Car Rental Launceston & Launceston Airport

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Find low rental car prices in Launceston with Road Genius. Compare rates of SUVs, compact cars, minivans and reserve with no booking fees. Most travellers grab their keys at the airport to get on the road faster, but city depots can sometimes offer better rates for your Tassie trip.

Map of campervan rental depots near 657224

Launceston Airport

Car Hire Locations and Options

Location	👍 Pros	👎 Cons
Launceston Airport (LST)	Faster access to your car after arrival All major rental companies available Fast pickup process (usually 20 minutes)	About 10% extra airport fee added to rates Possible waiting lines during busy flight times No pickups after 9:00 PM
Off-Airport Providers	Lower rates (no airport fees) Free shuttle bus to nearby offices Often newer cars at local companies	Extra 15-20 minutes for shuttle bus Must call when you arrive for pickup One more step in the rental process
Launceston City	Easy if staying in city center first Can avoid airport extra fees Walking distance from city hotels	Need transport from airport (about $20-25 taxi) Limited hours (usually 8am-5pm) Fewer car options than airport

Provider Options:

Major International Brands: Avis, Budget, Europcar, SIXT, Hertz, Thrifty, Dollar, Enterprise (via Redspot)
Local Tasmanian Companies: Bargain Car Rentals, East Coast Car Rentals, LeisureRent, Drive Car Hire, Apex

Car Rental Prices

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

On average, car rentals in Launceston cost around AUD $172.36 per day, with the lowest-priced rentals available from AUD $32.00 per day.

Parking Tips

Parking Type	Rates & Hours	Tips
Launceston CBD Street Parking	Metered Mon-Fri 9am-5:30pm Hourly rates apply Often 1-2 hour limits	Use "EasyPark" app to pay and extend remotely
City Car Parks (Paterson St, Elizabeth St, etc.)	First hour often free
Sunday Parking	Free street parking in most areas Free at River's Edge (Seaport)	Check signs for specific restrictions
Airport Parking	Short-term: Hourly rates apply Long-term: Lower daily rates

Local Driving Rules:

Drive on the LEFT side of the road.
Blood alcohol limit: strict 0.05% BAC (lower than many countries).
Speed limits: 50 km/h in towns, 100 km/h on highways (sometimes 110 km/h on major highways).
School zones: 40 km/h during morning/afternoon periods on school days.
Roundabouts: Give way to vehicles coming from your right.
Mobile phones: No handheld use while driving (severe penalties).
Seatbelts: Mandatory for all passengers.
Speed cameras: Both fixed and mobile units are common.

Unique Tasmania Rules:

No toll roads anywhere in Tasmania.
Give way to school buses that have flashing lights (slow to 40 km/h).
Keep 1.5m distance when passing cyclists on open roads.
No right turn on red lights (unlike some places in North America).

Local Rental Locations

FAQs

Is an International Driving Permit required in Tasmania? If your licence is not in English you need an International Driving Permit or official translation. All drivers must have a full licence (not provisional).

Can I take a rental car on the Spirit of Tasmania ferry? Most rental contracts don't allow taking the vehicle on the ferry. You'll usually need to rent a separate vehicle after arriving in Tasmania. Check your specific rental provider if this is part of your plans. The ferry terminal is in Devonport: Spirit of Tasmania ferry.

Are there any roads where rental cars are not permitted? Many rental agreements don't allow driving on unsealed (gravel) roads. Check your contract carefully and ask for written permission if you plan to drive to remote areas.

Do I need a 4WD in Tasmania? For most tourist routes and attractions, a standard 2WD vehicle is fine. 4WD is only necessary for specific off-road tracks or during winter mountain driving (check agreement for any off-road restrictions, which usually apply even to 4WDs).

How strict is speed enforcement in Tasmania? Very strict. Speed cameras are common and the tolerance for exceeding limits is low (often just a few km/h). Fines are substantial and will be passed on to you by the car rental company.

What's the best way to pay for fuel in Tasmania? Credit cards are widely accepted at fuel stations. Stations are self-service so you pump your own fuel and then pay inside. Fill up before long rural drives as some remote areas have limited opening hours.

Car Hire Launceston