
Cheap Car Hire in Cairns from $35
This price is the cheapest per day rate found by a Cheapflights user in the last 48 hours by searching for a car hire in Cairns with a pick-up date of 15/5 and drop-off date of 29/5. Fares are subject to change and may not be available at all agencies or on all dates of hire. Click the price to replicate the search for this deal.
Cairns car hires in 2025
Get helpful information to start your search for the perfect car hire in Cairns. The average price data is based on the last 12 months and was last updated on 1 April 2025.
Most popular company | BARGAINCAR |
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Price of petrol per litre | $1.70 |
Average price per day | $53 |
Cheapest price per day | $35 |
What is the cheapest time to rent a car in Cairns?
Discover the most affordable period to rent a car in Cairns and save money on your trip. The monthly average price data is based on historical data over the last year and was last updated on 1 April 2025.
January
$54
February
$39
March
$46
April
$60
May
$55
June
$70
July
$91
August
$78
September
$67
October
$68
November
$54
December
$83
Currently, the cheapest month to rent a car in Cairns is February. The most expensive time to rent a car is July. The cheapest prices for each month are shown above, but prices will vary based on availability, how far out you book your rental car, and of course, car type.
Popular car types in Cairns
Explore the most popular car models available for hire in Cairns and choose the one that suits your needs. The price data is sourced from various car hire companies and was last updated on 1 April 2025.
At $35/day, small car is the cheapest car type available for hire in Cairns in the past week. Out of 30 car hire agencies operating in Cairns, there are, in total, 60 hire locations. View below for 4 offered car types:
Compare available car types for hire in Cairns
Compare and contrast the various car types offered for hire in Cairns to find the perfect fit for your trip. Price data is based on averages over the last 12 months and was last updated on 1 April 2025.
Small cars | $43 - $86 | |
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All Car Types | $56 - $125 |
To hire a small car in Cairns, Australia, you would pay an average price of $64/day. March is the cheapest month to hire a small car in Cairns, Australia (~$43/day), while the most expensive month to hire that same car type is July (~$86/day). In fact, March is about 34% cheaper than prices during the rest of the year to book a small car hire for Cairns. When comparing with other car types available for hire in Cairns, hiring a small car saves you 27% in costs. Please note that average prices are based on historical data and can vary depending on how early you book, availability for your travel dates, and vehicle popularity. Here are the best Cairns small car hire prices found by Cheapflights users in the past 7 days:
To hire a medium car in Cairns, Australia, you would pay an average price of $84/day. February is the cheapest month to hire a medium car in Cairns, Australia (~$50/day), while the most expensive month to hire that same car type is July (~$127/day). In fact, February is about 42% cheaper than prices during the rest of the year to book a medium car hire for Cairns. When comparing with other car types available for hire in Cairns, hiring a medium car saves you 5% in costs. Please note that average prices are based on historical data and can vary depending on how early you book, availability for your travel dates, and vehicle popularity. Here are the best Cairns medium car hire prices found by Cheapflights users in the past 7 days:
To hire a large car in Cairns, Australia, you would pay an average price of $122/day. March is the cheapest month to hire a large car in Cairns, Australia (~$74/day), while the most expensive month to hire that same car type is July (~$171/day). In fact, March is about 40% cheaper than prices during the rest of the year to book a large car hire for Cairns. When comparing with other car types available for hire in Cairns, hiring a large car is 28% more expensive. Please note that average prices are based on historical data and can vary depending on how early you book, availability for your travel dates, and vehicle popularity.
To hire a SUV in Cairns, Australia, you would pay an average price of $89/day. February is the cheapest month to hire a SUV in Cairns, Australia (~$56/day), while the most expensive month to hire that same car type is August (~$115/day). In fact, February is about 38% cheaper than prices during the rest of the year to book a SUV hire for Cairns. When comparing with other car types available for hire in Cairns, hiring a SUV is 2% more expensive. Please note that average prices are based on historical data and can vary depending on how early you book, availability for your travel dates, and vehicle popularity. Here are the best Cairns SUV hire prices found by Cheapflights users in the past 7 days:
To hire a van in Cairns, Australia, you would pay an average price of $142/day. March is the cheapest month to hire a van in Cairns, Australia (~$89/day), while the most expensive month to hire that same car type is July (~$200/day). In fact, March is about 38% cheaper than prices during the rest of the year to book a van hire for Cairns. When comparing with other car types available for hire in Cairns, hiring a van is 38% more expensive. Please note that average prices are based on historical data and can vary depending on how early you book, availability for your travel dates, and vehicle popularity.
To hire a pickup truck in Cairns, Australia, you would pay an average price of $109/day. March is the cheapest month to hire a pickup truck in Cairns, Australia (~$77/day), while the most expensive month to hire that same car type is December (~$146/day). In fact, March is about 30% cheaper than prices during the rest of the year to book a pickup truck hire for Cairns. When comparing with other car types available for hire in Cairns, hiring a pickup truck is 20% more expensive. Please note that average prices are based on historical data and can vary depending on how early you book, availability for your travel dates, and vehicle popularity.
To hire a luxury car in Cairns, Australia, you would pay an average price of $146/day. February is the cheapest month to hire a luxury car in Cairns, Australia (~$110/day), while the most expensive month to hire that same car type is December (~$185/day). In fact, February is about 25% cheaper than prices during the rest of the year to book a luxury car hire for Cairns. When comparing with other car types available for hire in Cairns, hiring a luxury car is 40% more expensive. Please note that average prices are based on historical data and can vary depending on how early you book, availability for your travel dates, and vehicle popularity. Here are the best Cairns luxury car hire prices found by Cheapflights users in the past 7 days:
To hire a convertible in Cairns, Australia, you would pay an average price of $154/day. October is the cheapest month to hire a convertible in Cairns, Australia (~$117/day), while the most expensive month to hire that same car type is April (~$245/day). In fact, October is about 25% cheaper than prices during the rest of the year to book a convertible hire for Cairns. When comparing with other car types available for hire in Cairns, hiring a convertible is 43% more expensive. Please note that average prices are based on historical data and can vary depending on how early you book, availability for your travel dates, and vehicle popularity.
Top hire agencies in Cairns
Explore the leading car hire agencies in Cairns known for their outstanding service and extensive range of vehicles to choose from. There are currently 8 car hire companies in Cairns. Reviews were last updated on 1 April 2025.
Book your reservation with one of the top car hire agencies located in Cairns, including Ace Rental Cars, Sixt and JUCY . Read through reviews, double check the pickup location, and other important information before making your selection.
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Sixt
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JUCY
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Alamo
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Budget
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Hertz
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Thrifty
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Europcar
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Best Cairns car hire deals found
Browse through a selection of recently found affordable car hire deals in Cairns. Plan your trip with ease and find the perfect hire option for your needs. There are currently 8 hire car agencies in Cairns with an average daily rate of $55. Data was last updated on 1 April 2025.
Peruse the best Cairns car hire deals we've found. Be sure to confirm the details of the deal, such as car type, daily rate, and pickup location.
Car hire FAQs
Find answers to frequently asked questions about car hires in Cairns, including policies, requirements, and more. FAQs were last updated on 1 April 2025.
What are the requirements to hire a car in Cairns?
You can get a car hire in Cairns using your regular car licence, provided it’s in English, along with your credit card. You’ll need to be 21 to hire from most companies and usually 25 or older for passenger van hire and more powerful cars. Other than that, Cairns car hire is really straightforward.
What are the rules for driving in Cairns?
Bear in mind when you book hire cars in Cairns, Australians drive on the left. The maximum speed on highways is 110 km/h, but if not signposted, it’s 100 km/h, so keep your eyes open. In built-up areas, speed is limited to 50 km/h. Also bear in mind the legal blood-alcohol driving limit if you opt for Cairns car hire, which is 50 mg per 100 ml. It’s compulsory for all passengers to wear seatbelts. If in doubt, you can check on recent Australian law changes with the local authorities once you’re there.
What type of car is recommended for driving in Cairns?
The ideal car hires in Cairns are outdoorsy vehicles, as the city is on the sub-tropical north-east coast, near the Great Barrier Reef. Book SUVs, MPVs or spacious sedans if you’re going on a road trip. If you’re in the city on business, or staying in the city centre, good hire cars in Cairns are compact or economy models. To save on carbon emissions, many car hire companies offer electric car hire. If you really want to let it all hang out on coastal cruises, a convertible is a great choice. You can find these and other cheap car hire in Cairns right here.
What are the best places to park in Cairns?
On-street parking in the city is a combination of free and paid, so parking will seldom be a problem with car hire in Cairns. Free parking is available all over, and there is no time limit between 08:30 and 18:00. Paid parking fees are very reasonable, averaging about A$ 1.80 per hour. This includes the downtown area, so if you don’t find a parking space immediately, you’ll come upon one soon enough. Don’t forget to do some comparison shopping for cheap car hire in Cairns, using Cheapflights, so you can keep more of your travel budget for sightseeing.
What is the cheapest hire car found in Cairns?
In the past two weeks, Cheapflights users have found many deals under $53/day when booking a car hire in Cairns. The absolute best deal a user found was for $33/day from Bargain Car Rentals, booked on Mar. 30.
What car hire company is typically the cheapest in Cairns?
According to our data, users have found the cheapest deals when booking a rental car in Cairns from the following companies over the past two weeks: Bargain Car Rentals ($35/day), JUCY ($38/day), and Budget ($39/day).
Which car hire company is considered to be the best in Cairns?
Taking our users’ ratings and reviews into consideration, MINI Car Rentals (10.0 rating), Ace Rental Cars (10.0 rating) and JUCY (10.0 rating) seem to be the best car hire companies in Cairns.
What are petrol prices like in Cairns?
The average price of petrol in Cairns is $1.70/litre over the past month, costing you anywhere between $76 and $110 to fill up a car’s fuel tank.
How much does it cost to hire a car in Cairns for a week from Bargain Car Rentals?
Hiring a car in Cairns for a week can be a great option for travel. Bargain Car Rentals, the most popular car hire company for this area, offers hire cars for around $244/week on average.
How far in advance should I hire a car in Cairns for the best price?
Booking your car hire early can save you up to 43%. Aim to book your car hire at least 84 days in advance to take advantage of a below average price in Cairns.
Can I rent a car for a month in Cairns?
Typically, how long you can hire a car for depends on the inventory of the supplier. For Cairns however, it is certainly possible to rent a car for an entire month.
How much does it cost to rent a car in Cairns for a month?
The average cost of a car hire in Cairns for a month is $1,045. Check Cheapflights to compare pricing and options for your rental car.
How much is a car hire in Cairns for a weekend?
It costs $95 for a weekend car hire in Cairns, on average. The cheapest type of car hire you can book on any given weekend is the Economy as prices are generally lower for these hire types due to demand and availability. If you’re planning to book a hire car in Cairns in May, prices are $77 per day on average.
What car do most people hire in Cairns?
MG 3, which is a Mini vehicle, is the most popular to hire at Cairns according to Cheapflights users.
Small car hires in Cairns
Find small car hire deals in Cairns from well-known providers in the area and save on gas mileage with the options provided below. small car hires in Cairns cost an average of $46 per day. Price data was last updated on 1 April 2025.
Car hires by fuel type in Cairns
Browse car hires by fuel type in Cairns. Currently, Petrol/Diesel cars are the cheapest to rent in Cairns. Deals were last updated on 1 April 2025.
Browse through car hire deals by fuel type in Cairns. There are currently 3 fuel types to choose from with Petrol/Diesel being the cheapest ($24+).