How to find and request a relocation: A step-by-step guide
First time on Transfercar? You're in the right place. This guide covers every step, from finding a free car relocation to requesting it and getting the go-ahead from the rental company.
FINDING A DEAL
Search for a relocation
Getting started is simple. The search box on the homepage and the Browse all relocations page do the same job, so start from either one.
You can search in a few different ways:
- See everything. Click "Search" without filling anything in, or open Browse all relocations to see every deal.
- Pick-up location only. Perfect when you know where you're leaving from but the destination is flexible.
- Drop-off location only. Handy if you know exactly where you need to end up.
- Both. Ideal when you're planning one particular trip.
A tip: the broader your search, the more deals you'll see. You could even find a trip you hadn't planned, like a free drive from Durban to Johannesburg.
Filters on the search page let you narrow the results down further.
DEAL DETAILS
Know what you're looking at
Every deal comes with a few conditions from the rental company. Take a minute to understand them and you'll know straight away whether a deal fits your plans.
- Available dates. The rental company gives a date range: the first day you can collect the car and the last day you can return it. Choose any dates within that range that work for you.
- Days included. These are the days you get for free. There's always enough time to do the drive, and some deals leave you extra time to stop along the way. Look at the distance and plan how far you're comfortable driving each day.
- Optional paid days. Some deals let you add extra days at the daily rate shown on the deal. They're handy if you'd like to keep the car a little longer.
- Vehicle type. All relocations in South Africa are cars, such as hatchbacks, sedans, SUVs and people movers. Check the number of seats so there's space for everyone and their bags.
- Locations. Branches can be at an airport or in the city centre, and pick-up and drop-off may differ. Each deal shows the general area rather than an exact address, so you can plan how to reach the branch and where you'll go once you've returned the car.
NO LUCK YET?
Can't find the right deal?
Rental companies only list relocations where they need cars moved, so there may be nothing on your route at the moment. If so, here's what you can do:
- Set up a listing notification so you're the first to know when something comes up.
- Book a rental with one of our partners. Compare car rentals on our partner site.
NOTIFICATIONS
Let the deals come to you
New relocations are added every week, so your trip could appear soon. Instead of checking back all the time, set up a listing notification. Tell us which pick-up and drop-off locations you're interested in, and we'll email you when a matching relocation is published. Simple.
We recommend a free Transfercar account, so you can manage all your notifications in one place. It takes a few minutes to set up. Then:
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Sign in to your account.
Open My Transfercar.
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Select Notifications.
All your listing notifications are kept here.
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Choose your routes.
You'll get an email whenever a new relocation matches.
REQUESTING
How to request a relocation: what to know first
Before your first request, it's worth knowing how relocations work. Rental companies list cars on Transfercar when they need them at a different branch. You drive the car there, and the hire is free. It's a win-win.
Because the deals are free, you can send as many requests as you like. The relocation deals are published by the rental companies, so they decide who gets each car. Your request is only confirmed once the rental company approves it, and at that point it becomes a booking.
That's why we recommend confirming your relocation before you plan and book the rest of your trip, including how you'll get back.
TOP TIPS
How to improve your chances
Some routes are popular, and deals can go quickly. Here's how to give yourself the best chance:
Set up listing notifications.
We'll email you when new deals are published, so you can request them before they're gone.
Request several deals on the same route and dates.
The first one to be accepted becomes your booking, and the rest for that trip are cancelled for you automatically.
Request again if one expires.
Rental companies tend to respond within about 2 hours. If there's no response within 24 hours, which is rare, the request expires. Just send it again, or request a few other deals instead.
YOUR ACCOUNT
Before you request: set up your account
Requesting a relocation needs a Transfercar account with a verified email address and phone number. Haven't signed up yet? Do it now, it only takes a few minutes. Already registered? Double-check that both your email and phone number are verified. It's important: the rental company may contact you before pick-up to confirm details, so they need to be able to get hold of you.
REQUESTING
Request your relocation, step by step
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Find your deal and read the details.
Before you request, go through all the deal's conditions: the kilometres allowed, age requirements, the bond and anything else listed.
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Choose your dates and times.
Select pick-up and drop-off dates and times inside the deal's date range.
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Click "Request vehicle".
You'll be taken to the request page.
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Confirm your trip details.
Check that everything is correct, and verify your phone number if you haven't done so yet.
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Accept the terms and submit.
Read and accept the terms and conditions, then send your request through.
AFTER YOU REQUEST
What happens after you request
The rental company now reviews your request. Once they approve it, it's confirmed as a booking, and before pick-up they'll contact you with everything you need to collect the car.
CANCELLING
Need to cancel?
Plans don't always work out, and that's okay. You can withdraw if the rental company hasn't confirmed your request yet.
If a request has already been accepted and confirmed, a cancellation fee applies. This keeps free relocations reliable for everyone. Check the Policy tab on each deal to see its cancellation policy.
Ready to find your first relocation?
You're all set. See what's available right now, and if nothing matches yet, set up a listing notification and we'll email you when it does.