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Pick-up location | Cairns |
---|---|
Car types | Compact, Compact SUV, Economy, Full-size SUV, Intermediate, Intermediate SUV, Mini, People carrier, SUV, Standard SUV, Supplier choice |
Hire locations | 56 |
Airport locations | 30 |
Popular agencies | keddy by Europcar, JUCY , Bargain Car Rentals, Budget, Hertz |
Economy | £12/day |
Compact | £16/day |
Intermediate | £27/day |
SUV | £48/day |
People carrier | £39/day |
Full-size SUV | £40/day |
Mini | £28/day |
Compact SUV | £25/day |
Intermediate SUV | £26/day |
Supplier choice | £26/day |
Standard SUV | £31/day |
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.
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).
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.
On average a car hire in Cairns costs £38 per day.
In the past 72 hours, the cheapest car hires were found at JUCY (£12/day), keddy by Europcar (£25/day) and Budget (£26/day). In the last 72 hours the cheapest hire car price was found at JUCY 55 Dutton Street 4870 (1 miles from the city centre).
The average price of fuel in Cairns is £3.55 per litre over the past 30 days. Filling up a tank of fuel costs between £42 and £57, depending on the car size.
Standard (Nissan X-Trail or similar) is the most frequently booked car hire type in Cairns.
Take a look at our extensive car hire location map to find the best car hire deals near you.
A Standard car hire in Cairns costs £58 per day, on average.
A Compact car hire in Cairns costs £39 per day, on average.
An Economy car hire in Cairns costs £24 per day, on average.
In Cairns, cars are most frequently hired at CalAuto 55 Dutton Street (1 miles from city centre).
On average a car hire in Cairns costs £263 per week (£38 per day).
On average a car hire in Cairns costs £1,126 per month (£38 per day).
Most car hire providers in Cairns offer insurance but the level of protection can differ substantially. If you're unsure whether to get extra protection for your car hire in Cairns, check out KAYAK's car hire insurance guide.
When considering Cairns car hire, you will need to think about what your holiday itinerary looks like and how it will affect your fuel budget. If you are planning on staying local and not driving that much, do not invest in the full tank policy, as you may not use it all and will not get refunded on the fuel balance. Rather, opt for a full-to-full policy, which will see you filling up as you please and returning the vehicle with the same level of fuel you started with.
In order to qualify for car hire in Cairns, you will need to be a minimum of 21 years of age. Drivers under 25 years old will likely be liable for a young driver's surcharge too from certain companies. There is no upper age limit on car hire in Cairns, but the car hire companies do reserve the right to refuse anyone over 70.
2 locations in Cairns
Locations in Cairns
Term Building Airport Avenue
+61 7 4034 9045
Terminal Building Airport Ave
+61 7 4034 9045
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
Jul 2023
10.0 Wonderful
Apr 2023
10.0 Wonderful
Feb 2023
10.0 Wonderful
Jan 2023
2 locations in Cairns
Locations in Cairns
153 Lake St
+61 7 4048 8166
Terminal Building
+61 7 4033 9777
Filters
Reviews
6.0 Okay
Jan 2024
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
Jul 2019
Pros:
Clean and new carCons:
No invoice of damadge on windscreen, just took a lot of money from my account without any notice.3 locations in Cairns
Locations in Cairns
147 Lake Street
+61 1800 620 408
Cairns Domestic Airport
+61 7 4035 9299
Filters
Reviews
10.0 Wonderful
Jul 2023
One location in Cairns
Locations in Cairns
Filters
Reviews
10.0 Wonderful
Jan 2023
6.0 Okay
Nov 2022
10.0 Wonderful
Feb 2023
3 locations in Cairns
Locations in Cairns
147 Lake St
+61 136139
Airport Ave
+61 136139
Cairns Square, Abbott St
+61 136139
Filters
Reviews
10.0 Wonderful
Dec 2016
Pros:
I had a small fender bender on my car and Thrifty made it easy dealing with the problem and replacing the car. Very friendly personnel.2 locations in Cairns
Locations in Cairns
Cnr Sheridan and Aplin Streets
+61 7 4051 8099
Terminal building, Cairns
+61 7 4033 9800
Filters
Reviews
10.0 Wonderful
Sept 2022
5.6 Fair
Jul 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
One location in Cairns
Locations in Cairns
396 Sheridan Street, Cairns North, Qld
+61 740 532 896
Filters
Reviews
4.0 Mediocre
Mar 2022
10.0 Wonderful
Dec 2021
10.0 Wonderful
Oct 2021
2.0 Poor
Mar 2024
10.0 Wonderful
Jul 2022
8.0 Very Good
Jul 2022
3 locations in Cairns
Locations in Cairns
147 Lake St
+61 7 4038 5690
Airport Ave
+61 7 4038 9990
Cairns Square, Abbott St
+61 7 4046 8701
Filters
Reviews
8.0 Very Good
Mar 2024
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.One location in Cairns
Locations in Cairns
411 Sheridan Street, Cairns
+61 1800 474 258
Filters
Reviews
10.0 Wonderful
Jul 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
2 locations in Cairns
Locations in Cairns
Cairns Square
+61 7 4033 4800
Terminal Building
+61 7 4034 9088
Filters
Reviews
2.0 Poor
Jun 2023
10.0 Wonderful
Sept 2018
Pros:
I appreciated the upgrade. The service provided at check in was excellent.2.0 Poor
Jul 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
Jun 2023
2 locations in Cairns
Locations in Cairns
37-41 Sheridan Street
+61 7 4249 3331
Terminal Building
+61 7 4034 9045
Filters
Reviews
2.0 Poor
Jul 2023
One location in Cairns
Locations in Cairns
Filters
No reviews available
2 locations in Cairns
from£26/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£49/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
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
4 locations in Cairns
Locations 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
2 locations in Cairns
Locations 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
Locations 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
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
Most popular agency | Bargain Car Rentals |
---|---|
Most popular car type | Standard |
Average price | £38/day |
Good deal | £30/day |
Some Cairns car providers already include Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) and Theft Protection Waiver into the hire price but not all of them. We recommend being aware of your coverage when hiring a car in Cairns.
Keep in mind that car hire insurances often have a deductible clause, which is the amount you’ll have to pay if something happens during the time of your hire. If you want to avoid unwanted surprises, you should consider adding a non-deductible option to your Cairns car hire.