Adelaide – Road Genius

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Finding a car rental in Adelaide is easier with Road Genius. Compare prices from dozens of brands in Australia with no booking fees. Find great deals whether you're collecting your car from Adelaide Airport or a city depot. A rental is perfect for visiting nearby Barossa Valley wineries and local beaches at your own pace.

Car Rental Locations & Options

Map of campervan rental depots near 338522

Location	👍 Pros	👎 Cons
Adelaide Airport (ADL)	All major companies in arrivals area Cars in nearby parking building Open about 6:00am-11:00pm Get your car right after landing	Airport fee (often 15-20% extra cost) Long waits when many flights arrive (midday) Few late-night pickup options Higher prices than other locations
Adelaide CBD	Offices on main streets (Hindley St, North Terrace) Close to train/bus stations No airport extra fees Better prices for long rentals	Need transport from airport (taxi, rideshare, JetExpress bus) Usually weekday hours (about 8am-5pm) Shorter weekend hours May need to book ahead
Off-Airport Providers	Lower daily prices Some offer free airport shuttles Free pickup from city hotels Possible free car upgrades	Extra 15-30 minutes for shuttle Must call after getting luggage May have older cars Limited late-night service

One-Way Car Rentals One-way rentals are usually available to many places around Australia, but must be booked ahead of time. Popular routes include from Adelaide to Melbourne and Adelaide to Perth.

Car Rental Prices

How much does it cost to rent a car in Adelaide?

On average, car rentals in Adelaide cost around AUD $103 per day, with the lowest-priced rentals available from AUD $18 per day.

Low-cost rental tips

Dodge the airport pickup. Picking up your car from a city depot in Adelaide is often cheaper than right at the airport terminal, which has extra fees. You just need to catch a quick bus or rideshare into town.
Time your trip right. Visit in months like April-May or October-November for good weather without peak prices. If you're coming for a busy festival or holiday, booking a few months ahead usually locks in a better rate.
Think small to save big. A compact or economy car is all you need for getting around Adelaide and the nearby wine regions. They’re cheaper to rent and easier on fuel.
Use local fuel and parking hacks. A shopping receipt from major supermarkets often gets you a fuel discount at their service stations. To avoid pricey CBD parking, look for free timed spots in North Adelaide.

Parking and Local Driving

Location	Parking	Cost Range	Tips
Adelaide CBD	Street spaces with pay-and-display Time limits (1P, 2P) UPark multi-story garages Wilson parking lots	Standard fees apply Evening flat rates available after 6pm	Free on Sundays and public holidays in many areas. Watch for clearway zones during peak hours (7-9am, 4-6pm on arterial roads).
North Adelaide	Free timed spaces (2P) Residential permit areas O'Connell Street paid spots	Mostly free with time limits Some areas unrestricted	Good option for city access and free spaces. Check signage carefully for time limits.
Glenelg Beach	Moseley Square paid spots Free side street areas Bayside shopping center (time limited)	Foreshore spots available Shopping center: Usually free (e.g. 3-hour limit)	Arrive early on summer weekends and holidays as spots fill quickly. Side streets north of Jetty Road often have free spaces.
Suburban Shopping Centers	Free spots at Marion, West Lakes, Tea Tree Plaza Time limits in some areas (3-4 hours)	Free options Undercover options available	Easy access at all major suburban centers. Respect time limits where applied.
Adelaide Airport	Terminal parking lot Long-term areas Wait zone (limited free period, e.g. 15 min)	Rates vary based on duration and type	Rental car return area is well-signed and separate from public spots. Follow signs to rental return.

Local Driving Rules:

Default urban speed limit is 50 km/h (31 mph) unless signed otherwise
Adelaide CBD has many 40 km/h (25 mph) zones and one-way streets
School zones have 25 km/h (15 mph) limits when children are present
Trams share the road on King William Street, never overtake a stopped tram
Extensive speed and red-light cameras throughout the city
Mobile phone detection cameras operate citywide and carry significant fines
Random breath testing is common, even during daytime
Hook turns are not used in Adelaide (unlike Melbourne)

Traffic Congestion:

Peak hours: Approximately 7:30-9:00am and 4:30-6:00pm weekdays
Worst affected areas: South Road, Anzac Highway, Port Road and approaches to CBD
Compared to other Australian capitals, congestion is relatively minimal. It usually adds only around 10-15 minutes to journey times
Festival season (Feb-Mar) increases city traffic, especially evenings and weekends

Why rent a car in Adelaide

Hire a car so you can get to:

Barossa Valley – Jacob's Creek, Penfolds, Seppeltsfield
Adelaide Hills – Hahndorf, Mount Lofty Summit, Cleland Wildlife Park
McLaren Vale – d'Arenberg Cube, wineries
Victor Harbor – Granite Island
Yorke Peninsula – Innes National Park
Murray River (Mannum) – paddle steamers, ferry

Local Rental Locations

FAQs

Is it difficult to drive in Adelaide for international visitors? Adelaide is one of Australia's easiest capital cities to drive in. The straightforward street layout, light traffic and clear signage makes it easy to navigate. Just remember to drive on the left and be aware of trams in the CBD.

Do I need a car if I'm only staying in Adelaide CBD? If you're only exploring the CBD, a car isn't necessary. The city center is compact and walkable plus there's free tram service in the city zone. But a car becomes useful for visiting suburbs, beaches, hills and wine regions.

Where can I find free parking in Adelaide city? On Sundays most metered street parking in the CBD is free. North Adelaide has free time limited parking (usually 2 hours). After 6pm many streets have free parking or reduced rates. UPark Rundle may have introductory rates or free initial periods.

Can I use rideshare services instead of renting a car? Uber and DiDi operate extensively in Adelaide and can be cost-effective for short trips in the city. However, for wine regions or day trips, rideshare costs can quickly exceed rental rates, and availability may be limited outside metro areas.

What's the best vehicle type for exploring Adelaide and its surroundings? A standard economy or compact car is sufficient for most Adelaide visitors. The roads are generally well-maintained, and a small car makes parking easier in the city. Driving on unsealed roads is usually prohibited by rental agreements (check your specific contract terms).

Car Hire Adelaide