Byron Bay car hire

Top tips for hiring a car in Byron Bay

• Hire a car in Byron Bay to get out of the tourist centre and visit neighbouring towns, such as Brunswick Heads and Mullumbimby, whenever you please. Most public bus services in Byron Bay only operate until roughly 19:00 from Monday through Thursday, meaning taxi trips become a necessity for long evening outings. Having a hire car will give you freedom of movement during the nights as well as easy access to Cape Byron Lighthouse, which is not connected by public transport and takes a 40min walk to ascend. It’s possible to drive to Nimbin in 1h 15min, while a connection of buses changing in Lismore requires over 2h each way. Not to mention, the distance from Ballina Byron Gateway Airport to Byron Bay is roughly 35 km, and a hire car can be cheaper than a bus transfer (approximately A$25) or taxi (around A$90).
• If you are picking up a hire car from Ballina Byron Gateway Airport (BNK), turn left in the Arrivals Area and you’ll find reception desks on the far wall. Staff from Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz and Thrifty are on hand to assist with walking directions to your hire car, as no shuttles are provided.
• There’s a relaxed atmosphere in Byron Bay and jaywalking is common, even on major streets, so it’s important to drive cautiously and keep a watchful eye out for pedestrians. The town is a popular destination for international travellers who may be unfamiliar on the roads and it’s recommended to maintain a safe distance behind the vehicle in front of you. Be wary of reversing cars in car parks along the beach and in the city centre as cars can pull out suddenly.
• The central avenue of Johnson St experiences congestion throughout the day and will always add a few minutes of delay. Ewingsdale roundabout that merges with the Pacific Hwy usually has heavy traffic between 08:00 and 09:00 and should be avoided if possible.
• 25% of our users found a car hire in Byron Bay for $39 or less
• Book your car hire in Byron Bay at least 2 weeks before your trip in order to get a below-average price
• Off-airport car hire locations in Byron Bay are around 20% cheaper than airport locations on average
• Full-size car hires in Byron Bay are around 31% cheaper than other car types, on average