Car Rental in Ipoh: 2 Local Firms with Airport and Station Pickups
Ipoh is compact, and the Old Town, New Town and Greentown can be covered on foot or by Grab, but car rental in Ipoh makes sense for the cave temples at Gunung Rapat, Tambun, Kellie's Castle in Batu Gajah and day trips to Kuala Kangsar, Gopeng, Pangkor Island (via Lumut) or Cameron Highlands. Many visitors arrive by ETS train from Kuala Lumpur, so a car can also be collected at the station.
This guide covers 2 rental companies whose Ipoh service we could confirm on their own websites in October 2026. Ipoh has no big international rental desks of the kind found at KLIA, and several smaller firms listed on comparison sites could not be confirmed, so we left them out. Prices are in Malaysian Ringgit (RM). Confirm the pickup point and time when you book.
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Car Rental Companies in Ipoh
WAHDAH
WAHDAH is an app and web-based car rental company whose Ipoh page lists free delivery to Sultan Azlan Shah Airport and to a Perak mini hub, with further pickup points at the Ipoh KTM station and Terminal Amanjaya. Its Ipoh listing starts at RM135 a day for a Perodua Axia or Myvi, with SUVs from RM230 (Perodua Ativa), MPVs from RM255 (Perodua Aruz) and a Honda Civic at RM400.
The company advertises cars under five years old, no hidden fees and 24/7 breakdown assistance. Contact it on +60 3-2709 0105 or by email at [email protected]. Deposit and licence terms are not stated on the Ipoh page, so ask before you book.
Merge Car Rental
Merge Car Rental is a Malaysian rental company whose Ipoh branch page gives an office at 8A Laluan Medan Rapat 1 in Gunung Rapat, south-east of the city centre and about 10 minutes by car from the airport. The branch phone is +60 12-518 2481 and the email [email protected]; the company hotline is +60 18-365 6282.
Ask whether it can deliver to the airport or the Ipoh KTM station when you book. Prices are by quote for your dates and car class, and the branch page does not give opening hours.
Driving Tips for Car Rental in Ipoh
Licences and the International Driving Permit
Tourists can drive in Malaysia on a valid foreign licence for up to 90 days. If your licence is not in English, carry an International Driving Permit (IDP) or a certified English translation; ASEAN licence holders do not need an IDP. In practice, carry an IDP anyway, since rental firms and police find it easier to read.
Driving on the left
Malaysia drives on the left, with right-hand-drive cars. Ipoh traffic is much lighter than Kuala Lumpur, but the narrow one-way streets of the Old Town fill up at weekends and during festivals. Use Waze or Google Maps, both widely used locally.
Tolls and the North-South Expressway
Ipoh sits on the PLUS North-South Expressway, which is how most rental cars reach Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Cameron Highlands (via Tapah). Peninsular expressways are fully cashless: pay with a Touch 'n Go card, an RFID tag or a contactless Visa or Mastercard where accepted, and ask the rental desk which one the car is set up for.
Day trips by car
Kellie's Castle in Batu Gajah, Gopeng and Kuala Kangsar are roughly 20 to 50 minutes from the city, Lumut (for Pangkor Island ferries) is about an hour, and Cameron Highlands is around 1.5 to 2 hours depending on traffic and roadworks. Leave early on weekends and public holidays.
Petrol prices for foreigners
Malaysians pay a subsidised RM1.99 a litre for RON95 under the BUDI95 scheme, verified by MyKad. Foreign visitors pay the unsubsidised market price, which changes weekly: RM4.67 a litre for RON95 and RM5.15 for RON97 for 8 to 14 October 2026. Most rental cars take RON95. Return the car with the tank at the level stated in your agreement.
Car Rental in Ipoh: Frequently Asked Questions
Can tourists rent a car in Ipoh with a foreign licence?
Yes. Visitors can drive on a valid foreign licence for up to 90 days. If the licence is not in English you need an International Driving Permit or certified translation. Rental firms expect a passport and a credit card in the main driver's name for the deposit.
Where can I pick up a rental car in Ipoh?
WAHDAH delivers to the main entrance of Sultan Azlan Shah Airport and also lists the Ipoh KTM station and Terminal Amanjaya. Merge Car Rental has its Ipoh office in Gunung Rapat; ask about delivery when you book.
Is it worth renting a car in Ipoh?
For the city centre, usually not: Old Town sights are walkable and Grab is cheap. A rental pays off for the cave temples around Gunung Rapat, Tambun, and day trips to Kellie's Castle, Kuala Kangsar, Pangkor Island or Cameron Highlands.
How much is petrol for foreigners in Malaysia?
Foreigners pay the unsubsidised market price. For 8 to 14 October 2026 that was RM4.67 a litre for RON95 and RM5.15 for RON97. The RM1.99 BUDI95 price is only for Malaysian citizens with a MyKad. Prices are revised weekly.
How do I pay tolls in a rental car?
All expressway tolls in Peninsular Malaysia are cashless. Use a Touch 'n Go card, an RFID tag if the car has one, or a contactless Visa or Mastercard at lanes that accept open payment. Ask the rental company which option the car is set up for.