Car Rental in Adelaide

Why rent a car in Adelaide?

Adelaide is a great place to visit. Although not as famous as other Australian cities like Sydney, Melbourne, or Perth, it has plenty to offer in terms of history, culture, and entertainment. Adelaide is also located near some of the most beautiful and unique nature in all of Australia, and all of it can be easily reached with a rental car. 

Top ways to enter Adelaide

• Adelaide Airport: By far the largest in South Australia and the fifth-busiest in the country, Adelaide Airport handled 8.4 million travelers in the 2017-18 financial year. The airport hosts a large number of domestic flights as well as flights to and from such destinations as New Zealand, Hong Kong, Qatar, Indonesia, and Singapore. Located just 6km (3.7 miles) southwest of the city center, the airport can be reached in about ten minutes.
• Melbourne Airport: Although a whole day’s drive away, Melbourne-Tullamarine is technically the closest international airport to Adelaide. The second-busiest airport in the country handles around 35 million travelers every year offering flights to destinations not only in Australia, but also in Oceania, Asia, North America, and Europe. Located 720km (447 miles) southeast of Adelaide, Melbourne Airport can be reached in about eight hours. There are many daily flights connecting the two cities, so it might be a better idea to fly from Melbourne to Adelaide and to pick up a car after arriving in the latter.

City facts

• Cooler than many other places in Australia (but still very warm), Adelaide enjoys a Mediterranean climate. The average high temperature is 30°C  (85°F) in January and February, the hottest months, and 15°C  (60°F) in July. The summers, lasting from December to February, are typically dry, but winters (from June to August) are much more humid. Snowfall is unheard of in Adelaide itself but can occur in the nearby mountains.
• With a population of 1.34 million people, Adelaide is the capital and largest city of the state of South Australia. Indeed, about 75% of the state’s inhabitants live in or near the city. Adelaide is also the fifth-busiest city in Australia, behind only Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth, but ahead of the nation’s capital, Canberra. Adelaide has been frequently mentioned by The Economist and other outlets as the city with the highest quality of living in Australia and amongst the TOP 10 in the world. A person from Adelaide is called an Adelaidean.
• Inhabited for centuries  by the indigenous Kaurna people, Adelaide was originally called Tarndanyangga or ‘the place of the red kangaroo.’ British colonists settled in the area in 1836. Unlike many other British settlements in Australia, Adelaide was never the site of a penal colony; instead, it was settled by free immigrants. The city was named after Adelaide of Saxe-Meiningen, a European queen consort. 

Top sights and activities

• Bicentennial Conservatory. Although located indoors, this is a truly unique nature area as it creates the conditions of the tropical rainforest of Northern Australia as well as its neighbors Papua New Guinea, Oceania, and Indonesia. The conservatory works hard to get every aspect of the rainforest right, including even a mist that falls from the roof. The conservatory is part of the Adelaide Botanic Gardens which also has many different attractions and unique plants from all over Australia and the rest of the planet.
• South Australian Museum. A great natural history museum, it has collections of such varied topics as South Australian biodiversity, megafauna that used to inhabit the earth, meteorites, and even Australian Polar expeditions. The museum is also said to host one of the best collections of Australian Aboriginal and Pacific Islander art in the world.
• The beaches. Adelaide is a famous beach destination, with many beautiful coastal stretches located right in the city center. Glenelg Beach is hip and busy, Henley Beach is family-friendly and has a lot of dining opportunities right on the coast, Semaphore Beach is surrounded by sand dunes, and Port Noarlunga Beach is a water sports paradise. With a rental car, you can also travel west or east along the coast to find more secluded spots just for yourself.
• Tandanya National Aboriginal Cultural Institute. Before the Europeans arrived in the mid-19th century, South Australia was already long inhabited by Indigenous Australians. The area of present-day Adelaide was inhabited by the Kaurna people who were neighbored by many other Aboriginal groups of surprising diversity. Celebrating this heritage, the Tandanya Institute is a great place to learn about indigenous culture, music, and society today.
• National Railway Museum. The largest of its kind in all of Australia, the National Railway Museum displays historical trains and locomotives from various eras. Visitors can even take a short train ride within the museum’s premises. The National Railway Museum is in the Port Docks area, about a 20-minute drive northwest of the city center. Visitors who liked this place are likely to also appreciate the South Australian Maritime Museum.
• The Adelaide Botanic Garden. The lungs of Adelaide, this botanic garden is an oasis of greenery in the heart of the city. Although perhaps not as exotic as the previously mentioned Bicentennial Conservatory, visiting the garden is one of the nicest ways to spend a long and relaxing day in Adelaide. Centrally located, the botanic garden is near a number of other notable landmarks.

Traffic and parking

• One of the largest road hazards in Australia is the wildlife. Use extra caution when driving in bad weather or after dark as this is when most of the collisions with wildlife happen.
• Mobile coverage is very rarely available outside of major highways and population centers, so use extra caution when traveling in rural areas.
• Another great risk when traveling outside of main highways is the heat. The temperatures can reach extremes very easily, especially during the summer months and in inland areas. Always stay properly hydrated and set out your route in advance to be able to supplement your water supplies.
• Laws regarding driving under the influence differ from state to state in Australia. In South Australia, the legal alcohol limit is 0.05% for experienced drivers and 0.00% for novice drivers and drivers with provisional licenses. Exceeding the limit can lead to large fines and a driver's license ban.
• Proof of insurance and the car’s documentation needs to be in the car whenever you’re driving.
• When driving, you need to have your passport or ID card with you at all times.
• The primary, nationwide emergency number in Australia is 000. 

Toll roads

There are currently no toll roads in South Australia. There are a number of toll roads in Australia, mainly in the states of Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland. 

Most toll roads in Australia use an open toll system with mainline toll barriers. All toll roads in Australia use cashless payment system. You can purchase a prepaid pass for most toll roads. Some rental cars in Australia are equipped with an electronic transponder, the price of which is usually included in the rental price. Ask your car rental provider about it in advance. 

Different toll roads are operated by different companies, so there is no nation-wide system in place. 

Ideas for day trips

• Adelaide Hills. Located near the city, the Adelaide Hills is a pretty area that offers an escape from the summer heat and is nice to visit year-round. A great place for a walk or a picnic, it also has attractions like the Mount Lofty Lookout, Belair National Park, and Cleland Conservation Park. The latter is a sanctuary for wildlife such as koalas, wombats, and Tasmanian devils. Located just 31km (19 miles) east of Adelaide, the hills take about 40 minutes to reach by car.
• Victor Harbor. A scenic coastal town, Victor Harbor has attractions like the Steam Ranger Heritage Railway and the nearby Granite Island which has a colony of fairy penguins. The area is also near many surfing hotspots like Goolwa Beach, Port Elliot Beach, and Middletown Beach. Located 80km (50 miles) south of Adelaide, Victor Harbor can be reached in about 1 hour and 10 minutes.
• Kangaroo Island. One of Australia’s largest islands, it is famous for its unspoiled nature, lighthouses, and, yes, lots of kangaroos (other unique wildlife like the echidna, platypus, fur seals, and sea lions also live there). The island can only be accessed by ferry, and while it is technically possible to bring a rental car on most boats, you should still ask your rental car provider in advance if they permit it. Kangaroo Island is some 210km (130 miles) southwest of Adelaide and takes about 3 hours and 30 minutes to reach (including the ferry trip). While it can technically be visited as a day trip, it is best to leave aside at least a couple of days to see more.
• National parks. Adelaide is very near a number of national parks and other protected areas; and while not among the largest in the country, they offer a great opportunity to explore the region’s nature. These include Belair National Park (which is the oldest national park in South Australia), Onkaparinga National Park just south of the city, Cleland Conservation Park, and Mount Crawford Forest Reserve. All of these fascinating nature areas are just an hour’s drive or less from the city center of Adelaide. 

Most popular cars

The most popular rental car in Adelaide is the Toyota Yaris, although many travelers also go for the Toyota Camry and the VW Golf. The most popular rental car types are economy, intermediate, and compact.

Further destinations

• Melbourne. The capital of Victoria and Australia’ second-largest city, Melbourne is a center of art, culture, and entertainment. Visitors love the Royal Exhibition Building, Melbourne Aquarium, the National Gallery of Victoria along with countless other landmarks and attractions. Melbourne is 725km (450 miles) southeast of Adelaide and can be reached in about seven hours. There are plenty of attractions on the way, not least of which is the Great Ocean Road, one of the most scenic highways on the planet.
• The Eyre Peninsula. A beautiful area with a somewhat remote and distinct fee to it, Eyre has endless pristine beaches, deep cliff caves, and Port Lincoln, a historical town that’s said to have the best seafood in the country. The area is also great for whale spotting and encounters with other aquatic wildlife. Port Lincoln is 650km (404 miles) west of Adelaide and can be reached in just under seven hours. You can explore the rest of the region from there. 
• Munga-Thirri-Simpson Conservation Park. A vast nature area, this conservation park is one of the best places to experience the Australian desert. Made up of endless dunes, Acacia forests, and dry lakes, the landscape is desolate but fascinating. Munga-Thirri is bordered by Kati Thanda Lake Eyre National Park and Witjira National Park. Important: The conservation park is not easy to access and has almost no human settlement nor gas stations. The destination should only be visited by experienced travelers who have previously visited a desert environment. It is best to book a tour or a guide or at the very least, to do a lot of research and prepare adequately. Also, keep in mind that the national park was closed to visitors for the summer of 2018-2019 because of extreme heat and the same might happen in upcoming summers.
• Grampians National Park. Significantly more accessible than Munga-Thirri, Grampians is one of the largest national parks of the neighboring state of Victoria. Made up of sandstone cliffs, impressive waterfalls, and majestic views, the park is popular with hikers and climbers. The area is called Gariwerd by the Indigenous Peoples of the region, and you can learn more about them at the Brambuk National Park and Cultural Centre. Located about a five-hour drive from Adelaide, Grampians can be conveniently visited on the way to Melbourne. There are a number of guest houses and other types of accommodation around the park. Grampians is only an hour’s drive from the Little Desert National Park, another fascinating nature area.

Car rental prices in Adelaide

• Medium cars - from $24 per day
• Large cars - from $30 per day
• SUVs - from $32 per day
• Vans - from $59 per day
• Station wagons - from $38 per day
• Small cars - from $24 per day
• Premium cars - from $105 per day

Money-saving and other tips

Follow these tips to land a great rental car in Adelaide:

• Compare the rates of different rental car providers
• Book your rental car well in advance
• Plan your route before you go
• Know your fuel and mileage requirements
• Visit during the month when the rental prices are the cheapest. According to our data, visiting Adelaide is the cheapest in June when renting a car is about 62% cheaper than the yearly average.