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Car hires in Cairns, Queensland

Are you looking for cheap car hire deals in Cairns, Queensland? Search right here!

Cairns, QLD, Australia
26 Mar — 2 Apr
Cairns, QLD, Australia
Tue 26/3
Midday
Tue 2/4
Midday
Driver's age:

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Car hire insight and trends in Cairns

Useful insights to help you book the perfect car hire in Cairns

What is the cheapest car hire agency in Cairns?

The cheapest car hire in Cairns are generally found through Atlas Car & Truck Rental. When booking with Atlas Car & Truck Rental, you may be able to find car hire prices for as low as £12/day. The average price to hire a car in Cairns is £26/day.

What car hire company in Cairns has the most locations?

Sunnycars has the most locations of any car hire company in Cairns, with 6 locations.

What car do most people hire in Cairns?

Hiring the Hyundai Accent in Cairns is the most popular car hire among momondo users, followed by hiring the Nissan X-Trail. Our users have seen Hyundai Accent deals in Cairns for £22 per day on average, and as cheap as £12 per day. It’s an average of £61 per day to hire the Nissan X-Trail in Cairns, though you may find prices as low as £25 per day.

Best deals found for Cairns, Queensland car hires

Find great deals below on a variety of popular rental car types in Cairns, Queensland
Economy£17/day
Compact£22/day
Intermediate£23/day
Full-size£28/day
SUV£37/day
People carrier£48/day
Full-size SUV£32/day
Mini£23/day
Premium SUV£46/day
Supplier choice£24/day
Compact SUV£24/day
Intermediate SUV£25/day
Standard SUV£27/day
Best rates found by momondo users in the past 48 hours.

Important information about Cairns car hire

If you’re planning a visit to Cairns, Australia, we're sure diving in the Great Barrier Reef is top on your to-do list. The city is also famous for being the access to the Barron Gorge National Park and all its waterfalls as well as the nearby village of Kuranda. In central Cairns, you’ll find the Esplanade boardwalk. There are about 30 car hire locations in Cairns. There’s a variety of options from people carrier rentals to luxury hired cars in Cairns. However, finding a cheap car rental in Cairns may be a little bit difficult. There are many places to park a Cairns car rental, from on-street parking to car parks, and some of the options are free, normally with time limits. The main roads in and out of the city from the west and south are the Highway 1 and A1.

While visiting, is it worthwhile to rent a car while visiting Cairns?

The Cairns city centre is fairly flat and walkable. Normally due to the weather, especially during the hottest days, it’s not recommended, and you may find yourself wanting a vehicle. Apart from that, there’s so much you’ll want to see that’s not in central Cairns. The Barron Gorge National Park is probably the closest top destination, only about half an hour away with a car rental in Cairns. The area is also known for its rainforest swimming holes like Josephine Falls, about an hour south of Cairns. Parking rental cars in Cairns Business District can be challenging at times but there are so many options to choose from. Make sure to check for the regulated hours.

What different driving laws should I keep in mind while driving in Cairns?

Here are some driving rules and tips for travelling with a car rental in Cairns. In Cairns and the rest of Australia, they drive on the left-hand side of the road. Pedestrians always have the right of way. Don’t drive into an intersection if the road ahead is blocked by traffic, even if your light is green as it is considered an offense. When approaching a traffic circle remember to travel clockwise and yield to the vehicles already circling. U-turns are only allowed at intersections if there is a sign specifically allowing it. However, please check in with Cairns’ department of motor vehicles for any updates there might be on traffic laws.

Will I need a special driving license or permit to drive a rental car in Cairns if I’m visiting from another country?

Rental cars in Cairns will generally accept foreign driving licenses as long as they are in English. If you’re travelling from out of Australia and your document is not in English, you should foresee needing an International Driver’s Permit to present along with your original document. This IDP must be obtained in the country of origin of your driving license as you won’t be able to get an International Driver’s Permit once you’re already in Cairns.


Cairns, Queensland car hire deals found on momondo

Find the car hire in Cairns that's right for you

Small cars

£31 - £53

All Car Types

£37 - £63

The average price of a small car hire in Cairns, Australia is £43. The cheapest time to hire a small car in Cairns, Australia is in February. The price is 28% lower than the rest of the year at just £31 per day. A small car rental is typically 16% less expensive than the average rental car in Cairns. The average price of a car hire in Cairns can vary based on a number of factors including supply, popularity of the vehicle, and how far out you book your car hire. Below are the best prices for Cairns small car rentals found on momondo in the past week.

The average price of a medium car hire in Cairns, Australia is £51. The cheapest time to hire a medium car in Cairns, Australia is in February. The price is 25% lower than the rest of the year at just £39 per day. A medium car rental is typically 2% more expensive than the average rental car in Cairns. The average price of a car hire in Cairns can vary based on a number of factors including supply, popularity of the vehicle, and how far out you book your car hire. Below are the best prices for Cairns medium car rentals found on momondo in the past week.

The average price of a large car hire in Cairns, Australia is £58. The cheapest time to hire a large car in Cairns, Australia is in February. The price is 34% lower than the rest of the year at just £39 per day. A large car rental is typically 14% more expensive than the average rental car in Cairns. The average price of a car hire in Cairns can vary based on a number of factors including supply, popularity of the vehicle, and how far out you book your car hire. Below are the best prices for Cairns large car rentals found on momondo in the past week.

The average price of a SUV hire in Cairns, Australia is £53. The cheapest time to hire a SUV in Cairns, Australia is in February. The price is 25% lower than the rest of the year at just £40 per day. A SUV rental is typically 4% more expensive than the average rental car in Cairns. The average price of a car hire in Cairns can vary based on a number of factors including supply, popularity of the vehicle, and how far out you book your car hire. Below are the best prices for Cairns SUV rentals found on momondo in the past week.

The average price of a van hire in Cairns, Australia is £70. The cheapest time to hire a van in Cairns, Australia is in March. The price is 30% lower than the rest of the year at just £49 per day. A van rental is typically 28% more expensive than the average rental car in Cairns. The average price of a car hire in Cairns can vary based on a number of factors including supply, popularity of the vehicle, and how far out you book your car hire. Below are the best prices for Cairns van rentals found on momondo in the past week.

The average price of a pickup truck hire in Cairns, Australia is £48. The cheapest time to hire a pickup truck in Cairns, Australia is in January. The price is 39% lower than the rest of the year at just £30 per day. A pickup truck rental is typically 4% less expensive than the average rental car in Cairns. The average price of a car hire in Cairns can vary based on a number of factors including supply, popularity of the vehicle, and how far out you book your car hire.

The average price of a luxury car hire in Cairns, Australia is £43. The cheapest time to hire a luxury car in Cairns, Australia is in July. The price is 23% lower than the rest of the year at just £34 per day. A luxury car rental is typically 14% less expensive than the average rental car in Cairns. The average price of a car hire in Cairns can vary based on a number of factors including supply, popularity of the vehicle, and how far out you book your car hire.

Opel Corsa
or similar Economy
Up to 2 passengers

£17/day

27 Apr - 1 May
Opel Corsa
Hyundai Ioniq
or similar Compact
Up to 4 passengers

£22/day

13 Apr - 20 Apr
Hyundai Ioniq
Hyundai i10
or similar Mini
Up to 2 passengers

£23/day

8 May - 16 May
Hyundai i10

Cairns car hire directory

All major car hire suppliers in Cairns, Queensland

Ace Rental Cars

10.0
Wonderful
1 review3 locations
Overview

Cleanliness

10.0

Comfort

10.0

Overall

10.0

Pick-up/drop-off

10.0

Value

8.0

Thrifty

9.0
Wonderful
1 review4 locations
Overview

Cleanliness

9.0

Comfort

9.0

Overall

9.0

Pick-up/drop-off

9.0

Value

6.9

JUCY

2 locations
Overview

Cleanliness

8.3

Comfort

8.6

Overall

9.0

Pick-up/drop-off

8.0

Value

8.3

Sixt

8.9
Very Good
9 reviews2 locations
Overview

Cleanliness

9.0

Comfort

9.0

Overall

8.9

Pick-up/drop-off

9.1

Value

8.2

Alamo

8.7
Very Good
19 reviews2 locations
Overview

Cleanliness

8.5

Comfort

8.5

Overall

8.7

Pick-up/drop-off

9.0

Value

8.6

Budget

8.5
Very Good
21 reviews2 locations
Overview

Cleanliness

8.8

Comfort

8.3

Overall

8.4

Pick-up/drop-off

8.6

Value

7.6

Hertz

7.1
Good
10 reviews3 locations
Overview

Cleanliness

7.4

Comfort

7.4

Overall

7.1

Pick-up/drop-off

7.4

Value

7.1

Europcar

6.6
Okay
4 reviews2 locations
Overview

Cleanliness

6.6

Comfort

6.6

Overall

6.6

Pick-up/drop-off

6.6

Value

6.6

Quick facts about car hire in Cairns

Get the overview on great hire deals, popular car hire companies, and best car types for your visit in Cairns

Most Popular Agency

Bargain Car Rentals

Popular Car Types

SUV, Compact, Intermediate

Cheapest Hire Car

£19

Most Popular Model

Hyundai Accent
The most popular Cairns car hire agency found on momondo this month is Bargain Car Rentals. Other top choices for car hire companies are Europcar and Atlas Car & Truck Rental
The following car types were offered at car hire companies in Cairns in the past 72 hours: SUV, Compact, Intermediate.
The lowest price for a car hire in Cairns is £19/day. For this area, you can expect average prices starting from £36/day.
The most popular car model to hire in Cairns in the past 7 days is the Hyundai Accent. Our users also prefer the Nissan X-Trail as an alternative.

Hire a car near one of these popular hotels in Cairns

Below are the most popular hotels in Cairns
Crystalbrook Flynn

Crystalbrook Flynn

85 Esplanade, Cairns, QLD, Australia

0.3 mi from city centre

Crystalbrook Bailey

Crystalbrook Bailey

163 Abbott Street, Cairns, QLD, Australia

0.2 mi from city centre

Shangri-La The Marina, Cairns

Shangri-La The Marina, Cairns

Pierpoint Road Po Box 7170, Cairns, QLD, Australia

0.5 mi from city centre

Cairns Colonial Club Resort

Cairns Colonial Club Resort

18-26 Cannon Street, Cairns, QLD, Australia

1.8 mi from city centre

Hilton Cairns

Hilton Cairns

34 Esplanade, Cairns, QLD, Australia

0.5 mi from city centre

Crystalbrook Riley

Crystalbrook Riley

131-141 Esplanade, Cairns, QLD, Australia

0.4 mi from city centre

DoubleTree by Hilton Cairns

DoubleTree by Hilton Cairns

121-123 The Esplanade & Florence St, Cairns, QLD, Australia

0.4 mi from city centre

Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort

Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort

122 Lake Street, Cairns, QLD, Australia

0.2 mi from city centre

Palm Royale Cairns

Palm Royale Cairns

7-11 Chester Court, Cairns, QLD, Australia

2.1 mi from city centre

Oaks Cairns Hotel

Oaks Cairns Hotel

59-63 Cairns Esplanade, Cairns, QLD, Australia

0.4 mi from city centre

Cairns Sunland Leisure Park

Cairns Sunland Leisure Park

49-61 Little Pease Street, Cairns, QLD, Australia

2.1 mi from city centre

Pullman Cairns International

Pullman Cairns International

17 Abbott Street, Cairns, QLD, Australia

0.4 mi from city centre

Bohemia Resort Cairns

Bohemia Resort Cairns

231 McLeod Street, Cairns, QLD, Australia

1.2 mi from city centre

Pullman Reef Hotel Casino

Pullman Reef Hotel Casino

35-41 Wharf Street, Cairns, QLD, Australia

0.5 mi from city centre

Pacific Hotel Cairns

Pacific Hotel Cairns

43 Esplanade, Cairns, QLD, Australia

0.4 mi from city centre

Cairns Queens Court

Cairns Queens Court

167-173 Sheridan Street, Cairns, QLD, Australia

0.5 mi from city centre

Rydges Esplanade Resort Cairns

Rydges Esplanade Resort Cairns

209-217 Abbott Street, Cairns, QLD, Australia

0.6 mi from city centre

Cairns Plaza Hotel

Cairns Plaza Hotel

145 The Esplanade, Cairns, QLD, Australia

0.5 mi from city centre


Driving with a car hire in Cairns - FAQs

Learn everything there is to know about hiring a car in Cairns so you can be properly prepared for your next trip

How much will it cost to hire a car in Cairns, Australia in April?

For April in Cairns, the average price from these searches for a weekend hire was £100 - but some users found deals as low as £22. Stretching your hire over seven days shifts the price range to about £21 to £43.

Is there a fee to cancel my Cairns, Australia car hire?

When hiring a car, you can expect to find that a majority of the rental car agencies in Cairns do not have a cancellation fee. Keep in mind that momondo does not set these cancellation policies, but we can help you find great deals on car hire in Cairns. Be sure to look for the Cancellation Policy when you conduct your search.

What is the best type of car to hire in Cairns during April?

A Standard is the ideal car to hire when visiting Cairns in April. On average, Cairns receives 90 mm of precipitation and temperatures hover around 23 °C during the month of April. These conditions are well-suited for a Standard size car, which can easily handle a bit of rain and even hold up well when temperatures fall. Hiring a Standard in Cairns will cost you £31/day on average.

What is the speed limit in Cairns, Australia?

35 mph is the city speed limit for Cairns, which also applies to surrounding towns and other urban centres. The suburban speed limit and the speed limit for motorways around Cairns are 70 mph and 70 mph, respectively. If you hire a car in Cairns, be aware that these speed limits may be strictly enforced.

What car hire company has the Kia Stonic in Cairns?

What is the weather like in Cairns, Australia in March?

During the month of March the average temperature in Cairns is 26 °C and the expected precipitation is 430 mm. This information is useful for travellers looking for a car hire in Cairns.

Is the weather in Cairns similar to the rest of Queensland?

Travellers looking to leave from Cairns on a road trip around Queensland or the surrounding areas during the month of March should expect temperatures around 24 °C and about 205.8 mm of possible rain through the month.

When did momondo last update prices for cars in Cairns?

Prices for cars in Cairns were last updated today.

How many operators does momondo search for cars in Cairns?

How old do you have to be to hire a car in Cairns?

The minimum age for drivers varies by country, including Cairns. In many EU countries drivers must be 18 years old. As a rule, you’ll need to be 21 to hire a car abroad, and a young driver surcharge may be applied if you are under 25. We recommend reading through the policy of your chosen rental company before booking.

What documentation or ID do you need to rent a car in Cairns?

When renting a car in Cairns, all drivers must present a full valid driving license. An International Driving Permit is required if the driving license is written in a language different to that of the country of rental and may be necessary to avoid the risk of potential fines. If you are renting abroad, you may also need to provide proof of return travel and accommodation information during your stay. We always recommend checking with the individual rental company you are booking with.


Why use momondo?

Why should I use momondo to book a car hire in Cairns?

You should use momondo to book a car hire in Cairns because it could save you time and money. momondo fetches and allows you to compare car hire prices and policies from thousands of car hire websites.

How does momondo help me find the best car hire deal in Cairns?

Once you have performed a search for a car hire in Cairns, momondo will show the results and enable you to find the best deal by using our filters; here you can narrow your search down by vehicle type, price, agencies and a multitude of policies that can apply.

Does momondo show car hire deals in Cairns with free cancellation?

Yes, whether it is for cars in Cairns or elsewhere, momondo allows you to filter specifically for policies that offer free cancellation.

Can I hire a car with a fair fuel policy in Cairns on momondo?

Yes, fair fuel policies are a specific filter offered on momondo for all car hire locations including Cairns.

Can I find a car hire in Cairns which offers enhanced cleaning on momondo?

You certainly can. momondo has a dedicated filter for enhanced cleaning services for all car hire locations including Cairns.

Can I search for car hire in Cairns with unlimited mileage on momondo?

Yes, momondo is capable of showing unlimited mileage car hire options in Cairns.


An easier way to manage your Cairns trip

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