Australia car rentals

Driver's age: 26-65

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Cheap car rentals in Australia

Discover the best prices for you by selecting your travel dates on KAYAK.
Mini car
Mini
M
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Economy car
Economy
M
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Compact car
Compact
M
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Intermediate car
Intermediate
M
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Standard car
Standard
M
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Full-size car
Full-size
M
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Luxury car
Luxury
M
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Minivan car
Minivan
M
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Passenger van car
Passenger van
M
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SUV car
SUV
M
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Commercial car
Commercial
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Pickup truck car
Pickup truck
M
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Booking Insights

Good to know

Most popular car type

Compact

KAYAK insights for Australia car rentals

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 8 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 YesDrive Car Rental (101.17 ﷼/day), Ace Rental Cars (103.08 ﷼/day) and Avis (540.02 ﷼/day).

What is the most popular rental car in Australia?

SUV rentals (Mitsubishi Outlander or similar) are the most popular type of vehicle to rent in Australia. SUV rentals in Australia cost 181 ﷼/day on average, though some users have found deals as low as 179 ﷼/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 135 ﷼/day. December is the most expensive month to rent a car in Australia when prices are 201 ﷼/day on average, which tends to be 367% above the yearly average rental price for Australia.

What rental car company in Australia has the most locations?

Thrifty operates 343 locations in Australia, more than any other rental company.
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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.
  • Compact rental cars in Australia are around 37% cheaper than other car types, on average

FAQs about renting a car in Australia

  • How can I find car rentals near me in Australia?

    Take a look at our extensive car rental location map to find the best rental cars near you.

  • Where should I rent a car in Australia?

    Based on car searches on KAYAK, the most popular cities to rent a car in Australia are Melbourne (67% of total searches of users looking to rent a car in Australia) and Sydney (33%).

  • 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

    Thrifty car rental locations in Australia

    343 Locations

  • firefly

    Firefly car rental locations in Australia

    294 Locations

  • hertz

    Hertz car rental locations in Australia

    281 Locations

  • keddy

    keddy by Europcar car rental locations in Australia

    224 Locations

  • sunnycars

    Sunnycars car rental locations in Australia

    197 Locations

  • avis

    Avis car rental locations in Australia

    179 Locations

  • sixtrentacar

    Sixt car rental locations in Australia

    170 Locations

  • budget

    Budget car rental locations in Australia

    168 Locations

  • europcar

    Europcar car rental locations in Australia

    152 Locations

  • dollar

    Dollar car rental locations in Australia

    132 Locations

  • routescartrk

    Routes Car & Truck Rentals car rental locations in Australia

    93 Locations

  • enterprise

    Enterprise Rent-A-Car car rental locations in Australia

    63 Locations

Car rental locations in Australia

Everything you need to know for your car rental in Australia

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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.

Search for cheap rental cars in Australia with KAYAK and rent a car that suits you best. KAYAK searches hundreds of travel sites to help you find and book the best rental car deal at car rental locations across Australia.

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