Get relevant, data-driven information to help you rent a car in Australia, including pricing trends, ideal booking times, and more.
How far in advance should you book a rental car in Australia?
You should book your rental car in Australia around 5 days before your trip in order to get a below-average price.
What is the cheapest car rental company in Australia?
In the past 72 hours, the cheapest rental cars were found at Alpha (19.04 ﷼/day), Ace Rental Cars (34.49 ﷼/day) and Thrifty (93.96 ﷼/day).
What is the most popular rental car in Australia?
Rentals in the SUV category (Toyota RAV4 or similar) are the most popular option in Australia, costing 243 ﷼/day on average. Some users have found deals as low as 176 ﷼/day.
What is the cheapest month to rent a car in Australia?
The cheapest month to rent a car in Australia is June at an average cost of 151 ﷼/day. December is the most expensive month to rent a car in Australia when prices are 220 ﷼/day on average, which tends to be 356% above the yearly average rental price for Australia.
Which car hire company in Australia has the most locations?
MINI Car Rentals operates 2 locations in Australia, more than any other rental company.
Australia car rental price comparison by vehicle type
Find the right rental car in Australia by comparing prices across vehicle types.
Small
Medium
Large
SUV
Van
Pickup truck
Luxury
Convertible
Small cars
81 ﷼ - 150 ﷼
All Car Types
218 ﷼ - 339 ﷼
How much does it cost to rent a small car in Australia?
How much does it cost to rent a medium car in Australia?
How much does it cost to rent a large car in Australia?
How much does it cost to rent an SUV in Australia?
How much does it cost to rent a van in Australia?
How much does it cost to rent a pickup truck in Australia?
How much does it cost to rent a luxury car in Australia?
How much does it cost to rent a convertible in Australia?
Small car rentals in Australia typically cost around 109 ﷼ per day. The best time to book is June, when prices average 81 ﷼ per day which is about 26% less than the yearly average. Small cars are usually 59% cheaper than the average rental in Australia, making them ideal for budget-conscious travelers.
Medium car rentals in Australia typically cost around 211 ﷼ per day. The best time to book is September, when prices average 182 ﷼ per day which is about 14% less than the yearly average. Medium cars are usually 20% cheaper than the average rental in Australia, offering a good balance of space and value.
Large car rentals in Australia typically cost around 259 ﷼ per day. The best time to book is July, when prices average 211 ﷼ per day which is about 19% less than the yearly average. Large cars can be 2% cheaper than the average rental in Australia, offering more comfort for longer trips at a valuable price.
SUV rentals in Australia typically cost around 229 ﷼ per day. The best time to book is June, when prices average 191 ﷼ per day which is about 17% less than the yearly average. SUVs can be 13% cheaper than the average rental in Australia, providing extra space and capability for groups or road trips at a reasonable price.
Van rentals in Australia typically cost around 371 ﷼ per day. The best time to book is September, when prices average 293 ﷼ per day which is about 22% less than the yearly average. Vans are typically 30% more expensive than the average rental in Australia, but are the best choice for families or groups needing maximum passenger capacity.
Pickup truck rentals in Australia typically cost around 188 ﷼ per day. The best time to book is December, when prices average 162 ﷼ per day which is about 14% less than the yearly average. Pickup trucks are 29% cheaper than the average rental in Australia, a practical choice for hauling gear or outdoor adventures.
Luxury car rentals in Australia typically cost around 396 ﷼ per day. The best time to book is July, when prices average 312 ﷼ per day which is about 22% less than the yearly average. Luxury cars are typically 34% more expensive than the average rental in Australia, but deliver premium comfort and style for special occasions.
Convertible rentals in Australia typically cost around 326 ﷼ per day. The best time to book is January, when prices average 258 ﷼ per day which is about 21% less than the yearly average. Convertibles are typically 20% more expensive than the average rental in Australia, perfect for scenic drives and warm-weather destinations.
Good to know
Most popular agency
Most popular car type
Average price
Good deal
Thrifty
Medium
228 ﷼/day
204 ﷼/day
Top tips for renting a car in Australia
If you rent a car in Australia, be aware that it is illegal to smoke in the car. This policy is even more important if there are underage children traveling in the car with you. There are one or two companies like Hertz that lease "smoking optional" cars, but these are few, so you will have to book your reservation early if you wish to get one.
Since the requirements are not uniform from one state to another, it’s not a bad idea to get yourself an international driver’s permit to cover all the bases if you intend to drive in Australia, especially if you are making cross-country trips. When you need to park, always use the left-hand side of the road, going along with the traffic.
Australia is famous for its vast Outback region. If you intend to drive through this area, your best bet is to rent an SUV or other four-wheel drive vehicle. If you prefer to stay close to the cities, it is likely you’ll encounter toll stops at bridges and freeways, so it’s smart to always have a bit of change handy.
For those planning extended driving trips or weekend getaways, it may be necessary to use multiple drivers. In such cases, you should let the agency know at the time you pick up the car. Each additional driver will have to be registered, and there is a fee for each additional driver per car. Such fees will vary from one rental agency to another.
25% of our users found rental cars in Australia for 204 ﷼ or less
Small rental cars in Australia are around 28% cheaper than other car types, on average
FAQs about renting a car in Australia
How much does it cost to rent a car in Australia?
On average a rental car in Australia costs 228 ﷼ per day.
Based on car searches on KAYAK, the most popular cities to rent a car in Australia are Cairns (62% of total searches of users looking to rent a car in Australia), Sydney (31%) and Melbourne (8%).
How much does it cost to rent a car for a week in Australia?
On average a rental car in Australia costs 1,599 ﷼ per week (228 ﷼ per day).
How much does it cost to rent a car long term for a month in Australia?
On average a rental car in Australia costs 6,851 ﷼ per month (228 ﷼ per day).
What is driving like in Australia?
Drive on the left side of the road if you are renting cars in Australia, and be aware that the metric system is used in this country, so think "kilometers" instead of miles and "liters" instead of gallons. All passengers in the car must wear a seatbelt or you could receive a fine if caught. Also, the blood-alcohol limit is very low, 0.05%, so make sure there’s a designated driver if you intend to drink.
How old do you have to be to hire a car in Australia?
You must be at least 21 years of age and have held your license for at least one year to rent a car in Australia, but as with most countries, there is a surcharge applied to drivers who are younger than 25 years of age. For seniors enjoying a trip "Down Under," you can safely rent a car as long as you are younger than 75 years old.
How much does petrol cost in Australia?
The price of petrol in Australia is better than the average globally. A liter of petrol sells for about 1.43 AUD (1.00 USD), (about 3.77 USD per gallon). Diesel prices are slightly higher at 1.49 AUD (1.04 USD) per liter (about 3.95 USD per gallon).
What are the speed limits in Australia?
Unless otherwise specified (there are certain shared areas and school zones where the limit is reduced), the speed limit in Australia is 50 km/h (31 mph) in urban areas, 100 km/h (62 mph) on rural roads, and up to 110 km/h (68 mph) on some highways. If you are staying in the Northern Territory, these limits are increased because there are few urban areas.
Car rental directory
Thrifty car rental locations in Australia
360 Locations
Hertz car rental locations in Australia
306 Locations
Firefly car rental locations in Australia
292 Locations
Sunnycars car rental locations in Australia
265 Locations
keddy by Europcar car rental locations in Australia
236 Locations
Avis car rental locations in Australia
230 Locations
Budget car rental locations in Australia
224 Locations
Sixt car rental locations in Australia
200 Locations
Europcar car rental locations in Australia
162 Locations
Dollar car rental locations in Australia
130 Locations
Routes Car & Truck Rentals car rental locations in Australia
124 Locations
Enterprise Rent-A-Car car rental locations in Australia
65 Locations
Car rental locations in Australia
Everything you need to know for your car rental in Australia
The rates displayed include all taxes and fees for car rentals for the class listed and were found by KAYAK users in the last 48 hours. Offers are subject to change and may not be available on all car rentals listed or dates of travel. Some car rental providers charge additional fees for other services (GPS, infant car seats, etc.). Please check the car rental providers' sites.
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