Planning on renting a car in Australia? If you’re visiting from overseas, there are a few things to be aware of. The car rental process in Australia may be different to what you’re familiar with, so we’ve put together a guide for those of you looking to rent a car Down Under.
VroomVroomVroom compares prices on rental cars all across Australia, including airport, inner-city, and regional locations operated by the country’s leading rental brands. Our search form is easy to use, and will automatically find any available cars around your selected location.
You’ll find offers from rental brands such as Avis, Budget, East Coast, Enterprise, Europcar, Hertz, and Thrifty, and you can check the address of the depot by clicking on any given vehicle. For a full list of active depots in Australia, check out our locations page.
It’s easy with VroomVroomVroom. Simply pick your desired location and travel dates on our search form, and we’ll present you with a list of available vehicles, sorted by price. Then, all you have to do is follow the prompts and confirm your booking.
We do recommend booking in advance, however, to ensure you don’t miss out, especially during peak travel seasons. If you have any questions, or need some extra help, feel free to contact us.
The rules differ between rental providers. Generally, cars are only rented out to drivers over the age of 21 who hold a full, unrestricted licence. Eligible drivers under 25 years of age may need to pay a daily surcharge, and there may be restrictions on which vehicles can be rented.
For more information, check out our page on age restrictions.
Rates are calculated by the rental providers and may vary depending on the time of year and type of vehicle. Location is also a factor when it comes to price, with many airport and city locations incurring additional surcharges. Your best bet is to check your travel dates and pick-up location via our search form for an idea of what the price will be.
Car rental companies usually have blanket insurance policies that cover their entire fleet of vehicles, however in the event that your rental car is lost, damaged, or stolen, you’ll be liable for the excess amount, which generally ranges from $3,350 to $9,000.
Want to know your options around reducing your excess amount or having it covered by an insurance policy? Check out our insurance page.
Car rental companies will generally accept any driver licence printed in English, so long as it is a full, unrestricted licence and not a provisional licence or learner’s permit. If your driver licence is not in English, you’ll need an International Driving Permit.
To learn more about this, check out our licences page.
For many visitors, driving on the left-hand side of the road will be a major difference. Driving distances may also be longer in Australia, so if you plan on driving to a lot of places, be sure to allow plenty of time for breaks in between.
For a better idea of the road rules, check out our tips on driving in Australia.
Looking for more ways to save money when travelling to Australia? Check out this blog post we put together. Happy travels!
