Check out the latest trends and booking tips to hire a car in Canberra with confidence.
How far in advance should you book a rental car in Canberra?
You should book your rental car in Canberra around 86 days before your trip in order to get a below-average price.
What is the cheapest car rental company in Canberra?
In the past 72 hours, the cheapest rental cars were found at Europcar (₹ 27/day), Hertz (₹ 28/day) and Avis (₹ 30/day). The cheapest car hire price was found at Europcar Terminal Building (6.2 km from city centre).
What is the most popular rental car in Canberra?
Hires in the Medium category (Hyundai i30 or similar) are the most popular option in Canberra, costing ₹ 4,649/day on average. Some users have found deals as low as ₹ 4,649/day.
What is the cheapest month to hire a car in Canberra?
The cheapest month to hire a car in Canberra is January at an average cost of ₹ 4,403/day. December is the most expensive month to hire a car in Canberra when prices are ₹ 5,648/day on average, which tends to be 10,972% above the yearly average hire price for Canberra.
Which car hire company in Canberra has the most locations?
East Coast Car Rentals and Avis each operate 2 locations in Canberra, more than any other car hire company.
Catching the R3 bus from the city to the airport was a good quick and cheap way to get to Avis.
SonamApr 2025
SUV’s for long drive. Get the fully insured ones
Verified travelerApr 2024
Get good directions for returning and refuelling.
KAYAK’s top tips for renting a car in Canberra
There is plenty of beautiful nature to explore on the outskirts of Canberra, which is best reached by car. A hire vehicle will let you travel to Bullen Range Nature Reserve and Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve in less than 1h, while public transport is not directly connected to these sites. Buses are the primary public transport service in Canberra and take roughly 45min to reach Red Hill Nature Reserve, while driving only takes 15min. With inner-city attractions located on both sides of the Molonglo River, having a hire car will ensure you don’t have to wait for buses to cross to the other side of town. The commute to GIO Stadium in the northern suburb of Bruce is approximately halved to 15min when travelling by car instead of public transport.
Once you land at Canberra Airport (CBR), exit the terminal on the lower level and you will see offices for hire companies to the left of the taxi rank. Enterprise, Thrifty, Europcar and Hertz are all represented, with pick-up directly behind the reception desks in a designated parking area.
Canberra has one of Australia’s highest concentrations of roundabouts. Approach the intersections with care and give way to cars approaching from the right, while remembering to indicate when entering and exiting. Be aware that Canberra often experiences fog patches that limit visibility, so headlights should be switched on in such conditions regardless of the time of day.
Road traffic in Canberra is rather minimal considering it’s the capital, though you’ll experience the worst congestion between 08:00–09:00 and 17:00–18:00. Cars especially slow down around City Hill during these periods. Allow extra time when using Kings Hwy during long weekends, as it is a major arterial for holidaymakers visiting the coast.
An electric vehicle can be an excellent choice for cheap car hire in Canberra. There are dozens of electric vehicle charging stations in Canberra with plans to introduce even more throughout the city and surrounding areas. A number of hotels have EV charging stations, such as Ovolo Nishi Hotel, close to Australian National University, and Mercure Canberra, close to Mount Ainslie Nature Reserve. Canberra Centre has some chargers, and you'll also find them at many of Canberra's top tourist attractions, including the National Gallery of Australia and Parliament House.
How busy the roads are in Canberra will often depend on the timing of your visit. When Parliament is in session, you may want to avoid the peak hours entirely; but when it's not, you'll find very little congestion. Parliament usually only sits for around two weeks each month and frequently doesn't sit on Fridays. Typically, there are more tourists between September and November, with the Floriade Festival drawing visitors between mid-September and mid-October. During this period, roads around the festival (including Canberra Avenue) often impose stricter speed limits and some car parks may be closed off to the public.
There are a number of scenic drives and charming destinations that you can explore via cheap car hire in Canberra. For example, if you want to head to the coast, you can take the King's Highway to Bateman's Bay in a little over 2 hours. If you prefer the scenic countryside, visit Yass Valley, less than 1 hour from Canberra. Of course, you can also take the M31 Highway all the way to Sydney. The trip takes around 3 hours, and you can take detours along the way to Goulburn, Lake George and Bowral.
25% of our users found rental cars in Canberra for ₹ 5,659 or less
Small rental cars in Canberra are around 52% cheaper than other car types, on average
FAQs about renting a car in Canberra
What type of car is recommended for driving in Canberra?
Roads are wide and parking spaces are rather accessible in Canberra, meaning you don’t have to sacrifice on comfort or taste when choosing a hire car. Larger people movers and 4x4 cars navigate the city without issue, while compact models provide budget-friendly prices and are very fuel efficient.
What’s the speed limit in Canberra?
Unless otherwise indicated, the maximum speed is 50 km/h. The reduced school zone limit of 40 km/h is enforced longer than most states across Australia: from 08:00–16:00. Speed and red light cameras are common throughout the city, so be vigilant while behind the wheel.
Where are the best places to park in Canberra?
Canberra Centre Car Park is located right in the heart of the shopping district and offers 3h of parking for approximately A$ 6. If you’re visiting on the weekend, make use of cheaper Sunday parking which is only about A$ 2 for the whole day. Citywest Car Park has a flat rate of about A$ 15 if you’re happy to park on the rooftop and is open Monday to Friday.
How much does it cost to rent a car in Canberra?
On average a rental car in Canberra costs ₹ 5,899 per day.
Which hire car agencies are at Canberra airport (CBR)?
Which hire car agencies will pick you up at Canberra airport (CBR)?
Car hire companies that offer shuttle or pick-up services from Canberra airport to off-airport locations include keddy by Europcar, Thrifty, Alamo and Europcar.
How can I find car hires near me in Canberra?
Take a look at our extensive car hire location map to find the best car hire deals near you.
How much does a Small car rental cost in Canberra?
A Small car hire in Canberra costs ₹ 9,737 per day, on average.
Should I get a sat nav for my hire car in Canberra?
If you're staying in Canberra, then a dedicated sat nav will likely be unnecessary. The city is quite easy to navigate and your phone should be enough (just make sure you can use it hands-free). If you're heading into rural areas of the ACT and NSW, you may find you don't have internet coverage. You can check with your Canberra car hire provider on whether you’re likely to need a satellite GPS.
What do I need to look out for on Canberra roads?
When driving your hire car in Canberra, be aware that you may encounter animals such as kangaroos and deer, even in built-up areas. Stay vigilant, particularly at dawn and dusk, and if you see animals on the road, slow down or brake while continuing to drive straight.
I got a free upgrade and was so happy. Made the trip so much better. Incredible value for money. I even posted a thank you to europcar on Facebook for the flash ranger. Will definitely use this service again.
I rang to confirm car as I wanted a particular car and was told definitely getting what I reserved, when I went to pick up there was a different car, but when I told them about the annoyance they brought the car from another location for me I just had to wait 15 - 20 mins which was fantastic I just wished they had done that in the beginning and then I wouldn’t of had to wait. But car was amazing and I still wish I never had to return it. I am still in mourning 🙇🏽♀️Lol
10.0 Wonderful
Anonymous, Aug 2022
Free upgrade, from a Toyota Corolla to a Mercedes a class. And great value even, without considering the upgrade.
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