Cairns car hire information
| Pick-up location | Cairns |
|---|---|
| Car types | Compact, Compact SUV, Economy, Full-size SUV, Intermediate, Intermediate SUV, Passenger van, People mover, Premium SUV, SUV, Standard, Standard SUV, Supplier choice |
| Hire locations | 56 |
| Airport locations | 31 |
| Popular agencies | Bargain Car Rentals, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Europcar, Sixt, East Coast Car Rentals |
Cheap car hire in Cairns
| Economy | $35/day |
| Compact | $36/day |
| Intermediate | $38/day |
| Standard | $42/day |
| SUV | $65/day |
| People mover | $68/day |
| Full-size SUV | $58/day |
| Passenger van | $79/day |
| Premium SUV | $63/day |
| Supplier choice | $36/day |
| Compact SUV | $40/day |
| Intermediate SUV | $44/day |
| Standard SUV | $51/day |
KAYAK’s top tips for hiring a car in Cairns
- A trip to Australia is simply not complete without a road trip, particularly a trip to the northern parts of the country. With a personal vehicle at hand, you can travel all over Queensland with Cairns as your home base. For instance, some of the great locales that are perfect day trips for visitors of Cairns include Port Douglas, Kuranda, and Palm Cove. Even better, all of these destinations are within an hour’s drive of Cairns.
- Would-be car renters with flights to Cairns Airport will be happy to hear that hire car desks are available in both terminals of the airport. All hire car counters can be found in the respective Arrivals Hall of both Terminals 1 and 2.
- Worried about rush hour putting a damper on your trip to Cairns? Fortunately for drivers, the congestion in Cairns is only a minor affair that is easily avoided. However, there is still some traffic during the peak hours of rush hour in the morning from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and in the afternoon from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Drivers should especially avoid the A1 during rush hour, as many drivers use it to go to and from work.
- Make sure to never leave valuables in your car unattended in the summer months -- not because theft is a problem, but because the heat is. Cairns can experience extreme temperatures during the warmer parts of the year and sensitive items like food, electronics, and many other goods will not do well after having been left in a scorching car.
- 25% of our users found a car hire in Cairns for $49 or less
- Book your car hire in Cairns at least 2 days before your trip in order to get a below-average price
- Off-airport car hire locations in Cairns are around 33% cheaper than airport locations on average
- Economy car hire in Cairns are around 44% cheaper than other car types, on average
Cairns car hire experiences: the best tips from KAYAK users
FAQs about hiring a car in Cairns
What type of car is recommended for driving in Cairns?
Cairns is not the biggest of cities, so drivers will find that most vehicles -- even large SUVs -- will be comfortable to drive in Cairns. However, sedans and compacts are certainly the most popular vehicles in both Cairns and Australia in general. So, perhaps it is best to follow common practice and stick to a smaller vehicle. Streetside parking will certainly be more manageable in a smaller vehicle.
What’s the speed limit in Cairns?
Speed limits in Cairns, and in the state of Queensland in general, run between 40 km/h (25 mph) and 50 km/h (31 mph) in built-up areas, unless otherwise specified. On rural roads the speed limit is 100 km/h (62 mph) and on highways and motorways it is 110 km/h (68 mph).
Where are the best places to park in Cairns?
Fortunately for visitors to Cairns, parking is widely available and easy to find throughout the city. Streetside parking is abundant, albeit more suited for smaller vehicles rather than large ones. There is also plenty of private parking in garages and lots. Drivers should have no issues finding parking, even in the central business district.
How much does it cost to hire a car in Cairns?
On average a car hire in Cairns costs $59 per day.
What is the cheapest car hire company in Cairns?
In the past 72 hours, the cheapest car hires were found at Bargain Car Rentals ($35/day), Enterprise Rent-A-Car ($36/day) and East Coast Car Rentals ($38/day). In the last 72 hours the cheapest hire car price was found at Bargain Car Rentals 410, Sheridan Street 4870 (3 kilometres from the city centre).
How much is the price of fuel in Cairns?
The average price of fuel in Cairns is $6.56 per litre over the past 30 days. Filling up a tank of fuel costs between $79 and $105, depending on the car size.
What is the most popular car hire in Cairns?
Economy (Kia Picanto or similar) is the most frequently booked car hire type in Cairns.
Which car hire agencies are at Cairns airport (CNS)?
Car hire companies onsite at Cairns airport include Bargain Car Rentals, Atlas Car & Truck Rental, Budget, Alamo, Europcar, JUCY, Apex, Thrifty, Sixt and Enterprise Rent-A-Car.
Which car hire companies will pick you up at Cairns airport (CNS)?
Car hire companies that offer shuttle or pick-up services from Cairns airport to off-airport locations include Budget, Alamo, Europcar, JUCY, Thrifty, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Hertz, Ace Rental Cars, Avis and keddy by Europcar.
How can I find car hires near me in Cairns?
Take a look at our extensive car hire location map to find the best car hire deals near you.
How much does an Economy car hire cost in Cairns?
An Economy car hire in Cairns costs $45 per day, on average.
How much does an Intermediate car hire cost in Cairns?
An Intermediate car hire in Cairns costs $51 per day, on average.
How much does a Compact car hire cost in Cairns?
A Compact car hire in Cairns costs $52 per day, on average.
How much does it cost to hire a car for a week in Cairns?
On average a car hire in Cairns costs $415 per week ($59 per day).
How much does it cost to hire a car long term for a month in Cairns?
On average a car hire in Cairns costs $1,779 per month ($59 per day).
Cairns car rental reviews and directory
Budget
8.7
Very Good
34 reviewsCleanliness
9.0
Comfort
8.5
Pick-up/Drop-off
8.8
Value for money
7.8
2 locations in Cairns
Filters
Reviews
10.0 Wonderful
Sept 2022
10.0 Wonderful
May 2022
10.0 Wonderful
Apr 2021
Pros:
The staff were very pleasant. Drop-off very easy10.0 Wonderful
Dec 2019
Pros:
Very friendly agent, easy to rent, pick up, and return. Good process to log any known damage to car (we didn't have any).6.8 Okay
July 2019
Pros:
Clean and new carCons:
No invoice of damadge on windscreen, just took a lot of money from my account without any notice.9.2 Wonderful
June 2019
Pros:
Friendly staffCons:
More workers to help check-inAlamo
8.6
Very Good
31 reviewsCleanliness
8.6
Comfort
8.6
Pick-up/Drop-off
8.9
Value for money
8.6
2 locations in Cairns
Filters
Reviews
10.0 Wonderful
May 2018
Pros:
Clean car, easy pick up and return, upgrade since they were out of our size9.6 Wonderful
Mar 2018
Pros:
Staff were very good and the process was simple.Cons:
All good.8.0 Very Good
July 2023
10.0 Wonderful
Apr 2023
10.0 Wonderful
Feb 2023
10.0 Wonderful
Jan 2023
Ace Rental Cars
10.0
Wonderful
1 reviewCleanliness
10.0
Comfort
10.0
Pick-up/Drop-off
10.0
Value for money
8.0
3 locations in Cairns
Bargain Car Rentals
9.3
Wonderful
3 reviewsCleanliness
9.6
Comfort
9.3
Pick-up/Drop-off
8.0
Value for money
9.0
One location in Cairns
Thrifty
9.0
Wonderful
4 reviewsCleanliness
9.0
Comfort
9.0
Pick-up/Drop-off
9.0
Value for money
6.9
4 locations in Cairns
Sixt
8.9
Very Good
17 reviewsCleanliness
9.0
Comfort
9.0
Pick-up/Drop-off
9.1
Value for money
8.2
2 locations in Cairns
Filters
Reviews
10.0 Wonderful
Sept 2022
5.6 Fair
July 2018
Cons:
That said no hidden fees but still charge 1000$ or insurance forcefully similar car NO FOR 6 people they give us 2 people car argument over argument rude etc10.0 Wonderful
Mar 2017
Pros:
The service from Sixt in Cairns was brilliant, from the pick up service at the airport to the swift pick up of the car and drop off. All staff were very friendly and the car itself a dream to drive, making our experience in North Queensland brilliant.10.0 Wonderful
Mar 2022
10.0 Wonderful
Jan 2022
4.0 Mediocre
Jan 2022
Apex
8.9
Very Good
9 reviewsCleanliness
9.0
Comfort
9.2
Pick-up/Drop-off
8.7
Value for money
8.7
One location in Cairns
Filters
Reviews
4.0 Mediocre
Mar 2022
10.0 Wonderful
Dec 2021
10.0 Wonderful
Oct 2021
10.0 Wonderful
July 2022
8.0 Very Good
July 2022
10.0 Wonderful
July 2022
East Coast Car Rentals
7.5
Good
7 reviewsCleanliness
9.7
Comfort
9.7
Pick-up/Drop-off
7.5
Value for money
8.2
One location in Cairns
Filters
Reviews
10.0 Wonderful
July 2022
10.0 Wonderful
Apr 2022
10.0 Wonderful
Apr 2022
2.0 Poor
Apr 2022
6.0 Okay
Mar 2022
8.0 Very Good
Mar 2022
Hertz
7.3
Good
18 reviewsCleanliness
6.8
Comfort
7.4
Pick-up/Drop-off
7.7
Value for money
7.4
3 locations in Cairns
Filters
Reviews
10.0 Wonderful
May 2021
Pros:
Staff were very helpful, car we booked as not available so they upgraded us FOC.Cons:
Nothing from us10.0 Wonderful
Feb 2019
Pros:
Friendly staff. Easy pickup and drop off.10.0 Wonderful
Dec 2018
Pros:
very friendly employees, easy claim process initiating, flexible return.8.0 Very Good
Nov 2018
Pros:
Easy pick up and return after pickupCons:
Found out after pickup, we couldn't take it somewhere we wanted to go.10.0 Wonderful
Sept 2018
Pros:
We had a problem with the rent, and the women of the airport shop helped us to solve it.5.6 Fair
Nov 2017
Cons:
I prepaid for a different drop off location and when I picked up the car I was asked to pay an additional fee for a that service. I was told its similar to adding a GPS or car seat to an existing reservation but I was unable to take the car without paying additional despite my reservation. I called the 800 number and was told this charge would drop off and was covered but just discovered three separate charges for this rental have been processed. I plan on calling customer service again to clear this matter up but the Cairns office was unhelpful and unwilling to listen to me about the reservation I booked.Enterprise Rent-A-Car
6.0
Okay
2 reviewsCleanliness
8.5
Comfort
6.9
Pick-up/Drop-off
6.0
Value for money
6.5
2 locations in Cairns
Filters
Reviews
2.0 Poor
July 2023
Europcar
6.0
Okay
6 reviewsCleanliness
6.0
Comfort
6.0
Pick-up/Drop-off
6.0
Value for money
6.0
2 locations in Cairns
Filters
Reviews
2.0 Poor
June 2023
10.0 Wonderful
Sept 2018
Pros:
I appreciated the upgrade. The service provided at check in was excellent.2.0 Poor
July 2017
Cons:
I booked this for a reasonable price months in advance as diving the Great Barrier Reef was a bucket list item. When I landed though, europcar said that they had given my car away and had no other cars they could fulfill my reservation with as it was high tourism season. No offer to help, no sympathy. Of course I had my phone and checked online and found they indeed had multiple cars available immediately, but were asking double what I had booked mine for. How convenient... I got a car from a competitor instead, and will be avoiding Europcar going forward.10.0 Wonderful
June 2023
MINI Car Rentals
10.0
Wonderful
No reviews available
Cleanliness
6.0
Comfort
10.0
Pick-up/Drop-off
10.0
Value for money
8.0
One location in Cairns
2 locations in Cairns
from $38/dayLocations in Cairns
55 Dutton Street
+61 1800 150 850
Cairns Off Airport Location
+61 1800 150 850
Filters
No reviews available
4 locations in Cairns
from $81/dayLocations in Cairns
147 Lake St
+61 1800 501 934
Airport Ave
+61 1800 501 934
Cairns Square, Abbott St
+61 1800 501 934
Corner Of Sheridan And Aplin S
+61 7 4051 8099
Filters
No reviews available
4 locations in Cairns
from $217/dayLocations in Cairns
147 Lake St
+61 740 410 895
Airport Ave
+61 740 359 299
Cairns Square, Abbott St
+61 740 516 399
Cairns Square
+61 7 4046 8701
Filters
No reviews available
3 locations in Cairns
Locations in Cairns
Serviced By Redspot Enterprise
+61 740 312 707
Terminal Buildinairport Avenue
+61 7 4034 9045
Terminalbuildingairport Avenue
+61 7 4034 9045
Filters
No reviews available
2 locations in Cairns
from $60/dayLocations in Cairns
Cairns Square, Corner Shield & Abbott Street
+61 740 334 800
Terminal Building
+61 740 349 088
Filters
No reviews available
One location in Cairns
Locations in Cairns
Filters
No reviews available
One location in Cairns
Locations in Cairns
Filters
No reviews available
6 locations in Cairns
Locations in Cairns
Filters
No reviews available
2 locations in Cairns
from $33/dayLocations in Cairns
410 Sheridan Street Cairns, QLD
1800 808 122
Shop 1, 51 Sheridan Street, Cairns City, QLD
+61 383 366 100
Filters
No reviews available
2 locations in Cairns
Locations in Cairns
Filters
No reviews available
One location in Cairns
Locations in Cairns
410 Sheradan Street
1800 808 122
Filters
No reviews available
One location in Cairns
Locations in Cairns
Cairns Airport CNS
+61 7 4041 0895
Filters
No reviews available
One location in Cairns
Locations in Cairns
Filters
No reviews available
One location in Cairns
Locations in Cairns
Terminal Building
+86 10 6064 1387
Filters
No reviews available
Car hire locations in or near Cairns
Good to know
Most popular agency | Bargain Car Rentals |
|---|---|
Most popular car type | Economy |
Average price | $59/day |
Good deal | $49/day |
When to book a car hire in Cairns
Airports serving Cairns
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Popular car brands to hire in Cairns
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