in the area, it will often be the same price - or potentially even cheaper - to hire a car for your whole week here rather than hiring the car out three individual times.

Plus, there’s no guarantee you’ll always get the same car with multiple short-term rentals, and keeping a car for the long-term also means that you’ll be able to use any fuel you’ve paid for. These little benefits can all add up, making long-term car rentals much more cost-effective if you need to rely on the car several times.

Daily vs Weekly Car Rental Zanzibar Cost Breakdown

Understanding the daily vs weekly car rental Zanzibar cost difference is crucial for making smart budgeting decisions. When you rent by the day, rates remain consistent whether you rent for one day or multiple consecutive days. The math becomes interesting when you extend your rental period.

For weekly rentals, most companies including Zancars offer substantial discounts that favor longer commitments. A week long rental often provides significant per day savings compared to daily rates. Over a week, this translates to substantial total savings simply by committing to the full week upfront.

The advantage extends beyond just the base rate. Weekly rentals often include perks like one free additional driver, complimentary GPS device, or waived airport pickup fees.

Monthly Car Rental Zanzibar Rates for Extended Stays

For expatriates, digital nomads, extended vacationers, or anyone planning to spend a month or more in Zanzibar, monthly car rental Zanzibar rates offer exceptional value. Monthly packages provide significantly better daily averages compared to short term options, with savings of approximately 40 to 50 percent on daily costs.

What makes extended stays even more attractive is the comprehensive package that usually accompanies these longer commitments. Most monthly rentals include free vehicle swaps if you encounter any mechanical issues, priority roadside assistance, flexible pickup and return arrangements, and reduced or eliminated security deposits. Some companies waive the insurance excess entirely for monthly customers with good driving records.

Calculating Your Break Even Point

When deciding between long-term vs short-term car rentals, calculate your break even point based on actual usage. With weekly rates offering better daily averages, you start saving money from day five onwards with a weekly rental. Similarly, if you'll be in Zanzibar for three weeks, booking weekly packages costs significantly less than multiple separate bookings at daily rates.

Consider also the hidden time costs. Each rental transaction requires paperwork, vehicle inspection, deposit processing, and return procedures. Booking once for a longer period saves you multiple trips to the rental office and hours of administrative time that you could spend enjoying Zanzibar instead.

Special Discounts for Long-Term Commitments

Many rental companies including Zancars offer tiered discount structures that reward longer commitments. Book for two weeks and receive percentage discounts, commit to a month and save even more, or arrange a three month rental and negotiate custom rates that provide exceptional value for economy vehicles. These discounts make long-term vs short-term car rentals comparisons heavily favor extended periods.

Flexibility Considerations

While long-term rentals offer better rates, consider your actual needs carefully. If your itinerary is uncertain or you might leave Zanzibar earlier than planned, ensure your rental agreement includes reasonable early termination clauses. Some companies charge penalties for ending monthly agreements prematurely, which could negate your savings.

Don’t Be Afraid to Ask For Quotes!

As we’ve seen today, while short-term car hire can generally be more affordable if you only need the vehicle once or twice, long-term rentals will generally deliver better value overall - especially if you’re planning on using the car daily. However, it’s always worth double checking with your chosen rental provider to see what sort of pricing and deals they can offer.