Best Car Rental Companies in Australia: Which One Should You Choose?

1Three Kinds of Rental Company

International brands such as Hertz, Avis, Budget, Europcar, Thrifty and Sixt have desks inside most major airport terminals and branches in the cities. You pay for that convenience, but you get large fleets, newer cars and easy one-way rentals between their own locations.

Value brands such as Redspot, East Coast Car Rentals and Bargain Car Rentals often work from depots just outside the airport with a free shuttle. Daily rates are usually lower, and the trade-off is a little more time at pick-up and return.

Local and specialist suppliers range from campervan and 4WD specialists to small regional fleets. They can be the only option in remote towns and are worth comparing on longer rentals.

2How Customers Rate the Main Suppliers

These are the overall scores, out of 10, that verified customers have given suppliers on Australia Rent Car. Open a company page to see the breakdown for service, convenience, condition, value and accessibility.

3Which Company Suits Your Trip?

First trip to Australia, flying in

A terminal desk at the airport keeps things simple after a long flight. International brands are the easiest choice, and you can usually return to any of their airport desks.

Budget-conscious, flexible on time

Value brands with off-airport depots often give the lowest total. Allow 20 to 30 extra minutes each way for the shuttle.

One-way road trip

Choose a supplier with depots at both ends. The big brands have the widest networks, and some value brands cover the east coast well. See our one-way rental guide.

Remote or outback driving

Check unsealed-road rules first. Most standard rentals exclude them, and 4WD specialists are often the only way to drive routes like the Gibb River Road legally.

4International Brands in Detail

The international brands have the largest networks: desks at every capital-city airport and many regional airports, plus city and suburban branches. Hertz, Avis, Budget, Thrifty and Europcar all have Australian networks built up over decades, and Sixt has grown quickly in the major cities. Dollar operates alongside Hertz and Thrifty at many airports.

What you get: newer cars, easy one-way rentals between their own branches, loyalty programmes and longer opening hours at airports. What to check: young-driver fees, excess, and whether a lower headline price comes with a smaller kilometre allowance on some rates.

5Value and Local Brands in Detail

Value brands keep prices down by working from depots near, rather than inside, the airport and by running slightly older fleets. Many have excellent customer ratings: the scores on our site for SurPrice, Yesaway and Jucy Rentals are among the highest of any supplier. Local operators such as Bespoke Noosa Car Rentals or Big Boy Car Rentals serve one region, often with personal service, but shorter hours.

• Allow 20–30 minutes each way for the shuttle.
• Check the last shuttle time against your flight.
• Read the bond and excess terms, which can differ more between small suppliers.
• Look at the latest reviews for the depot you will use rather than the brand overall.

6What to Compare Before You Book

• The total price for your dates, including airport and one-way fees.
• The excess and the cost of reducing it.
• The bond amount and whether a debit card is accepted.
• Kilometre limits, which are more common with value and local suppliers.
• Opening hours, especially for late flights and early returns.
• Unsealed-road, ferry and interstate rules if your route needs them.

Also read: Compare all car rental companies in Australia

Frequently Asked Questions