Car Rental at Cairns Airport
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The above prices are only approximate and were last updated at 02:00 on 2021-01-11. 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%
Airport Car Rental
The capital of Far North Queensland, Cairns has long served as a popular tourist destination. A gateway not only to the Great Barrier Reef but also the lushest and tropical jungle that Australia has to offer, the region has a markedly different climate and terrain than most of the rest of the country. These are three of the most interesting places in and around Cairns:
- Cairns Botanic Gardens. Though there’s a lot of truly tropical areas and nature preserves within a day’s ride of Cairns, it’s also possible to enjoy true forest without leaving the city. Divided into different sections, like the Mangroves and Rainforest Boardwalks and the Aboriginal Plant Use Garden, the area also has both saltwater and freshwater lakes and is home to a large number of tropical birds.
- Great Barrier Reef. A unique ecosystem and one of the seven natural wonders of the world, the Great Barrier Reef is the main attraction of Northern Australia. Whether you visit one of the islands, go scuba diving or snorkeling, or simply enjoy the views, this is one attraction that is not to be missed. A number of reef tours take off from Cairns, as well as some of the surrounding towns and villages.
- National Parks. While the reefs and beaches are undoubtedly amazing, there’s also a lot of nature to enjoy away from the coast. Cairns is surrounded by an absolute wealth of nature preserves a couple of hours drive (or less) from the city. These include the Kuranda State Forest and Hann Tableland National Park to the north; Danbulla National Park to the west; and Gadgarra, Wooroonooran, Tully Falls, and Tully Gorge National Parks to the south. The most adventurous will also try to travel to the truly wild and pristine national parks of northernmost Queensland, though reaching these parts require a lot of planning and the help of a tour or a guide.
Top international routes
- Tokyo
- Osaka
- Port Moresby
- Hong Kong
- Denpasar
- Auckland
Main airlines
Jetstar Airways, Regional Express Airlines, Air Niugini, QantasLink, Skytrans, and Virgin Australia
Terminals
Cairns Airport has two terminals. Terminal 1 is the international terminal and Terminal 2 is the domestic terminal. The two terminals are connected by a covered walkway. You can get from one to the other in about five minutes.
Location
Cairns Airport is about 6 km (3.7 mi) from the city of Cairns. National Highway 1 passes by the airport and takes travelers either to Cairns city itself or north to Kuranda or Highway 44 which leads to the coastal destinations of Palm Cove and Port Douglas.
There is no need to worry about toll roads unless you plan a road trip that includes traveling south to Brisbane or the states of New South Wales or Victoria. See their respective articles for more information about how to pay for the tolls.
There is no need to worry about toll roads unless you plan a road trip that includes traveling south to Brisbane or the states of New South Wales or Victoria. See their respective articles for more information about how to pay for the tolls.
Most popular types of rental car
- Large cars - from $130 per day
- Medium cars - from $136 per day
- People Carriers/Vans - from $279 per day
- Premium cars - from $162 per day
- Small cars - from $103 per day
- SUVs - from $143 per day
Car rental desks
Alamo and Europcar have desks both in the arrivals halls of both the international and domestic terminals. SIXT (serviced by East Coast), Atlas, and East Coast Car Rental are located just outside of the airport on National Highway 1 and can be reached via a shuttle.
Services and facilities
You’ll find a burger shop, a pizza restaurant, a bar, and a number of smaller eateries, as well as stores, and a duty-free outlet in T1. There are also ATMs, lounges, an on-site hotel, a currency exchange, and spa. You’ll find self-service luggage lockers next to the T2 car park. The airport is well-equipped for travelers with reduced mobility. You can find more information on the airport's official website.
Nearest gas station
A Mobil station located at 333 Sheridan Street (National Highway 1), which is open 24/7, is the most convenient station for filling up before returning a rental car if you are coming from the south. If coming from the north, then a Puma station on the left side of National Highway 1 is the most convenient station.
Popular one-way rentals
- Brisbane (1,689 km / 1,050 mi)
- Sydney (2,418 km / 1,502 mi)
- Townsville (352 km / 219 mi)
Airport info
Cairns Airport (CNS)
- IATA: CNS
- ICAO: YBCS
- Name: Cairns Airport (CNS)
- Size: Medium Airport
- Aircraft movements (per year): 44,539
- Passengers (per year): 4,391,014
- Distance from City: 3.1 miles / 5 km NNW of town
- Working hours: 24 hours a day
- Phone: +61 7 4080 6703
- Email: enquiries@cairnsairport.com.au
Top 20 Locations near Cairns Airport
-
Car Rental at Townsville Airport from $43.97 per day284.3 km / 176.6 miles away
-
Car Rental at Whitsunday Coast Airport from $37.51 per day497.2 km / 309.0 miles away
-
Car Rental at Mackay Airport from $43.97 per day597.2 km / 371.1 miles away
-
Car Rental at Emerald Airport from $34.57 per day784.8 km / 487.6 miles away
-
Car Rental at Rockhampton Airport from $32.60 per day874.0 km / 543.1 miles away
-
Car Rental at Gladstone Airport from $32.60 per day962.9 km / 598.3 miles away
-
Car Rental at Thangool Airport from $33.97 per day982.8 km / 610.7 miles away
-
Car Rental at Roma Airport from $36.93 per day1118.4 km / 694.9 miles away
-
Car Rental at Bundaberg Airport from $30.38 per day1121.9 km / 697.1 miles away
-
Car Rental at Hervey Bay Airport from $31.04 per day1193.4 km / 741.5 miles away
-
Car Rental at Tennant Creek Airport from $52.35 per day1259.3 km / 782.5 miles away
-
Car Rental at Sunshine Coast Airport from $67.32 per day1318.9 km / 819.5 miles away
-
Car Rental at Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport from $69.58 per day1343.5 km / 834.8 miles away
-
Car Rental Brisbane Kippa Ring from $62.12 per day1375.3 km / 854.6 miles away
-
Car Rental at Brisbane Airport from $26.31 per day1391.1 km / 864.4 miles away
-
Car Rental at Brisbane Domestic Airport (BNET02) from $31.08 per day1391.4 km / 864.6 miles away
-
Car Rental Brisbane Archerfield from $62.12 per day1402.6 km / 871.5 miles away
-
Car Rental at Alice Springs Airport from $32.93 per day1454.7 km / 903.9 miles away
-
Car Rental at Katherine Airport from $39.03 per day1457.1 km / 905.4 miles away
-
Car Rental at Moree Airport from $33.97 per day1462.8 km / 909.0 miles away
Map of Car Rental Locations
When are car rental prices cheapest at Cairns Airport?
The cost of renting a car at Cairns Airport depends on the time of year. This graph compares month-to-month price changes to help you find the best deal.
Average Rental Price at Cairns Airport
The cheapest time of the year to rent a vehicle at Cairns Airport is June when prices for an Economy class start from $32.26. You can see that this is 19% cheaper than the yearly average and 37% cheaper than renting a car in April (when rental prices start at $50.90 for a Compact class). Knowing this can help you find the best price. But remember that these are average numbers. The exact cost of your rental will depend on your rental length and on how far in advance you book the car. Enter your travel dates at the top of the page to see exact prices and offers!
What’s the most popular rental length at Cairns Airport?
Travel length differs from one month to another: in September the average rental period is 36 days, while in October, the average rental period is only 4 days.
Average Rental Length
Which is the busiest car rental month at Cairns Airport?
Travelers are most likely to rent a car at Cairns Airport in April, while the fewest number of travelers rent in September.
Popularity by Monthly Searches
Most Popular Car Models of Rental Suppliers
| Rental Agency | Model | Doors | Luggage | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thrifty | Toyota Corolla | 4 | 2 | Medium cars |
| Thrifty | Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross | 5 | 2 | Station wagons |
| Bargain Car Rentals | Hyundai Accent | 5 | 2 | Medium cars |
| Thrifty | Toyota Yaris | 4 | 1 | Small cars |
| Bargain Car Rentals | Nissan X-Trail | 4 | 2 | SUVs |
| Thrifty | Mitsubishi Outlander | 5 | 2 | Station wagons |
| EastCoast Car Rentals | Hyundai Accent | 5 | 1 | Small cars |
| EastCoast Car Rentals | Toyota Corolla Sedan | 4 | 2 | Large cars |
| Thrifty | Toyota Camry | 4 | 2 | Large cars |
| EastCoast Car Rentals | Hyundai Accent | 4 | 2 | Medium cars |
Our Customers Reviews
RR
Australia
Toyota Yaris
January 6, 2021
Head to the Atherton Tablelands, far cooler and not humid therefore quite comfortable to travel and visit.
MW
Australia
Toyota Corolla
September 24, 2020
Love Cairns in September
JS
Australia
Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross
September 24, 2020
Loved It!
BN
Australia
Toyota Corolla
September 19, 2020
Port Douglas, Hartleys Crocodile Farm, Mossman
MJ
Australia
Toyota Yaris
September 17, 2020
Cairns and the surrounding area is beautiful, but you need transport to explore it fully. Cairns City is easy to get around with interesting sites and activities. We also took the heritage train to Kuranda which is a spectacular trip with waterfalls, spectacular scenery and amazing engineering achievements. Snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef is a must-do and we found a reasonably priced tour. We hired a car on two occasions to get to the Tablelands and Port Douglas. Well worth the time and effort.
BT
Australia
Hyundai Accent
September 14, 2020
Mossman Gorge is a must.
RF
Canada
Suzuki Swift
January 22, 2020
Although Eastcoast Rentals is off the Airport site the process is still goes quite quickly.
AT
Australia
Suzuki Swift
October 31, 2019
Rent a car and so you can do your own self drive tours around Cairns rather than paying for expensive day tours.
FM
Australia
Toyota Corolla Sedan
October 17, 2019
We used to live in the area so know the it well and were only visiting to see relatives and friends. Great place though but make sure you go at the right time of the year so it's not too hot and wet.
MM
Australia
Hyundai i20
October 9, 2019
We visited Cairns for one week. It was great hiring a car as each day we could travel at our own pace. Pleasant drive to Palm Cove which was very windy. Port Douglas is a must too. There was a lot less traffic than on the Gold Coast and we found the drivers curtious.
We enjoyed the local restaurants and there was a lot of variety from Indian , Thai and cosmopolitan.
AP
Australia
Kia Rio
October 8, 2019
Tropical rainforests!...nuff said!
TU
Australia
Kia Rio
September 2, 2019
Cairns definitely needs a car to explore nature's beauty. We spent 5 days there, 3 days with a car. Visited Josephine and Millaa Millaa Falls, Wonga Beach, Port Douglas, Mossman Gorge, drove up to Cape Tribulation.
DT
Australia
Kia Rio
July 18, 2019
Cairns is beautiful tropical weather check temps and rainfall through out year as it differs.
The manager was very helpful to us.Our party hired 3 cars from here and would do it again no problem.
DG
Australia
Hyundai Accent
June 12, 2019
Most attractions are best accessed by car
GF
Australia
Suzuki Swift
June 7, 2019
East Coast rentals is conveniently located close to the airport.
HA
Australia
Kia Sportage
May 15, 2019
Hired a car because we travelled out of Cairns. We stayed in Port Douglas. Travelled as far North as Cape tribulation. If planning even a few small trips worth a car hire.
AL
Australia
Kia Sportage
May 7, 2019
Slightly inconvenient with airport transfer to pick up car. But we’ll worth the effort. Service team was brilliant, very friendly and hassle free.
MS
Australia
Kia Rio
May 4, 2019
Simple easy and no hassle Car Rental at a great rate.
NS
Australia
KIA Cerato
March 24, 2019
Everything in close proximity 😁
JC
United Kingdom
Toyota Corolla
March 20, 2019
Barrier reed using Quicksilver from PD. Fabulous!
Top 11 Suppliers at Cairns Airport in 2021
National
+61740349045 / +61740349052
Beaufort St, Aeroglen QLD 4870
$72 - $172
+61740349045
Beaufort St, Aeroglen QLD 4870
$59 - $159
+610740349088
Terminal Building Cairns Airport, Cairns City QLD 4870
$86 - $150
Working hours
Mon:08:00-19:30
Tue:08:00-19:30
Wed:08:00-19:30
Thu:08:00-19:30
Fri:08:00-19:30
Sat:08:00-19:30
Sun:08:00-19:30
+610740349088
Terminal Building Cairns Airport, Cairns City QLD 4870
$88 - $131
Working hours
Mon:00:01-01:00; 05:00-23:59
Tue:00:01-01:00; 05:00-23:59
Wed:00:01-01:00; 05:00-23:59
Thu:00:01-01:00; 05:00-23:59
Fri:00:01-01:00; 05:00-23:59
Sat:00:01-01:00; 05:00-23:59
Sun:00:01-01:00; 05:00-23:59
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
$104 - $125
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:08:30-17:00
Sun:08:30-17:00
Budget
0740339777
Terminal Building Cairns Airport
$63 - $117
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:08:30-17:00
Sun:08:30-17:00
+611800474258 / +61755558908
411 Sheridan Street, Cairns, 4870
$62 - $76
Working hours
Mon:07:00-19:30
Tue:07:00-19:30
Wed:07:00-19:30
Thu:07:00-19:30
Fri:07:00-19:30
Sat:08:00-17:30
Sun:08:00-17:30
+61755558908
411 Sheridan St, Cairns North QLD 4870
$65 - $99
+61740349045
Beaufort Street, Aeroglen QLD 4870
$59 - $150
Ace Rent a car
61740410895 / 3173487251
147 Lake Street