Check out the latest trends and booking tips to hire a car in Newcastle with confidence.
How far in advance should you book car hire in Newcastle?
You should book your car hire in Newcastle around 8 days before your trip in order to get a below-average price.
What is the best car hire company in Newcastle?
Based on ratings and reviews from real users on KAYAK, the best car hire companies in Newcastle are East Coast Car Rentals (10.0), Thrifty (10.0, 2 reviews), and Europcar (10.0, 1 review).
East Coast Car Rentals
Rated 10.0/10
Thrifty
Rated 10.0/10
Europcar
Rated 10.0/10
Budget
Rated 8.5/10
What is the most popular car to hire in Newcastle?
SUV cars (Class Full-size SUV or similar) are the most popular type of vehicle to hire in Newcastle. SUV cars in Newcastle cost R1 025/day on average, though some users have found deals as low as R877/day.
What is the cheapest month to hire a car in Newcastle?
The cheapest month to hire a car in Newcastle is February at an average cost of R694/day. April is the most expensive month to hire a car in Newcastle when prices are R920/day on average, which tends to be 1 944% above the yearly average hire price for Newcastle.
Which car hire company in Newcastle has the most locations?
keddy by Europcar operates 3 locations in Newcastle, more than any other car hire company.
Surrounded by soft sand beach stretching from Nelson Bay to Lake Macquarie and dense forestlands, hiring a car in Newcastle will let you break free from the city, off the beaten path. Driving to Blackbutt Nature Reserve from the centre of Newcastle takes just 15min, though the journey by bus or train requires at least 30min with more than 1.5 km of walking. Coastal destinations, including Worimi Regional Park and Tomaree National Park, are best reached by car as direct public transport routes are not available from Newcastle.
The offices of Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Europcar, Hertz and Thrifty are directly across from the baggage claim carousels at Newcastle Airport (NCL). Hire cars are located 100 m from the terminal via a protected walkway. Turn left as you exit the building and follow the signs to find your vehicle.
Newcastle has several railway level crossings passing through town and extra caution should be taken when approaching the intersections. Avoid driving over the tracks if you see the boom gates lowering and remember not to cross until the sirens have finished. If beach driving is in your plans, consult with local councils to understand which sections of coastline allow 4WDs to enter. Observe conditions and tide levels to ensure there is an adequate amount of firm sand to drive over.
Traffic is at its worst in Newcastle for the school rush and as commuters make their way to work, between 07:30–09:30. Conditions are comparatively quiet through the remainder of the day; however, major arterial roads near the University of Newcastle, such as Main Rd and Maitland Rd, experience steady congestion. You should expect delays when using Newcastle Link Rd and Pacific Mwy as people travel to and from Sydney. Strong winds are common in Newcastle and it’s recommended that drivers reduce speed and keep an eye out for falling branches.
There are a few road rules to be aware of when driving your hire car in Newcastle. In New South Wales, your car horn is considered to be a warning device and that's the only thing you can use it for. You can use it to let a driver know you're in their blind spot or other situations where you need to warn drivers or other road users of potential dangers. Additionally, you can be fined for extending your limbs out of the window, so if you're waving a pedestrian across, keep your hands in the car. New South Wales is also one of the states that requires a three-second gap, instead of a two-second gap.
If you only need cheap car hire in Newcastle for part of your trip, you might prefer to pick up your vehicle in town, instead of at the airport. Keddy by Europcar has offices on Denison Street, just off the Pacific Highway and near the Tudor Street bus stop. Sunnycars have offices close to the west bank of Throsby Creek, over Cowper Street Bridge. Budget, Hertz and Avis have offices in the suburb of Hamilton North, on Clyde Street, and the Number 12 bus stops very close by. Some Newcastle car hire companies will also allow you to pick up and drop off your hire car at separate locations.
With cheap car hire in Newcastle, it's easy to explore the rest of New South Wales, including its capital, Sydney. You can drive from Newcastle to Sydney in around 2 hours on the Pacific Motorway, but there are also a number of interesting places to visit along the way. Just after leaving Newcastle, you can pay a visit to Watagans National Park. The coastal route is a little longer, but it will let you stop at some of the state's best beaches.
Intermediate hire cars in Newcastle are around 41% cheaper than other car types, on average
FAQs about hiring a car in Newcastle
What type of car is recommended for driving in Newcastle?
Intermediate and full-size models will handle the CBD traffic comfortably as well as provide a smooth ride along coastal roads. 4WDs are priced cheaply considering the off-road versatility they provide. It’s best to check the hire conditions to assure driving is allowed on unsurfaced roads, when choosing a 4WD.
What’s the speed limit in Newcastle?
The standard speed limit throughout the urban area of Newcastle is 50 km/h. Between 08:00–09:30 and 14:30–16:00 on weekdays, a 40 km/h maximum is enforced surrounding schools, indicated by flashing yellow lights and marked pedestrian crossings. Highways and motorways around Newcastle vary from 100–110 km/h.
Where are the best places to park in Newcastle?
No.2 Sportsground Car Park on Smith St has all-day parking available for roughly A$8. Closer to the CBD, Mall Car Park has a approximate A$5 flat rate on Saturdays and is free on Sundays. The first 15min of metered parking across Newcastle is free when using the EasyPark app.
How can I find car hires near me in Newcastle?
Take a look at our extensive car hire location map to find the best car hire deals near you.
How much does a Compact car hire cost in Newcastle?
A Compact car hire in Newcastle costs R822 per day, on average.
How much does a Mini car hire cost in Newcastle?
A Mini car hire in Newcastle costs R557 per day, on average.
How much does a Standard car hire cost in Newcastle?
A Standard car hire in Newcastle costs R794 per day, on average.
What documentation do I need to get a hire car in Newcastle?
You'll need to present your driver's licence and a credit or debit card before picking up your Newcastle hire car. If your licence isn't in English, you'll also need an official translation, such as an International Driver's Permit. Usually, you need to have held your licence for at least one year and be 21 or older.
Do children need to be in child seats in Newcastle?
If you have passengers under 145 cm tall, they need to be in a booster seat or restraint appropriate for their age and weight. Children 145 cm or taller can usually use a normal seat and seatbelt, and babies under six months must be in a rear-facing car seat.
Not what you’re looking for? Find thousands of other hotels, flights and car hire with KAYAK.
We value your privacy
KAYAK and its partners wish to use cookies or similar technologies to store and/or access information on and about your device and process personal data such as your IP address, device identifiers etc., in order to improve your experience on the site, to analyse navigation, to offer and measure personalised advertising, and to facilitate sharing on social networks. We also allow the use of third-party cookies (including those from our advertising partners) on our sites.
By clicking 'Accept', you consent to your data being processed by 0 vendors on this web site for the purposes described in this notice. You can review the vendors and their individual processing purposes on the .
To review individual processing purposes and cookie categories, please click ’Select individual purposes’. You can review your choices and withdraw your consent at any time by clicking the ’Privacy Preferences’ link in the page side navigation.
