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Discover a destination where modernist architecture meets ancient Red Sea history. Eritrea offers a unique blend of breathtaking landscapes, from the Art Deco streets of Asmara—a UNESCO World Heritage site—to the pristine, untouched waters of the Dahlak Archipelago. At Dahlak Tours, we don't just organize trips; we curate immersive journeys that treat every visitor as an honored guest in our beautiful nation.
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Car Rental in Eritrea
Car Rental in Eritrea
Rent a 4×4 or saloon car in Asmara, with a driver or self-drive. Arranged by a licensed Eritrean operator with 22 years of experience.
Licensed tour operator ASL00031590 · Operating since 2004 · Open all week
Rent a car in Eritrea with Dahlak Tours
Dahlak Tours offers car rental in Eritrea: 4×4 and saloon cars in Asmara, with a driver or self-drive, from a licensed operator that has run tours across the country since 2004. Whether you want to explore Asmara’s Art Deco streets, drive up to Keren or head down to the Red Sea coast at Massawa, we arrange the vehicle, the pick-up and the paperwork so you can focus on the trip.
Travel outside Asmara needs a permit, roads vary from smooth highway to mountain tracks, and local knowledge matters. As a licensed tour operator (licence ASL00031590, registration ASC00023767, issued by the Ministry of Trade and Industry), we handle all of that for you.
You can rent a car on its own or combine it with any of our tours.
Two ways to rent, and two ways to book
Choose the option that suits how you like to travel.
| Option | What you get | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Car with a Dahlak driver | A driver who knows the roads, checkpoints and permit rules. The driver drives only. There is no tour guide with a car rental. | First-time visitors, long routes, mountain and coastal roads |
| Self-drive | You drive the car yourself. Guests must be 21 or older, hold a valid licence and get a temporary licence from the Ministry of Transportation. A refundable deposit applies. Self-drive is for Asmara only. | Experienced drivers staying in Asmara |
You can book the car on its own, or together with a tour. Combining them means permits, accommodation and the route are planned in one go, and tour prices already include guide, driver, transport, hotel with breakfast, permits, airport transfers and 24/7 support.
Not sure which suits you? Tell us your dates and route on WhatsApp and we will recommend one.
Vehicles and daily prices
We rent two types of vehicle, each with a driver or self-drive. Prices are per day and depend on your route, the number of days and the season.
| Vehicle | Models | Best for | Self-drive (per day) | With driver, driver included (per day) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4x4 / SUV | Toyota Land Cruiser (2001), Toyota Hilux (2010) | Highlands, Keren, rough roads, the coast | From $167 to $200 | From $167 to $200 |
| Saloon car | Toyota Corolla (2010), Toyota Yaris sedan (2008) | Asmara and paved routes | From $67 to $100 | From $87 to $100 |
Send us your route and dates on WhatsApp for an exact quote.
Prices are in US dollars. Fuel is paid by the guest. Self-drive bookings need a refundable deposit of $500. Third-party insurance is included. The daily distance allowance is 50 km for a saloon and 100 km for a 4×4, with or without a driver. Each extra km costs $0.30.
Sample trips and total costs
Three examples of what a rental really costs. Prices are in US dollars. Fuel, parking and fines are paid by the guest. Distance above the daily allowance costs $0.30 per km.
| Trip | Vehicle | Rental cost | What else to add |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 day in Asmara, self-drive | Saloon | From $67 to $100 | Fuel. $500 refundable deposit. No permit needed inside Asmara. |
| Asmara to Keren and back, 1 day, with a driver | 4x4 | From $167 to $200, plus about $24 for the extra distance | Fuel and a permit fee. The round trip is about 180 km, so about 80 km is over the 100 km allowance. |
| 3 days: Keren on day 1, then Massawa and back to Asmara, with a driver | 4x4 | From $537 to $636: $501 to $600 for 3 days, plus about $36 for the extra distance | Fuel and a permit fee. About 420 km in total: Asmara to Keren and back (180 km), then Asmara to Massawa (120 km) and back (120 km). That is 120 km over the 300 km allowance for 3 days. |
These are examples, not fixed prices. The exact cost depends on your route, the number of days and the season. Send your dates and route on WhatsApp and we will quote it.
Prefer the car, driver and guide in one price? These Dahlak Tours trips cover similar routes, with permits and airport transfers included:
- 6-day tour: Asmara, Keren and Massawa, from $1,480 per person
- 3-day tour: Asmara and Massawa, from $1,150 per person
- Asmara day tour with a guide, from $250 per person
- 3 major cities tour, from $1,420 per person
What is included
- Airport pick-up and drop-off, or pick-up anywhere you choose when you book
- Travel permits outside Asmara, free when you book a tour (a permit fee applies to car rental without a tour)
- 24/7 support on WhatsApp from our Asmara and Kenya teams
- A driver on with-driver bookings, third-party insurance, a daily distance allowance (50 km for a saloon, 100 km for a 4x4) and unlimited car washes
What is not included
- Visa fees (see our visa service below)
- Diving, at $80 per dive
- Fuel, which the guest pays, and permit fees on car rental without a tour. Distance above the daily limit, charged at $0.30 per extra km. Parking and fines, which the guest pays.
Travel permits: what you need to know before you drive
Any place outside Asmara needs a travel permit, and that includes sights such as the tank graveyard just outside the centre but still inside the city. A permit takes one full day to issue, so we apply for it while you explore Asmara on your first day.
Need a visa first? We can arrange it, even if you do not book a tour. See the Eritrea visa page.
- We handle every travel permit for guests who use Dahlak as their tour operator, and the cost is included in tour prices.
- Permits are free when you book a tour. For car rental without a tour, we arrange permits when a Dahlak driver goes with you, and a permit fee applies. The fee depends on the places you want to visit, so message us on WhatsApp for the price. Self-drive guests can drive in Asmara only. For trips outside Asmara, book a car with a driver.
- At checkpoints, you need to show your travel permit and your car rental contract.
Popular routes from Asmara
Asmara city
Art Deco and modernist architecture, the markets and the cafés. Short trips, easy in a saloon car.
Asmara to Keren
A day trip to the market town of Keren, with a driver. Tours to Keren run every day, and the camel market is on Mondays only.
Asmara to Massawa
The road drops from the highlands to the Red Sea coast. Book with a driver.
Massawa and the Dahlak Islands
Boat departure point for our Dahlak Islands tours and diving. Island guests must be able to swim, and snorkel gear is provided.
We can plan a custom route for any number of days. Tell us what you want to see and we will quote it.
Driving in Eritrea: what to know
- Drive on the right. Third-party insurance is included in every Dahlak rental.
- Avoid driving at night, especially on mountain roads. Animals, pedestrians and cyclists share the road, and in some remote areas you may be stopped from leaving town near nightfall.
- Main roads are sealed and generally in very good condition. Minor roads are often unsealed. We recommend a 4×4 for tracks and for the highlands and coast.
- Avoid minor roads and off-road travel in the rainy season, when flooding can make tracks impassable.
- Petrol is expensive but widely available, except in the Dankalia and Sahel regions. Plan your fuel stops before long routes. Fuel is paid by the guest.
- There are no roadside breakdown services. This is one more reason most guests choose a driver, who knows the roads and the checkpoints.
- Expect checkpoints on main roads. Keep your passport, your travel permit and your car rental contract together and easy to reach.
- Self-drive is for Asmara only. For anywhere outside Asmara, book a car with a driver.
How to book your car
Message us. WhatsApp the Eritrea team on +291 7456964 or the Kenya team on +254 728 053447, or email info@dahlaktours.com. WhatsApp is the fastest.
Tell us your plan. Send your dates, number of people, route, and whether you want a driver or self-drive.
Confirm and go. We confirm the vehicle, the price and your permits. You can pay in cash or online. Self-drive bookings need a refundable deposit.
We are open all week.
Combine your car with a tour
If you would rather not plan every day yourself, pair the car with one of our tours. Every tour is private unless you come as a group, and groups of 12 or more get a discount. Tour prices include guide, driver, transport, accommodation with breakfast, permits, airport transfers and 24/7 support, and per-person prices are for two people sharing. A solo rate is available.
- Dahlak Islands tours: from Massawa by boat, with snorkelling gear provided and island meals and drinks included. The weekend Dahlak Islands tour is $1,100 per person.
- Diving: $80 per dive.
- Cultural and historical tours: Asmara, Keren and beyond.
See all Dahlak Tours trips and ask us to add a car to any of them.
Why choose Dahlak Tours
22 years in Eritrea.
We have operated since 2004.
Licensed.
Tour operator licence ASL00031590 and registration ASC00023767, issued by the Ministry of Trade and Industry.
Permits and visas handled.
We deal with every travel permit and all visa types and embassies. Our visa on arrival service costs $170 in total, and we refund 80% of the visa fee in the rare case a visa is refused.
A local guide for every tour.
We assign a guide to match your language, days and destinations.
Two branches.
Asmara and Kenya, both on WhatsApp.
Flexible.
Guests can cancel at any time, including car rentals.
Rated 5.0 on Google (4 reviews as of 28 October 2026).
Car rental in Eritrea: FAQs
Can I rent a car in Eritrea?
Yes. Dahlak Tours rents 4×4 and saloon cars in Asmara, with a driver or self-drive, on their own or together with a tour.
Can I rent a car without booking a tour?
Yes, you can book the car on its own or combine it with a tour.
Should I choose a driver or self-drive?
A driver is easier for first visits, long routes and mountain or coastal roads, and a driver knows the checkpoints and permit rules. Self-drive suits confident drivers staying in Asmara, because self-drive guests can only drive in Asmara. You must be 21 or older, hold a valid licence and get a temporary licence from the Ministry of Transportation, and a refundable deposit applies.
What vehicles can I rent?
We rent 4x4s (Toyota Land Cruiser 2001 and Toyota Hilux 2010) and saloon cars (Toyota Corolla 2010 and Toyota Yaris sedan 2008), with a driver or self-drive.
How much does car rental cost?
Self-drive starts from $67 a day for a saloon and from $167 a day for a 4×4. With a driver, a saloon starts from $87 a day and a 4×4 from $167, and the driver is included in both. The price depends on the vehicle, your route, the number of days and the season. Fuel is paid by the guest. The daily distance allowance is 50 km for a saloon and 100 km for a 4×4, with or without a driver, and each extra km costs $0.30.
Do I need a travel permit?
Yes, for any place outside Asmara, even the tank graveyard in the city. A permit takes one full day to issue. We arrange permits for guests who use Dahlak as their tour operator, and permits are free when you book a tour. For car rental without a tour, we arrange permits when a Dahlak driver goes with you, and a permit fee applies. The fee depends on the places you want to visit, so contact us on WhatsApp for the price.
Can I pick the car up at the airport?
Yes. Pick-up is from the airport or anywhere you choose when you book with us. Landing in Asmara? See how to get to Eritrea for flight routes and arrival times.
Do I need a visa?
Yes. We offer visa on arrival for $170 in total: a $100 service fee paid online to Dahlak, plus the $70 government fee paid in cash at the airport. Processing takes about 6 business days. You do not need to book a tour to use our visa service. There is no e-visa for Eritrea.
Can I drive to the Dahlak Islands?
The islands are reached by boat from Massawa. We arrange the boat as part of our Dahlak Islands tours, and you can reach Massawa with a rental car and a driver.
Can I cancel my booking?
Yes. You can cancel at any time, for tours and car rentals.
How do I book?
WhatsApp the Eritrea team on +291 7456964 or the Kenya team on +254 728 053447, or email info@dahlaktours.com. We are open all week.
Do you rent cars in Djibouti, Somaliland or other countries?
No. Dahlak Tours serves Eritrea only for now.
Ready to hit the road in Eritrea?
Tell us your dates and route and we will send you a quote. We reply on WhatsApp, and we are open all week.
Dani Solomon, Managing Director, Dahlak Tours
