Car Rental in Cairns
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The above prices are only approximate and were last updated at 16:46 on 2022-01-20. Prices may vary based on the booking dates, length of rental, and car class.
Travel Information
Language
English
Currency
AUD
Country code
61
Traffic direction
Left-hand
Speed limit out of town
80 - 100 km/h
50 - 62 mi/h
Speed limit within town
50 km/h
31 mi/h
Acceptable limit of BAC
0.05%
Why rent a car in Cairns?
Cairns is a great place to explore by car. The largest city in the region of Far North Queensland, it is the center of the most tropical part of Australia. The nature is stunning here with plenty of unique attractions and the sea coast is even more dramatic and impressive than in the rest of Australia. So are the distances - so getting a rental car is your best bet to see as much as you can.
One-Way Car Rentals in Cairns
The most popular one-way rental options for pick up in Cairns and drop off in another city include:
- From Cairns to Gold Coast - 35 offers from US$ 72.57 per day
- From Cairns to Brisbane - 35 offers from US$ 72.57 per day
- From Cairns to Townsville - 35 offers from US$ 43.90 per day
Top ways to enter Cairns
- Cairns Airport: The seventh-busiest in Australia, Cairns Airport serves around 5 million travelers every year. The airport has flights by 20 different airlines and is connected to many domestic destinations all over Queensland and the rest of Australia as well as to Singapore, Papua New Guinea, China, South Korea, and Japan. Conveniently, the airport is located just 6km (4 miles) from Cairns’ city center and can be reached in about 10 minutes.
- Townsville Airport: Served by 8 different airlines, Townsville Airport handles about 2 million travelers every year. As of 2019, the airport only has domestic flights. Townsville Airport is located 340km (211 miles) south of Cairns and can be reached in about four hours. Most of this drive goes along the coast and also crosses Wooroonooran National Park offering plenty of scenic views.
Useful city facts
- Cairns experiences a tropical monsoon climate with a wet season from November to May and a dry season from June to October. Cairns is the most humid large city of Australia. The average temperature is 28°C (82°F) from December to February, the hottest months, and 212°C (71°F) in July, the coldest month.
- With around 145,000 inhabitants, Cairns is the fifth most-populous city in the state of Queensland. Located in the northernmost part of Australia, Cairns is a remote destination located nearly 1,700km (1,056 miles) from the state capital, Brisbane, and about 2,500km (1,553 miles) from the capital of Australia, Canberra. The nearest capital city to Cairns, therefore, is not Canberra, but Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea.
- Historically inhabited by the Gimuy Walubara Yidinji people who still live in and around the city to this day, 8.9% of Cairns inhabitants are Native Australians, a number that is significantly higher than for Australia as a whole.
Top destinations and activities
- The Great Barrier Reef. The number one attraction for visitors coming to Cairns and a natural wonder of the world, there’s no other place in the world like the Great Barrier Reef. The amazing coral structure and a number of coral islands can be accessed by boat from Cairns. While there are excellent opportunities for scuba diving, even just seeing the reef would be an experience of a lifetime.
- Cairns Botanical Gardens. Divided into five separate zones, such as the Rainforest Boardwalk and the Mangroves Boardwalk, the botanical gardens introduce visitors to different types of flora characteristic of tropical Northern Australia. If you’re short on time and cannot visit the actual rainforests, coming to the gardens is your best bet to see as much as you can.
- Cairns Museum. Focusing on the history of human habitation of the Cairns area, this small, but unique museum has plenty of objects, photographs, and other artifacts relating to all things Cairns. If you’re interested in how Cairns grew and changed from a native settlement to a mining and farming town to the largest city in Northern Queensland, this is the right place to visit.
Traffic and parking tips
- One of the largest road hazards in Australia is the wildlife. Take extra caution when driving in bad weather or after dark as this is when most of the collisions with wildlife take place.
- Mobile coverage is rarely available outside of major highways and population centers, so take extra caution when traveling in rural areas.
- Another great risk when traveling off 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 plan your route in advance to be able to refill your water supplies.
- Driving under the influence laws differ from territory to territory in Australia. In Queensland, the legal alcohol limit is 0.05% for experienced drivers and 0.00% for novice drivers and drivers with provisional licences. Exceeding the limit can lead to large fines and a driver licence 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 a number of toll roads in Australia, mainly in the states of New South Wales, Victoria, and Queensland.
Most toll roads in Australia use an open toll system with mainline barrier toll gates. All toll roads in Australia use cashless payment systems. You can purchase a prepaid pass for most toll roads. Some rental cars in Australia are equipped with an electronic toll 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.
For more information about the toll roads in the state of Queensland, visit the state’s toll road website.
Ideas for a day-trip
- Kuranda. Located in the nearby mountains and surrounded by lush jungle, Kuranda is a famous outdoors destination. There are many hiking trails, and you can also park your rental car in the town and take a trip on a skyrail that takes you right through the rainforest with plenty of interesting stops on the way. Located just 27km (17 miles) northwest of Cairns, Kuranda can be reached in half an hour.
- Daintree National Park. If Kuranda didn’t satiate your appetite for rainforest, Daintree is where the jungle gets really dense and impressive. Mangroves and palms dominate the area and unique Australian animals like amethystine the python, platypus, and musky-rat kangaroo are all native to the forest. There are plenty of hiking opportunities, but it’s advisable to hire a guide or at least do some research and plan a route in advance - some of the animal species can be quite dangerous. Located about 125km (77 miles) north of Cairns, Daintree National Park can be reached in just over two hours.
- Mission Beach. While Queensland has no shortage of stunning beaches, Mission Beach might just be number one among them. Tropical and pristine, it offers a more relaxed atmosphere than beaches around Cairns or Brisbane. See if you can spot the rare and unique cassowary bird while visiting. From here, you can also easily reach the beautiful Dunk and Bedarra Islands. Mission Beach is about 140km (87 miles) south of Cairns and can be reached by car in two hours.
- Chillagoe-Mungana Caves National Park. A unique protected area, Chillagoe-Mungana is a great place to experience continental Australia without traveling for days. Markedly different from the coastal parts and with a more primeval atmosphere, the area is home to limestone caves covered with Indigenous Australian art, as well as impressive rock formations. On a relatively more recent note, the town of Chillagoe also has a number of late 19th and early 20th century mines and smelters which have now been turned into heritage sites. Located about 215 km (133 miles) west of Cairns, the national park takes about three hours to reach. Camping is not permitted inside the park, but there are a few options for accommodation in the surrounding area, particularly in the Chillagoe township.
Most popular rental types and cars
The most popular rental car types in Cairns are intermediate, compact, and standard. The most popular rental car is the Toyota Corolla, followed by the Kia Rio and the Toyota Camry.
Further destinations
- Port Douglas. A calm and pretty resort town, Port Douglas is home to many impressive beaches as well as the Rainforest Habitat Wildlife Sanctuary, a place with different habitats, such as wetlands and grasslands, that house animal species like emus, crocodiles, and kangaroos. Port Douglas is about 67km (42 miles) north of Cairns, a picturesque one hour’s drive along the coast.
- Mossman Gorge. A part of the native Kuku Yalanji area, Mossman Gorge is a place where some locals come to escape the unbearable heat of the Australian summer. Walking across a suspension bridge above Rex Creek is a thrilling experience and you might even spot local wildlife like Boyd’s forest dragon and the Australian brush turkey. Mossman Gorge is about 78km (48 miles) north of Cairns and can be reached in one hour.
- Townsville. Gateway to a wealth of beaches, lakes, creeks, and dives, cozy Townsville has plenty to enjoy. The city is just a short ferry ride from Magnetic Island, a popular tourist attraction and national park which is home to koalas and different bird species (it is usually possible to take a car to the island, although ask your rental car provider and the ferry company in advance). Located about 345 km (214 miles) south of Cairns, Townsville can be reached in some four hours by car, although there are plenty of interesting attractions on the way, such as Girringun National Park.
- Brisbane. An adventure like no other, the road from Cairns to the state capital and Australia’s third largest city is 1,700km (1,056 miles) long and takes at least two days to do. You should come well-prepared with water, supplies, and maps, but those who dare to do it will be rewarded with fantastic views and pristine beaches along the way as well as a stunning city at the end of the trip.
Car Rental Prices in Cairns
- Large cars - from $117 per day
- Medium cars - from $99 per day
- Vans - from $187 per day
- Premium cars - from $120 per day
- Small cars - from $89 per day
- SUVs - from $143 per day
How can I save money on my rental car?
Keep these tips in mind when booking a rental car in Cairns:
- 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 Cairns is the cheapest in June when renting a car is about 41% cheaper than the yearly average and 67% cheaper than booking a car in November when it’s springtime in Cairns.
Top 12 Cities near Cairns
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Townsville Car Rentals from $52.26 per day285.3 km / 177.3 miles away
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Proserpine Car Rentals from $39.81 per day498.2 km / 309.6 miles away
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Rockhampton Car Rentals from $57.49 per day875.0 km / 543.7 miles away
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Mackay Car Rentals from $39.91 per day598.1 km / 371.6 miles away
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Gladstone Car Rentals from $73.41 per day963.9 km / 598.9 miles away
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Emerald Car Rentals from $41.61 per day785.8 km / 488.3 miles away
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Mount Isa Car Rentals from $38.20 per day782.2 km / 486.0 miles away
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Port Douglas Car Rentals from $41.62 per day53.3 km / 33.1 miles away
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Thangool Car Rentals from $38.22 per day983.8 km / 611.3 miles away
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625.6 km / 388.7 miles away
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694.9 km / 431.8 miles away
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Weipa Car Rentals from $58.29 per day622.1 km / 386.6 miles away
Top 20 Locations near Cairns
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Cairns Airport Car Rentals from $42.22 per day4.6 km / 2.8 miles away
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Cairns Domestic Airport (CNST02) Car Rentals from $59.62 per day5.6 km / 3.5 miles away
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Townsville Airport Car Rentals from $52.26 per day279.7 km / 173.8 miles away
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Whitsunday Coast Airport Car Rentals from $39.81 per day492.7 km / 306.1 miles away
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Mackay Airport Car Rentals from $39.91 per day592.6 km / 368.2 miles away
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Weipa Airport Car Rentals from $58.29 per day627.5 km / 389.9 miles away
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Emerald Airport Car Rentals from $41.61 per day780.3 km / 484.9 miles away
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Mount Isa Airport Car Rentals from $38.20 per day781.6 km / 485.7 miles away
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Rockhampton Airport Car Rentals from $57.49 per day869.5 km / 540.3 miles away
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Gladstone Airport Car Rentals from $73.41 per day958.4 km / 595.5 miles away
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Thangool Airport Car Rentals from $38.22 per day978.3 km / 607.9 miles away
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Roma Airport Car Rentals from $41.37 per day1114.0 km / 692.2 miles away
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Bundaberg Airport Car Rentals from $37.12 per day1117.3 km / 694.3 miles away
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Hervey Bay Airport Car Rentals from $29.46 per day1188.8 km / 738.7 miles away
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Tennant Creek Airport Car Rentals from $49.57 per day1260.4 km / 783.2 miles away
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Sunshine Coast Airport Car Rentals from $45.30 per day1314.3 km / 816.7 miles away
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Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport Car Rentals from $82.97 per day1338.9 km / 832.0 miles away
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Brisbane Brendale Car Rentals from $84.74 per day1372.8 km / 853.0 miles away
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Brisbane Virginia Car Rentals from $57.51 per day1382.1 km / 858.8 miles away
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Brisbane Airport Car Rentals from $36.12 per day1386.6 km / 861.6 miles away
Map of Car Rental Locations
Which is the cheapest month to rent a car in Cairns?
Car rental prices in Cairns vary a lot according to the time of year. This graph compares month-to-month price changes to help you find the best offer.
Average Rental Price in Cairns
The best month to rent a car in Cairns is June (when prices for an Economy class start from $30.19). This is 20% cheaper than the yearly average and 37% cheaper than renting in April (when rental prices start at $47.64 for a Compact class). Knowing this can help you find the best price.
What’s the usual rental length in Cairns?
Travel lengths vary from month to month: in November, travelers rent a car for an average of 20 days in May, the average rental period is 2 days.
Average Rental Length in Cairns
What's the most popular month to rent a car in Cairns?
The most popular month for renting a car in Cairns is January, and the least popular is April.
Popularity of Car Rental in Cairns by Monthly Searches
Most Popular Car Models of Rental Suppliers
| Rental Agency | Model | Doors | Luggage | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bargain Car Rentals | Hyundai Accent | 4 | 2 | Medium cars |
| Bargain Car Rentals | Hyundai Kona | 4 | 3 | SUVs |
| Bargain Car Rentals | Nissan X-Trail | 4 | 2 | SUVs |
| Jucy | Toyota Corolla | 5 | 3 | Medium cars |
| Bargain Car Rentals | Toyota Corolla | 4 | 2 | Large cars |
| EastCoast Car Rentals | Toyota Corolla Sedan | 4 | 2 | Large cars |
| Thrifty | Mitsubishi ASX | 5 | 2 | Station wagons |
| EastCoast Car Rentals | Suzuki Swift | 5 | 1 | Small cars |
| EastCoast Car Rentals | Mitsubishi Eclipse | 5 | 2 | SUVs |
| Alamo | Toyota Yaris | 4 | 2 | Medium cars |
Our Customers Reviews
Because we want to make sure each review listed here is left by a real customer, we don’t have an option to post a review here. Instead, we ask each and every customer to leave a review after they return their rental. This way, you know that all reviews are authentic, verified, and trustworthy.
PC
Australia
Hyundai Kona
December 23, 2021
Port Douglas and Cairns are beautiful... enough said !
JM
Australia
Hyundai Kona
December 14, 2021
We made sure our Esplanade hotel offered free car parking and it made getting around Cairns so easy.
MH
Australia
Kia Picanto
December 9, 2021
Cairns and Tablelands are a fantastic destination for a holiday. There is somethin g for everyone.
DH
Australia
Toyota Corolla
November 13, 2021
Great beaches and rainforest. everywhere was magnificent.. could have stayed months!!
VT
Australia
Hyundai Accent
November 12, 2021
Just the usual tourist places. Great waterfalls and hikes, reef is a must and we went via Green Island which breaks the day up nicely.
SH
Australia
Hyundai Accent
November 12, 2021
Very quick trip this time…. Didn’t have to go to many places…. Just came for 2 days…. Visiting Family and a Baby Shower
DM
Australia
Hyundai Accent
November 9, 2021
Drove back and forth to Cairns from Palm Cove. New connecting Highway opening up soon.
,
Botanic gardens are beautiful in Cairns. Do the Skyrail to Kuranda as it is exciting and very high above the rainforest canopy. The Kuranda train to Adelaide is a must do. Green Island was beautiful.
GG
Australia
Nissan X-Trail
November 7, 2021
Port Douglas was wonderful.
LM
Australia
Toyota Yaris
November 5, 2021
Friendly supportive staff efficiently handling the transaction.
JS
Australia
Holden Commodore
October 7, 2021
Port Douglas cape tribulation Cairns
AC
Australia
Hyundai Kona
August 3, 2021
Always love travelling to Cairns. So much to see and experience, especially if you like getting outside and seeing what our fabulous country has to offer.
Daintree River- Crocodile cruise
Mossman Gorge
Fitzroy Island
Green Island
Kuranda
Crystal Cascades
Palm Cove
Sealife
Atherton Tablelands
CD
Australia
Mitsubishi ASX
July 28, 2021
Thoroughly enjoyed our stay in Port Douglas. Will definitely go again. Hard to recommend place as everyone's tastes are different. We loved it.
PF
Australia
Toyota Corolla
July 27, 2021
FNQ is definitely worth a visit. friendly no nonsense honest people, ( almost as good as Tasmanians)
HD
Australia
Toyota Corolla
June 14, 2021
be wary of the car bottoming out when driving on and off the daintree ferry. if considering a cruise on the daintree, look at "daintree boatman", longer cruise, so more expensive, but i believe it well worth the money. cape trib beach house is an excellent place to spend a few days.
RS
Australia
Holden Commodore
June 11, 2021
Great car, friendly staff and good shuttle to and from depot. Would definitely recommend.
JC
Australia
Hyundai Accent
May 27, 2021
Port Douglas is great
SK
Australia
Hyundai Kona
May 11, 2021
Stayed in Port Douglas for whole time and loved every minute of it. Make sure you book early for tourist attractions as they can get booked quite quickly.
JE
Australia
Hyundai Accent
April 21, 2021
Cairns - Aquarium, Fitzroy Island, Trinity Beach, Port Douglas, the Skyrail, Hartley's Crocodile Park - awesome boat ride, Paronella Park, Josephine Falls, Etty Bay Cassowarries on the beach. It was an awesome ten day family holiday.
GM
Australia
Toyota Corolla
April 17, 2021
Our son and daughter in law live in Trinity Beach.
We were visiting for the birth of our (6th) !! Grand daughter, so not too much touring this time.
Kind Regards
Geoff and Sandra Mundy
JC
Australia
Hyundai Accent
April 2, 2021
Stayed at palm cove and port Douglas wonderful trip.
Top 12 Suppliers in Cairns in 2022
National
740349052
TERMINALBUILDINGAIRPORT AVENUE,
Enterprise
+61740349052
Cairns Airport, T2 Domestic Terminal, Aeroglen QLD 4870
Europcar
+610740349088
Terminal Building Cairns Airport, Cairns City QLD 4870
Working hours
Mon:08:00-23:30
Tue:08:00-23:30
Wed:08:00-23:30
Thu:08:00-23:30
Fri:08:00-23:30
Sat:08:00-23:30
Sun:08:00-23:30
Keddy
+610740349088
Terminal Building Cairns Airport, Cairns City QLD 4870
Working hours
Mon:08:00-23:30
Tue:08:00-23:30
Wed:08:00-23:30
Thu:08:00-23:30
Fri:08:00-23:30
Sat:08:00-23:30
Sun:08:00-23:30
Alamo
740349045
Terminal Building Airport Ave
Working hours
Mon:08:00-20:00
Tue:08:00-20:00
Wed:08:00-20:00
Thu:08:00-20:00
Fri:08:00-20:00
Sat:08:00-19:30
Sun:08:00-19:30
Avis
0740339555
Terminal Building
Working hours
Mon:07:00-23:59
Tue:07:00-23:59
Wed:07:00-23:59
Thu:07:00-23:59
Fri:07:00-23:59
Sat:07:00-23:59
Sun:07:00-23:59
Budget
0740339777
Terminal Building Cairns Airport
Working hours
Mon:07:00-23:59
Tue:07:00-23:59
Wed:07:00-23:59
Thu:07:00-23:59
Fri:07:00-23:59
Sat:07:00-23:59
Sun:07:00-23:59
EastCoast Car Rentals
+611800474258 / +61755558908
411 Sheridan Street, Cairns, 4870
Working hours
Mon:07:00-20:00
Tue:07:00-20:00
Wed:07:00-20:00
Thu:07:00-20:00
Fri:07:00-20:00
Sat:08:00-17:00
Sun:08:00-17:00
Dollar
+1800501934
Terminal Building Cairns Airport, Cairns City QLD 4870
Working hours
Mon:07:00-22:00
Tue:07:00-22:00
Wed:07:00-22:00
Thu:07:00-22:00
Fri:07:00-22:00
Sat:07:00-22:00
Sun:07:00-22:00
SIXT
+61740349052
Domestic Terminal
Alamo
740349052
TERM BUILDING AIRPORT AVENUE,
Ace Rent a car
61740410895 / 3173487251
147 Lake Street