Car hire on the Gold Coast — Surfers, Southport and the airport
Compare 6 rental providers across 9 depots in 6 towns — from Southport to Coolangatta. Pay at pickup, free cancellation.
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Cheapest rate today, by vehicle class on the Gold Coast
From compact cars to spacious SUVs and people movers, use VroomVroomVroom to check live pricing and compare pickup points for car hires from right across the Gold Coast. Simply enter your dates and pickup location to see what’s available. Search with no obligation and lock in your rate only when you’re ready to book. If you’re flying into Gold Coast Airport or basing yourself in Surfers Paradise we’ve got you covered for there too.
Gold Coast price guide
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Prices are indicative and change with availability, lead time, season and location; they may exclude add-ons and young-driver fees.
When to book a hire car on the Gold Coast
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Source: VroomVroomVroom car hire price trends: tracking millions of real car hire searches across 2025
Where to pick up on the Gold Coast
The Gold Coast stretches over 20 km from Southport to the state border. Where you collect changes both the price and your first hour — here is every town with a depot, and what it costs you to choose it.
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Ordered by booking share · distances are road distances from each town centre · every price is a rolling 7-day minimum for that location.
Getting around the Gold Coast
Do you actually need to rent a car in the Gold Coast, and if so, for how much of the trip? On an over 20 km strip with one light rail line, the answer depends very much on where you’re staying and what you’re doing.
- The G:link light rail runs the coastal spine from Helensvale south through Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach, before terminating at Burleigh Heads.
- A rental car earns its keep the moment you leave the G:link, be it driving out to the hinterland at Springbrook and Tamborine, the southern beaches, or a run over the border into northern NSW.
Road rules, tolls and parking: Gold Coast driving tips →
Flying into Gold Coast Airport?
Gold Coast Airport (OOL) sits at the southern end of Gold Coast strip, about 31 km — or a half hour drive — from Surfers Paradise.
The airport has more rental car providers than any town in the Gold Coast, but convenience comes with a price: car hires at the terminal cost $102/day on average in 2025 against $65 off-airport, and flying into Brisbane then driving down can also be cheaper. Be sure to compare your options.
Airports in the area
One-way car hire from the Gold Coast
- Gold Coast to Brisbane Airport · 1 hr via M1
- Gold Coast to Byron Bay · 1 hr 15 min via M1
- Gold Coast to Sydney · 9 hrs via M1 & Pacific Hwy
The Gold Coast is a popular option for one-way car hires, with people often deciding to collect their car hire in the Gold Coast and then, at the end of their holiday, drive up to Brisbane Airport (BNE) for their flight home. It’s a relatively short drive — around 70 km — and minimises the need to lug bags around. Of course if you want a one-way for interstate driving, be it to just over the border to Byron Bay or all the way to Sydney, that’s also possible, just be sure to check your Terms and Conditions regarding additional charges for one-way hires and crossing the border. To search for a one-way hire car, untick “Return to the same location” in the search form, select your drop-off point, and compare rates.
Which type of hire car on the Gold Coast is right for you?
| Best for | Vehicle type | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Beach-and-theme-park family break | Compact SUV or people mover (Mazda CX-30, Kia Stonic, Kia Carnival or similar) | If you’re thinking of a family beach holiday with time at the Gold Coast’s theme parks thrown in, a people mover or SUV delivers plenty of comfort — and with the boot space you’ll need for time both at the beach and in the parks. |
| Surfers Paradise nightlife weekender | Economy car or compact car (Suzuki Swift, Toyota Yaris, Mg 3 Core or similar) | If a weekend enjoying the Gold Coast’s nightlife is what you have in mind, then a compact or economy car is ideal. They’re easy to park, simple to manage through congested areas, economical, and generally cheaper to hire — leaving more of your budget for restaurants, bars and clubs. |
| Gold Coast hinterland day-tripper | Compact SUV (Mazda CX-3, Kia Stonic or similar) | Both Springbrook and Lamington National Park are an easy drive from the Gold Coast and a compact SUV is a great option. Its comfortable driving suits longer, winding roads, and better still, being smaller than a full SUV, navigating lookout car parks and the Gold Coast streets will be a breeze. |
| Interstate / one-way hire | Intermediate car (Kia Cerato, Toyota Corolla, Mazda 3 or similar) | When you’re thinking about an interstate car hire from the Gold Coast, Byron Bay is just 100 km to the south and an intermediate car like a Kia Cerato or Mazda 3 makes for a comfortable and easy drive south. Likewise if you’ve got a flight out of Brisbane Airport, it’s only 70 km away. |
Collecting elsewhere around the Gold Coast
Not every suburb in the Gold Coast has a rental car provider of their own, so if you’re staying in Burleigh Heads here’s your best bet for a car hire provider near where you’re staying.
Burleigh Heads
There is no depot in Burleigh Heads itself — the nearest desks are the Europcar desk at the Gold Coast Sofitel at 81 Surf Parade in Broadbeach about 11 km to the north, or a Thrifty depot at 3 Queensbury Ave in Currumbin Waters, around 11 km to the south.
Labrador
Set in the northern part of the Gold Coast, Labrador has no rental car depots, but you’ll find Sixt and Europcar depots in nearby Southport, Budget has a branch in Ashmore, and both Thrifty and Hertz have car hire depots in Nerang. None are walking distance from Labrador, but are all only a short drive away.
Beyond the Gold Coast
Most Gold Coast hire cars stay on the coast, but the drives out to elsewhere are short — and you can return the car at the other end. Untick “return to the same location” to compare one-way rates.
Local expert tips when renting a car on the Gold Coast
Behind the wheel itself? Our Gold Coast driving tips cover road rules, parking and local quirks
Peak hour traffic
Traffic in the Gold Coast can be congested over holiday periods and the standard peak traffic time is usually 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm, so allow for additional travel time. The Gold Coast is popular with cyclists so be sure to be a cyclist-aware driver.
Book in advance
Gold Coast city pickup rates are typically at their most expensive in July when Australians from the southern states seek to escape the winter chills by travelling north for some sunshine. Booking ten days to two weeks in advance at this time of year is a good idea.
Check your flight times
While the runway at Gold Coast Airport crosses the New South Wales Queensland border, the terminal is in Queensland meaning the airport operates according to Queensland time (AEST). Keep this in mind if you have a pickup or drop-off at the airport.
Parking
Parking in the Gold Coast is available at council carparks and metered street parking, and payment is possible by credit card, cash and the EasyPark App, though not all meters accept cash. Check parking signage carefully as fines can be high and parking limits are strictly policed.
Tollways in the Gold Coast
There are no toll roads in the Gold Coast, but if you’re driving from Brisbane to the Gold Coast, you may use the Gateway Motorway or Logan Motorway, both of which have tolls. Check with your car hire provider when you collect your rental car for more details.
Be tram aware
When driving, stay alert and watch out for trams from the Gold Coast’s G:link light rail. Never drive, stop, or park on the tracks, only make U-turns where explicitly signed as permitted, and obey all special traffic signals and road rules along the shared corridors.
Also need a campervan?
Campervan hire on the Gold Coast
Compare Apollo, Britz, Jucy and more. Deposit or upfront payment applies to campervans.
Compare campervans →Gold Coast car hire FAQs
How much does it cost to hire a car in The Gold Coast?
For a 3-day rental with pickup between 12 and 18 October 2026, prices range from AUD $41 per day for an Economy car to AUD $128 per day for a Fullsize SUV. Enter your planned dates to compare live rental rates for your vehicle in The Gold Coast.
What is the cheapest car rental in The Gold Coast?
The cheapest car rental in The Gold Coast is an Economy car from AUD $41 per day, for a 3-day rental with pickup between 12 and 18 October 2026. Enter your travel dates in the search form and compare live rates from Australia’s most respected rental car providers.
What is the best way to rent a cheap car in The Gold Coast?
Booking your hire car in The Gold Coast 3 days beforehand can save you over 7 per cent, based on our own daily rate checks.
How much does it cost to rent a car in the Gold Coast for a week?
A one-week car hire in the Gold Coast currently starts from AUD $419, equivalent to around AUD $60 per day, based on a 7-day rental from 14 October to 21 October 2026. Europcar’s Mg 3 Core or similar is our cheapest option — enter your travel dates to compare live car hire rates in the Gold Coast.
What is the best car rental company in The Gold Coast?
Budget is our highest-rated car hire provider in The Gold Coast, scoring an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 based on actual bookings by our customers.
What is the cheapest car rental company in The Gold Coast?
Sixt is the cheapest car rental company in The Gold Coast, with rates from AUD $41 per day, for a 3-day rental with pickup between 12 and 18 October 2026. Enter your travel dates in the search form and compare live rates from Australia’s most respected rental car providers.
Which town should I pick up my hire car in?
Pick up your car hire from the town nearest where you're staying, but remember there is often a trade off as the closest rental car provider, may not be the cheapest — see our table above comparing the cost of rental cars in Nerang, Southport, Surfers Paradise and more.
Is it cheaper to collect at Gold Coast Airport or in Surfers Paradise?
With airport rentals, an off-airport rental may be considerably cheaper than either an on-airport rental or a car hired in the city — in this case Surfers Paradise. See our table tracking the cheapest rental cars across the Gold Coast this week for an idea of the price difference.
Is there a car hire depot in Burleigh Heads?
No. The closest rental car providers to Burleigh Heads are located in Broadbeach to the north and Currumbin to the south. Both are within easy driving distance of Burleigh Heads.
Do I need a car on the Gold Coast?
This will depend on where you’re staying and what you’re doing. The G:link light rail runs much of the length of the Gold Coast, passing through Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach before terminating at Burleigh Heads, but as soon as you’re heading further afield, you’ll appreciate having your own transport.
Can I pick up on the Gold Coast and drop off in Brisbane or Byron Bay?
Yes, you can rent a car on the Gold Coast for a one-way drive to Brisbane, Byron Bay, or elsewhere. Fees vary by provider and are shown in the total before you book.
Have a question we haven’t answered?
Why book your Gold Coast car hire with VroomVroomVroom?
5/5 · Moon Serk P. · Sep 2026
Great and easy to booking system
Booked: Passenger Van
Gold Coast Southport
5/5 · Adam M. · Jul 2026
Easy to select dates and options, the page was simple and easy to follow as well as confirming the booking all in one place
Booked: Passenger Van
Southport
5/5 · Stanley Michael R. · Jul 2026
great experience and easy to do
Booked: Passenger Van
Southport
5/5 · Helen D. · Aug 2026
Easy to book
Booked: Passenger Van
Melbourne Airport
5/5 · Qiyong Z. · Sep 2026
👍👍👍
Booked: Passenger Van
Melbourne Airport
5/5 · Alan S. · Aug 2026
quick and very easy
Booked: Passenger Van
Launceston Airport
5/5 · Grant B. · Jul 2026
Easy to use website
Booked: Passenger Van
Melbourne Tullamarine Airport
4/5 · Peter J. · Jun 2026
QUITE STRAIGHT FORWARD
Booked: Passenger Van
Hobart Airport
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Plan your Queensland road trip
Gold Coast day trips
Use the Gold Coast as a base for scenic day trips combining beaches, rainforest and hinterland scenery. Head south through Burleigh Heads to Coolangatta and Tweed Heads, explore waterfalls and lookouts in Springbrook National Park, or venture inland to Lamington National Park for rainforest walks and wildlife.
Escape the winter chills at the Gold Coast
Make the Gold Coast the focus of a longer road trip, with routes from Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide offering plenty of worthwhile stops along the way. Once there, explore beyond the beaches with drives to Tamborine Mountain, Springbrook, Coolangatta and Tweed Heads, combining coast, rainforest and hinterland scenery.
Brisbane → Sunshine Coast
Spend six days exploring Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast and its lush hinterland on a flexible Southeast Queensland road trip. Swing by Bribie Island, Caloundra and Noosa, then head inland through Mapleton, Montville and Maleny before visiting the Glass House Mountains and Australia Zoo on the return journey to Brisbane.
