Many travellers decide to rent a vehicle during their stay in Australia. Car rental is often the cheapest and easiest way to get around the surroundings of a big city, which are not always well served by public transport. Many backpackers who travel for several weeks choose to rent a van, because it allows them to sleep in their vehicle. But others want a shorter rental or are simply looking for a smaller, more economical vehicle for a road trip. Here are the different options available to you for renting a car in Australia. Whether it’s to get around the city or to travel further afield, here are all our tips for a rental at a lower cost.
How to rent a cheap car in Australia?
Three options are available to you for your car rental:
- Go directly to a rental agency (if you are already there)
- Reserve a vehicle via a rental company’s website
- Use an online comparator like Airport Rentals to get the best price
Tips to save money on your car rental
Here are some recommendations to reduce your rental costs:
- Reserve your vehicle in advance
- Avoid small towns where rates are higher, as demand is higher than supply
- Avoid “one way” rental if you can (see below)
- Opt for agencies located in airports, where prices are lower
- If you are traveling with several people, nominate a driver who is at least 21 years old
- Rent your vehicle for a period of more than 3, 5 or 7 days because you’ll usually get lower rates that way
- Travel as a group so you can share rental, fuel and repair costs
- Compare additional mileage charges. Renting a vehicle that’s more expensive per day can sometimes work out cheaper overall if the mileage costs are lower.
Car rental companies in Australia
The main car rental companies in Australia are Avis, Hertz, Europcar, Thrifty and Budget. All of these companies are usually found in city centres (CBD) and near airports. They offer relatively similar services, so price is probably the biggest factor to consider. There are also many smaller players on the market with entry-level offerings. These include, for example: Alpha, East Coast, Apex, Alama, Enterprise etc.
Requirements to rent a car in Australia
👫 Be at least 19 years old (some companies require you to be over 21)
🚗 Have held a full driving license for at least one year
📃 Have an international driving license
💳 Have a credit card
How much does a car rental cost in Australia?
Prices differ depending on the agencies, the city you’re renting the car in, the type of vehicle etc. They start at around 40 AUD a day (€25) and can go up to more than 244 AUD (€150) a day depending on the model, the season and the rental period.
- $30/ day for an Economy Car
- $40/ day for a Medium Car
- $45/ day for a SUV vehicle
- $60/ day for a 5-door car
- $80/ jour for a Sedan car
- $85/ day for a 4WD or a station wagon
- over $100/ day for a premium car
Renting a car is a lot more expensive in a small town than in a big city, because the competition is lower there and demand exceeds supply. As an example, renting a car in Byron Bay is much more expensive than in Brisbane.
📅 Departing in June (low season)
🚘 Entry level car
⏱️ 1 week rental period
🏙️ Sydney airport
⌛ Reservation 1 month in advance
🛑 Prices excluding extras and insurance
📅 Departing in June (low season)
🚘 Mid-range SUV
⏱️ 1 week rental period
🏙️ Sydney airport
⌛ Reservation 1 month in advance
🛑 Prices excluding extras and insurance
📅 Departing in December (high season)
🚘 Entry level vehicle
⏱️ 2 day rental period
🏙️ Sydney airport
⌛ Reservation 8 months in advance
🛑 Prices excluding extras and insurance
📅 Departing in December (high season)
🚘 Mid-range SUV
⏱️ 2 day rental period
🏙️ Sydney airport
⌛ Reservation 8 months in advance
🛑 Prices excluding extras and insurance
Factors that can affect car rental prices
Extra costs
Many companies charge an extra fee for rentals when the driver is under the age of 21. Some agencies will actually refuse to rent cars to drivers under the age of 21.
The rental agency may also ask you to pay extra to rent equipment (GPS type, car seat, etc.).
Number of kilometres
The number of kilometers you can travel with a rental car are not always unlimited. There are two options when renting a car:
- Unlimited Mileage: The price will be the same, whether you drive 100 or 500 kilometres.
- Authorised mileage: You are only allowed to travel a certain number of kilometres during the rental. Additional kilometres traveled will be payable per kilometre. Rates are generally around $0.25 to $0.30/km.
Cancellation fees
If you cancel your rental, the company will keep the deposit you made during your booking process. Sometimes the company also charges an additional penalty if you don’t pick up the car you booked.
Deposit
A deposit is required for any rental. The cost of the deposit depends on the type of car you rent as well as the driver’s age. It is taken out of your credit card and you get a refund when you return the vehicle.
Insurance
When renting a car in Australia, you can choose to take out insurance. This will cover material damage to your vehicle, or that of a third party. Without this insurance, you will have to give a deposit to the rental agency. The amount of this deposit corresponds to your deductible (maximum liability).
The cost of insurance varies depending on the supplier and the type of vehicle chosen (generally between 16 and 40€ per day). Some companies offer cheaper, insurance but with a deductible. So check the amount in your rental agreement.
By taking out private insurance or the one offered in the airportrentals.com comparator, you will pay much less (around €7/day). On the other hand, you’ll have to pay a deposit in advance, which you will get back at the end of the rental period.
It’s also possible that your credit card insurance or your travel insurance will cover the deductible when renting a car abroad. Remember to check your contract to be sure to benefit from this service. Even if you have insurance that covers it, you will still have to pay the deposit to the supplier in advance. Your private insurance will reimburse you for the repair costs but will not pay the deposit for you!
Some good news: in all cases, breakdown assistance is included in your rental (free of charge).
One way car rental
It’s possible to rent a car in one city and return it in another city. In the same way you can with a campervan, you can rent a car in Sydney and return it in Brisbane. You will need to return your vehicle to the agency indicated in your contract.
The price of a one way rental depends on lots of different criteria, particularly on the location where you want to drop off your vehicle. As with a regular car rental, you will be given a date by which you must return the car. You must also provide a deposit which will be returned to you at the agency in your destination city. However, the daily rate increases considerably. We recommend that you compare the cost of deposit in different cities. It might be worth driving an extra hour to get to a more affordable agency.
Pros
Relocation is less expensive than with traditional rental. You will only have to pay for gas.
Cons
The rental period is limited and you have to keep below a certain mileage, so you have less freedom and flexibility in your trip.
Agencies that offer relocation
Most car rental agencies offer a relocation service. You will either find a dedicated page on their website or you can contact them directly to find out more information. Companies that offer relocations include Apollo and Wicked Campers.
Where can I rent a car in Australia?
You can hire a vehicle almost anywhere in Australia. There are usually rental agencies near airports or in the city centre. You can also go through an agency or your hotel to rent a vehicle.
You will find car rental agencies in major cities and regional towns. However, it is easier to find an agency in a big city, and the rates are lower.
The different rental car models
By going to the AirportRentals.com website, you can see all the different models of car that are available. You can choose from a wide range of models (Toyota, Hyundai, Nissan, Mercedes, Suzuki, Ford etc…).
In order to find the car that suits you best, you can adjust your search criteria by selecting: the number of seats (2, 4, 8), the type of car (economy, compact, hybrid, premium) and the transmission (manual or automatic). You can also input your price range. The further in advance you book your rental, the more choice you will have when it comes to the model (and therefore you can find a better deal).
A word of advice: when choosing the size of your rental car, remember to take into account the amount of luggage you have. 2 or 4 seater car models often have small trunks.
What to check when renting a car?
Start by reading the rental agreement carefully, in order to avoid any unpleasant surprises when returning the vehicle. Look for information on any additional charges, for example.
Thoroughly examine the vehicle, inside and out. Take a picture of it in its current state. This will help you prove that any scratches or dents already on the car were done by previous drivers/passengers, if any issues arise with the rental agency later.
Also check if the equipment works well: the air conditioning, the heating, the windscreen wipers, the headlights etc. Normally, you should expect a full tank of fuel, and the engine oil should also be full.
It goes without saying that you must return the vehicle in the same condition as you found it at the rental agency.
Some final tips for renting a car in Australia
- Read the rental agreement carefully and don’t hesitate to ask questions when picking up the vehicle
- Examine the vehicle properly before you leave the rental agency. You can even take some pictures.
- Find out about the toll system if you are going through major cities as there is no box toll in Australia.
- Check that the vehicle matches the selected model. It can sometimes happen that the model you booked is no longer available. In this case, a different model (usually an upgrade) will be offered to you.
Driving in Australia: our advice
In Australia, the roads are well maintained, so you should have no problem getting around. Here are some tips that will come in handy when you’re on the road:
- Driving is on the left hand side in Australia.
- Obey speed limits. On the motorways, the maximum speed is 110km/h, 130 on certain sections of the Stuart Highway. In towns/cities, the speed limit is 50 km/h. In school zones, the speed limit is 40 km/h.
- You cannot use your phone while driving.
- Blood alcohol levels while driving must not exceed 0.05% (i.e. 0.5 grams of alcohol per litre of blood)
- Generally, motorways have no tolls and are free to use. The only exception are for major cities like Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne.
Updated on 16/05/2023
