Car hire in Townsville, Australia

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Compare car hire on price, ease of pick-up, a fair fuel policy and more

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There are 16 car hire locations in Townsville. Choose the cheapest or easiest now.

The most popular car rental companies in Townsville

Hiring a car in Townsville: Fast facts

Here's everything you need to know to hit the road happy.
Most popular car hire companyBargain Car Rentals
Most popular carCompact, 4-5 doors
Average daily priceج.م.‏ 7,502
Best time to book2 weeks before

How to book the best car rental deals in Townsville

We’re frequently named as the most trusted travel search site out there. We scan hundreds of trusted travel providers and put it all in one place, allowing you to instantly compare car hire rates and then book with no fees. Here's how to get the most out of your Townsville car rental search.

How to find a cheap car hire deal in Townsville

  • Pick up a cheap rental car in Townsville for an average of ج.م.‏ 7,502 a day and drive off happy. We do the hard work for you by searching the best rental providers, so you can easily compare prices and book.

  • Reserve your ride in November and fast-track your savings. It's the cheapest time of year to rent a car in Townsville, with average daily rates of ج.م.‏ 2,242.

  • Timing can make all the difference when it comes to finding a cheap rental car in Townsville. Book around two weeks before your departure date to score the best price.

  • Line up your ride with Bargain Car Rentals, Europcar or Alamo. These are some of the most reliable brands offering car hire deals in Townsville.

  • The coverage Bargain Car Rentals or another supplier offers for your Townsville car hire can vary, so always check the small print. While some include a collision damage waiver (CDW), others will apply a surcharge for it.

  • Consider booking a one-way rental. You might be able to land a good deal if the provider needs to move its fleet around. Find the best available rates for a car for rent in Townsville by clicking 'Return car to a different location.'

  • Avoid any unexpected charges by choosing a car hire in Townsville with a 'Fair fuel policy.' Begin and end your trip with a full tank, paying only for what you use.

  • Explore without limits by choosing a rental with 'Unlimited mileage.' Located under the 'Policies' filter, these rides let you drive as far as you like without paying more.

  • Think about picking up one of the car rentals in Townsville Airport if you're arriving by plane. You can skip public transport or cab lines and start discovering Townsville straight away.

Compare car hire types in Townsville

  • Small: Including classes like mini and economy, this cheap rental car in Townsville makes getting around affordable and hassle-free. These agile, fuel-efficient rides are ideal for city driving and short trips.

  • Medium: A smart pick when you need something that's easy to manoeuvre but with a few more features. This category covers compact and intermediate models that offer a bit of extra room compared to smaller options.

  • Large: You've got the kids, the toys, the bags, the lot. Large vehicles have got the space to fit it all without breaking a sweat. Ideal for long-distance trips, this Townsville car hire category includes full-size cars.

  • SUV: Get a higher ground clearance and a better view of what's ahead in an SUV. Whether you're carving through winding trails or cruising along wide-open highways, many come with all-wheel drive to help you tackle any road.

  • Van: Choose this category of vehicle when you need a car for rent in Townsville that can handle the heavy stuff. Featuring options like commercial vans and trucks, they're designed to transport more, whether that's equipment, baggage or the whole travel crew.

Insurance and optional extras

  • Choosing excess insurance for your Townsville car hire gives you peace of mind. It protects you from paying a big excess fee in case of an accident or theft. Insurance policies can differ between rental providers, so compare before you commit.

  • Take your ride to the next level with extras like a reverse camera and GPS unit. These features can turn your drive into a smoother experience when you rent a car in Townsville.

Good to know

  • Age requirements for rentals often vary by company (and even car type), so be clear on the rules before you book. Some providers in Australia may rent to younger drivers for an additional fee. If you're outside the typical age bracket, simply uncheck 'Driver aged between 25–70' and then enter how old you are to unlock the right options.

  • Add a car seat to your Townsville car hire booking if you're planning to travel with the kids. Requirements change from one location to another, but using a child seat suited to their age and size is always the safest option.

Hit the road: Where to drive from Townsville

  • Don't leave town without visiting some of the city's best attractions, like Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and Reef HQ. Snap up a car hire deal in Townsville and then start mapping out your sightseeing hit list.

  • If you're after somewhere to stay in Townsville while you take in the sights, consider Madison Plaza Townsville or Hotel Grand Chancellor Townsville.

  • Around 72 kilometres south-east of central Townsville, Ayr should be on your itinerary. Make your way to can't-miss sights like Plantation Park and Beach Road Park.

  • Popular accommodation options in Ayr include Ayr Traveller's Motel and Ayr Max Motel.

  • Alternatively, collect your cheap car hire in Townsville and then set out for Ingham. Around 97 kilometres north-west of Townsville, TYTO Wetlands and Mungalla Station are standout attractions that make the drive more than worth it.

  • Put your feet up after a long day in Ingham at Tropixx Motel. Or coast into comfort and stay at Motel Ingham.

  • Want to head even further out? Mareeba is a fun road trip destination that's about 290 kilometres north-west of Townsville. Plan to make a few pit stops at Raging Thunder Adventures and Mareeba Tropical Savannah and Wetland Reserve.

  • Snooze the night away in Mareeba at Jackaroo Motel. Mareeba Motor Inn has a cosy bed lined up for you too.

Frequently asked questions

On average, hiring a car in Townsville will set you back around ج.م.‏ 7,502 per day or ج.م.‏ 9,437 per week. 
The cheapest car to rent in Townsville is a compact van or truck. The most popular is Compact, 4-5 doors.
Bagging the best car hire deal depends on when you book  – often, it pays to book your wheels as far in advance as possible. But according to our data, the cheapest month to rent a car in Townsville is currently November.
On average, around ج.م.‏ 9,437. But the best price we found for car hire for a week in Townsville is ج.م.‏ 9,135.
Based on everything we know about daily prices, the average cost to hire a car in Townsville for a whole month is ج.م.‏ 59,533. 

But sometimes, you'll get a discount for booking a whole month instead of 3 and a half weeks. So play with your dates to find the best deals!
If you're looking for freedom to explore Townsville, choose a car with unlimited mileage, or look for car hire deals with a ’full to full' fuel policy as opposed to a 'half-full to full' one.

We also clearly highlight car and van hire options in Townsville that have free cancellation
Yes – you can easily find car hire companies that allow you to pick up your car in one place, and then drop it off in another. Just select ‘Return car to a different location’ when you search with us.
Public transport can only get you so far, and could be tricky to navigate with children or luggage. With your own set of wheels, you can go wherever you want, whenever you want, for as long as you want. And you'll be able to discover more outside of Townsville.
Most places – Townsville included – allow under 25s to rent a car as long as they provide a valid driver's license and the correct documentation. It may cost slightly more due to a higher insurance excess for young drivers. 
The cheapest price we found for an economy car is ج.م.‏ 3,213 per day. The average price per day is around ج.م.‏ 4,016.
Of course. Most major car hire companies like Bargain Car Rentals, Enterprise and Europcar offer baby and child seats as an add-on when you book.
Other travellers rated Bargain Car Rentals as the best overall in terms of experience.
Yes – van hire is available in Townsville.