Car Rental in Perth

Why rent a car in Perth?

Perth is a great place to see by car. With the freedom of your own wheels you can see this unique and large metropolis, as well as to experience the vast and wild Western Australia which has surprisingly a lot to offer. Perth is slightly quieter compared to Australia's other major cities, making it easy to get around, so you can see a lot of the city and area with a rental car.

Top ways to enter Perth

• Perth Airport: The fourth-busiest in Australia, Perth Airport handles about 15 million travelers every year. The airport comprises of two international terminals (T1 and T3) and four domestic terminals and has more than 30 international and domestic airlines serving Perth. In addition to domestic routes, the airport also has flights to and from destinations like Indonesia, China, Qatar, and South Africa. Located 11 km (6.8 mi) east of the city center, the airport can be reached in about 15 minutes.
• Adelaide Airport: At least three full days drive east, Adelaide Airport is nonetheless the closest international airport to Perth. If you ever indeed decide to set out on this Odyssey along Australia’s southern coast, make sure you do this properly prepared.

City facts

• Perth enjoys hot and dry summers, which in the Southern hemisphere last from December to March. It is not uncommon for temperature to exceed 30 °C  (86 °F), especially in February, the hottest month. Perth is also the sunniest large city of Australia. Winters are cooler, although it is rare for temperatures to drop below 10 °C (50 °F). July is by far the rainiest month while February is the driest.
• Perth is one of the remotest large cities in the world. The nearest city with 100,000 inhabitants, Adelaide, is more than 2,000 km (1,300 mi) away. Perth is actually closer to some large Indonesian cities than to Melbourne, Sydney, or Brisbane. Antananarivo, the capital city of Madagascar, is only slightly farther from Perth than Wellington, the capital of New Zealand. 
• Inhabited by indigenous Australians for nearly 40,000 years, the area of Perth was known as Boorloo to local Noongar people (who continue to live in Perth and its surroundings to this day). The European colonizers started to arrive in the 17th and 18th century and named Perth after a city in Scotland. The population of Perth was 4,000 in 1854, 170,000 in 1920, and reached 1 million in the early 1980s. Today, the city is home to more than 2 million inhabitants.

Top sights and activities

• Fremantle Markets. Perhaps the most famous public market in the whole of Australia, Fremantle offers a lot in delicious local produce brought by farmers from the nearby countryside and in original crafts and souvenirs, but the real attraction of this place is its atmosphere and the people you’ll meet there.
• Heirisson Island. Located in the Swan river, the island is an important place for the local Noongar people who call it “Matagarup” - a place where the river is only leg deep. The beautiful area has many hiking trails and picnic spots, as well as opportunities to spot local wildlife.
• Scitech. Modern and interactive, this science museum has a planetarium, a number of permanent exhibitions, as well as a host of ongoing projects. Offering something for everyone from kids under school age to adults, it is a perfect place to remember that science and technology are truly fascinating.
• London Court. A distinctive street in the heart of Perth that differs from the rest of the city, London Court was built in 1937 by wealthy businessman Claude de Bernales. It features Tudor Revival architecture, an English style that was common in the second half of the 19th century.
• Elizabeth Quay. A new waterfront precinct on the banks of the Swan River officially opened on 15 November 2019. Elizabeth Quay is a good place for a coffee, lunch, or the start of a boat trip on the Swan River.
• Yagan Square. The beating heart of Perth, where several areas converge, Yagan Square is located between the CBD and the Northbridge district. Northbridge is an area with many cultural and culinary venues. Its beautiful architecture and various mood lighting make it the place to be, especially in the evening. The spacious Yagan Square is where shops, restaurants, and public transport converge.
• Botanical gardens. Take a stroll through the gardens and enjoy the most beautiful flowers and plants. What makes the botanical gardens in Perth special is the stunning views you have of the city.
• Maritime Museum and Shipwrecks Museum. Located about a 25-minute drive from the center of Perth in neighboring Fremantle, these two museums are part of the Western Australian Museum network. Dedicated to the seafaring history of Western Australia and the British Empire, the Maritime Museum also offers a tour of the HMAS Ovens, a decommissioned submarine. Meanwhile, the next-door Shipwrecks Museum offers a lesson on the more destructive aspects of nautical endeavors, namely, a number of historic shipwrecks (either reconstructed or what’s left of them) that were found off the coast of Western Australia. The latter museum also has a fascinating section on maritime archaeology.
• Swan Bells. An array of 18 bells that are hung vertically inside a campanile or a bell tower, this is one of the most recognizable features of the Perth skyline, not least because it rises to the height of 82 meters (or almost 270 feet). Shining fluorescent green against the night sky, it is also one of the most photographed landmarks of Perth after dark.
• Kings Park. A park, bushland, and botanical garden, Kings is one of the green lungs of Perth and a welcome refuge for those locals and tourists who are limited in time and cannot go to enjoy nature outside the city. The Western Australian Botanical Garden section is dedicated not only to showcasing beautiful flora but also to the restoration of ecology projects when it comes to local ecosystems. If you’re visiting Perth in September, make sure to try to catch some activities of the Kings Park Festival that takes place every year.

Traffic and parking

• One of the largest road hazards in Australia are 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. Animals like to lie on the road in the evening because of the warm road surface, —so drive extra carefully in the evening.
• Mobile coverage is very rarely available outside of major highways and population centers, so take extra caution when traveling in nature 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.
• Also, always make sure you have sunglasses in the car. Australia is a country where it is often sunny, and especially during sunset, it can be dangerous if you are blinded by the sun while driving.
• Driving under the influence laws differ from territory to territory in Australia. In Western Australia, 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.
• The insurance and car documentation needs to be in the car whenever you’re driving.
• If you’re the driver, you need to have your passport or ID card with you at all times.
• The primary, nationwide emergency number in Australia is 000. The Western Australia state police number is 131 444.

Toll roads

Although there are a number of toll roads in Australia, there are none in the state of Western Australia. You will find toll roads if you travel to the states of Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland.

Most toll roads in Australia use an “open roll system” with mainline barrier toll points. All toll roads in Australia use a cashless payment system. 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 supplier about it in advance. 

Different toll roads are operated by different companies, so there is no nationwide fee system in place.

Ideas for day trips

• Rottnest Island. Only a short ferry ride away, Rottnest is a perfect place to spend a tranquil day away from the big city’s hustle and bustle. You can swim or snorkel, take a beautiful bike ride around the island, try the local seafood in one of the small cozy restaurants, or simply go on a long, relaxing walk. The island’s number one attraction, however, is quokkas. These cute marsupials who wander around the island are extremely friendly and will be glad to let you meet them if you introduce yourself nicely. Rottnest Island is a fantastic place to visit, especially because of its stunning azure waters.
• Nambung National Park. This nature area is a few hours drive north of Perth, but the destination will more than reward the long way. Its fantastical landscapes will make you feel like you’re on another planet, its wildlife is unique and varied, and if you’re visiting during the spring (which in the southern hemisphere lasts from August to October), the area’s wildflower fields will be in full bloom.
• New Norcia. About two hours drive north of Perth, New Norcia is Australia’s only monastic town. Next to its unique architecture, it also offers a local museum, a gallery, and a gorgeous scenery right outside the town borders.
• Whistlepipe Gully track. The Perth area is also great for hikers. The Whistlepipe Gully track is highly recommended. It is a nice track (walk) of 3.5 kilometers. This involves walking along the water and climbing up a bit, where you get a nice view of the city. It's a fun activity to leave the hustle and bustle of the city behind for a while.

Most popular cars

The most popular rental car in Australia is the Hyundai i20, followed by the Toyota Corolla and the Kia Rio. The most popular rental car types are economy, standard, and compact.

Further destinations

• South West. Just three hours south of Perth is the Margaret River. On its banks you’ll find some of the best vineyards in the whole of Australia, so going on a long and slow wine tour is one of the best ways to spend your time in Western Australia. The region’s high class restaurants and long pristine beaches are also not to be missed.
• Shark Bay. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Shark Bay is about nine hours drive north of Perth. The area has a dry, arid climate which is responsible for a host of unique landscapes, but it is best known for its marine wildlife, especially the Monkey Mia dolphins that can often be observed on its shores. The nearby Hamelin Pool Nature Reserve is home to stromatolites, the oldest living organisms in the world.
• Cape Range National Park. Even further north from Perth, Cape Range National Park has plenty of natural attractions, from the bordering Ningaloo Reef that’s very close to the mainland to stunning Yardie Creek gorge, and wildlife like rock wallabies, red kangaroos, and wallaroos.
• Albany. Located on the coast of the Southern Ocean, Albany only has 40,000 inhabitants but more than makes up for it with things to see and do. The town is a great place to learn about whales, either by joining a whale-watching tour (the best time is from June until October) or by visiting the Whale World center which has different exhibits dedicated to these impressive beasts. The Museum of the Great Southern, a local branch of the Western Australian Museum, explores the region’s natural history, as well as stories of the indigenous inhabitants. Albany Conviction Gaol, meanwhile, tells the story of the 19th-century convicts who were sent to a penal site in the town’s present territory. Located about 415 km (258 miles) southeast of Perth, Albany can be reached in about 4 hours and 40 minutes. Albany is also the ideal place for some great adventure hikes.  You will find several beautiful trails just a 15-minute drive from the city.
• Hyden. An otherwise small and unassuming farming community, Hyden’s claim to fame is the Wave Rock — a 110 m (360 feet) long granite formation that looks like a huge wave (somehow, it feels even more impressive when remembering the fact that Hyden is about 330 km (205 miles) from the coast). In addition to Wave Rock, the area is home to a wildlife park of the same name, as well as several other interesting rock formations and caves. The drive there takes about four hours and is one of the best ways to see the inland parts of Western Australia.
• Fitzgerald River National Park. Known for its unique flora, wild beaches, and whale watching at Point Ann, this is one of the main nature preserves in the southern part of the state. While going there can be a memorable experience, do keep in mind that there are neither shops nor available drinking water inside the park, so a visit should be properly planned in advance. The drive from Perth takes close to six hours.
• York. The oldest inland town in Western Australia is located on the Avon River, 97 kilometers east of Perth in the Wheatbelt region. York is Western Australia's most historically rich city and is visited by many tourists from all over the world every year.

Car rental prices in Perth

• Large cars - from $33 per day
• SUVs - from $27 per day
• Medium cars - from $19 per day
• Small cars - from $25 per day
• Vans - from $61 per day
• Station wagons - from $59 per day
• Premium cars - from $61 per day

Money-saving and other tips

These are the things you can do to get a great rental car deal in Perth:

• Compare 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 on the month when the rental prices are the cheapest. According to our data, visiting Perth is the cheapest in April when renting a car is about 39% cheaper than the yearly average and about 59% cheaper than renting a car in November.