Car hire in Melbourne, with pickups across the CBD and inner suburbs
Compare 9 rental brands across 16 Melbourne depots — pay at pickup, free cancellation.
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Cheapest rate today, by vehicle class in Melbourne
We compare live car hire rates across downtown and suburb depots in Melbourne. Set your rental dates, browse available rental vehicles in Melbourne today, and pay at pickup. Book a hire car from Melbourne to Geelong or Melbourne Airport with major rental car providers, including Avis, Budget, Dollar, East Coast, Europcar, Hertz, Redspot, Sixt, and Thrifty, all in two minutes. If plans change, cancel it for free.
Economy Car
Suzuki Swift or similar
View offerTravel 25 Sep - 28 Sep 2026
from AUD $63/day
Compact Car
Mg 3 Core or similar
View offerTravel 25 Sep - 28 Sep 2026
from AUD $62/day
Compact SUV
Mazda Cx3 or similar
View offerTravel 25 Sep - 28 Sep 2026
from AUD $63/day
Intermediate Car
Kia Cerato or similar
View offerTravel 25 Sep - 28 Sep 2026
from AUD $63/day
Intermediate SUV
Hyundai Kona or similar
View offerTravel 25 Sep - 28 Sep 2026
from AUD $59/day
Premium Passenger Van
Kia Carnival or similar
View offerTravel 25 Sep - 28 Sep 2026
from AUD $220/day
Rental rate prices displayed are AUD and were available in response to a search at 12:01 am on September 18, 2026 by an Australian resident aged between 30 and 69 years old, for the specified travel dates, with a pickup and return time of 10:00 am. Rates and vehicle availability may change without notice. Use our price comparison tool to get current rental rates. Rates include all mandatory fees for the rental and exclude credit card surcharges and extras.
All rates are in AUD, include mandatory fees, and were last updated on 18 September, 2026. Use the search tool for a live quote.
Melbourne price guide
Summary
- The typical hire is two days: 69.2% of rentals run three days or less and three-quarters finish inside six
- Quick maths: a compact car at $43.22/day will cost $86.44 for a two-day hire
- The cheapest isn’t always the most popular: compact cars (21%) and intermediate SUVs (14.4%) cover about a third of bookings while economy cars are just 6.8%.
Daily rates by vehicle type
| Vehicle type | 12-month range Calculated using the middle 90% of daily rates over 2025 to show typical seasonal variation. | This week vs typical Compared against the 7-day rolling median rate for this vehicle category. Individual booking dates, pickup locations, and provider availability will alter final pricing. |
|---|---|---|
| CARS | ||
Economy car | 12-month range $42 - $174/dayCalculated using the middle 90% of daily rates over 2025 to show typical seasonal variation. | This week Compared against the 7-day rolling median rate for this vehicle category. Individual booking dates, pickup locations, and provider availability will alter final pricing. $42 · above average |
Compact carMost booked | 12-month range $36 - $177/day | This week $43 · average for September |
Intermediate car | 12-month range $42 - $195/day | This week $44 · average for September |
Standard car | 12-month range $47 - $197/day | This week $48 · average for September |
Fullsize car | 12-month range $51 - $237/day | This week $72 · above average |
| SUVS | ||
Compact SUV | 12-month range $45 - $201/day | This week $53 · average for September |
Intermediate SUV | 12-month range $43 - $247/day | This week $56 · above average |
Standard SUV | 12-month range $54 - $284/day | This week $62 · above average |
Fullsize SUV | 12-month range $61 - $374/day | This week $144 · average for September |
| PEOPLE MOVERS | ||
People mover | 12-month range $74 - $451/day | This week $210 · below average |
Cheapest provider this week
Only on VroomVroomVroom| Provider | Cheapest this week | Renter ratings | Compare prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| Redspot | $42/day | Unrated | Check prices → |
| Europcar | $52/day | 4.2 (6) | Check prices → |
| Budget | $58/day | 4 (16) | Check prices → |
| Sixt | $61/day | 4.4 (39) | Check prices → |
| Thrifty | $62/day | 4.6 (20) | Check prices → |
| Avis | $64/day | 5 (1) | Check prices → |
| Hertz | $66/day | 5 (3) | Check prices → |
Rates shown are indicative daily estimates based on historical booking data. 12-month ranges represent typical market pricing (excluding extreme top and bottom outliers). Actual prices fluctuate in real time based on availability, lead time, season, and location, and may exclude optional add-ons, local taxes, or young driver fees.
When to book a hire car in Melbourne
Cheapest month
Jun · $69/day
city pickup
Peak month
Dec · $97/day
widest swing in AU
Off-airport
$68/day
vs $103 on-airport
Book 28+ days in advance
≈20% less
than same-day
Average daily rate through the year
Melbourne city pickup · AUD/day · 2025
Summary
- Melbourne rates drop in June to the city's cheapest rates in 2025, after the Easter price hike in April and May and as the season shifts from autumn to winter.
- Rates rise from September to October to welcome in the spring school holidays, alongside the Caulfield Cup and Cox Plate. November eases back to low rates, despite the Melbourne Cup Day happening this month.
- December is Melbourne's priciest month as the summer holidays and the Christmas - New Year rush overlap. For travellers on a budget, it's best to let the New Year's Eve pass before locking in rental dates.
When people book hire cars in Australia versus Melbourne
Most people search for their car hire in Melbourne within 12 days of their planned rental. Planning ahead is typically rewarded in Melbourne as over the last 12 months, booking 28 days ahead averaged a 20 per cent saving versus a same-day booking over the last 12 months.
- Most book 12 days ahead
- Booking 28 days ahead typically saves 20%
Source: VroomVroomVroom car hire price trends: tracking millions of real car hire searches across 2025
Which type of hire car in Melbourne is right for you?
| Best for | Vehicle type | Why | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weekend CBD & inner-city stay | Economy or compact car (MG Core 3, Volkswagen Polo, Toyota Corolla Hybrid) | Economy and compact cars suit the Hoddle Grid’s narrow one-way streets and parking areas. Several car rental depots are accessible from the city centre, ideal for quick weekend trips and day trips around Melbourne’s famous spots, including the Queen Victoria Market and Flinders Street. | |
| Great Ocean Road / coastal road-tripper | Compact SUV or intermediate SUV (Toyota CH-R, Mazda Cx3, Kia Sportage) | With the extra boot space and elevation, compact and intermediate SUVs fit out-of-town drives to the Great Ocean Road and beyond. Melbourne to Torquay to the Twelve Apostles take about eight hours by car, and with spacious interiors designed for comfort, renting a compact or intermediate SUV works well for adventurous multi-day hires. | |
| Airport arrival & short business trip | Economy car or intermediate car (Suzuki Swift, Toyota Corolla, Mazda 3) | Melbourne Airport’s on-airport rental desks ensure smooth pickups right upon arrival, while off-airport depots are a shuttle ride away from the terminal. If you’re coming to Melbourne on a business trip, economy and intermediate cars suit short-term car hires that won’t break the bank. | |
| Family day trip — Dandenongs / Yarra Valley | Intermediate SUV or people mover (MG HS Vibe, Hyundai Kona, Mitsubishi Eclipse) | Ferntree Gully Road winds through the Dandenong Ranges just an hour’s drive out of Melbourne; the extra seat and boot room in an intermediate SUV or people mover suits a family outing — even with a detour to Puffing Billy. |
Flying into Melbourne Airport?
Melbourne Airport is about a 30-minute drive north from Melbourne CBD with on- and off-airport depots from 11 rental car brands. On-airport pickup averaged $103/day in 2025 against $68 off-airport — compare both before you lock it in.
Regional airports near Melbourne
Choose an off-airport depot
Most providers add a Premium Location Surcharge to on-airport rentals, so if you’re looking for cheaper car hire in Melbourne, choosing an off-airport depot makes sense. According to our 2025 booking data, you can save up to 34 per cent in airport rentals when booked in off-airport locations. Melbourne has three off-airport locations you can take a shuttle to from Melbourne Airport: East Coast Car Rentals in Tarmac Drive, Bargain Car Rentals in Annandale Road, and Everything Fleet in Howes Street.
One-way car hire from Melbourne
- Melbourne to Sydney · 9 hrs via National Hwy
- Melbourne to Adelaide · 8 hrs via National Hwy
Melbourne serves as a great starting point for one-way car hires, whether you’re heading to Sydney or a different city, or travelling to a nearby nature escape such as the Dandenong Ranges. Most car hire providers offer one-way rentals, however car availability varies per location. Simply untick the “Return to the same location” option in the search form and select your preferred location and rental dates to start browsing vehicles and comparing rates from different providers.
Car rental depots in Melbourne CBD
Melbourne has plenty of rental car depots, including ten in the CBD. Europcar has a second location in Clarendon, South Melbourne, and so does Budget Rent a Car (Normanby Road), while Hertz, Sixt, and Thrifty share the same address in Thistlethwaite Street. Redspot has a depot east of the CBD, in Wellington Parade near Yarra Park and the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Avis Melbourne Au Downtown
5.0 (1)Shop 2 - 8 Franklin St
Mon–Fri 07:30–17:00, w/e 08:00–14:00Avis Southern Cross Cars
N/A99 Spencer St - Unit 27
Mon–Fri 07:30–16:30, w/e 08:00–12:00
Budget Melbourne Downtown
4.0 (12)Shop 2/8 Franklin St (Metro)
Mon–Fri 07:30–17:00, w/e 08:00–14:00Budget Payne Leasing
N/ALvl 1/198-200 Normanby Road
Mon–Fri 08:00–18:00, closed w/eBudget Southern Cross
4.0 (4)99 Spencer St - Unit 28
Mon–Fri 07:30–16:30, w/e 08:00–12:00The car was in a nearby parking building. Was told that the boom gate would automatically open. This did not happen, was asked to pay $15 to exit. When I explained I was picking up a rental car, was told that the car was not on their records, and to contact the rental company. However, did not have a number for the Southern Cross depot. After some discussion was allowed to leave. However, this was stressful. (Nicola J. · Aug 2026)
Dollar Melbourne Downtown
4.4 (1)Shop 3/8 Franklin St
Mon–Fri 07:30–17:00, w/e 08:00–16:00
East Coast Melbourne City - Collins Street
4.5 (12)Grand Hyatt Hotel Level 4, 123 Collins Street
Mon–Sun 07:00–17:00
Europcar Melbourne City
4.2 (6)89 Franklin Street
Mon–Sat 08:00–17:00, Sun 09:00–17:00Waiting for more than one hour to get my vehicle. 20 minutes for one client processing in average and only one clerk working (Sontao C. · Aug 2026)
Europcar Melbourne South
N/A50-54 Clarendon Street
Mon–Fri 08:00–17:00, Sat 08:00–12:00, Sun 09:00–13:00
Hertz Melbourne Downtown
5.0 (3)Shop 3/8 Franklin St
Mon–Fri 07:30–17:00, w/e 08:00–16:00Hertz South Melbourne Downtown
N/A124 Thistlethwaite St
Mon–Fri 08:00–17:00, w/e 08:00–12:00
Redspot Melbourne
N/A192 Wellington Parade, East Melbourne,
Mon–Fri 08:30–16:30, w/e 08:30–12:30
Sixt Melbourne City
4.3 (33)Shop 10, 99 Spencer St
Mon–Sun 08:00–13:00Sixt South Melbourne
4.6 (6)101-109 Thistlethwaite Street
Mon–Fri 08:00–16:45, Sat 08:00–11:45, Sun 08:00–10:45
Thrifty Melbourne Downtown
4.5 (15)Shop 3/8 Franklin St
Mon–Fri 07:30–17:00, w/e 08:00–16:00Thrifty South Melbourne
4.8 (5)124 Thistlethwaite St
Mon–Fri 08:00–17:00, w/e 08:00–12:00
Car hire around Melbourne
You don't have to collect your hire car in the city centre. These locations are all within 25 km of the Melbourne CBD, from Docklands and Southbank about 2 km out, to Clayton and Hoppers Crossing on the city fringe. Pick the depot closest to where you're staying, then compare rates and opening hours before you book. Distances shown are from the CBD.
Elsewhere in Victoria: Ballarat · Mornington Peninsula
Local expert tips when renting a car in Melbourne
Behind the wheel itself? Our Melbourne driving tips cover road rules, parking and local quirks
Manage your toll payments
Toll roads in Melbourne include CityLink, which links the CBD and Melbourne Airport, the West Gate Tunnel, and EastLink, which takes you to Mornington Peninsula. If you’re using toll roads, ensure that your hire car is fitted with an e-Tag as tolls are only paid electronically through Linkt or EastLink.
The hook turn
Melbourne CBD roads are shared with public transport vehicles, including trams, and they usually get right of way. Some intersections are signposted with the “hook turn” sign, telling drivers to turn right from the left lane, keeping the inner lanes clear for trams. Failure to do so will result in a traffic fine for obstructing traffic.
Parking rules
Most kerbside parking in the Melbourne CBD is metered and limited to an hour, but restrictions typically ease after 8:30 pm and on weekends. Parking in the CBD and inner suburbs can be expensive, and overstaying attracts hefty fines. Read the parking signs to know the zone limitations, payment terms, and time limits.
Beware of clearways
At peak hours, some roadside parking spaces turn into clearways to decongest heavy traffic in the CBD, and any car left out in clearways gets towed and attracts a penalty fee. Mind the allotted parking times in these areas and make sure you’ve taken your car to a different location when clearways are opened.
Australian Open 2027
Hiring a car during the Australian Open in January lets you avoid peak-hour crowds, arrive on schedule, and easily explore beyond Melbourne Park, however streets can get busy and parking spaces run out fast. Book your rental car for the Australian Open at least two weeks in advance to avoid the price surge, and plan ahead for your visit.
Melbourne speed limits
40 km/h is the standard speed limit across several areas in the CBD, including Carlton, Parkville and Princes Hill, North and West Melbourne, East Melbourne and Jolimont, Domain Parklands, South Yarra, and the Hoddle Grid. Lower speed limits apply to Swanston Street (30 km/h) and the Little streets (20 km/h).
Also need a campervan or a ute?
Campervan hire in Melbourne
Compare Apollo, Britz, JUCY and more. Deposit or upfront payment applies to campervans.
Compare campervans →
Ute, van & truck hire in Melbourne
Moving or hauling? Compare commercial vehicles — pay at pickup.
Compare commercials →Melbourne car hire FAQs
How much does it cost to hire a car in Melbourne?
For a rental period from 19 September to 22 September 2026, prices range from AUD $45 per day for a Compact SUV to AUD $230 per day for a Fullsize SUV. Enter your planned dates to compare live rental rates for your vehicle in Melbourne.
What is the cheapest car rental in Melbourne?
The cheapest car rental in Melbourne for the rental period from 19 September to 22 September 2026 is a Mystery Car or similar from Budget costing AUD $45 per day. 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 Melbourne?
Booking your hire car in Melbourne 28 days beforehand can save you over 20 per cent, based on our own daily rate checks.
How much does it cost to rent a car in Melbourne for a week?
A one-week car hire in Melbourne currently starts from AUD $313, equivalent to around AUD $45 per day, based on a 7-day rental from 25 September to 2 October 2026. Europcar’s Hyundai Kona or similar is our cheapest option — enter your travel dates to compare live car hire rates in Melbourne.
How much does it cost to hire a Minivan or People Mover in Melbourne?
The price of a minivan hired in Melbourne from 21 September to 28 September 2026 ranges from AUD $97 to AUD $489 per day before any added extras. Enter your travel dates and compare live rates for a minivan rental in Melbourne.
What is the highest-rated hire car in Melbourne?
The highest-rated rental car in Melbourne is Toyota Corolla Hatch or similar, based on ratings by our customers within the last 12 months.
What is the best car rental company in Melbourne?
Hertz is our highest-rated car hire provider in Melbourne, scoring an average rating of 5 out of 5 based on actual bookings by our customers.
What is the cheapest car rental company in Melbourne?
Redspot is the cheapest car rental company in Melbourne, with rates from AUD $43 per day based on our rolling weekly search data. Enter your travel dates in the search form and compare live rates from Australia’s most respected rental car providers.
What is a hook turn, and do I need to know about them to drive in Melbourne?
Yes. Several Melbourne intersections require cars to make a hook turn, which is when right-turning traffic moves into the left lane first and waiting for the lights to let them pass. It’s a traffic rule unique to Melbourne and safely gives way to trams, meaning drivers unfamiliar with the rule may face hefty traffic fines.
Are there toll roads in Melbourne?
Yes. CityLink, EastLink, and the West Gate Tunnel are the three toll roads found in Melbourne and typically used when driving in the city. Ask your hire car provider how toll charges are billed to your rental before your trip, as valid payment methods vary among rental companies.
How far is the Great Ocean Road from Melbourne?
Torquay, where the Great Ocean Road begins, is about an hour from Melbourne via the West Gate and Princes freeways. If you’re visiting the Twelve Apostles, it’s wise to allot two days of your Melbourne trip for a roundtrip drive at an easy pace.
Can I do a one-way hire from Melbourne to Sydney, Adelaide, or Brisbane?
Yes. For one-way hires, untick “Return to the same location” in the search form and choose your drop-off city. One-way fees vary per provider — read your provider’s Terms and Conditions before finalising your booking and review your cost breakdown to see how much your one-way rental costs.
Have a question we haven’t answered?
Why book your Melbourne car hire with VroomVroomVroom?
5/5 · Chris S. · Sep 2026
Easy
Booked: Passenger Van
Melbourne South
5/5 · Sabrina V. · Aug 2026
Rapide et efficace
Booked: Passenger Van
Melbourne Downtown
5/5 · Ami S. · Aug 2026
Easy and quick process
Booked: Passenger Van
Melbourne Downtown
5/5 · Chris S. · Jul 2026
Easy
Booked: Passenger Van
South Melbourne
5/5 · Timothy W. · Jul 2026
Very easy and great pricing
Booked: Passenger Van
Melbourne Downtown
5/5 · Miguel Angel R. · Jul 2026
easy and affordable
Booked: Passenger Van
Melbourne Downtown
5/5 · Miguel Angel R. · Jul 2026
easy
Booked: Passenger Van
Melbourne Downtown
5/5 · Mikyoe D. · Jul 2026
Good
Booked: Passenger Van
South Melbourne
5/5 · Peter D. · Jun 2026
Great
Booked: Passenger Van
Melbourne Downtown
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Plan your Melbourne road trip
Great Ocean Road
Just two hours from Melbourne, the Great Ocean Road delivers Victoria's greats in a single weekend. Rent an SUV and chase surf at Bells Beach, spot koalas at Kennett River, and marvel at the Twelve Apostles. Spend the night in Port Campbell before exploring the Grotto and the Arch, and that's 48 hours you won't forget.
Ten Melbourne road trips
Not sure which way to drive out of Melbourne? Here are our top ten Melbourne road trips, featuring routes to the Great Ocean Road, Phillip Island, and the Yarra Valley. Each route comes with directions, must-see stops, and things to do along the way.
Geelong → The Otways
Just past Geelong lies the Otways, with about 103,000 hectares of rainforest, waterfalls and volcanic lakes wrapped around the Great Ocean Road. Spot wild koalas at Kennett River, surf and dine in Apollo Bay, then reach Cape Otway's lighthouse and towering cliffs.
