Car hire at Cairns Airport

Car hire at Cairns Airport

Search hundreds of travel sites at once for car hire deals at Cairns Airport (CNS)

Cairns, QLD, Australia - Cairns
May 23 — May 30
Same drop-off
Cairns, QLD, Australia - Cairns
Mon 23/5
Noon
Mon 30/5
Noon
Driver's age:

Search hundreds of travel sites at once for car hire deals at Cairns Airport (CNS)

Cairns Airport car hire reviews and directory

Rated no. 1
JUCY
Best rated
10 Excellent (2 reviews)
1 location in Cairns Airport
JUCY
Locations in Cairns Airport
Cairns Off Airport Location
  • 8
  • 8
  • 10
  • 8
  • 9
Recent reviews
Rated no. 2
Enterprise
9.8 Excellent (7 reviews)
1 location in Cairns Airport
Enterprise
Locations in Cairns Airport
Terminal Building+61 7 4034 9045
Monday07:00 - 22:00
Tuesday07:00 - 22:00
Wednesday07:00 - 22:00
Thursday07:00 - 22:00
Friday07:00 - 22:00
Saturday07:00 - 22:00
Sunday07:00 - 22:00
  • 9.7
  • 9.7
  • 9.7
  • 10
  • 10
Recent reviews
10.0 ExcellentNov 22 2017
Great airport, great rentalGreat front desk guy, handy car pickup, no bus to deal with. Upgraded compact suv to overlander, no chargeNo issues, the usual attempt to upsell but no pressure. Just say no to what you don't want. Wish I had added the gps, but they asked. My bad.
10.0 ExcellentMay 24 2017
All goodEasy pick up procedure and drop offNothing - fast, friendly -
10.0 ExcellentMay 18 2017
Satisfied CustomerFast friendly service. Didn't try and sleezy salesmen gimmicks on my family and I that you typically get from rental car places.
Rated no. 3
Hertz
9.5 Excellent (12 reviews)
1 location in Cairns Airport
Hertz
Locations in Cairns Airport
Cairns Apt+61 7 4038 9990
Monday07:00 - 22:00
Tuesday07:00 - 22:00
Wednesday07:00 - 22:00
Thursday07:00 - 22:00
Friday07:00 - 22:00
Saturday07:00 - 22:00
Sunday07:00 - 22:00
  • 9.1
  • 9.5
  • 9.6
  • 9.8
  • 9.3
Recent reviews
10.0 ExcellentMay 30 2021
Staff were very helpful, car we booked as not available so they upgraded us FOC.Nothing from us
10.0 ExcellentFeb 24 2019
Friendly staff. Easy pickup and drop off.
10.0 ExcellentDec 23 2018
very friendly employees, easy claim process initiating, flexible return.
9.6 ExcellentApr 9 2017
Everything was clean, simple, and very easy pick up and drop off.Just a little small for a family of five. Not what i would call a typical SUV.
9.2 ExcellentJan 4 2017
Pick-up and drop off were convenient. No extra charges. The car type/condition was a good choice for the area and driving conditions.Not sure the additional insurance I purchased when I made the rental reservation was necessary (as I was lead to believe at the time).
Rated no. 4
Thrifty
8.8 Excellent (3 reviews)
2 locations in Cairns Airport
Thrifty
Locations in Cairns Airport
Airport Avenue+61 136139
Monday07:00 - 22:00
Tuesday07:00 - 22:00
Wednesday07:00 - 22:00
Thursday07:00 - 22:00
Friday07:00 - 22:00
Saturday07:00 - 22:00
Sunday07:00 - 22:00
Cairns Ap+61 7 4033 9800
Monday07:30 - 20:00
Tuesday07:30 - 20:00
Wednesday07:30 - 20:00
Thursday07:30 - 20:00
Friday07:30 - 20:00
Saturday07:30 - 20:00
Sunday07:30 - 20:00
  • 9.3
  • 9.3
  • 9.3
  • 9.3
  • 6.6
Recent reviews
10.0 ExcellentDec 11 2016
great serviceI had a small fender bender on my car and Thrifty made it easy dealing with the problem and replacing the car. Very friendly personnel.
Rated no. 5
Budget
8.6 Excellent (19 reviews)
1 location in Cairns Airport
Budget
Locations in Cairns Airport
Terminal Building+61 7 4033 9777
Monday07:00 - 22:00
Tuesday07:00 - 22:00
Wednesday07:00 - 22:00
Thursday07:00 - 22:00
Friday07:00 - 22:00
Saturday07:00 - 22:00
Sunday07:00 - 22:00
  • 8.5
  • 8.7
  • 8.9
  • 8.6
  • 8.2
Recent reviews
10.0 ExcellentFeb 15 2022
Best rates in town for a long rental.
10.0 ExcellentApr 21 2021
The staff were very pleasant. Drop-off very easy
10.0 ExcellentDec 28 2019
Very friendly agent, easy to rent, pick up, and return. Good process to log any known damage to car (we didn't have any).
9.2 ExcellentJun 18 2019
Friendly staffMore workers to help check-in
8.0 ExcellentJan 10 2019
Cairns To BrisbaneNice car, very comfortable easy to drive. Rental desk at the airport in Cairns.Drop off and office not at the same address. Not clearly mentioned. Missed it the first time had to go around the block once again
8.0 ExcellentMay 20 2017
Good but that insurance!I booked the car as soon as we landed at the Cairns airport and it was ready in 10 minutes. The car had under 1900km so pretty new. No problems during the week and the return was seem less.By far the insurance that they try to sell you and the scare tactics they use to get you to buy into it...
10.0 ExcellentOct 24 2016
Just rightNothing to add
10.0 ExcellentJul 15 2016
Good rentalSeamless transaction, not a very long wait.They did try to up sell insurance, but that's quite normal of course. Was not worth the $49 per day unless you plan on wrecking.
10.0 ExcellentMay 25 2016
The entire process of checking in, getting our car and returning our rental was extremely fast, courteous and effortless - Great job, would highly recommend Budget for any rental need.
Rated no. 6
Alamo
8.4 Excellent (14 reviews)
1 location in Cairns Airport
Alamo
Locations in Cairns Airport
Terminal Building Airport Ave+61 7 4034 9045
Monday07:00 - 22:00
Tuesday07:00 - 22:00
Wednesday07:00 - 22:00
Thursday07:00 - 22:00
Friday07:00 - 22:00
Saturday07:00 - 22:00
Sunday07:00 - 22:00
  • 8.8
  • 8.4
  • 8.4
  • 8.9
  • 8.2
Recent reviews
8.0 ExcellentJan 1 2022
Good service, good price the lady at the counter was so nice and helpful with us.
10.0 ExcellentOct 9 2021
Car was upgraded for no extra so that was awesome
5.9 OkaySep 8 2021
Probably the worst car that I have ever hired. Body was very shabby and the way it ran was dreadful. I wouldn't take it to Port Douglas as I was nervous about it getting there and back. Very high revving and not smooth running at all.
3.9 MediocreSep 7 2021
We were unfortunate to have a collision with a pole in the parking lot of our hotel and were promised that they would get back to us with the costs etc but they haven’t
10.0 ExcellentAug 2 2021
Pick up and drop off was simple. The upgraded vehicle was a bonus!
10.0 ExcellentMay 4 2018
Positive rental experienceClean car, easy pick up and return, upgrade since they were out of our size
9.6 ExcellentMar 21 2018
Staff were very good and the process was simple.All good.
Rated no. 7
East Coast Car Rentals
8 Excellent (14 reviews)
1 location in Cairns Airport
East Coast Car Rentals
Locations in Cairns Airport
411 Sheridan Street, Cairns+61 1800 474 258
Monday07:00 - 22:00
Tuesday07:00 - 22:00
Wednesday07:00 - 22:00
Thursday07:00 - 22:00
Friday07:00 - 22:00
Saturday08:00 - 19:30
Sunday08:00 - 19:30
  • 9.4
  • 9.1
  • 8.1
  • 8
  • 8.7
Recent reviews
10.0 ExcellentApr 27 2022
Great quick way of pick-up and drop off. Airport shuttle service was perfect
10.0 ExcellentApr 26 2022
Great service , great little car ,lovely helpful and cheerful staff
2.0 MediocreApr 18 2022
very limited office hours. office not inside airport, and shuttle doesn't work all the time, so you need a taxi. HUGE hidden cost for insurance. They basically force you take one of their "offers".
6.0 GoodMar 14 2022
Not the best communication regarding damage (very very minor) reported.
8.0 ExcellentMar 1 2022
Car was good, pick up and drop off was a bit slow, pre rental checks could be done prior to pick up
4.0 OkayFeb 21 2022
We were not informed about extra costs and fine print associated with our booking until the day we arrived. Staff were slow to respond and took a long time to get our booking sorted in store. We were told that a shuttle service would be available at the time we returned the vehicle so we could go back to the airport promptly. However, upon returning the vehicle, the staff would not allow us to use the shuttle service, saying that we were "too late" and should have arrived half an hour earlier. Staff were rude and not helpful.
10.0 ExcellentJan 15 2018
Airport transfers
8.0 ExcellentJan 13 2018
The car was clean.The car had already done 45k klms and seemed in need of a tune up, at times there was a lag in acceleration and then a sudden lurch forward...could be dangerous for a less experienced driver. Excess on any damage was very high...$5k seemed excessive compared to other companies and was only apparent after confirmation of booking.
8.0 ExcellentJan 7 2018
Misleading when booked it stated airport pick up and drop off. instead a mini bus came and picked us up and took us into town to pick up our car.
Rated no. 8
Apex
8 Excellent (4 reviews)
1 location in Cairns Airport
Apex
Locations in Cairns Airport
396 Sheridan Street, Cairns North, Qld+61 740 532 896
  • 9
  • 9
  • 8
  • 7.5
  • 8
Recent reviews
8.0 ExcellentMay 16 2022
We left an item and they contacted us straight away. Very appreciated
4.0 OkayMar 27 2022
They stated the vehicle was located in Cairns Airport which was not the case! We had to get a shuttle bus to the depot for pick up and drop off.
10.0 ExcellentDec 19 2021
Friendly helpful staff with good local advice.
10.0 ExcellentOct 17 2021
Great service indeed!
Rated no. 9
Sixt
7.7 Good (12 reviews)
2 locations in Cairns Airport
Sixt
Locations in Cairns Airport
Cnr Sheridan and Aplin Streets+61 7 4051 8099
Monday08:00 - 19:30
Tuesday08:00 - 19:30
Wednesday08:00 - 19:30
Thursday08:00 - 19:30
Friday08:00 - 19:30
Saturday
Sunday
Terminal building, Cairns+61 7 4033 9800
Monday07:30 - 20:00
Tuesday07:30 - 20:00
Wednesday07:30 - 20:00
Thursday07:30 - 20:00
Friday07:30 - 20:00
Saturday07:30 - 20:00
Sunday07:30 - 20:00
  • 8.6
  • 7.9
  • 7.4
  • 8.4
  • 7.3
Recent reviews
10.0 ExcellentMar 20 2022
Staff were friendly and helpful especially as I arrived several hours before the scheduled pick and they could get me a car. The car was clean and faultless.
10.0 ExcellentJan 30 2022
So easy to book, extremely competitive pricing, quick pick up and drop off. Extremely pleased to arrive to collect the car, and to be told that we would be receiving a free upgrade.
4.0 OkayJan 19 2022
Everything was good except for not getting my $400 holding fee back within a day,which I was told I would. After making a phone call I was informed it would take 1 to 2 months before my money will be credited back into my account.
10.0 ExcellentDec 28 2021
Car was great value. Car was easy to find. I suggest adding a free Uber or taxi from hotel to airport to pick up the car and vice versa when dropping car back at the airport would be a great idea
10.0 ExcellentNov 3 2021
Friendly staff
7.9 GoodOct 5 2021
The hire was actually through the sub-company, East Coast Car Rentals. The only bad thing was the base package which we initially signed up for had a mandatory $4,000 excess for ANY damage, even if at fault or not, plus a $1,000 hold. So we opted to upgrade for an extra $50-60 per day for the $0 excess and no hold.
5.6 OkayJul 15 2018
FalseThat said no hidden fees but still charge 1000$ or insurance forcefully similar car NO FOR 6 people they give us 2 people car argument over argument rude etc
10.0 ExcellentMar 25 2017
Easy and smooth serviceThe service from Sixt in Cairns was brilliant, from the pick up service at the airport to the swift pick up of the car and drop off. All staff were very friendly and the car itself a dream to drive, making our experience in North Queensland brilliant.
Rated no. 10
Europcar
7.5 Good (4 reviews)
1 location in Cairns Airport
Europcar
Locations in Cairns Airport
Terminal Building+61 7 4034 9088
  • 7.5
  • 7.5
  • 7.5
  • 7.5
  • 7.5
Recent reviews
10.0 ExcellentSep 4 2018
I appreciated the upgrade. The service provided at check in was excellent.
2.0 MediocreJul 25 2017
Don't waste your timeI booked this for a reasonable price months in advance as diving the Great Barrier Reef was a bucket list item. When I landed though, europcar said that they had given my car away and had no other cars they could fulfill my reservation with as it was high tourism season. No offer to help, no sympathy. Of course I had my phone and checked online and found they indeed had multiple cars available immediately, but were asking double what I had booked mine for. How convenient... I got a car from a competitor instead, and will be avoiding Europcar going forward.
Rated no. 11
Avis
5.3 Okay (5 reviews)
1 location in Cairns Airport
Avis
Locations in Cairns Airport
Terminal Building+61 7 4033 9555
Monday07:00 - 22:00
Tuesday07:00 - 22:00
Wednesday07:00 - 22:00
Thursday07:00 - 22:00
Friday07:00 - 22:00
Saturday07:00 - 22:00
Sunday07:00 - 22:00
  • 6
  • 6.4
  • 5.2
  • 4.4
  • 4.8
Recent reviews
2.0 MediocreApr 20 2022
I could not rate the car as Avis cancelled my booking with out even notifying me on arrival to Cairns airport the staff just said it had been cancelled but could not give a reason for cancellation or lack of notification he did give a very insincere sorry with out any attempt to help slove the lack of a car over all Avis wrecked my 7 day stay in Cairns as it is hard relying on public transport to navigate around all the tourist attractions the area has to offer with out a car with all that said avoid Avis at all cost
6.8 GoodDec 9 2019
Upgraded car.Drop off
8.4 ExcellentAug 3 2019
Seams like a lot of money
2.0 MediocreMar 25 2019
Cust service rep was miserable, rude, condescending, and short with answers. Should realize that without customer she is without employment. Train these people to understand they are providing a valuable service and not treat the people who pay their salary with obvious disdain
7.6 GoodJan 7 2019
Overall positiveOur car was not ready, we had to wait a bit. Avis discounted our rate a bot for the inconvenience. It was a very comfortable vehicle but front end maintenance needed signal beeped at us quite a bit which was a little unsettlingSee above
Sunnycars
3 locations in Cairns Airport
Sunnycars
Locations in Cairns Airport
146 Sheridan Street
Airport Avenue
Terminal Building
Recent reviews
Bargain Car Rentals
2 locations in Cairns Airport
Bargain Car Rentals
Locations in Cairns Airport
410, Sheridan Street
Terminal Building Airport Ave+61 403 608 943
Recent reviews
Red Spot
2 locations in Cairns Airport
Red Spot
Locations in Cairns Airport
Cairns Airport Terminal 1 International
Cairns Airport Terminal 2 Domestic
Recent reviews
Ace Rental Cars
1 location in Cairns Airport
Ace Rental Cars
Locations in Cairns Airport
Cairns Domestic Airport
Recent reviews
Atlas Car & Truck Rental
1 location in Cairns Airport
Atlas Car & Truck Rental
Locations in Cairns Airport
410 Sheridan Street Cairns, QLD1800 808 122
Recent reviews
Atlas Choice
1 location in Cairns Airport
Atlas Choice
Locations in Cairns Airport
410 Sheradan Street1800 808 122
Recent reviews
Dollar
1 location in Cairns Airport
Dollar
Locations in Cairns Airport
Airport Avenue+61 1800 501 934
Monday07:00 - 22:00
Tuesday07:00 - 22:00
Wednesday07:00 - 22:00
Thursday07:00 - 22:00
Friday07:00 - 22:00
Saturday07:00 - 22:00
Sunday07:00 - 22:00
Recent reviews
Firefly
1 location in Cairns Airport
Firefly
Locations in Cairns Airport
Airport Ave+61 740 359 299
Monday04:00 - 23:30
Tuesday04:00 - 23:30
Wednesday04:00 - 23:30
Thursday04:00 - 23:30
Friday04:00 - 23:30
Saturday04:00 - 23:30
Sunday04:00 - 23:30
Recent reviews
keddy by Europcar
1 location in Cairns Airport
keddy by Europcar
Locations in Cairns Airport
Terminal Building+61 740 349 088
Recent reviews
National
1 location in Cairns Airport
National
Locations in Cairns Airport
Terminal Buildinairport Avenue+61 7 4034 9045
Monday07:00 - 22:00
Tuesday07:00 - 22:00
Wednesday07:00 - 22:00
Thursday07:00 - 22:00
Friday07:00 - 22:00
Saturday07:00 - 22:00
Sunday07:00 - 22:00
Recent reviews
Payless
1 location in Cairns Airport
Payless
Locations in Cairns Airport
Cairns Airport
Monday00:00 - 01:3004:30 - 23:59
Tuesday00:00 - 01:3004:30 - 23:59
Wednesday00:00 - 01:3004:30 - 23:59
Thursday04:30 - 23:5900:00 - 01:30
Friday04:30 - 23:5900:00 - 01:30
Saturday00:00 - 01:3004:30 - 23:59
Sunday04:30 - 23:5900:00 - 01:30
Recent reviews
96 travellers who hired a car in Cairns Airport gave the car agency they used an average rating of 8,4

Car rental locations at Cairns Airport

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Good to know

Most popular car type

Economy

Top tips for hiring a car at Cairns Airport

  • Book your car hire at Cairns Airport at least 3 weeks before your trip in order to get a below-average price

FAQs about hiring a car at Cairns Airport