Car Rental at Gold Coast Airport

Cheapest car rental rates




































































































Why book with us?




- Cheapest car rental rates
- Why book with us?
- Travel information
- Airport travel guide
- Top international routes
- Main airlines
- Terminals
- Location
- Most popular types of rental car
- Car rental desks
- Services and facilities
- Nearest gas station
- Popular one-way rentals
- Airport info
- Top 20 locations near Gold Coast Airport
- Map of top car rental locations
- When to book at Gold Coast Airport and for how long?
- Car rental information
- Most popular car models of rental suppliers
- Here's what travelers say about renting a car at Gold Coast Airport
- Car rental statistics
- Top 19 suppliers at Gold Coast Airport in 2025
- Award-winning service
Travel information
Airport travel guide

Located just south of Brisbane, the Gold Coast is a backpacker and tourist mecca and one of the most visited places in the whole of Australia. Whether you come for the famous Surfers Paradise, beautiful beaches, or some of the nearby destinations that you can easily access with a car, you’re in for a treat. These are five of the most interesting attractions in and around the Gold Coast:
- Surfers Paradise. Not only surfing heaven, but also a hub of restaurants, nightlife, and hotels, Surfers Paradise is the busiest and most famous place on the Gold Coast. Some travelers love it, while others consider it too commercialized and crowded and look for more relaxed spots which can be found up and down the coast. Either way, if you’re in the Gold Coast, the area and its beautiful coastline deserve at least one visit so you can make up your own mind. Surfers Paradise is also the Theme Park Capital of Australia, so attracts many visitors looking for roller coasters, movie stunt shows, wildlife and entertaining shows.
- Lamington National Park. The nature of Queensland can be experienced not only on the beaches but also in the numerous nature reserves that surround the Gold Coast. Made up of ancient peaks, cloud forests, and the emblematic Australian bush, this popular hiking area is less than an hour’s drive southwest of Gold Coast. The national park’s hills and forests are inhabited by wildlife like parrots, wallabies, bandicoots, and platypuses (although very hard to find). If visiting the World Heritage Listed Lamington National Park has only increased your appetite for wilderness, the nature preserve is bordered by Springbrook and Border Ranges National Parks. Here you’ll discover more lush ancient rainforest and thundering waterfalls.
- Gold Coast Hinterland. A large territory that includes Lamington National Park, Gold Coast Hinterland is an area that gets fewer visitors than the coastal parts but hides a surprising number of interesting locations. These include Tamborine Mountain and the majestic views from the top of it, Numinbah Valley, and a number of lakes, wineries, and mountain villages. Many Australians think that this area offers some of the most scenic drives in the country. Most of the places that make up the hinterland are no more than an hour's drive from Surfer's Paradise.
- Burleigh Heads. If you’re looking for a more local beach experience away from the tourist crowds of Surfers Paradise, drive twenty minutes south to Burleigh Heads. You’ll find a great number of local restaurants and cafes and some of the best surf breaks on the Gold Coast. On the southern end is Burleigh Heads National Park, which offers a stunning hike around the headland to Tallebudgera Creek. You may even see whales offshore during the winter months. While at Tallebudgera, you can paddleboard the crystal clear waters of the creek, or enjoy the calm waters for a swim. Families especially love it here.
Road Trip Ideas
The Gold Coast has an idyllic location sandwiched between the stunning coastal regions of Northern NSW in the South and the Sunshine Coast in the North. Both of which are less than two hours drive. It’s the perfect region for enjoying a road trip that will highlight this area's stunning natural beauty, but also the Australian surfing culture and lifestyle.
- Gold Coast to Lennox Head. The Gold Coast to Lennox Head road trip is a 90-minute scenic drive, but you can turn that into a day or even longer, as it’s filled with stunning beaches, great surf, coastal hikes, and small towns you’ll want to get lost in. Highlights include the sleepy towns of Kingscliff and Lennox Head, and one of Australia’s most popular towns, Byron Bay. It’s on a crystal bed AND has been a sacred healing ground for over 20,000 years. This traditional place for ceremony, dancing circles, birthing rituals, spiritual respite and dreaming has a certain kind of magic to it..include , but you will want to stop off at several locations along the way.
- Gold Coast to Noosa. This stunning two-and-a-half-hour drive will take you through many of the Sunshine Coast’s coastal communities. Expect a more laid-back vibe to the beaches of the Gold Coast. This area also has a pristine hinterland region worth exploring, including the Glass House Mountains which you’ll see rising up from the highway. In this area, you’ll find Steve Irwin’s Australia Zoo, the most famous zoo in Australia. Like Byron Bay in the South, Noosa is one of Australia’s most popular coastal destinations. On the edge of the small village is the Noosa National Park filled with trails, great surf breaks, and, if you’re lucky, you may spot koalas in the trees.
- Fraser Island. If you want to go off-road and do some serious beach driving whilst exploring shipwrecks, pristine lakes, stunning forest, and dodging wild dingos, head over to Fraser for some of the best 4-wheel driving in the country. 75 Mile Beach on Fraser Island is classified as a part of the Bruce Highway? And that Fraser Island is the largest sand island in the world? You can also drive along the Great Beach Drive just north of Noosa on the way there. Fraser Island is about a five hour drive north of the Gold Coast.
- Dreamworld. Australia’s biggest theme park, Dreamworld has more than 40 different attractions including several thrill rides, one of the world’s fastest drop towers, and even a flying theater. Dreamworld is located just off the M1 highway, about a 30-minute drive north of downtown Gold Coast. Dreamworld is located right next to WhiteWater World, a large water park that’s open from September to April.
Top international routes
- Sydney
- Melbourne
- Auckland
- Adelaide
- Canberra
- Cairns
- Newcastle
- Christchurch
- Denpasar
- Wellington
Main airlines
Jetstar Airways, Virgin Australia, AirAsia X, Air New Zealand, Qantas, and Tigerair Australia
Terminals
The single airport terminal serves all domestic and international flights.
Location
Gold Coast Airport is about 25 km (16 mi) south of Gold Coast. Gold Coast Highway, Tugun Currumbin Road, M1, Southport Burleigh Road/State Route 3, and Allawah Street are the main roads connecting the airport to the city.
Most popular types of rental car
Car rental desks
Some desks are inside the airport terminal, while other rental companies offer free shuttle service to their nearby facilities. The exact location of your car rental provider's desk will be listed on your Confirmation Voucher.
Services and facilities
While the Gold Coast airport is quite small, you’ll find a number of shops, including duty-free shops, as well as many cafeterias, bars, restaurants, and fast food outlets. There are also ATMs, three currency exchanges, baby changing facilities, a luggage wrapping service, and three nearby hotels. Self-service luggage lockers are near the central walkway, next to the main parking lot. The airport is well equipped for travelers with reduced mobility. Special assistance is also available, but make sure to contact your airline in advance if you’d like this service. Do keep in mind that the airport is open from 4:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. You can find more information on the airport's official website.
Nearest gas station
Freedom Fuels gas station, at Airport Central, 1 Eastern Avenue, can be reached in about two minutes and is open 24/7. There are many other gas stations near Gold Coast Airport and on the way to the city.
Popular one-way rentals
- Brisbane (99 km / 62 miles)
- Byron Bay (67 km / 42 miles)
- Ballina (89 km / 55 miles)
- Toowoomba (202 km / 126 miles)
Learn more about our Editorial Policy.
Airport info
Top 20 locations near Gold Coast Airport
- Ballina Airportfrom $58.59 per day74.7 km / 46.42 miles away
- Brisbane Archerfieldfrom $59.37 per day81.8 km / 50.83 miles away
- Brisbane Rockleafrom $35.44 per day83.7 km / 52.01 miles away
- Brisbane Tingalpafrom $35.77 per day86.4 km / 53.69 miles away
- Brisbane (Downtown)from $35.66 per day90.9 km / 56.48 miles away
- Brisbane Fortitude Valleyfrom $39.37 per day91.1 km / 56.61 miles away
- Brisbane Ascotfrom $64.97 per day92.1 km / 57.23 miles away
- Brisbane Airportfrom $25.27 per day94.8 km / 58.91 miles away
- Brisbane Brendalefrom $60.85 per day107.4 km / 66.74 miles away
- Toowoomba Wellcamp Airportfrom $38.93 per day170.6 km / 106.01 miles away
- Sunshine Coast Airportfrom $32.45 per day178.3 km / 110.79 miles away
- Coffs Harbour Airportfrom $36.28 per day242.7 km / 150.81 miles away
- Armidale Airportfrom $34.93 per day320.2 km / 198.96 miles away
- Hervey Bay Airportfrom $44.42 per day322.4 km / 200.33 miles away
- Hervey Bay Downtownfrom $40.55 per day328.5 km / 204.12 miles away
- Port Macquarie Airportfrom $42.49 per day369 km / 229.29 miles away
- Bundaberg Airportfrom $41.94 per day381.3 km / 236.93 miles away
- Bundaberg Downtownfrom $39.61 per day384.4 km / 238.86 miles away
- Moree Airportfrom $37.18 per day385.5 km / 239.54 miles away
- Tamworth Airportfrom $41.30 per day413.9 km / 257.19 miles away
Map of top car rental locations





When to book at Gold Coast Airport and for how long?
When are car rental prices the lowest at Gold Coast Airport?
The cost of renting a car at Gold Coast Airport varies by season. The table and graph below can help you find the best time of year to save on a rental car.
Saver's insights
Cheapest monthJune | Most expensive month December | ||
Average price $29 | A good deal $33 | Cheapest supplier OCR Car Rentals | Cheapest car type SUVs |
$33
in January
$22
in February
$24
in March
$37
in April
$23
in May
$22
in June
$36
in July
$34
in August
$38
in September
$38
in October
$32
in November
$44
in December
The cheapest month of the year to rent a car at Gold Coast Airport is June — when rental costs average $22.22 per day. This is 22% cheaper than the yearly average and 49% cheaper than renting a car in December (when prices average $43.86 per day).
This information can help you identify the low season. But these are only average numbers. How much your car rental will cost will depend on the type of vehicle you rent, how long you’ll rent it for, and how far ahead you book. Simply enter your dates in the form at the top of the page to see the exact prices.
What is the most popular time of year to rent a car at Gold Coast Airport?
Based on how many users search for a car in at Gold Coast Airport, travelers are most likely to rent a car in January, while they are least likely to rent in in July.
1.6 times in January
1.2 times in February
Same as average in March
1.1 times in April
0.9 times in May
0.9 times in June
0.7 times in July
0.8 times in August
0.9 times in September
0.9 times in October
0.8 times in November
1.4 times in December
For how long do renters keep their vehicles at Gold Coast Airport?
How long travelers keep their rental cars varies by the time of year: in June the average rental period is 9 days, while in October, the average rental period is only 6 days.
7 days in January
7 days in February
8 days in March
7 days in April
8 days in May
9 days in June
7 days in July
7 days in August
7 days in September
6 days in October
6 days in November
7 days in December
Car rental information
🔥 Popular suppliers | Bargain Car Rentals, OCR Car Rentals, Alpha car hire, Everything Fleet, Crazy Clark's Car Rentals |
🚗 Popular car types | SUVs, Medium cars, Large cars, Small cars |
🤑 Lowest price | $20 per day |
👛 Cheapest supplier | OCR Car Rentals |
Most popular car models of rental suppliers
Rental Supplier | Model | Doors | Luggage | Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
Bargain Car Rentals | Hyundai Accent | 4 | 2 | Medium car |
OCR Car Rentals | MG 3 | 5 | 1 | Medium car |
Bargain Car Rentals | Kia Stonic | 4 | 2 | SUV |
Bargain Car Rentals | MG HS | 4 | 2 | SUV |
OCR Car Rentals | MG ZS | 5 | 2 | SUV |
OCR Car Rentals | Mitsubishi Mirage | 5 | 1 | Small car |
OCR Car Rentals | Toyota Corolla Cross | 5 | 2 | SUV |
Bargain Car Rentals | MG 5 | 5 | 2 | Large car |
OCR Car Rentals | Nissan X-Trail | 5 | 3 | SUV |
Alpha car hire | Kia Cerato | 4 | 2 | Large car |
Here's what travelers say about renting a car at Gold Coast Airport






















Car rental statistics
Top 19 suppliers at Gold Coast Airport in 2025





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