Car hire in Australia

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Australia car hire at a glance

Most popular providerBargain Car Rentals
Most popular carEconomy, 4-5 doors
Pick-up points
Cheapest price found
Cheapest month to rentAugust
Best time to bookLess than 1 week before
To give you an idea of how much renting a car in Australia could cost, we've pulled prices from Melbourne.

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Find the cheapest time to hire a car in Australia

The cheapest month to rent a car in Australia is August, when the average cost per day is ج.م.‏ 2,219. If that doesn’t work for you, the second cheapest month is July, when the average cost per day is ج.م.‏ 2,533. Keep in mind when you’re looking to book, that the most expensive month to rent a car in Australia is February.
To give you an idea of how much renting a car in Australia could cost, we've pulled prices from Melbourne.

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Getting the cheapest car rental in Australia

Here are some tips to help you bag the best prices, and hit the road for less.

How to find a cheap car hire deal in Australia

  • Start your adventure off right with a cheap rental car in Australia. With prices starting from ج.م.‏ 333 a day, it's travel freedom that doesn't cost a fortune. From zippy compacts to roomy SUVs, we'll help you find your kind of ride at your kind of price.

  • ج.م.‏ 2,330 is the lowest available rate for a weekly rental if your trip is more than just a quick visit.

  • Browse the car rentals in Melbourne and free up more of your budget. It's the most affordable place in Australia to book a set of wheels.

  • Canberra is the most popular city to rent a car.

  • Browse the offers from Bargain Car Rentals when narrowing down your options. It's chosen by more people than any other provider in Australia.

  • Step off the plane and into the driver's seat by picking up a ride at the airport. Sydney Airport, Melbourne Tullamarine Airport and Brisbane Airport all provide access to car rentals.

  • You can easily rent a set of wheels in top cities including Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide.

  • A one-way rental could work in your favor. Providers often lower prices when they need to move cars between sites. When searching for a car for rent in Australia, choose 'Return car to a different location' to unlock those deals.

  • Planning a multi-week rental? It might be cheaper to book a full month, so try different date combinations to find out what works best.

  • Skip the extra costs by booking a vehicle with a 'Fair fuel policy.' You pick up the car full and return it full, so you pay only for the fuel you've used.

  • Unlimited mileage lets you focus on the journey instead of tracking the odometer. Check for this feature under the 'Policies' filter and cover more ground without added fees.

Best time to book a car hire in Australia

  • Timing can make all the difference when it comes to finding the best price on a car hire in Australia. Try booking around four weeks before you go.

  • The most affordable month to rent a car is August, with rates averaging ج.م.‏ 2,219 a day.

  • If you want to steer clear of the most expensive time of year, avoid booking in February.

Compare car hire types in Australia

  • Economy: Living up to its name, this option is built with savings in mind. It pairs some of the cheapest rates around with low fuel consumption to help keep the total spend down. When you'd rather save than splurge, this is the clear winner.

  • Small: This category includes mini and economy cars designed to get you from A to B. Compact dimensions, fuel-efficient engines and good manoeuvrability make it a practical choice when searching for a cheap rental car in Australia.

  • Medium: Need a step up in space without the big step up in size? Medium rentals (which include compact and intermediate models) strike the perfect balance. They feel right at home in city traffic, on the highway and almost everywhere in between.

  • Large: No squeezing in. No bags piled at your feet. Also known as full-size, large cars offer plenty of passenger space and the luggage capacity to match. Choose this level when you're covering serious ground or bringing the whole crew.

  • SUV: These sport utility vehicles are ready for whatever your itinerary throws at you. Their stability across a range of terrain makes them a reliable pick for road trip plans that unfold as you go. A higher seating position enhances your view ahead, helping you stay confident behind the wheel.

  • Van: This type of car for rent in Australia includes commercial vans and trucks. With plenty of load capacity and practical interior layouts, they're built to transport bulky items, equipment or larger groups in one go.

  • Luxury: Want to step into something next level? From striking good looks to advanced features and strong performance, luxury vehicles kick the entire driving experience into high gear. This is what to book when only the best will do.

Insurance and optional extras

  • Car rental excess insurance isn't mandatory, but it's worth considering. If you're in a collision, no matter how minor, it can help you avoid paying a big excess fee. Different providers have varying insurance policies and cover levels, so check the terms before booking.

  • Travel smarter when you rent a car in Australia by adding a few handy extras. Think things like a GPS unit to keep you headed the right way, or reverse cameras that'll help you park like a pro.

Driving in Australia: What you need to know

  • Rental age requirements aren't always the same across the board. Companies can set their own policies, and if you're under the minimum age, you could encounter extra costs or restrictions. Check the terms set by each supplier before booking your car rental in Australia.

  • Kids coming with you? Car seat requirements vary depending on where you are, and the correct setup may depend on their weight, age and height. Find out if you need to add one to your car rental reservation in Australia.

  • You'll need to hand over a few things when picking up your rental car: an official driver's licence, extra photo ID, and a credit card that can cover the security deposit. Debit cards aren't widely accepted. Any additional requirements will be listed in your booking.

  • Take a few moments to get used to your rental. Fix your seat and mirrors, test the brakes and turn signals, and get comfortable with its handling before you set off. And don't forget to stay on the left side of the road in Australia.

  • Keep within the local speed limits. Most of the time that's around 45kph in built-up areas and 95kph or so on highways, unless road signs indicate differently.

  • The blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit in Australia is 0.05%. Because alcohol affects everyone differently, it's best to skip drinks entirely so you remain legal to drive.

  • You'll be using the Australian dollar (AUD) for everything you buy on your trip. You may find it helpful to carry a mix of cash and cards so you're covered for every situation.

  • The language most often spoken in Australia is English.

Car hire in Australia: FAQs

You will need insurance to rent a car in Australia, but you wont necessarily need ‘extra’ insurance. Different car hire companies offer different insurance policies, so make sure you look at the details when you pick a deal.

To rent a car with most companies in Australia you need to be at least 21 years old. Some companies may have extra fees to pay if you are under 25 years old, so make sure you check before you book.

Our travellers best rated car hire company in Australia is East Coast. You can rent a car with them for ج.م.‏ 3,429 on average per day.

If you want to learn more about East Coast, you can dig deeper here.

The types of documents you’ll need to rent a car in Australia depend on the car rental company you go with. But in general, you will need a valid drivers license, ID and passport. Once you’ve booked car hire in Australia, you can easily get in touch with your chosen provider to find out.

It’s easy to hire a car in Australia. First, you need to decide where in Australia you want to pick up your car from.

Once you’ve decided where you want to go, simply enter your dates and search for the best deal for you. Once you’ve found your deal, you’ll be redirected to the provider to book with no extra fees.

You can rent a car for as long as you like, depending on availability. If you know what dates you’re needing wheels for, start searching with Skyscanner today.

You may need a credit card to rent a car in Australia. It all depends on which car hire company you choose.

It depends where in Australia you want to visit. The most popular place to go is Canberra. On average, it costs ج.م.‏ 5,908 per day to rent a car there. The cheapest price we could find is ج.م.‏ 1,570 per day.