Rent a car for your Chinese New Year getaway, and you might just save yourself from a lot of stress before the holiday even begins.
Chinese New Year is coming up, and we all know what that means: good food, big family gatherings, open houses, and a long-awaited break from work. It is also PEAK travel season!
For many of us in Malaysia, this is the time for balik kampung. For others, it is the one time of the year when everyone’s schedule finally lines up for a road trip with friends.
On paper, transport feels simple. You have your own car. You can drive wherever you want. But when you picture driving across the country with millions of other cars, long traffic jams, packed highways, and full rest stops, the excitement starts to feel a bit shaky.
If you are still deciding whether to drive your own car or rent a car, we are here with ten very good reasons why renting might be the smarter and calmer choice this festive season.

1. You Need a Bigger Car for CNY Travel
One of the biggest reasons people rent a car during the festive season is simple: space.
Chinese New Year means luggage, gifts, hampers, mandarin oranges, and sometimes even food containers from mum. When you travel with parents, grandparents, cousins, or friends, a small car can start to feel very cramped very fast.
We have done this before. Everyone squeezes in, bags are stacked on laps, and someone ends up sitting with a box of pineapple tarts for the whole ride.
When you rent, you can choose a car that fits your trip. You might want a big MPV for family or a comfortable sedan for a long highway drive. A wider choice of cars makes the journey more comfortable for everyone.
With the right size, nobody has to suffer for hours on the road. That alone makes renting a car a very tempting option.
2. You Want to Travel in Style This New Year
Many of us buy our own cars for practical reasons. We need something reliable for work, school runs, and daily errands. But deep down, we all have that dream car we would love to drive.
Chinese New Year feels like a fresh start. New clothes, new plans, new energy. It also feels like the right time to treat yourself.
When you rent a car, you can pick something that feels special. Maybe it is a sleek sedan, a sporty model, or a premium SUV that you have always wanted to try.
Driving a nice car on a festive road trip just feels good.
We have done it before, and it really changes the mood of the journey. You feel more relaxed, more excited, and more ready for the holiday ahead.

3. Rent a Car and Skip the Pre-Trip Maintenance Stress
The days before the Chinese New Year are always busy. You are finishing work, doing last-minute shopping, and planning your trip with everyone else.
Adding car maintenance into that mix can be exhausting. You need to check the tyres, the oil, the brakes, and maybe even the battery.
Not to mention the exhausting, long queues at workshops because everyone else is doing the same thing.
When you rent a car, you do not have to worry about any of that. The car is already serviced and ready to go. Someone else has handled the maintenance.
This takes one big thing off your plate. You can focus on packing, planning, and enjoying the lead-up to the holiday.
4. Avoid Damaging Your Own Car in Festive Traffic
There is always a surge in traffic accidents during holiday seasons. More cars on the road mean more chances of small bumps, scratches, and worse.
Even if you are a careful driver, you cannot control everyone else. One careless moment from another car can ruin your whole trip.
If you rent a car, you do not have to worry about your own car being damaged. You do not have to deal with repair shops or waiting for parts after the holiday.
It keeps the festive mood intact. Nothing kills the holiday feeling faster than dealing with car damage right after CNY.

5. 24/7 Roadside Assistance Gives Peace of Mind
Imagine this. You are stuck on the highway with kids crying in the back, traffic honking, and the sun going down. Your car refuses to start.
That kind of stress is something nobody wants during a holiday.
When you rent a car through Trevo, you get 24/7 roadside assistance. If something goes wrong, help is just a call away.
We love this kind of backup. It means even if things go wrong, you are not alone. That peace of mind is priceless during long festive drives.
6. Rent a Car for More Flexible Travel Plans
Chinese New Year plans can change quickly. Maybe you want to drive one way and fly back. Maybe you want to explore a few places on the way there, but rush back for that Monday meeting at work.
Owning a car limits how flexible you can be.
When you rent a car, you can mix and match your travel plans. Drive to your destination and enjoy the road trip. Fly back when you are short on time. Or do it the other way around.
This kind of freedom is perfect for modern travel. It lets you enjoy the holiday without being stuck to one plan.

7. It Can Be More Economical During CNY
Not all cars are built for long, slow traffic. Some look great but drink fuel quickly, especially when stuck in jams.
During the CNY rush, fuel costs can climb fast. Long hours on the road and heavy traffic make it worse.
When you rent a car, you can choose a fuel-efficient model. You might go for a compact or even a hybrid. This helps keep your petrol costs under control.
On Trevo, you can pick from many options that suit your budget. That makes it easier to enjoy the trip without worrying too much about spending.
8. You Love Your Own Car Too Much to Use It
Some people love their cars a lot. We know a few like that. The car is clean, shiny, and still feels new.
The idea of driving thousands of kilometres, getting it dirty, or adding lots of mileage just feels painful.
If that sounds like you, the answer is simple. Rent a car.
You can keep your own car safe at home while a rental handles the long festive journey. You get to enjoy the holiday without watching your odometer climb too fast.

9. Rent a Car When Your Own Car Cannot Handle the Trip
Now, let us talk about the opposite situation. Some of us drive older cars that have seen many years on the road.
We love them. They have stories. But deep down, we know they might not survive a long highway trip during a busy season.
Breaking down halfway through your journey is not how you want to spend Chinese New Year.
If you rent a car, you get something reliable for the trip. You can travel with confidence and leave your old car safe at home.
10. Splitting Costs Is Easier When You Rent a Car
We have all been there. You go on a road trip with friends. You use your own car. Petrol and tolls keep adding up. It feels awkward to ask everyone to chip in.
When you rent a car, everything is clear from the start. Everyone knows the rental cost. Fuel and tolls are easy to track. Splitting the bill at the end feels fair.
This keeps things smooth between friends. Nobody feels uncomfortable, and everyone enjoys the trip more.

Final Thoughts
Chinese New Year is meant to be joyful. It is about family, friends, and making memories. Travel should not be the part that stresses you out.
Choosing to rent a car can make your trip easier, safer, and more comfortable. You get the right car, the right space, and the right support for a busy festive season.
With options for every budget and travel style, from KL car rental to cheap car rental choices, renting gives you more control over your journey.
Car renting during the Chinese New Year travel in Malaysia just makes sense when roads are busy, and plans are big.
Here are a few more helpful reads:
- How to Book the Best Cars on TREVO
- One-day Car Rental: Which Car To Rent, Pricing & Tips – TREVO Stories
Ride with Trevo This Festive Season
If you are thinking of renting a car for this holiday, Trevo makes it simple. You can choose from many cars, book easily, and get support when you need it.
This festive season, let Trevo handle the long drives and busy highways. You just enjoy the ride, the food, and the time with the people you love.


