KAYAK’s insights & trends for Great Barrier Reef car hire
Check out the latest trends and booking tips to hire a car in Great Barrier Reef with confidence.
How far in advance should you book car hire in Great Barrier Reef?
You should book your car hire in Great Barrier Reef around 8 days before your trip in order to get a below-average price.
What is the most popular car to hire in Great Barrier Reef?
Hires in the Medium category (Toyota Corolla or similar) are the most popular option in Great Barrier Reef, costing $57/day on average. Some users have found deals as low as $45/day.
What is the cheapest month to hire a car in Great Barrier Reef?
The cheapest month to hire a car in Great Barrier Reef is August at an average cost of $74/day. September is the most expensive month to hire a car in Great Barrier Reef when prices are $107/day on average, which tends to be 76% above the yearly average hire price for Great Barrier Reef.
Great Barrier Reef car hire price comparison by vehicle type
Find the right car hire in Great Barrier Reef by comparing prices across vehicle types.
Small
Medium
Large
SUV
Van
Pickup truck
Luxury
Convertible
Small cars
$39 - $76
All Car Types
$83 - $147
How much does it cost to hire a small car in Great Barrier Reef?
How much does it cost to hire a medium car in Great Barrier Reef?
How much does it cost to hire a large car in Great Barrier Reef?
How much does it cost to hire an SUV in Great Barrier Reef?
How much does it cost to hire a van in Great Barrier Reef?
How much does it cost to hire a pickup truck in Great Barrier Reef?
How much does it cost to hire a luxury car in Great Barrier Reef?
How much does it cost to hire a convertible in Great Barrier Reef?
Small car hire in Great Barrier Reef typically costs around $50 per day. The best time to book is February, when prices average $39 per day, which is about 22% less than the yearly average. Small cars are usually 54% cheaper than the average car hire in Great Barrier Reef, making them ideal for budget-conscious travellers.
Medium car hire in Great Barrier Reef typically costs around $120 per day. The best time to book is February, when prices average $80 per day, which is about 34% less than the yearly average. Medium cars are usually 11% more expensive than the average car hire in Great Barrier Reef, offering a good balance of space and value.
Large car hire in Great Barrier Reef typically costs around $167 per day. The best time to book is January, when prices average $110 per day, which is about 35% less than the yearly average. Large cars are typically 36% more expensive than the average car hire in Great Barrier Reef but offer more comfort for longer trips.
SUV hire in Great Barrier Reef typically costs around $83 per day. The best time to book is February, when prices average $67 per day, which is about 20% less than the yearly average. SUVs can be 23% cheaper than the average car hire in Great Barrier Reef, providing extra space and capability for groups or road trips at a reasonable price.
Van hire in Great Barrier Reef typically costs around $172 per day. The best time to book is February, when prices average $144 per day, which is about 17% less than the yearly average. Vans are typically 38% more expensive than the average car hire in Great Barrier Reef but are the best choice for families or groups needing maximum passenger capacity.
Pickup truck hire in Great Barrier Reef typically costs around $116 per day. The best time to book is January, when prices average $86 per day, which is about 26% less than the yearly average. Pickup trucks are typically 8% more expensive than the average car hire in Great Barrier Reef but are ideal for hauling gear or outdoor adventures.
Luxury car hire in Great Barrier Reef typically costs around $145 per day. The best time to book is January, when prices average $102 per day, which is about 30% less than the yearly average. Luxury cars are typically 27% more expensive than the average car hire in Great Barrier Reef but deliver premium comfort and style for special occasions.
Convertible hire in Great Barrier Reef typically costs around $157 per day. The best time to book is January, when prices average $89 per day, which is about 44% less than the yearly average. Convertibles are typically 32% more expensive than the average car hire in Great Barrier Reef but are perfect for scenic drives and warm-weather destinations.
Good to know
Most popular agency
Most popular car type
Average price
Good deal
Bargain Car Rentals
Small
$59/day
$46/day
Top tips for hiring a car in Great Barrier Reef
If you’re visiting the Great Barrier Reef off the east coast of Queensland, the best airport to fly to is Cairns Airport (CNS) in Cairns. Multiple car rental agencies have a counter at the airport, including Avis, Hertz, Europcar, Budget, Enterprise, Redspot, Sixt, and Thrifty. The car rental desks are conveniently located in the Arrivals section at the northern end of Terminal 2 (Domestic) and the Arrivals Hall at Terminal 1 (International).
Road conditions in the Great Barrier Reef are generally good. The stretch from Cairns through other major towns along the reef has well-maintained roads with stunning coastal views. Road conditions may vary in remote areas. You’ll come across unpaved sections or roads with potholes. Major towns along the coastline have narrow streets. Observe caution when driving through those sections. The region has several winding roads, so slow down as you approach those sections.
The type of car to rent in the Great Barrier Reef depends on your needs. A convertible is the best option to enjoy scenic views of the beautiful coastline. We recommend an economy rental if you’re on a solo trip and have less luggage. A passenger van is ideal for larger groups with more luggage that require more space. Consider renting an SUV rental if you plan to venture off-road.
The Great Barrier Reef is a popular tourist destination, so you’ll likely encounter heavy traffic during peak tourist season. Most tourists flock to the region from June through October. Major roads along the coastal area are usually busy during this time. Traffic in major towns along the Great Barrier Reef can also get busy during morning and evening rush hour, mostly from 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Towns with the heaviest traffic during peak rush hour include Cairns, Port Douglas, Airlie Beach, and Townsville.
25% of our users found a car hire in Great Barrier Reef for $46 or less
Small hire cars in Great Barrier Reef are around 28% cheaper than other car types, on average
FAQs about hiring a car in Great Barrier Reef
How much does it cost to hire a car in Great Barrier Reef?
On average a car hire in Great Barrier Reef costs $59 per day.
How can I find car hires near me in Great Barrier Reef?
Take a look at our extensive car hire location map to find the best car hire deals near you.
Where should I hire a car in Great Barrier Reef?
Based on car searches on KAYAK, the most popular cities to hire a car in Great Barrier Reef are Cairns (82% of total searches of users looking to hire a car in Great Barrier Reef), Townsville (9%) and Hervey Bay (4%).
How much does it cost to hire a car for a week in Great Barrier Reef?
On average a car hire in Great Barrier Reef costs $414 per week ($59 per day).
How much does it cost to hire a car long term for a month in Great Barrier Reef?
On average a car hire in Great Barrier Reef costs $1,774 per month ($59 per day).
Should I rent a car in the Great Barrier Reef?
Renting a car in the Great Barrier Reef offers a convenient option for exploring the region. You can drive to popular attractions in the Great Barrier Reef at your own pace. It’s also the most reliable option since there is limited public transportation. Great Barrier Reef car rentals allow you to explore the region comfortably, especially if you have a lot of luggage. They are more affordable when you look at the cumulative costs of hiring a taxi to various destinations in the Great Barrier Reef.
What is it like driving in the Great Barrier Reef?
Driving in the Great Barrier Reef is generally easy. The good road network in the region grants you a smooth driving experience. Expect a scenic drive along the coastline. Major towns along the Great Barrier Reef are heavily populated, so be prepared to slow down when driving through those areas. Driving is on the left-hand side of the road. The general speed limit on major roads along the Great Barrier Reef is 30 mph (50 km/h) in urban areas and 68 mph (110 km/h) outside built-up areas. School zones have a speed limit of 25 mph (40 km/h). There are speed cameras and police patrols everywhere, so drive within the posted speed limits to avoid hefty fines.
How old should I be to rent a car in the Great Barrier Reef?
The minimum age to rent a car in the Great Barrier Reef is 21. Some car rental agencies have a minimum rental age limit of 25. Drivers aged 21 to 24 may incur an additional surcharge. You must also provide the necessary documents, including a valid driver's license in your name, an internationally recognized credit card or debit card for payment, and additional identification documents (a passport or photo ID). An International Driving Permit (IDP) isn’t a major requirement since English is the primary language in the region.
Car hire directory
Sunnycars car hire locations in Great Barrier Reef
16 Locations
Budget car hire locations in Great Barrier Reef
15 Locations
Thrifty car hire locations in Great Barrier Reef
14 Locations
Avis car hire locations in Great Barrier Reef
12 Locations
Firefly car hire locations in Great Barrier Reef
10 Locations
Hertz car hire locations in Great Barrier Reef
10 Locations
Sixt car hire locations in Great Barrier Reef
9 Locations
keddy by Europcar car hire locations in Great Barrier Reef
9 Locations
Dollar car hire locations in Great Barrier Reef
8 Locations
Europcar car hire locations in Great Barrier Reef
8 Locations
Shouqi car hire locations in Great Barrier Reef
5 Locations
Enterprise Rent-A-Car car hire locations in Great Barrier Reef
4 Locations
Car hire locations in Great Barrier Reef
Everything you need to know for your car hire in Great Barrier Reef
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