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Car Rental in Cairns

  • Free cancellation on most offers
  • 24/7 customer service
  • No hidden fees
  • Pay later on many offers
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  • 15rental companies
  • 2pick-up points
  • from $34 per day
  • 9.2 top rated · East Coast

A rental car here costs $138 a day on average, about $969 for a week. The most popular car class is Van, at about $211 a day. Alamo is the cheapest for a small car, about $34 a day. Based on offers seen in the 12 months to Sep 2026.

  • In the terminal: 7 · Free shuttle bus: 5
  • Free cancellation: 15 of 15
  • Debit card accepted: 4 of 15
  • East Coast
  • Hertz
  • Budget
  • Sixt
  • Everything Fleet
  • Enterprise
  • +9

Where to pick up in Cairns

Pick-up point Type Suppliers From / day Average wait
Cairns Airport International Terminal · 6 km Airport 15 $33 21 min
Cairns Downtown · 1 km City office 12 $36 23 min

Car rental prices in Cairns by car type

Class Typical cars Suppliers From / day Typical / day
Economy Suzuki Swift, Kia Rio, Kia Picanto 10 $34 $65
Compact Toyota Corolla Hybrid, Hyundai i30, MG 3 Core 11 $44 $72
Intermediate Hyundai i30, Kia Sportage, Toyota Corolla 12 $37 $109
Standard Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic Sedan Hybrid, Kia Cerato 6 $38 $96
Full size Toyota Camry Hybrid, Toyota Camry, Audi Q3 8 $57 $148
Station wagon Subaru Outback Estate 1 $182
Large SUV Toyota Landcruiser Prado, Toyota Prado 2 $70
SUV Toyota Rav4 Hybrid, Toyota Kluger, MG HS 14 $65 $142
Minivan Kia Carnival, Toyota Commuter, Toyota Hiace 10 $135 $205
Luxury Ford Mustang 3 $103
Premium Polestar 2, Skoda Kodiaq 4 $50
Small or medium truck Ford Ranger Double Cab, Ford Ranger 4 $70

The from price is among the lowest prices seen. Half of the offers were cheaper than the typical price. Based on offers seen in the 12 months to Sep 2026. Rental companies guarantee the car class, not the exact model. Live availability and prices are shown in search results. How we collect prices

Kia Rio rental car in Cairns Enterprise

Kia Rio

or similar

  • 5 seats
  • 2 bags
  • Automatic transmission
  • Air conditioning
from $34/day
Toyota Corolla Hybrid rental car in Cairns East Coast

Toyota Corolla Hybrid

or similar

  • 5 seats
  • 3 bags
  • Automatic transmission
  • Hybrid
  • Air conditioning
from $44/day
Toyota Yaris rental car in Cairns National

Toyota Yaris

or similar

  • 5 seats
  • 2 bags
  • Automatic transmission
  • Air conditioning
from $48/day
Toyota Corolla rental car in Cairns Simba Car Hire

Toyota Corolla

or similar

  • 5 seats
  • 2 bags
  • Automatic transmission
  • Air conditioning
from $51/day
Suzuki Swift rental car in Cairns Budget

Suzuki Swift

or similar

  • 5 seats
  • 2 bags
  • Automatic transmission
  • Air conditioning
from $52/day
MG 3 Core rental car in Cairns Bargain Car Rentals

MG 3 Core

or similar

  • 5 seats
  • 2 bags
  • Automatic transmission
  • Air conditioning
from $56/day
Hyundai i30 rental car in Cairns Thrifty

Hyundai i30

or similar

  • 5 seats
  • 2 bags
  • Automatic transmission
  • Air conditioning
from $56/day
Toyota Corolla Hatch rental car in Cairns Avis

Toyota Corolla Hatch

or similar

  • 5 seats
  • 2 bags
  • Automatic transmission
  • Air conditioning
from $59/day

Convertible car rental Cairns

Car rental companies in Cairns

Prices and conditions come from searches on TREWL and may have changed. Ratings come from CarTrawler customer reviews, as shown in searches up to Sep 2026. Live availability and prices are shown in search results. How we collect prices

East Coast

Free shuttle bus 22 min wait CDW included Credit and debit cards
9.2
Excellent 500+ reviews
from $36/day
Ratings, policies and office

Customer ratings

Value for money 9.2 Cleanliness 9.6 Service at the rental desk 9.0 Pick-up process 9.0 Drop-off process 9.2

Included in the price

  • Collision damage waiver (CDW)
  • Theft protection (TP)
  • Third-party liability (TPL)
  • Breakdown assistance
  • Taxes
  • Airport fee
  • Deductible from $2 979

Policies

  • Full to full
  • Unlimited mileage
  • Free cancellation up to 48 h before pick-up

Extras (paid at the desk)

GPS · Infant seat · Child seat · Booster seat

Office

East Coast in Cairns Downtown
Off Airport, 411 Sheridan Street, Cairns, 4870, QLD
1800 028 881; +61 7 5555 8900

Hertz

In the terminal 26 min wait CDW included Credit card only
8.9
Excellent 1000+ reviews
from $92/day
Ratings, policies and office

Customer ratings

Value for money 8.6 Cleanliness 8.8 Service at the rental desk 9.0 Pick-up process 9.0 Drop-off process 9.2

Included in the price

  • Collision damage waiver (CDW)
  • Theft protection (TP)
  • Third-party liability (TPL)
  • Taxes
  • Airport fee
  • Deductible from $3 994

Policies

  • Full to full
  • Unlimited mileage on selected cars
  • Free cancellation up to 48 h before pick-up
  • Pre-registration available

Extras (paid at the desk)

GPS · Infant seat · Child seat · Booster seat

Office

Hertz in Cairns Downtown
Airport Ave, Cairns, Ql, Qld, 4870, QLD
0740389990

Budget

23 min wait CDW included Credit card only
8.8
Excellent 500+ reviews
from $109/day
Ratings, policies and office

Customer ratings

Value for money 8.4 Cleanliness 9.1 Service at the rental desk 8.9 Pick-up process 8.7 Drop-off process 9.0

Included in the price

  • Collision damage waiver (CDW)
  • Theft protection (TP)
  • Third-party liability (TPL)
  • Airport fee
  • Breakdown assistance
  • Taxes
  • Deductible from $2 609

Policies

  • Full to full
  • Unlimited mileage
  • Free cancellation up to 48 h before pick-up

Extras (paid at the desk)

GPS · Infant seat · Child seat · Booster seat

Office

Budget in Cairns Downtown
153 Lake St, Cairns, 4870, QLD
1300 362 848

Sixt

In the terminal 19 min wait CDW included Credit card only
8.8
Excellent 500+ reviews
from $69/day
Ratings, policies and office

Customer ratings

Value for money 8.4 Cleanliness 9.0 Service at the rental desk 8.9 Pick-up process 8.7 Drop-off process 9.0

Included in the price

  • Collision damage waiver (CDW)
  • Theft protection (TP)
  • Third-party liability (TPL)
  • Breakdown assistance
  • Taxes
  • Deductible from $4 096

Policies

  • Full to full
  • Unlimited mileage
  • Free cancellation up to 48 h before pick-up

Extras (paid at the desk)

Infant seat · Child seat · Booster seat

Office

Sixt in Cairns Downtown
Terminal building, Cairns, 4870, QLD
+61(0)755558900

Everything Fleet

Free shuttle bus 20 min wait CDW included Credit and debit cards
8.8
Excellent 50+ reviews
from $54/day
Ratings, policies and office

Customer ratings

Value for money 8.5 Cleanliness 9.2 Service at the rental desk 8.8 Pick-up process 8.5 Drop-off process 9.0

Included in the price

  • Collision damage waiver (CDW)
  • Theft protection (TP)
  • Breakdown assistance
  • Taxes
  • Deductible from $3 385

Policies

  • Full to full
  • Unlimited mileage
  • Free cancellation up to 48 h before pick-up

Extras (paid at the desk)

Infant seat · Child seat · Booster seat

Office

Everything Fleet in Cairns Downtown
462 - 464 Sheridan Street, Cairns North, QLD
131 381

Enterprise

In the terminal Daily 07:00–23:00 26 min wait CDW included Credit card only
8.8
Excellent 100+ reviews
from $34/day
Ratings, policies and office

Customer ratings

Value for money 8.5 Cleanliness 8.9 Service at the rental desk 8.8 Pick-up process 8.8 Drop-off process 9.1

Included in the price

  • Collision damage waiver (CDW)
  • Theft protection (TP)
  • Third-party liability (TPL)
  • Airport fee
  • Breakdown assistance
  • Taxes
  • Deductible from $3 520

Policies

  • Full to full
  • Unlimited mileage on selected cars
  • Free cancellation up to 48 h before pick-up

Extras (paid at the desk)

Infant seat · Child seat · Booster seat · GPS

Office

Enterprise at Cairns Airport International Terminal
Cairns International Airport, Beaufort Street, Aeroglen, 4870, QLD
740349045

Europcar

In the terminal 18 min wait CDW included Credit and debit cards
8.7
Excellent 2000+ reviews
from $89/day
Ratings, policies and office

Customer ratings

Value for money 8.4 Cleanliness 8.9 Service at the rental desk 9.0 Pick-up process 8.7 Drop-off process 8.9

Included in the price

  • Collision damage waiver (CDW)
  • Theft protection (TP)
  • Third-party liability (TPL)
  • Deductible from $4 062

Policies

  • Unlimited mileage on selected cars
  • Free cancellation up to 48 h before pick-up

Extras (paid at the desk)

GPS · Infant seat · Child seat · Booster seat · Snow chains

Office

Europcar in Cairns Downtown
Terminal Building Cairns Airport, Cairns - Airport, Cairns, 4870, QLD
61 07 40349088

Thrifty

22 min wait CDW included Credit card only
8.7
Excellent 1000+ reviews
from $56/day
Ratings, policies and office

Customer ratings

Value for money 8.5 Cleanliness 9.0 Service at the rental desk 8.8 Pick-up process 8.6 Drop-off process 9.0

Included in the price

  • Collision damage waiver (CDW)
  • Theft protection (TP)
  • Third-party liability (TPL)
  • Taxes
  • Deductible from $3 994

Policies

  • Full to full
  • Unlimited mileage on selected cars
  • Free cancellation up to 48 h before pick-up

Extras (paid at the desk)

Infant seat · Child seat · Booster seat · GPS

Office

Thrifty in Cairns Downtown
Airport Ave, Cairns, Ql, Qld, 4870, QLD
0740389990

Dollar

26 min wait CDW included Credit card only
8.7
Excellent 100+ reviews
from $88/day
Ratings, policies and office

Customer ratings

Value for money 8.5 Cleanliness 9.0 Service at the rental desk 8.7 Pick-up process 8.4 Drop-off process 8.9

Included in the price

  • Collision damage waiver (CDW)
  • Theft protection (TP)
  • Third-party liability (TPL)
  • Taxes
  • Deductible from $3 994

Policies

  • Full to full
  • Unlimited mileage on selected cars
  • Free cancellation up to 48 h before pick-up

Extras (paid at the desk)

Infant seat · Child seat · Booster seat · GPS

Office

Dollar in Cairns Downtown
Airport Ave, Cairns, Ql, Qld, 4870, QLD
0740389990

Alamo

In the terminal Daily 07:00–23:00 18 min wait CDW included Credit card only
8.5
Excellent 250+ reviews
from $33/day
Ratings, policies and office

Customer ratings

Value for money 8.4 Cleanliness 8.6 Service at the rental desk 8.7 Pick-up process 8.5 Drop-off process 8.7

Included in the price

  • Collision damage waiver (CDW)
  • Theft protection (TP)
  • Third-party liability (TPL)
  • Airport fee
  • Breakdown assistance
  • Taxes
  • Deductible from $3 520

Policies

  • Full to full
  • Unlimited mileage on selected cars
  • Free cancellation up to 48 h before pick-up
  • Pre-registration available

Extras (paid at the desk)

Child seat · Booster seat · GPS

Office

Alamo at Cairns Airport International Terminal
Cairns International Airport, Beaufort Street, Aeroglen, 4870, QLD
740349045

Avis

In the terminal 26 min wait CDW included Credit card only
8.4
Excellent 250+ reviews
from $101/day
Ratings, policies and office

Customer ratings

Value for money 8.1 Cleanliness 8.7 Service at the rental desk 8.6 Pick-up process 8.2 Drop-off process 8.5

Included in the price

  • Collision damage waiver (CDW)
  • Theft protection (TP)
  • Third-party liability (TPL)
  • Breakdown assistance
  • Taxes
  • Airport fee
  • Deductible from $3 994

Policies

  • Full to full
  • Unlimited mileage
  • Free cancellation up to 48 h before pick-up

Extras (paid at the desk)

GPS · Infant seat · Child seat · Booster seat

Office

Avis in Cairns Downtown
Terminal Building, Cairns, 4870, QLD
136 333

Bargain Car Rentals

Free shuttle bus 27 min wait CDW included Credit card only
8.4
Excellent 500+ reviews
from $56/day
Ratings, policies and office

Customer ratings

Value for money 8.4 Cleanliness 8.7 Service at the rental desk 8.7 Pick-up process 7.9 Drop-off process 8.6

Included in the price

  • Collision damage waiver (CDW)
  • Theft protection (TP)
  • Third-party liability (TPL)
  • Breakdown assistance
  • Taxes
  • Deductible from $3 724

Policies

  • Full to full
  • Unlimited mileage
  • Free cancellation up to 48 h before pick-up
  • Pre-registration available

Extras (paid at the desk)

Child seat · Booster seat

Office

Bargain Car Rentals in Cairns Downtown
410 Sheridan St, Cairns North, 4870, QLD
1300 729 230

Simba Car Hire

Free shuttle bus CDW included Credit card only
from $56/day
Ratings, policies and office

Customer ratings

Value for money 0.0 Cleanliness 0.0 Service at the rental desk 0.0 Pick-up process 0.0 Drop-off process 0.0

Included in the price

  • Collision damage waiver (CDW)
  • Theft protection (TP)
  • Third-party liability (TPL)
  • Deductible from $4 387

Policies

  • Full to full
  • Limited mileage
  • Free cancellation up to 48 h before pick-up

Office

Simba Car Hire in Cairns Downtown
432-434 Sheridan Street, Cairns North Cairns, Queensland, 4870, Australia, Cairns, QLD, AU
+61740212777

Keddy BY Europcar

Free shuttle bus CDW included Credit card only
from $83/day
Ratings, policies and office

Customer ratings

Value for money 0.0 Cleanliness 0.0 Service at the rental desk 0.0 Pick-up process 0.0 Drop-off process 0.0

Included in the price

  • Collision damage waiver (CDW)
  • Theft protection (TP)
  • Third-party liability (TPL)
  • Breakdown assistance
  • Taxes
  • Deductible from $5 586

Policies

  • Full to full
  • Unlimited mileage on selected cars
  • Free cancellation up to 48 h before pick-up

Extras (paid at the desk)

Snow chains · GPS · Infant seat · Child seat · Booster seat

Office

Keddy BY Europcar in Cairns Downtown
Terminal Building Cairns Airport, Cairns, 4870, QLD
61 07 40349088

National

In the terminal Daily 07:00–23:00 CDW included Credit and debit cards
from $48/day
Ratings, policies and office

Customer ratings

Value for money 0.0 Cleanliness 0.0 Service at the rental desk 0.0 Pick-up process 0.0 Drop-off process 0.0

Included in the price

  • Collision damage waiver (CDW)
  • Theft protection (TP)
  • Third-party liability (TPL)
  • Breakdown assistance
  • Taxes
  • Deductible from $3 632

Policies

  • Full to full
  • Unlimited mileage on selected cars
  • Free cancellation up to 48 h before pick-up

Extras (paid at the desk)

Child seat · Booster seat · GPS

Office

National at Cairns Airport International Terminal
Cairns International Airport, Beaufort Street, Aeroglen, 4870, QLD
740349045

Rental conditions in Cairns

Based on 15 suppliers here and nearby. Data from the 12 months to Sep 2026.

Debit card Accepted by 4 of 15 suppliers: East Coast, Everything Fleet, Europcar and National.
Credit card Usually required, in the main driver's name. 11 of 15 suppliers list no debit option.
Mileage Unlimited at 14 of 15 suppliers. Limited at Simba Car Hire.
Fuel policy Full to full (14 suppliers)
Transmission Automatic 98%, manual 2%.
Electric and hybrid Toyota Corolla Hybrid Sedan, Toyota Corolla Hybrid, Toyota Kluger Hybrid and Toyota Rav4 Hybrid, from $44 a day.
Cancellation Free up to 48 hours before pick-up at 15 suppliers.
Insurance included Theft protection (TP) (15 suppliers), Collision damage waiver (CDW) (15 suppliers), Third-party liability (TPL) (14 suppliers). Deductible: $2 609–$5 586.
Included in the price Taxes, Breakdown assistance, Airport fee
Extras Child seat (14 suppliers), Booster seat (14 suppliers), GPS (11 suppliers), Infant seat (11 suppliers), Snow chains (2 suppliers)
Special offers Pre-registration available (3 suppliers)

Driving in Australia: drive on the left · 0.05% blood alcohol. Driving rules

Cities near Cairns

Car rental in Cairns: what to expect

Customers report an average wait at the desk from 18 min at Europcar to 27 min at Bargain Car Rentals.

For a small car, Alamo is the cheapest at about $34 a day and is rated 8.5 out of 10. East Coast is rated 9.2 and costs about $40.

98% of the cars offered here are automatic. Mileage is unlimited at 14 of 15 suppliers. Most suppliers allow free cancellation up to 48 hours before pick-up.

People who search here most often live in Australia, Japan and France. 9% of searches return the car elsewhere, most often at Proserpine Whitsunday Airport (PPP). A typical rental lasts 6 days.

Car rental in Cairns: FAQ

How much does it cost to rent a car in Cairns?
Car rental in Cairns starts from $34 per day, and the average price is $138 per day. Based on offers seen in the 12 months to Sep 2026. At the average daily rate, a rental costs about $415 for a 3-day weekend and $969 for a week. Rentals of a month or longer usually get a lower daily rate. The final price depends on the season, the car class, the rental company and how early you book.

What are the most popular types of rental cars in Cairns?
These are the car types people opened most often in searches on TREWL in Cairns over the last 12 months, with their average daily prices:
  • Van: $211 per day
  • Intermediate: $114 per day
Based on offers seen in the 12 months to Sep 2026. Smaller cars are usually the cheapest, while SUVs, vans and premium cars cost more but offer extra space and comfort.

Which car rental companies are the most popular in Cairns?
These are the rental companies people opened most often in searches on TREWL in Cairns over the last 12 months:
  • Europcar, average price $208 per day
  • East Coast
  • Avis, average price $184 per day
Based on offers seen in the 12 months to Sep 2026.

Which car rental company has the best reviews in Cairns?
According to customer reviews, the highest-rated car rental companies in Cairns are:
  • East Coast: rated 9.2/10 by 500+ customers
  • Hertz: rated 9.0/10 by 1000+ customers, average price $152 per day
  • Budget: rated 8.9/10 by 500+ customers
Ratings cover value for money, car cleanliness, desk service, and the pick-up and drop-off process. Ratings come from CarTrawler customer reviews, as shown in searches up to Sep 2026.

Which is the cheapest car rental company in Cairns?
By the average daily price of a small car (mini, economy or compact), the cheapest rental companies in Cairns are:
  • Alamo: about $34 per day
  • Enterprise: about $35 per day
  • East Coast: about $40 per day
Based on offers seen in the 12 months to Sep 2026. For the lowest price, book early, choose a smaller car and check the fuel policy and deposit before you pay.

Where do I pick up my rental car in Cairns?
It depends on the rental company, and the pick-up type is shown for each company on this page.
  • Desk in or next to the terminal: Hertz, Budget and Europcar
  • Free shuttle bus to the rental office: East Coast, Everything Fleet and Bargain Car Rentals
Your booking confirmation always includes the exact pick-up address and instructions.

Can I pick up a car in Cairns and return it somewhere else?
Yes, one-way rentals are possible with many companies, but they usually charge a one-way fee, which is higher for longer distances or for drop-offs in another country. In Cairns, one-way rentals are offered by Europcar, Avis and Simba Car Hire. Enter a different drop-off location in the search form to see one-way prices with the fee included.

What is the minimum age to rent a car in Cairns?
The lowest minimum age among rental companies in Cairns is 21, and some companies require 23 or 25 for larger or premium cars. Drivers under 25 usually pay a daily young driver fee, and some companies limit younger drivers to smaller car classes. You also need to have held your driving license for at least one year. Age rules for young drivers in Cairns:
  • Hertz: minimum age 21, young driver fee up to age 24

Can I rent a car in Cairns with a debit card?
Rental companies in Cairns typically accept major credit cards such as Visa, Mastercard and American Express. The card must be in the main driver's name and have enough funds for the security deposit. Debit and prepaid cards are accepted only by some companies, sometimes with a higher deposit or extra checks. Companies that accept debit cards in Cairns: East Coast, Everything Fleet, Europcar, Keddy BY Europcar and National. The accepted cards are listed for each company on this page.

Which car rental companies in Cairns offer unlimited mileage?
6 rental companies in Cairns include unlimited mileage on all cars, among them East Coast, Budget and Everything Fleet. 8 more, among them Hertz, Europcar and Enterprise, offer it on some cars only. The mileage policy is shown in each offer before you book. With limited mileage, every kilometer or mile over the daily allowance is charged extra.

What fuel policy do rental companies use in Cairns?
The fuel policy is shown for each company on this page. The most common ones in Cairns are:
  • Full to full: you get the car with a full tank and return it full. This is usually the cheapest option because you only pay for the fuel you use at pump prices. Refuel near the drop-off point, or the company will charge for the missing fuel plus a service fee. Offered by East Coast, Hertz, Budget, Everything Fleet, Europcar, Enterprise, Sixt, Thrifty, Dollar, Avis, Alamo, Bargain Car Rentals, Keddy BY Europcar, National and Simba Car Hire.
  • Same to same: you return the car with the same fuel level as at pick-up.

Can I rent an electric or hybrid car in Cairns?
Yes. Companies offering electric and hybrid cars in Cairns include Hertz, Europcar and Avis. The cheapest is East Coast, from $44 per day. Hybrids need no charging. With a fully electric car, check the charging options along your route and the company's charging policy before you set off.

Rent a van, SUV or luxury car near Cairns