Popular Countries
24/7 SupportCompare Car Hire Prices in Cairns
Free comparison tool · 1000s of rental cars · Major brands · No booking fees
Compare 1,000s of Car Rentals
No Booking Fees
No booking fees. Free cancellation on most cars
Find Low Prices
Save by finding great deals and securing low price rentals
Find low car hire prices in Cairns with Road Genius. Check live rates of SUVs, hatchbacks, minivans and reserve with no booking fees. We compare car hire from depots at the airport and in the city, because you'll want a car to see Tropical North Queensland.
Car Rental Locations & Options
Car Hire Locations and Options
| Location | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Cairns Airport (On-site) |
|
|
| Cairns "Off-Airport" Depots |
|
|
| Cairns City (City Centre) |
|
|
International Visitor Tip
Spend your first night in Cairns and pick up your car the next day. This lets you rest and get used to driving on the left side of the road. Many hotels have airport shuttles, so you can reach your hotel easily.
One-Way Hires
You can usually hire a car in one city and return it in another. Popular routes include driving from Cairns to Brisbane and Cairns to Mackay.
Car Rental Prices
Low-cost hire tips
- Look beyond the airport terminal. Grabbing your car from an "off-airport" or city depot in Cairns can be way cheaper since you skip the high airport surcharges. Many offer a free shuttle from the terminal.
- Time your booking right. If you're visiting during peak times like June to August or the Christmas holidays, booking ahead is your best bet for a good deal. For the rest of the year, you might find solid last-minute prices.
- A longer hire can be cheaper. Sometimes, hiring for a full week works out cheaper per day than hiring for just 5 or 6 days. It's worth playing around with your dates to check.
- Enjoy no toll roads. Good news for your wallet. You won't find any toll roads anywhere in the Cairns region, so that's one less fee to worry about on your trip.
Car hire prices in Cairns 2025/2026
Parking and Local Driving
| Location | Parking Options | Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Cairns CBD |
|
|
| Cairns Northern Beaches |
|
|
| Port Douglas |
|
|
| Tourist Attractions |
|
|
Local Driving Rules
- Drive on the left side of the road
- No turning on red lights (unless signs say you can)
- Speed limits: 50 km/h in towns, 80-110 km/h on highways
- Blood alcohol limit: 0.05%
- Mobile phones must be in a fixed cradle if using for navigation
Speed Camera Warning: Queensland strictly enforces speed limits using fixed and mobile cameras. Fines are issued for even small infractions.
Why hire a car in Cairns
Get a hire car to visit:
- Port Douglas and Daintree Rainforest - Rex Lookout, Daintree River Ferry
- Atherton Tablelands - waterfalls, crater lakes
- Kuranda - Skyrail base station
- Mission Beach - Babinda Boulders, Josephine Falls
- Cairns Northern Beaches - Palm Cove, Trinity Beach
FAQs
Do I need a 4WD to visit Cape Tribulation?
No, the road is sealed all the way to Cape Tribulation. Any standard car can make the journey in normal conditions.
Are there any toll roads around Cairns?
You won't find any toll roads in Far North Queensland. The only fee you'll encounter is the Daintree River Ferry.
What's the best time of year to drive in Far North Queensland?
The dry season (May-October) offers the most reliable driving conditions with clear skies and less chance of flooding. June-September provides ideal weather with lower humidity.
What's the fuel situation north of the Daintree River?
Very limited on the sealed section to Cape Tribulation. There is one fuel station at Daintree Rainforest Village in Diwan. Fill up in Mossman before crossing the ferry. If continuing north via the Bloomfield Track, limited fuel is available around Ayton/Wujal Wujal, but 4WD is recommended and services are sparse.
