Can I book a one-way car rental?
By Vroom Team • Reviewed 16 Jul 2026
One-way car rentals let you drop off your rental car at a different location from where you picked it up — a handy feature for those who'd prefer not to backtrack on their road trips. Read on to learn more.
Booking a one-way rental means you’re dropping off your rental vehicle at a location different from where you picked it up. Great for when you need a ride to the airport or you can’t be bothered to drive back to the depot after 10 days on the road, one-way hires save you time on the road and allow you to create flexible itineraries. Read VroomVroomVroom’s quick guide on one-way rentals and find out how providers handle them.
What is a one-way car rental?
Rental car providers typically require renters to return their vehicle to the depot it was collected from — a one-way car rental lets you collect the car from one depot and return it to another.
Why should I get a one-way car rental?
With Australia being so large, return trips can take a lot of time especially if you’re on a cross-state drive, say from Darwin to Melbourne. If you find that your collection depot is hours — even days — away from your destination, consider booking a one-way rental to save time from driving all the way back at the end of your journey.
One-way rentals are convenient for renters operating on a tight schedule, those on emergency trips, and those who simply have no need to return to where they collected the car from.
How do I book a one-way car rental?
When you book through VroomVroomVroom, you’ll find a toggle button on the booking widget that allows you to choose whether you’re booking a return or one-way trip. Enter your desired collection and drop off location, then hit search, and a list of available vehicles will appear.
Is a one-way rental more expensive than a standard booking?
Typically, yes. One-way fees vary per provider, location, vehicle class, distance travelled, and time of year, with airport drop-offs levying higher rental fees. In some cases, rental companies will add a one-way fee, and in others they may use a different daily rate. The easiest way to find out how much one-way fees are is to compare prices using VroomVroomVroom.
Do you need to pre-book a one-way rental?
Yes, when booking your hire car you can select both the collection and drop-off depots and you are expected to honour these. If you decide — for whatever reason — to return your car to a different depot to that specified on the Rental Agreement, there may be further additional charges applied, although providers such as Dollar, Hertz, and Thrifty may accept rentals where the vehicle is dropped off at a location different to from what is stated on the Rental Agreement. Always read your Terms and Conditions carefully.
What are some popular one-way rentals?
We have several one-way road trips guides to choose from. Here are four itineraries we have curated for one-way hires in Australia.
11-day road trip from Sydney to Melbourne: National park tours, beach day at Jervis Bay, or wine and dine at Mornington Peninsula.
Two road trips from Hobart to Launceston: Cruise by the sea or through the lush mountains of Tasmania.
An 8-day road trip from Adelaide to Mt Gambier: A one-of-a-kind road trip to Mount Gambier along the South Australian coastline.
Sydney to Canberra in five days: Take the long-but-worthwhile countryside route from one CBD to another.
Do all providers allow one-way rentals?
All VroomVroomVroom car hire providers allow one-way rentals in some form.
| Rental car provider | Policy |
| Avis | Avis permits one-way hires and any surcharge associated with the one-way hire is incorporated into the daily rental rate. Returning the rental vehicle to a depot different to that listed in the Rental Agreement may attract additional fees. |
| Bargain Car Rentals | Bargain Car Rentals allows one-way rentals between selected locations only. |
| Budget | Budget permits one-way hires and any surcharge associated with the one-way hire is incorporated into the daily rental rate. Returning the rental vehicle to a depot different to that listed in the Rental Agreement may attract additional fees. |
| Dollar | Dollar allows one-way rentals from selected locations, but a one-way fee may apply. |
| East Coast | Subject to availability, East Coast allows one-way rentals from selected locations. A one-way fee applies and is determined by factors including the vehicle type, length of rental, and the collection and drop-off depots. |
| Europcar | Europcar allows one-way rentals from selected locations, but a one-way fee may apply. |
| Everything Fleet | Everything Fleet permits one-way hires from participating depots and any surcharge associated with the one-way hire may be incorporated into the daily rental rate. Returning the rental vehicle to a depot different to that listed in the Rental Agreement may attract additional fees. |
| Hertz | Hertz allows one-way rentals and any surcharge associated with the one-way hire may be incorporated into the daily rental rate. Returning the rental vehicle to a depot different to that listed in the Rental Agreement may attract further fees. |
| No Birds | No Birds prohibits one-way rentals for trips between Sydney and Perth. One-way rentals within the greater Sydney area attract a $55 relocation fee. |
| Redspot | Redspot permits one-way rentals across Australia for a relocation fee determined at the time of booking. |
| Sixt | One-way rentals with Sixt are available between specific locations only and may be further restricted depending on the time of the year. |
| Thrifty | Thrifty allows one-way rentals from selected locations, and a one-way fee may apply. |
Can I take my rental car to a different state during a one-way rental?
Most providers let you take their vehicles on a one-way drive to another state but will most likely levy a one-way fee, and fees can vary considerably. Not all depots offer or accept one-way rentals, with rental companies in Western Australia rarely allowing their cars to be taken out of state, and availability can be more limited, so it can be a good idea to be a bit flexible when searching.
Do I need to pay extra for a one-way rental?
Hire car companies usually add a one-way or relocation fee to your total booking charge or increase their base rental rates. There are several ways to minimise your rental expense — see VroomVroomVroom’s guide on car hire secrets to learn about some cost-friendly rental tips.
What car can I book for a one-way rental?
Most rental vehicles are open to one-way rentals, however availability depends on location and time of year. To see which vehicles you can take on a one-way trip, input your pickup and drop-off location along with your preferred rental dates through VroomVroomVroom’s search widget. Read more about what you need to know before hiring a car in Australia.
What happens if I return my rental car to the wrong location?
Hire cars dropped off at the wrong location are considered one-way rentals, and may be subject to a relocation fee. Each provider handles one-way rentals differently, with factors including location, distance from the collection depot, and vehicle class taken into consideration. When you drop off your vehicle at a different location, contact your rental provider immediately and inquire about the next steps.
What documents do I need to provide to book a one-way car rental?
As with any car hire, you need to provide a driving licence and a credit card to book a one-way rental. Before reserving a car, ensure you’re legally allowed to drive in Australia, especially if you’re holding a digital driver’s licence, using an International Driving Permit, or booking with a different form of payment.
Do relocation deals fall under one-way car rental?
Hire car companies offer relocation deals to cut on costs from transporting their fleet, marketing them as affordable one-way car hire. See our guide on relocation deals to know why they’re considered one-way rentals.
About the author
Vroom Team
VroomVroomVroom’s writing team brings together decades of writing expertise to share their insights into travelling around Australia by rental car. Let our team help you get the most out of your rental car experience.
