Thrifty car rental in Australia

See what to check with Thrifty before you book: locations, fees, conditions and how the total price compares.

  • Free Cancellation
  • 24/7 Customer Support
  • No Hidden Charges

Thrifty rating and reviews

What travellers say about renting with Thrifty.

8.6/10
Overall Rating

Average based on 655+ verified reviews

Very good
Service
Convenience
Condition
Value
Accessibility

  1. Sophie M.

    Quick pick-up, spotless car

    ★★★★★

    Quick pick-up and the car was spotless. Staff explained fuel and tolls clearly before I left the desk.

    ✓ Verified reviewSydney Airport · Compact

  2. Daniel R.

    Great value for a week away

    ★★★★★

    Good value for a week-long trip. Drop-off was easy and the paperwork was straightforward.

    ✓ Verified reviewMelbourne CBD · SUV

  3. Priya K.

    No queue, ready in minutes

    ★★★★★

    Shuttle was waiting, no queue, and the car was ready in minutes. Would book again.

    ✓ Verified reviewBrisbane Airport · Economy

  4. Tom W.

    One-way fee shown up front

    ★★★★★

    Clean, comfortable car for the drive south. The one-way fee was shown up front, which I appreciated.

    ✓ Verified reviewPerth Airport · SUV

  5. Hannah L.

    Friendly team, fair price

    ★★★★★

    Friendly team and a fair price. Returning the car took less than five minutes.

    ✓ Verified reviewAdelaide · Compact

  6. James C.

    Plenty of room for the family

    ★★★★★

    Plenty of space for our family and luggage. Seats were clean and the car ran well.

    ✓ Verified reviewCairns · Van

  7. Marco B.

    Good car, busy pick-up

    ★★★★★

    Good car and fair price. The pick-up queue was a little long at peak time.

    ✓ Verified reviewGold Coast · Economy

  8. Aisha T.

    Smooth from start to finish

    ★★★★★

    Smooth from start to finish. Easy to find the desk and the staff were helpful.

    ✓ Verified reviewHobart · Compact

  9. Liam O.

    Great car for a weekend

    ★★★★★

    Great car for a weekend away. Clear about excess and deposit before I paid.

    ✓ Verified reviewSydney CBD · Luxury

  10. Emma S.

    Easy booking, no surprise fees

    ★★★★★

    Easy booking and a very clean SUV. Exactly what I booked, with no surprise fees.

    ✓ Verified reviewMelbourne Airport · SUV
Rented with Thrifty? Rate your rental

Advantages of renting with Thrifty

Why travellers pick Thrifty

Typical strengths to weigh up. Confirm current details with Thrifty.

Compare Thrifty prices

1

Wide network

Thrifty is typically found at major airports and in city locations, so pick-up is easy to plan.

2

Choice of vehicles

Options usually run from small city cars to SUVs and vans, so you can match the car to your trip.

3

Loyalty programme

Check whether Thrifty offers a rewards programme and what benefits and eligibility apply.

4

One-way options

Pick up in one city and return in another where available. Any fee is shown before you book.

Where to pick up

Thrifty locations in Australia

Rental desk addresses for Thrifty in 8 cities. Choose a desk to see it on the map.

Confirm the exact pick-up point and opening hours on your voucher before you travel.

Why book with Thrifty through our website?

Four things you can check for yourself on this page.

Total price first

We show what affects the final cost, not only the daily rate, so you can compare Thrifty with other suppliers.

Conditions flagged

Fuel, excess, deposit and driver rules are called out so nothing surprises you at the counter.

Independent comparison

Compare Thrifty side by side with Hertz, Avis, Budget, Europcar and Sixt before you decide.

Quick to start

Enter your trip once and see matching options without filling in each supplier site.

Who is Thrifty car rental?

Thrifty is a budget-friendly car rental brand, founded in the United States in 1958. It rents cars to leisure and business travellers in many countries, including Australia.

Travellers choose Thrifty for its airport and city locations, range of vehicles and loyalty programme. Fees, excess and conditions differ by location and booking, so check the supplier terms before you pay.

Thrifty car rental in Australia

What to check before you book

Tap a topic to see what to look out for.

Fuel policy

Check whether the car is full-to-full or pre-paid fuel. Pre-paid fuel is usually dearer than refuelling yourself.

Excess and insurance

Standard cover has an excess you pay if the car is damaged. Compare reducing the excess with the supplier against third-party cover.

One-way fees

Dropping the car in a different city can add a fee. See our one-way guide before you choose a route.

Young and additional drivers

Drivers under 25 and extra drivers often cost more per day. Confirm the amounts at booking.

Tolls and fines

Tolls and fines are passed on by the supplier, often with an admin fee. Ask how tolls are billed.

Deposit

A card deposit is normally held at pick-up and released after return. Check the amount and the card type accepted.

Thrifty locations

Pick a city to compare cars and prices.

Another pick-up point?

We compare 465 airports, city centres, stations and suburbs across Australia.

All rental locations

Frequently asked questions

Short answers. Details depend on your supplier and booking.

Does Thrifty have airport pick-up in Australia?

Thrifty is generally available at major Australian airports. Check the airport page for your city, then confirm desk or shuttle details with the supplier.

What licence and age do I need with Thrifty?

Usually a valid licence held for 12 months and a minimum age of 21, with a young-driver fee under 25. Check the Thrifty terms for your booking.

Can I pick up in one city and return in another with Thrifty?

Often yes, but a one-way fee can apply. Compare the total on our one-way page before booking.

What is the excess and the deposit with Thrifty?

Both vary by vehicle and cover. The excess is what you pay if the car is damaged, and the deposit is a card hold released after return.

Who pays for tolls and fines with Thrifty?

You do. The supplier passes them on, often with an admin fee, so ask how tolls are billed.

Can I add another driver with Thrifty?

Usually yes, with a daily fee. Extra drivers must be present at pick-up with a valid licence.

Can I drive on unsealed roads with Thrifty?

Many rental terms restrict unsealed or remote roads. Check the Thrifty conditions before you plan the route.

Are the Thrifty prices on this page exact?

No. Ratings here are indicative placeholders. Run a search to see the current total price.