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Find low rental car prices in Melbourne with Road Genius. Compare rates of SUVs, hatchbacks, people movers and make reservations with no booking fees. A hire car is perfect for travelling beyond the city's tram network, giving you the freedom to visit the Great Ocean Road or Yarra Valley wineries on your own schedule.

Map of campervan rental depots near 344492

Car Hire Locations and Options

Location	👍 Pros	👎 Cons
Melbourne Airport (MEL)	Get your car right away All major rental companies available Open 24 hours every day	Higher prices (about 10% extra airport fee) Long waiting lines after international flights Very busy during peak travel times
Melbourne CBD	Lower prices (no airport fees) Many rental companies to choose from Easy walking distance from hotels	Close early (usually 5-6 PM) Need transport from airport first Fewer car types available
Inner Suburbs (South Yarra, Richmond)	Good for hotel guests Usually lower prices Can reach by public transport	Short weekend hours Smaller selection of cars Need transport from airport
Outer Suburbs (Frankston, Hoppers Crossing)	Sometimes more cars available Can be cheaper Less crowded than city center	Must travel from city center or airport Short opening hours Not easy for tourists

Best Time to Travel: For better car availability and cheaper prices, travel during quiet seasons (May-June or September-October). Renting cars on weekdays costs less than weekends.

Car Rental One-Way: One-way car rentals are also popular with common options including renting from Melbourne to Adelaide, Melbourne to Sydney or Melbourne to Brisbane.

Car Rental Prices

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

On average, car rentals in Melbourne cost around AUD $103.92 per day, with the lowest-priced rentals available from AUD $22.68 per day.

Parking and Local Driving

Area	Options	Approximate Cost	Tips
Melbourne CBD	Street meters Commercial garages Early bird specials	Street: Varies by location and time Garages: Daily and hourly rates vary Early bird deals may be available	Check signs carefully for clearway times (no stopping 7-9AM, 4-6PM on major roads). Many meters accept card payment.
Inner Suburbs	Time-limited street spots Permit zones Some paid areas	Time-limited free zones in some areas Metered rates vary	Residential areas often have 1-2 hour limits during business hours. Permit zones need resident permits.
Tourist Areas (St Kilda, South Bank)	Metered spots Commercial lots	Metered and daily rates vary	Popular areas fill quickly on weekends and holidays. Consider stopping further out and walking.
Shopping Centres	Free spots (time limits) Paid areas in some CBD malls	Often free for a limited time after validation City malls usually charge for longer stays	Many suburban shopping centres offer free spots for reasonable time limits.

Key Driving Rules:

Drive on the LEFT side of the road.
Default speed limits: 50 km/h in built-up areas, 100 km/h on highways.
School zones: 40 km/h during designated times.
Blood alcohol limit: 0.05% (stricter than many countries).
Mobile phones must be hands-free only.
Strict enforcement of speed limits using cameras throughout the city.

Unique Melbourne Rules:

Hook turns: At some CBD intersections, right turns must be made from the far left lane to keep tram tracks clear. Look for signs reading "Right Turn From Left Only."
Tram etiquette: When a tram stops to let passengers on/off, vehicles behind must stop completely until doors close.
No left turns on red (unlike North America).

Toll Roads: Melbourne has two toll roads:

CityLink (M1/M2): Connects airport to city and continues southeast.
EastLink (M3): Eastern suburbs route.

Both are cashless systems. Rental companies usually handle tolls automatically, charging your credit card for the toll amount plus a daily admin fee.

Local Rental Locations

FAQs

Is it difficult to drive on the left side in Melbourne if I'm used to right-side driving? Most visitors adjust quickly. Remember the driver sits on the right side of the car, closest to the centre line. Take extra care at intersections and roundabouts at first.

Are there any areas I should avoid driving in Melbourne? The CBD can be tricky for first-time visitors due to hook turns and trams. Consider parking at the edge of the city and using public transport for central exploration until you feel comfortable.

How strictly are speed limits enforced? Very strictly. Speed cameras are everywhere and fines are issued for even small infractions. Victoria has almost zero tolerance for speeding.

Can I use my foreign driver's licence in Melbourne? Yes, visitors can drive on a valid foreign licence while they are visitors (not Victorian residents). If your licence is not in English, you must carry an official English translation or an International Driving Permit together your original licence.

What's the best vehicle for the Great Ocean Road? Any standard car is fine. The road is fully sealed. A compact SUV is better for the views but a standard sedan works well too.

Car Hire Melbourne