Renting a car for 12 days through Ctrip isn’t exactly budget-friendly, so let me share some tips to help you steer clear of potential pitfalls.
First off, there are two main rental options to consider:
① The first option involves renting the car with a 500 RMB deposit. This deposit will be refunded about half a month after you return the car, assuming everything checks out. However, this plan comes without insurance. In case of an accident, you’d be slapped with a hefty charge of 5500 AUD — not exactly the kind of surprise you’d want during your trip [cue disappointed face].
② Alternatively, you can opt for a package priced at 350 AUD for the rental and an additional 450 AUD for comprehensive insurance. With this choice, you’re covered for accidents, plus you get 10 days of roadside assistance as part of the deal. Best of all, when it’s time to return the car, simply hand over the keys to the staff—they won’t subject you to a meticulous inspection [waves goodbye to stress].
Now, here’s a real-life scenario that happened during my rental period: The car battery died on me, but thankfully, I was able to call roadside assistance, which replaced the battery free of charge thanks to the insurance coverage. Had I not had that coverage, I would have been looking at a bill of around 200 AUD [laugh-cry]. Given my cautious nature, I decided to go with option ②, and it turned out to be a wise decision.
When returning the car, remember to ensure the tank is full. In my case, I filled up the tank but then accidentally drove another 20 kilometers (got lost in the moment). So, it wasn’t exactly as Ctrip suggested—filling up within 5 kilometers of the return point—but honestly, the rental company staff didn’t seem overly concerned about this minor detail [awkward laugh].
To sum up:
① If your primary goal is leisure travel, I highly recommend opting for a rental that includes insurance—it makes the experience far more hassle-free.
② On the other hand, if you’re renting for work purposes and the income generated outweighs the cost, then by all means, go for it.
③ For those considering sleeping in the car, there’s a Campervan available for 60 AUD per day, complete with a bed.
While I haven’t tried it myself, having spent nights in an SUV, I can confidently say that if you’re in Queensland, think twice—weather changes too quickly, and the sound of rain at night might keep you awake [disappointed]. However, in Western Australia, camping-style experiences like Mu Ge’s are definitely doable [goodnight wishes].
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