How to pick up and return a hire car at Hobart Airport (HBA)

Hobart Airport (HBA) is located around 18 km to the east of Hobart, and has a single terminal which handles both domestic and international flights and houses the rental car provider desks. See below for clear instructions on how to find Hobart Airport’s car hire desks and where to pick up your rental car.

International or domestic?

Hobart has a single international connection — to Auckland in New Zealand — but this is a seasonal route, operating in summer only. When operating, international arrivals and departures use the same terminal as domestic flights.

How to pick up your hire car

Hobart Airport has both on- and off-airport rental car providers, but regardless of which you’re using, it’s a good idea when booking an airport rental car to supply your flight number. In doing this it means your hire car provider will be aware if your flight is delayed.

Find your rental desk: On- or off-airport

As Hobart Airport has both on-airport and off-airport depots, the first step in picking up your rental car is knowing which type of provider you have booked with.

On-airport pickup

The on-airport hire car desks at Hobart Airport are located inside the arrivals hall opposite the baggage carousels.

Off-airport pickup

Hobart Airport has a single off-airport provider — East Coast Car Rentals — which doesn’t maintain a rental desk at the airport itself, meaning you need to arrange transport to their depot, either by using a shuttle transfer, taxi, or rideshare.

Rental car shuttle transfers tend to leave regularly, although not always on demand, so there may be some waiting involved.

Finalise your rental agreement and collect keys

Before you’re able to drive away, there are a few simple steps required: paperwork will need to be finalised, you’ll need to inspect the vehicle, and then you’ll be handed the keys to your rental car. Learn more about a typical airport rental car pickup process.

What should I do if the desk is unattended?

In the event the rental car desk is unattended, staff will hopefully have left a sign with instructions or a contact number which you can call to let them know that you’ve arrived. If this isn’t the case, a good option is to make your way to the rental car parking area where there should be a staff member who can assist. If the desk is unattended and there’s no sign, check your booking confirmation email for a contact phone number. If you have no luck contacting staff, call us at 1300 722 920. As unstaffed rental desks are not unusual, what you don’t need to do is worry — rest assured there’s usually staff in the hire car parking area.

How to return your hire car

On-airport return

Hobart Airport is around a 20-minute drive to the east of downtown Hobart, with the Tasman Highway offering the most direct route. If you’re driving to the airport during weekday peak hours (typically 7:30–9:30 am and 4:30–6:00 pm, be sure to allow a little extra time in the case of traffic congestion. To reach the parking area, drive towards Hobart Airport’s main car park entrance, and follow the car rental return signs. Vehicles can be returned at the airport car park, where there is a designated area for hire cars.

When returning your airport rental car, it’s a good idea to set aside at least 30 minutes to allow sufficient time for the staff to check over your car and tidy up any remaining paperwork. If you’re using an off-airport depot, allowing 45 minutes to an hour is prudent as there’s the extra time required for your transfer to the airport. Airports typically recommend being at the terminal two hours beforehand for a domestic flight and three hours for international departures.

Off-airport return

Off-airport depots serving Hobart Airport are located to the northwest of the airport precinct, around a five-minute drive away. Be sure to allow sufficient time (in most cases 30 minutes should be adequate) to return your airport rental car, and as shuttles do not typically leave upon demand, allowing a further 30 minutes for the shuttle transfer to Hobart Airport is prudent.