What is the minimum age and driving experience required to rent a car?

With Auto.Rent, you can rent a car in Thailand from the age of 25, provided you have at least 3 years of driving experience. For premium‑class vehicles or SUVs, the requirements may be stricter, but these are the standard conditions.

What documents are required to rent a car in Thailand?

To rent a car in Thailand through Auto.Rent, you need to present: a valid passport; a national driver’s license; an International Driving Permit (IDP) — not always mandatory, but often requested during roadside checks. It is also important to meet the minimum age and driving experience requirements.

What types of insurance are available for car rental in Thailand and what are the differences?

Auto.Rent offers three insurance options so you can choose the right level of coverage: CASCO — included in the rental price, deposit 5,000 THB, covers damages except windows and tires; CASCO+ — extended insurance, cost 3,000 THB, deposit 5,000 THB, adds coverage for windows and tires; SuperCASCO — full protection, cost 5,000 THB, no deposit required, covers all damages except non‑insurable cases.

What payment methods do you accept? Can I pay in dollars, from a bank account, or with cryptocurrency?

You can pay for your rental car with Auto.Rent in several ways: cash in Thai Baht (THB); bank transfer; credit or debit card. Upon agreement with the manager, payments in US dollars or cryptocurrency may also be accepted.

Is a deposit required when renting a car in Thailand?

The deposit depends on the selected insurance plan: with CASCO and CASCO+ — 5,000 THB deposit; with SuperCASCO — no deposit is required.

What should I do in case of an accident or car breakdown?

If your rental car is involved in an accident or breaks down, contact Auto.Rent support immediately. Our team will guide you through the next steps and help with assistance or vehicle replacement if necessary.

Is it possible to order car delivery to the airport or hotel in Thailand?

Auto.Rent can deliver the car to any convenient location — airport, hotel, or private address. Just specify the details when placing your booking.

What types of insurance are included in the car rental price in Thailand?

Basic CASCO insurance is always included in the rental price. If you prefer extended coverage, you can choose CASCO+ or SuperCASCO for an additional fee.

How does the car return process work after rental in Thailand?

Returning a rental car with Auto.Rent is simple: 1. The car is inspected and photographed. 2. The fuel level is checked. 3. If everything is in order, the deposit is refunded in full.

Can I add a second driver? Is there an extra charge?

You can add a second driver to the rental contract. This service is usually free of charge, but confirm the details with the manager when booking.

Is it possible to rent a child seat together with the car in Thailand?

A child seat can be added to any car rental in Thailand. We recommend reserving it in advance to guarantee availability and ensure a safe trip with children.

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Alexandra Vorontsova

Bangkok to Ayutthaya Road Trip — Our Thailand Car Rental Adventure

Morning Vibes in Bangkok

We woke up at Lilit Bang Lumphu Hotel — a small but super cozy spot right in Bangkok’s old town. No frills, but clean, peaceful, and perfectly located. When we opened the curtains, the city was slowly coming alive — the hum of tuk-tuks, the smell of street food, and that tropical humidity that instantly says: “you’re in Thailand.

Breakfast was simple but delicious — Thai omelet, fresh fruit, and pineapple juice. Over coffee, we decided: today’s plan is Ayutthaya. We’ve read about it for years — ancient temples, history vibes, and a peaceful break from Bangkok’s chaos.

We’d booked our car in advance through auto.rent — one of the most reliable "Bangkok car rental" platforms we’ve used. A white Mazda showed up right at the hotel, perfectly clean, AC blasting (a must in Thailand 😅). Paperwork took five minutes, and off we went. Total cost: 490 THB — solid deal for a full day of freedom.</p>

Car Rental Tips for Thailand

We hesitated a bit before renting — left-hand traffic, different road culture, and local quirks. But honestly, if you love freedom and exploring at your own pace, self-drive Thailand is totally worth it:

Minimum driver age: usually 21+, but some companies ask for 23+.
Driver’s license: better to have an International Driving Permit (IDP), even if local ones often work.
Driving style: left-hand traffic, but you’ll adapt fast — just take it slow for the first few minutes.
Roads: highways between big cities are smooth and modern; watch out for scooters in urban areas.

Rule number one — stay chill. Thai drivers are patient and surprisingly polite. No honking marathons, no aggression. Just keep your cool and enjoy the ride.

The Drive — From Bangkok to Ayutthaya

The distance from Bangkok to Ayutthaya is about 80 km — roughly a 1.5-hour drive if you don’t stop. We took our time, turned on a road-trip playlist, and enjoyed the changing scenery — city chaos melting into rice fields, palm trees, and sleepy villages. It’s that kind of ride that makes you fall in love with Thailand all over again.
About halfway there, we found this cute little spot — Walk In Café. Iced coffee, mango cake, soft music, and views of temple rooftops in the distance. Those unplanned coffee stops? That’s where the magic of road trips lives

First Glimpse of Ayutthaya

As soon as we turned off the main road, the vibe shifted. Fewer cars, more greenery, calm air. We parked near the Ayutthaya Historical Park, grabbed some water, and set out to explore. The first impression? Pure peace. Ancient brick temples, fig trees growing through stone walls, and that timeless silence that makes you whisper without knowing why.

Historical background

Wat Mahathat — the iconic Buddha head wrapped in tree roots. Unreal sight, like nature guarding history.
Wat Ratchaburana — climb the chedi for an epic panoramic view of the ruins.
Wat Phra Si Sanphet — former royal temple, huge and majestic, perfect for golden-hour shots.
Wat Lokayasutharam — the massive 42-meter reclining Buddha. We sat in the shade and just soaked it all in.

The park is huge — bring water, sunscreen, and comfy shoes. We spent about six hours wandering around, taking photos, eating coconut ice cream, and renting an electric scooter for the last stretch (best idea ever!). If you go early, you’ll have the temples almost to yourself.

Sunset Stop by the River

On the way back, we weren’t ready to rush to Bangkok yet. We pulled over at River Tree Resort, right on the banks of the Chao Phraya River. Perfect spot to grab a cold Thai iced tea, dip your feet in the water, and watch boats drift by. The sunset painted the whole river gold — one of those moments that stick with you.
We left around 6 p.m. — classic mistake 😄. Bangkok traffic hit us hard, turning the 1.5-hour trip into 2.5. But we didn’t mind. Windows down, podcast on, lights of the city flickering ahead — it felt like the perfect ending to a long, beautiful day.

What We Learned

Ayutthaya is 100% doable as a Bangkok day trip, but go early to beat the heat.
Renting a car gives you total freedom — and that’s priceless.
Pack light, stay hydrated, and don’t overplan. The best travel moments are the ones that just happen.
Grab a riverside drink before heading back — the perfect slow-travel touch.

That one-day road trip reminded us why we travel — to chase the feeling of freedom, to wander off the map, and to live stories worth telling.

So yeah — if you ever wonder whether to rent a car in Bangkok and drive to Ayutthaya — do it. You’ll come back with dusty shoes, a sunburned nose, and a heart full of new memories.

Alexandra Vorontsova

Digital Nomad