Townsville car hire

Driver's age: 26-65

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Cheap car hire in Townsville

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Economy car
Economy
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Compact car
Compact
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Intermediate car
Intermediate
M
Standard car
Standard
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Full-size car
Full-size
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Luxury car
Luxury
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People carrier car
People carrier
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Passenger van car
Passenger van
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Commercial car
Commercial
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Pick-up truck car
Pick-up truck
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KAYAK’s top tips for hiring a car in Townsville

  • Hire a car in Townsville and cruise around the many attractions the North Queensland city has to offer at your own rhythm. Having your own car opens up the option of taking the ferry to Magnetic Island, which can be navigated from top to bottom in 30min. Local buses are infrequent and don’t reach isolated corners, such as Florence Bay. Billabong Safari is also best accessed with a hire car, as alternative transport options include a costly taxi fare (roughly A$ 60) or coach transfer (about A$ 65).
  • Hire companies Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Europcar, Hertz and Thrifty can be found inside the Arrivals Area at Townsville Airport (TSV). The hire car park is only a short walk from the reception desks and thus no shuttle is required.
  • Random roadside breath testing is common in Townsville and all visitors should remember to stay below the 0.05 percent blood alcohol limit. Keep an eye out for mini convertibles known as barbie cars on Magnetic Island, as the small vehicles sit below standard height and can be missed in blind spots. Townsville attracts a lot of cyclists when the sun is out and drivers should remember to stay at a safe distance of at least 1.5 m. Be careful when driving across bridges during the wet season, as flooding can block crossings.
  • Traffic is rather pleasant throughout the day in Townsville and causes nowhere near as much congestion as major cities across Australia. Douglas Arterial Rd and Bruce Hwy can experience significant traffic on weekends and public holidays as travellers make their way along the coast. Townsville’s central shopping district, including Flinders St and The Strand, are busiest in the late afternoon between 16:00–18:00.
  • Bear in mind that Queensland has very strict laws regarding alcohol and driving. For starters, there must be no open alcohol in the car, even if it is only being consumed by passengers. Additionally, just being in your car with the keys while intoxicated can result in a drink-driving charge. If you're travelling in a group of adults, consider adding additional drivers to your Townsville car hire agreement, so that you can switch up the designated driver throughout your trip. And remember, sleeping in your car is prohibited outside of designated rest stops or camping areas. Rest areas usually also have shelter, picnic tables, toilets and BBQs.
  • With a Townsville hire car, you can reach the stunning Girringun National Park in just under 2h 30min. Most of the drive is on the A1/Bruce Highway. You can stop just before the park in the town of Ingham, famous for its sugar industry and Italian culture. Some parts of the park have road access while others will require you to park and walk. At the northern end of the park, you can take Cardwell Forest Drive, which takes you to Attie Creek Falls, Dead Horse Creek and Cardwell Lookout. This trip also makes a great stop if you're planning on taking the Bruce Highway all the way up to Cairns, which takes about 4h 30min.
  • An electric vehicle can be a great option for cheap car hire in Townsville. There are numerous charging stations for electric vehicles throughout the city. Townsville City Council even has a free charging station on The Strand, near Strand Park. Charging is slower here but you can find faster chargers at the Horan & Bird Energy, opposite the Townsville RSL Club. Note that some chargers have time limits on them.
  • Book your car hire in Townsville at least 1 day before your trip in order to get a below-average price
  • Supplier choice hire cars in Townsville are around 54% cheaper than other car types, on average
See more tips

FAQs about hiring a car in Townsville

  • What type of car is recommended for driving in Townsville?

    There’s plenty of space on Townsville’s roads so there’s no need to sacrifice on comfort when choosing a hire car model. Full-size makes and people movers are great for transporting several people, while premium models offer a lavish getaway. If you are intending on doing some off-road driving on the trails of North Queensland, a 4x4 is needed and the hire contract must allow driving on unpaved roads.

  • What’s the speed limit in Townsville?

    The default limit is 50 km/h in urban areas and increases to 60 km/h in low-density suburban districts. A 40 km/h maximum is enforced between 07:00–09:00 and 14:00–16:00 in school zones, with flashing yellow lights indicating operation. Highways surrounding Townsville are usually set at 100 km/h but can be reduced to 80 km/h in congested areas.

  • Where are the best places to park in Townsville?

    Metered parking can be found in the CBD along Flinders St, Denham St, Sturt St and Walker St. Spaces are limited to 2h and cost approximately A$ 1 per hour. Free all-day spots are available at Dean Street Carpark and the corner of Leichhardt Street and Eyre Street.

  • How much is the price of fuel in Townsville?

    The average price of fuel in Townsville is R71,20 per litre over the past 30 days. Filling up a tank of fuel costs between R854 and R1 139, depending on the car size.

  • What is the most popular car hire in Townsville?

    Supplier choice (Class Special Sedan or similar) is the most frequently booked car hire type in Townsville.

  • How can I find car hires near me in Townsville?

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

  • How much does a Special car hire cost in Townsville?

    A Special car hire in Townsville costs R591 per day, on average.

  • How much does an Economy car hire cost in Townsville?

    An Economy car hire in Townsville costs R619 per day, on average.

  • How much does a Compact car hire cost in Townsville?

    A Compact car hire in Townsville costs R737 per day, on average.

  • How old do I need to be to hire a car in Townsville?

    The majority of providers offering cheap car hire in Townsville will require you to be at least 21 years old. You also usually need to have held your licence for at least one year. Drivers under the age of 25 may incur extra fees and may have a higher damage liability fee. Some providers, such as Enterprise, may hire cars to drivers on a probationary licence, though this usually incurs an extra fee too.

  • Which road rules in Townsville are different to other states?

    Compared to some other states, Queensland requires drivers to leave a larger gap while driving. You'll need to leave three seconds instead of two. You also need to use your indicators whenever you're exiting a roundabout, even if you drive straight through it.

See more FAQs

Townsville 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.

Thrifty

10,0

Wonderful

Best rated

Cleanliness

10.0

Comfort

10.0

Pick-up/Drop-off

10.0

Value for money

10.0

4 locations in Townsville

Show locations

Locations in Townsville

289 Ingham Rd

+61 7 4725 4600

Monday07:30 - 17:00
Tuesday07:30 - 17:00
Wednesday07:30 - 17:00
Thursday07:30 - 17:00
Friday07:30 - 17:00

32 Bombala St

+61 136139

Monday08:00 - 16:00
Tuesday08:00 - 16:00
Wednesday08:00 - 16:00
Thursday08:00 - 16:00
Friday08:00 - 16:00

Stinson Ave

+61 136139

Monday07:30 - 17:00
Tuesday07:30 - 17:00
Wednesday07:30 - 17:00
Thursday07:30 - 17:00
Friday07:30 - 17:00
Saturday08:00 - 16:00
Sunday09:00 - 22:00

Townsville Ap

+61 7 4725 4655

Monday08:00 - 16:00
Tuesday08:00 - 16:00
Wednesday08:00 - 16:00
Thursday08:00 - 16:00
Friday08:00 - 16:00
Sunday15:30 - 22:00

Filters

No reviews available

Budget

10,0

Cleanliness

9.0

Comfort

10.0

Pick-up/Drop-off

10.0

Value for money

9.0

2 locations in Townsville

Show locations

Locations in Townsville

Terminal Building

+61 7 4762 7433

Monday07:30 - 17:00
Tuesday07:30 - 17:00
Wednesday07:30 - 17:00
Thursday07:30 - 17:00
Friday07:30 - 17:00
Saturday07:45 - 20:30
Sunday07:45 - 20:30

Via Townsville Airport

+61 747 627 433

Monday08:00 - 16:00
Tuesday08:00 - 16:00
Wednesday08:00 - 16:00
Thursday08:00 - 16:00
Friday08:00 - 16:00

Filters

Show reviews that mention

Reviews

10,0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Jan 2024

People carrier

KAYAK
Was a good experience

10,0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Jan 2024

People carrier

KAYAK
They were really good to deal with. Staff were very friendly and helpful. Car couple have been cleaner. As there were stains on the back seats.

10,0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Jan 2020

KAYAK

Pros:

Yes Staff was very friendly, apologised that the vehicle I had booked was not available, but gave me another vehicle which suited my reason for hiring the vehicle. I was offered a ‘Mine’ vehicle with reflector strips, but when I advised staff that I wanted a vehicle to travel to Cairns for my brother’s funeral, staff went out of their way to secure a vehicle similar to the one I had booked online Well done and very much appreciated.

Cons:

Just to make sure what one books online makes it happen that way. It turned out well in the end. Thank you.

10,0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Jul 2022

KAYAK
Very friendly and helpful staff at the pick-up/drop-off counter. The vehicle was a Corolla Hybrid which was surprisingly economical to drive. All good!

1 out of 2

Europcar

10,0

Wonderful

Cleanliness

10.0

Comfort

10.0

Pick-up/Drop-off

7.9

Value for money

8.9

2 locations in Townsville

Show locations

Locations in Townsville

305 Ingham Road

+61 7 4762 7050

Opening times not available

Terminal Building

+61 7 4760 1380

Opening times not available

Filters

No reviews available

Firefly

10,0

Wonderful

Read 1 review

Cleanliness

10.0

Comfort

10.0

Pick-up/Drop-off

10.0

Value for money

10.0

One location in Townsville

Show locations

Locations in Townsville

Stinson Ave

+61 747 754 821

Monday07:30 - 17:00
Tuesday07:30 - 17:00
Wednesday07:30 - 17:00
Thursday07:30 - 17:00
Friday07:30 - 17:00
Saturday08:00 - 16:00
Sunday08:00 - 16:00

Filters

Reviews

10,0 Wonderful

Brett, Mar 2022

KAYAK
Only small scratches on car from previous rentals. Wasn’t the car I booked but was similar. Happy with this service

1 out of 1

Alamo

9,3

Cleanliness

9.3

Comfort

9.3

Pick-up/Drop-off

8.9

Value for money

8.6

One location in Townsville

Show locations

Locations in Townsville

Terminal Building Garbutt

+61 7 4779 3891

Monday08:00 - 16:00
Tuesday08:00 - 16:00
Wednesday08:00 - 16:00
Thursday08:00 - 16:00
Friday08:00 - 16:00
Saturday08:00 - 16:00
Sunday00:00 - 00:00

Filters

Reviews

6,0 Okay

Anonymous, Mar 2024

Economy

KAYAK
Easy to Order but the 1/2 hr wait for counter staff to work without internet was a pain. Staff were doing their best at the time. Just lucky it was a sunday

10,0 Wonderful

Ladybug Entertainment, Oct 2023

Economy

KAYAK
Nancy was lovely to deal with and she gave me an upgrade :)

10,0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Jul 2023

Compact

KAYAK
Great. Efficient and easy.

10,0 Wonderful

Val, Jun 2023

Intermediate

KAYAK
Service was great and the car was clean. Thank you.

8,0 Very Good

Anonymous, Mar 2023

Compact

KAYAK
The truth of the matter was my event in Townsville was cancelled. I also had air tickets and accommodation to cancel. The car hire with Alamo was the easiest and nicest to cancel with. I would certainly go with them next time when my event is rescheduled.

10,0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Mar 2023

Intermediate

KAYAK
The rental worked well. Pickup quick and easy. Car was a dream to drive. Nobody at drop off, dropped keys and was told they would check it in and send the invoice. Unfortunately we were charged twice for different amounts and no one answers the phone when you ring. Waiting for a response to our email.

1 out of 6

Avis

8,0

Cleanliness

8.0

Comfort

8.0

Pick-up/Drop-off

8.0

Value for money

8.0

2 locations in Townsville

Show locations

Locations in Townsville

81-83 Flinders St East

+61 7 4799 2022

Monday08:00 - 16:00
Tuesday08:00 - 16:00
Wednesday08:00 - 16:00
Thursday08:00 - 16:00
Friday08:00 - 16:00
Saturday09:00 - 22:00
Sunday09:00 - 22:00

Terminal Building

+61 7 4762 7400

Monday07:30 - 17:00
Tuesday07:30 - 17:00
Wednesday07:30 - 17:00
Thursday07:30 - 17:00
Friday07:30 - 17:00
Saturday07:45 - 20:30
Sunday07:45 - 20:30

Filters

Reviews

4,0 Mediocre

Anonymous, Aug 2022

KAYAK
Still waiting on return of deposit and paperwork EFTPOS would be quicker and easier for hire Frontier could brush chew some mint

10,0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Aug 2022

KAYAK
Personnel à Airlie Beach très aimable, très serviable et très compétent. La meilleure expérience client dans une agence de location de voiture depuis longtemps.

10,0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Apr 2022

KAYAK
The staff named Stuart in Cairns airport has professional attitude and I'm absolutely happy with the service I could get.

1 out of 1

Hertz

8,0

Cleanliness

7.1

Comfort

8.0

Pick-up/Drop-off

8.0

Value for money

8.0

2 locations in Townsville

Locations in Townsville

32 Bombala St

+61 7 4441 4890

Monday08:00 - 16:00
Tuesday08:00 - 16:00
Wednesday08:00 - 16:00
Thursday08:00 - 16:00
Friday08:00 - 16:00

Stinson Ave

+61 7 4441 4690

Monday07:30 - 17:00
Tuesday07:30 - 17:00
Wednesday07:30 - 17:00
Thursday07:30 - 17:00
Friday07:30 - 17:00
Saturday08:00 - 16:00
Sunday09:00 - 22:00

Filters

Reviews

4,0 Mediocre

Anonymous, Dec 2022

KAYAK
Car was filthy & stinking of stale smoke.. poor experience all round.

8,0 Very Good

Anonymous, Oct 2021

KAYAK
nothing

Sixt

8,0

Very Good

Read 1 review

Cleanliness

8.3

Comfort

8.0

Pick-up/Drop-off

8.0

Value for money

8.0

2 locations in Townsville

Locations in Townsville

Corner Ingham and Meenan St

+61 7 4725 4600

Monday07:30 - 17:00
Tuesday07:30 - 17:00
Wednesday07:30 - 17:00
Thursday07:30 - 17:00
Friday07:30 - 17:00

Terminal Building

+61 7 4725 4655

Monday07:30 - 17:00
Tuesday07:30 - 17:00
Wednesday07:30 - 17:00
Thursday07:30 - 17:00
Friday07:30 - 17:00
Sunday08:00 - 16:00

Filters

Reviews

2,0 Poor

Anonymous, Jun 2022

KAYAK
nothing to like office closed too early some communication about pick up times would help

Enterprise Rent-A-Car

6,0

Okay

Cleanliness

10.0

Comfort

10.0

Pick-up/Drop-off

4.0

Value for money

10.0

One location in Townsville

Locations in Townsville

Terminal Building

+61 7 4779 3891

Monday08:00 - 16:00
Tuesday08:00 - 16:00
Wednesday08:00 - 16:00
Thursday08:00 - 16:00
Friday08:00 - 16:00
Saturday08:00 - 16:00
Sunday00:00 - 00:00

Filters

No reviews available

National

7,0

Good

One location in Townsville

Locations in Townsville

Terminal Building Garbutt

+61 7 4779 3891

Monday08:00 - 16:00
Tuesday08:00 - 16:00
Wednesday08:00 - 16:00
Thursday08:00 - 16:00
Friday08:00 - 16:00
Saturday08:00 - 16:00
Sunday00:00 - 00:00

Filters

No reviews available

Dollar

6,0

Okay

2 locations in Townsville

Locations in Townsville

32 Bombala St

+61 1800 501 934

Monday08:00 - 16:00
Tuesday08:00 - 16:00
Wednesday08:00 - 16:00
Thursday08:00 - 16:00
Friday08:00 - 16:00

Stinson Ave

+61 1800 501 934

Monday07:30 - 17:00
Tuesday07:30 - 17:00
Wednesday07:30 - 17:00
Thursday07:30 - 17:00
Friday07:30 - 17:00
Saturday08:00 - 16:00
Sunday09:00 - 22:00

Filters

No reviews available

keddy by Europcar

6,0

Okay

2 locations in Townsville

Locations in Townsville

305 INGHAM ROAD

Opening times not available

Terminal Building- Townsville Airport

61 7 47601380

Monday07:30 - 17:00
Tuesday07:30 - 17:00
Wednesday07:30 - 17:00
Thursday07:30 - 17:00
Friday07:30 - 17:00
Saturday07:30 - 17:00
Sunday07:30 - 17:00

Filters

No reviews available

Sunnycars

No score available yet

3 locations in Townsville

Locations in Townsville

305 Ingham Road

Opening times not available

32 Bombala St Garbutt

Opening times not available

Terminal Building

Opening times not available

Filters

No reviews available

Red Spot

No score available yet

2 locations in Townsville

Locations in Townsville

329 – 333 Ingham Road Garbutt

+61 467 770 034

Opening times not available

Townsville Airport

Opening times not available

Filters

No reviews available

Shouqi

No score available yet

One location in Townsville

Locations in Townsville

Terminal Building

+86 10 6064 1387

Opening times not available

Filters

No reviews available

55 travellers who hired a car in Townsville gave the car agency they used an average rating of 8.5

Car hire locations in or near Townsville

When to book a car hire in Townsville

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

Townsville car hire information

Pick-up locationTownsville
Car types
Hire locations28
Airport locations16

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