Car hire in St Helena

Hire a car on St Helena

When visiting St Helena, you might want to consider to hire a car to drive around on the island. This could be a unique and rewarding experience that allows you to explore the island’s scenic landscapes at your leisure and pace as you navigate the single-lane and winding roads.

The thing to consider when booking a car hire on the Island is to book your car in advance, especially during peak tourist seasons which is normally from November to March, there are a few local car hire companies on the Island and you can find some of them here on the St Helena online directory also on the St Helena Tourism web site.  

To hire a car, you need a valid driving license. An International Driving Permit (IDP) is recommended but not always required. Car hire options typically manual gearboxes (Automatics are limited) include small cars, (Nissan Notes and Ford Focus) SUVs, and sometimes 4x4s, which can be useful for the island’s hilly roads which is sometimes narrow and winding with steep gradients, so cautious driving is essential because most roads are single tarmac ones with passing places, visibility can be limited in certain areas and road courtesy is important.

If you do not fancy driving on St Helena there is also a VIP car hire option, this is designed for a chauffeur experience where you can be collected from the airport or the pier if you arrive by ship, and you can choose to drive around to anywhere of your choice VIP chauffeur driven car hire is available by booking this service via the at the VIP Car at the Blue Lantern Guesthouse  

Driving on the left-hand side of the road is a local rule where possible and speed limits are low, reflecting the challenging driving conditions; generally, the maximum speed limit is 30 mph (48 km/h) in most areas and you must be prepared to give way to oncoming vehicles in narrow spots. Mobile data coverage is available but there is no real need for Sat Nav’s because you won’t take long to familiarise yourself with the round layout and direction.

There are three fuel stations on the island which are in Jamestown, Longwood and Half Tree Hollow, it is advisable to refill whenever you have the opportunity.

Parking is generally free but can be limited in busy areas like lower Jamestown, especially on Thursdays and Fridays and always ensure you park in designated areas to avoid obstructing traffic.

Driving on St Helena and by being prepared, you can enjoy St Helena at your leisure and your pace.