Byron Bay car hire

Driver's age: 26-65

Search hundreds of hire car sites at once for hire car deals in Byron Bay

Here is why travellers choose KAYAK

Save up to 42%Compare multiple travel sites with one search.

Free to useThere are no hidden charges or fees

Filter your dealsFilter by car type, brand and more. Instantly customise your results.

Book with flexibilityUse our "free cancellation" filter for maximum flexibility at no extra cost.

Cheap car hire in Byron Bay

Discover the best prices and deals for you by selecting your travel dates
Choose your dates
Economy car
Economy
Compact car
Compact
Intermediate car
Intermediate
Standard car
Standard
Full-size car
Full-size
Luxury car
Luxury
People carrier car
People carrier
Passenger van car
Passenger van
Commercial car
Commercial
Pick-up truck car
Pick-up truck

KAYAK’s top tips for hiring a car in Byron Bay

  • Hire a car in Byron Bay to get out of the tourist centre and visit neighbouring towns, such as Brunswick Heads and Mullumbimby, whenever you please. Most public bus services in Byron Bay only operate until roughly 19:00 from Monday through Thursday, meaning taxi trips become a necessity for long evening outings. Having a hire car will give you freedom of movement during the nights as well as easy access to Cape Byron Lighthouse, which is not connected by public transport and takes a 40min walk to ascend. It’s possible to drive to Nimbin in 1h 15min, while a connection of buses changing in Lismore requires over 2h each way. Not to mention, the distance from Ballina Byron Gateway Airport to Byron Bay is roughly 35 km, and a hire car can be cheaper than a bus transfer (approximately A$25) or taxi (around A$90).
  • If you are picking up a hire car from Ballina Byron Gateway Airport (BNK), turn left in the Arrivals Area and you’ll find reception desks on the far wall. Staff from Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz and Thrifty are on hand to assist with walking directions to your hire car, as no shuttles are provided.
  • There’s a relaxed atmosphere in Byron Bay and jaywalking is common, even on major streets, so it’s important to drive cautiously and keep a watchful eye out for pedestrians. The town is a popular destination for international travellers who may be unfamiliar on the roads and it’s recommended to maintain a safe distance behind the vehicle in front of you. Be wary of reversing cars in car parks along the beach and in the city centre as cars can pull out suddenly.
  • The central avenue of Johnson St experiences congestion throughout the day and will always add a few minutes of delay. Ewingsdale roundabout that merges with the Pacific Hwy usually has heavy traffic between 08:00 and 09:00 and should be avoided if possible.
  • One of the best ways to make the most of cheap car hire in Byron Bay is to drive from Byron Bay to Sydney. The Pacific Highway connects the two cities with plenty of places to stop along the way. The city of Coffs Harbour is home to New South Wales' iconic Big Banana. If you're looking for a place to stay overnight, consider the Hunter Valley, where you can also sample some of the region's best wines at local vineyards. Finally, spend some time exploring Bouddi National Park, before arriving in Sydney. Without stops, the trip takes roughly 8 hours, so a multi-day trip with stops is a great option.
  • Electric vehicles are a great choice for cheap car hire in Byron Bay. They may have a higher upfront cost, but recharging is often cheaper than refuelling, so they can be perfect for travellers looking for long-term hires. Several accommodation options in Byron Bay have EV charging stations, including Beach Hotel Resort and Suranadi Beach Houses. Public chargers are also available at Byron Bay Library and Mercato Shopping Centre. Charging at Mercato is free, but you'll have to pay for parking after 1 hour. Byron Bay Library has a strict 30min limit, so it's great for a quick top-up.
  • There are a number of popular drives and road trips that visitors take from Byron Bay. If you're planning long road trips, consider adding an additional driver to your Byron Bay car hire agreement. This will allow you to share the driving among multiple travellers, to help keep everyone rested. Most major companies allow you to add at least one additional driver. Hertz, for example, allows you to add an additional driver for each seat in the vehicle. Most companies charge a small fee for each extra driver. Enterprise often allows additional drivers for no extra fee. Bear in mind that most companies require each driver to present their driver's licence in person when you pick up the vehicle.
  • Book your car hire in Byron Bay at least 1 day before your trip in order to get a below-average price
  • Standard hire cars in Byron Bay are around 51% cheaper than other car types, on average

FAQs about hiring a car in Byron Bay

  • What type of car is recommended for driving in Byron Bay?

    Full-size and intermediate car models can comfortably navigate parking and pedestrians in Byron Bay while offering a gentle ride on the surrounding coastal roads. Compact cars are great if you’re planning on doing long day trips out of town as they offer the best fuel efficiency and hire prices.

  • What’s the speed limit in Byron Bay?

    Unless indicated otherwise by signage, the speed limit in residential and commercial areas of Byron Bay is 50 km/h. The Pacific Mwy is mostly set at 100 km/h, though in congested sections near Bangalow the limit drops to 60 km/h. School zones are enforced from 08:00–09:30 and 14:30–16:00 at 40 km/h.

  • Where are the best places to park in Byron Bay?

    You can find hourly rates at around A$4 and all-day parking for roughly A$20 at Lawson St North Car Park and Main Beach Car Park. On-street, free parking east of Tennyson St is restricted to 4h.

  • How much is the price of fuel in Byron Bay?

    The average price of fuel in Byron Bay is R72,31 per litre over the past 30 days. Filling up a tank of fuel costs between R868 and R1 157, depending on the car size.

  • What is the most popular car hire in Byron Bay?

    Standard (Volkswagen Tiguan or similar) is the most frequently booked car hire type in Byron Bay.

  • How can I find car hires near me in Byron Bay?

    Take a look at our extensive car hire location map to find the best car hire deals near you.

  • How much does a Standard car hire cost in Byron Bay?

    A Standard car hire in Byron Bay costs R798 per day, on average.

  • How much does a Compact car hire cost in Byron Bay?

    A Compact car hire in Byron Bay costs R1 684 per day, on average.

  • How much does a Full Size car hire cost in Byron Bay?

    A Full Size car hire in Byron Bay costs R2 395 per day, on average.

  • How old do I need to be to get a hire car in Byron Bay?

    Most car hire companies will require drivers to be at least 21 years old. For drivers of any age, your licence will need to be at least one year old. A young driver's surcharge usually applies to those under 25.

  • Which car hire offices are there in central Byron Bay?

    If you prefer to pick up your vehicle in the city, you can find Dollar and Sunnycars in town, on Marvell Street. They're a short walk from Byron Markets and many popular accommodation options.

Byron Bay car rental reviews and directory 
All ratings and reviews are collected from KAYAK users with a verified car hire booking. Learn how KAYAK collects reviews.

Hertz

10,0

Wonderful

Read 1 review

Cleanliness

8.0

Comfort

6.0

Pick-up/Drop-off

8.0

Value for money

8.0

One location in Byron Bay

Show locations

Locations in Byron Bay

Shop 25/139 Jonson St

+61 2 6680 7925

Monday08:30 - 17:00
Tuesday08:30 - 17:00
Wednesday08:30 - 17:00
Thursday08:30 - 17:00
Friday08:30 - 17:00
Saturday09:00 - 16:00
Sunday09:00 - 16:00

Filters

Reviews

10,0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Mar 2024

SUV

KAYAK
Service was excellent

1 out of 1

Thrifty

8,0

Very Good

Read 1 review

Cleanliness

8.0

Comfort

8.0

Pick-up/Drop-off

8.0

Value for money

6.0

2 locations in Byron Bay

Show locations

Locations in Byron Bay

16 Banksia Drive

+61 2 6652 8764

Monday08:00 - 14:00
Tuesday08:00 - 14:00
Wednesday08:00 - 14:00
Thursday08:00 - 14:00
Friday08:00 - 14:00

Shop 25/139 Jonson St

Monday08:30 - 17:00
Tuesday08:30 - 17:00
Wednesday08:30 - 17:00
Thursday08:30 - 17:00
Friday08:30 - 17:00
Saturday09:00 - 16:00
Sunday09:00 - 16:00

Filters

Reviews

8,0 Very Good

Anonymous, Apr 2024

Compact

KAYAK
Overall good experience.

1 out of 1

Avis

8,3

Very Good

One location in Byron Bay

Show locations

Locations in Byron Bay

20-22 Fletcher St

+61 2 6686 7650

Monday09:00 - 16:00
Tuesday09:00 - 16:00
Wednesday09:00 - 16:00
Thursday09:00 - 16:00
Friday09:00 - 16:00
Saturday15:00 - 17:0008:00 - 14:00
Sunday11:00 - 12:0015:00 - 17:00

Filters

No reviews available

Sixt

7,8

Good

One location in Byron Bay

Locations in Byron Bay

16 Banksia Drive

+61 2 6652 8764

Monday08:00 - 14:00
Tuesday08:00 - 14:00
Wednesday08:00 - 14:00
Thursday08:00 - 14:00
Friday08:00 - 14:00

Filters

No reviews available

Firefly

10,0

Wonderful

Best rated

2 locations in Byron Bay

Locations in Byron Bay

5 Marvell St

+61 2 6680 7925

Opening times not available

Shop 25/139 Jonson St

+61 2 6680 7925

Opening times not available

Filters

No reviews available

Dollar

5,3

Fair

2 locations in Byron Bay

Locations in Byron Bay

16 Banksia Drive

+61 2 6652 8764

Monday08:00 - 14:00
Tuesday08:00 - 14:00
Wednesday08:00 - 14:00
Thursday08:00 - 14:00
Friday08:00 - 14:00

Shop 25/139 Jonson St

Monday08:30 - 17:00
Tuesday08:30 - 17:00
Wednesday08:30 - 17:00
Thursday08:30 - 17:00
Friday08:30 - 17:00
Saturday09:00 - 16:00
Sunday09:00 - 16:00

Filters

No reviews available

Sunnycars

No score available yet

One location in Byron Bay

Locations in Byron Bay

Shop 25/139 Jonson St

Opening times not available

Filters

No reviews available

129 travellers who hired a car in Byron Bay gave the car agency they used an average rating of 7.9

Car hire locations in or near Byron Bay

Good to know

Most popular car type

Standard

When to book a car hire in Byron Bay

Average daily price per month
Car hire prices as pick-up date approaches

Byron Bay car hire information

Pick-up locationByron Bay
Car types
Hire locations10
Airport locations0

Not what you’re looking for? Find thousands of other hotels, flights and car hire with KAYAK.