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 hire cost in Canberra?

A Small car hire in Canberra costs R904 per day, on average.

How much does a Large car hire cost in Canberra?

A Large car hire in Canberra costs R1 715 per day, on average.

How much does a Special car hire cost in Canberra?

A Special car hire in Canberra costs R688 per day, on average.

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.

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.

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Booking Insights

KAYAK’s insights & trends for Canberra car hire

Check out the latest trends and booking tips to hire a car in Canberra with confidence.

How far in advance should you book car hire in Canberra?

You should book your car hire in Canberra around 81 days before your trip in order to get a below-average price.

What is the most popular car to hire in Canberra?

Hires in the SUV category (Mitsubishi ASX or similar) are the most popular option in Canberra, costing R1 234/day on average. Some users have found deals as low as R732/day.

What is the cheapest month to hire a car in Canberra?

The cheapest month to hire a car in Canberra is November at an average cost of R788/day. December is the most expensive month to hire a car in Canberra when prices are R985/day on average, which tends to be 12% 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.

Find deals

Canberra car hire price comparison by vehicle type

Find the right car hire in Canberra by comparing prices across vehicle types.

Small

Medium

Large

4x4

Van

Pickup truck

Luxury

	Small cars	R585 - R711
	All Car Types	R994 - R1 348

How much does it cost to hire a small car in Canberra?

How much does it cost to hire a medium car in Canberra?

How much does it cost to hire a large car in Canberra?

How much does it cost to hire an SUV in Canberra?

How much does it cost to hire a van in Canberra?

How much does it cost to hire a pickup truck in Canberra?

How much does it cost to hire a luxury car in Canberra?

Small car hire in Canberra typically costs around R661 per day. The best time to book is January, when prices average R585 per day, which is about 12% less than the yearly average. Small cars are usually 42% cheaper than the average car hire in Canberra, making them ideal for budget-conscious travellers.

Medium car hire in Canberra typically costs around R1 036 per day. The best time to book is November, when prices average R792 per day, which is about 24% less than the yearly average. Medium cars are usually 9% cheaper than the average car hire in Canberra, offering a good balance of space and value.

Large car hire in Canberra typically costs around R1 262 per day. The best time to book is October, when prices average R1 009 per day, which is about 21% less than the yearly average. Large cars are typically 11% more expensive than the average car hire in Canberra but offer more comfort for longer trips.

SUV hire in Canberra typically costs around R1 123 per day. The best time to book is November, when prices average R938 per day, which is about 17% less than the yearly average. SUVs can be 1% cheaper than the average car hire in Canberra, providing extra space and capability for groups or road trips at a reasonable price.

Van hire in Canberra typically costs around R1 709 per day. The best time to book is January, when prices average R1 411 per day, which is about 18% less than the yearly average. Vans are typically 34% more expensive than the average car hire in Canberra but are the best choice for families or groups needing maximum passenger capacity.

Pickup truck hire in Canberra typically costs around R900 per day. The best time to book is November, when prices average R705 per day, which is about 22% less than the yearly average. Pickup trucks are 21% cheaper than the average car hire in Canberra, making them a practical choice for hauling gear or outdoor adventures.

Luxury car hire in Canberra typically costs around R1 424 per day. The best time to book is March, when prices average R1 138 per day, which is about 21% less than the yearly average. Luxury cars are typically 21% more expensive than the average car hire in Canberra but deliver premium comfort and style for special occasions.

Most popular car type
Small

Verified travelerNov 2025

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.

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.
Small hire cars in Canberra are around 44% cheaper than other car types, on average

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 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 hire cost in Canberra?
A Small car hire in Canberra costs R904 per day, on average.
How much does a Large car hire cost in Canberra?
A Large car hire in Canberra costs R1 715 per day, on average.
How much does a Special car hire cost in Canberra?
A Special car hire in Canberra costs R688 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.

Alamo

8,0

Very Good

Cleanliness

8.5

Comfort

8.3

Pick-up/Drop-off

8.2

Value for money

8.3

One location in Canberra

Locations in Canberra

Canberra International Airport

+61 2 6248 9966

Monday	07:00 - 22:00
Tuesday	07:00 - 22:00
Wednesday	07:00 - 22:00
Thursday	07:00 - 22:00
Friday	07:00 - 22:00
Saturday	09:00 - 17:00
Sunday	09:00 - 17:00

Enterprise Rent-A-Car

10,0

Wonderful

Cleanliness

9.3

Comfort

9.3

Pick-up/Drop-off

9.3

Value for money

9.3

2 locations in Canberra

Locations in Canberra

1 Binara Street

+61 884 459 714

Opening times not available

Canberra International Airport

+61 2 6248 9966

Monday	07:00 - 22:00
Tuesday	07:00 - 22:00
Wednesday	07:00 - 22:00
Thursday	07:00 - 22:00
Friday	07:00 - 22:00
Saturday	09:00 - 17:00
Sunday	09:00 - 17:00

Europcar

9,4

Wonderful

Cleanliness

10.0

Comfort

9.7

Pick-up/Drop-off

9.4

Value for money

9.7

One location in Canberra

Locations in Canberra

Terminal Building

+61 2 6213 0300

Opening times not available

Filters

Reviews

10,0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Jan 2025

Mini

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.

Avis

9,3

Wonderful

Cleanliness

9.3

Comfort

9.3

Pick-up/Drop-off

9.3

Value for money

8.6

One location in Canberra

Locations in Canberra

Terminal Building

+61 2 6219 3031

Monday	07:00 - 22:15
Tuesday	07:00 - 22:15
Wednesday	07:00 - 22:15
Thursday	07:00 - 22:15
Friday	07:00 - 22:15
Saturday	08:00 - 22:15
Sunday	10:00 - 22:15

Sixt

8,4

Very Good

Cleanliness

9.6

Comfort

8.8

Pick-up/Drop-off

8.0

Value for money

8.0

One location in Canberra

Locations in Canberra

Terminal Building, Canberra

+61 2 8337 2700

Monday	07:00 - 22:00
Tuesday	07:00 - 22:00
Wednesday	07:00 - 22:00
Thursday	07:00 - 22:00
Friday	07:00 - 22:00
Saturday	07:00 - 19:00
Sunday	07:00 - 19:00

Filters

Reviews

8,0 Very Good

Sonam, Apr 2025

Intermediate SUV

We had a great ride.

10,0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Oct 2022

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.

Budget

8,0

Very Good

Cleanliness

6.0

Comfort

8.0

Pick-up/Drop-off

8.0

Value for money

8.0

One location in Canberra

Locations in Canberra

Terminal Building

+61 2 6219 3041

Monday	07:00 - 22:15
Tuesday	07:00 - 22:15
Wednesday	07:00 - 22:15
Thursday	07:00 - 22:15
Friday	07:00 - 22:15
Saturday	08:00 - 22:15
Sunday	10:00 - 22:15

Filters

Reviews

8,0 Very Good

Raymond, Feb 2026

Compact

The car’s glass from inside was not clean, specifically the haze that builds up from plastics, leading to vision difficulties driving into the sun.

Hertz

7,4

Good

Cleanliness

8.3

Comfort

8.3

Pick-up/Drop-off

7.2

Value for money

6.7

4 locations in Canberra

Locations in Canberra

4 Yallourn St

+61 2 6169 4730

Monday	07:30 - 17:00
Tuesday	07:30 - 17:00
Wednesday	07:30 - 17:00
Thursday	07:30 - 17:00
Friday	07:30 - 17:00
Saturday	07:30 - 17:00
Sunday	07:30 - 17:00

8 Kemble Court

+61 2 6242 0100

Monday	07:30 - 17:00
Tuesday	07:30 - 17:00
Wednesday	07:30 - 17:00
Thursday	07:30 - 17:00
Friday	07:30 - 17:00
Saturday	07:30 - 17:00
Sunday	07:30 - 17:00

84 Northbourne Ave

+61 437 833 446

Monday	08:00 - 16:00
Tuesday	08:00 - 16:00
Wednesday	08:00 - 16:00
Thursday	08:00 - 16:00
Friday	08:00 - 16:00
Saturday	09:00 - 11:00

Pialligo Ave

+61 2 6267 2390

Monday	07:00 - 22:30
Tuesday	07:00 - 22:30
Wednesday	07:00 - 22:30
Thursday	07:00 - 22:30
Friday	07:00 - 22:30
Saturday	08:00 - 22:30
Sunday	08:00 - 22:30

Filters

Reviews

10,0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Jan 2025

Compact

Very good and flexible customer service, the car we booked was upgraded to a bigger and better car.

10,0 Wonderful

Vanessa, Jun 2022

The staff were very friendly & helpful

Thrifty

6,0

Okay

Cleanliness

8.3

Comfort

8.3

Pick-up/Drop-off

6.0

Value for money

6.0

3 locations in Canberra

Locations in Canberra

29 Lonsdale St

+61 2 8337 2700

Monday	08:00 - 16:00
Tuesday	08:00 - 16:00
Wednesday	08:00 - 16:00
Thursday	08:00 - 16:00
Friday	08:00 - 16:00
Saturday	08:00 - 13:00

4 Yallourn St

+61 2 6169 4730

Monday	07:30 - 17:00
Tuesday	07:30 - 17:00
Wednesday	07:30 - 17:00
Thursday	07:30 - 17:00
Friday	07:30 - 17:00
Saturday	07:30 - 17:00
Sunday	07:30 - 17:00

Pialligo Ave

+61 2 6267 2390

Monday	07:00 - 22:30
Tuesday	07:00 - 22:30
Wednesday	07:00 - 22:30
Thursday	07:00 - 22:30
Friday	07:00 - 22:30
Saturday	08:00 - 22:30
Sunday	08:00 - 22:30

Filters

Reviews

2,0 Poor

Steve, Oct 2024

SUV

Booked car not available. Tried to give me a truck. I refused.

10,0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Apr 2024

Economy

Pretty hard to fuel up at the ampol fuel at the airport and the. Return to the drop off at the airport. Julie

10,0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Mar 2024

Passenger van

Everything was fine except they didn't do a walk around the car to point out any scratches or damage until I requested it.

National

8,3

Very Good

Cleanliness

8.3

Comfort

8.0

Pick-up/Drop-off

8.3

Value for money

8.6

2 locations in Canberra

Locations in Canberra

1 Binara Street

+61 884 459 714

Monday	07:30 - 17:30
Tuesday	07:30 - 17:30
Wednesday	07:30 - 17:30
Thursday	07:30 - 17:30
Friday	07:30 - 17:30
Saturday	07:30 - 12:30
Sunday

Canberra International Airport

+61 2 6248 9966

Monday	07:00 - 22:00
Tuesday	07:00 - 22:00
Wednesday	07:00 - 22:00
Thursday	07:00 - 22:00
Friday	07:00 - 22:00
Saturday	09:00 - 17:00
Sunday	09:00 - 17:00

Filters

No reviews available

East Coast Car Rentals

8,2

Very Good

Cleanliness

8.9

Comfort

8.7

Pick-up/Drop-off

8.2

Value for money

8.2

2 locations in Canberra

Locations in Canberra

2 Fairbairn Avenue

Opening times not available

Canberra Airport

Opening times not available

Filters

No reviews available

keddy by Europcar

7,6

Good

Cleanliness

7.2

Comfort

8.4

Pick-up/Drop-off

8.0

Value for money

7.2

2 locations in Canberra

Locations in Canberra

Novotel Hotel - 65 Northbourne Ave

+61 262 845 170

Monday	08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday	08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday	08:00 - 17:00
Thursday	08:00 - 17:00
Friday	08:00 - 17:00
Saturday	08:00 - 12:00

Terminal Building, Canberra Airport

61 2 62130300

Monday	07:00 - 23:00
Tuesday	07:00 - 23:00
Wednesday	07:00 - 23:00
Thursday	07:00 - 23:00
Friday	07:00 - 23:00
Saturday	07:00 - 23:00
Sunday	07:00 - 23:00

Filters

No reviews available

Dollar

7,5

Good

Cleanliness

8.5

Comfort

8.3

Pick-up/Drop-off

7.7

Value for money

7.4

One location in Canberra

Locations in Canberra

29 Lonsdale St

+61 2 8337 2700

Monday	08:00 - 16:00
Tuesday	08:00 - 16:00
Wednesday	08:00 - 16:00
Thursday	08:00 - 16:00
Friday	08:00 - 16:00
Saturday	08:00 - 13:00

Filters

No reviews available

Firefly

No score available yet

2 locations in Canberra

Locations in Canberra

27 Kembla St

+61 262 804 524

Opening times not available

Pialligo Ave

+61 262 496 211

Monday	07:00 - 23:00
Tuesday	07:00 - 23:00
Wednesday	07:00 - 23:00
Thursday	07:00 - 23:00
Friday	07:00 - 23:00
Saturday	07:00 - 22:00
Sunday	07:00 - 23:00

Filters

No reviews available

Sunnycars

No score available yet

2 locations in Canberra

Locations in Canberra

4 Yallourn St

Opening times not available

Canberra Airport

Opening times not available

Filters

No reviews available

Red Spot

No score available yet

One location in Canberra

Locations in Canberra

Terminal Avenue, Canberra Airport

+61 2 8303 2282

Opening times not available

Filters

No reviews available

Routes Car & Truck Rentals

No score available yet

One location in Canberra

Locations in Canberra

Novotel Hotel - 65 Northbourne Ave

+61 2 6284 5170

Monday	08:30 - 16:30
Tuesday	08:30 - 16:30
Wednesday	08:30 - 16:30
Thursday	08:30 - 16:30
Friday	08:30 - 16:30
Saturday	08:00 - 12:00
Sunday

Filters

No reviews available

Shouqi

No score available yet

One location in Canberra

Locations in Canberra

Terminal Building

+86 10 6064 1387

Opening times not available

Filters

No reviews available

83 travellers who hired a car in Canberra gave the car agency they used an average rating of 8,0

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Pick-up location	Canberra
Car types
Hire locations	28
Airport locations	15

Canberra car hire

Cheap car hire in Canberra

KAYAK’s insights & trends for Canberra car hire

How far in advance should you book car hire in Canberra?

What is the most popular car to hire in Canberra?

What is the cheapest month to hire a car in Canberra?

Which car hire company in Canberra has the most locations?

Canberra car hire price comparison by vehicle type

Find the right car hire in Canberra by comparing prices across vehicle types.

How much does it cost to hire a small car in Canberra?

How much does it cost to hire a medium car in Canberra?

How much does it cost to hire a large car in Canberra?

How much does it cost to hire an SUV in Canberra?

How much does it cost to hire a van in Canberra?

How much does it cost to hire a pickup truck in Canberra?

How much does it cost to hire a luxury car in Canberra?

Good to know

Most popular car type

Canberra car hire experiences: the best tips from KAYAK users

KAYAK’s top tips for hiring a car in Canberra

FAQs about hiring a car in Canberra

Canberra car rental reviews and directory

Car hire locations in or near Canberra

More options for your car hire in Canberra

Complete your trip to Canberra

Car rental at airports serving Canberra

Car hire in other popular destinations

Canberra car hire information