How to return your car to the airport
By Vroom Team • Reviewed 02 Mar 2026
Just as when you’re collecting your hire car, dropping off a rental car at an airport in Australia is straightforward — just follow these steps.
Your holiday is nearing the end and all you need to do is return your rental car before jumping on your flight home—what could go wrong? With a bit of planning and foresight, nothing. Read on to find out how returning your car to the airport works and how to avoid unexpected charges and make sure you reach your flight on time.
On-airport vs off-airport returns
Airport rental locations fall into two categories — on-airport vs off-airport — on-airport depots typically operate within or very close to the actual terminal buildings, while off-airport depots are mostly a shuttle bus away. Either way, the return process follows a clear and fairly similar sequence.
On-airport provider
As mentioned, these are located either within the airport terminal or a short walk away from it, often as a part of a greater dedicated car hire precinct. To reach an on-airport depot, you simply follow the “Car Rental Parking” signs as you drive towards the airport. These locations are usually accessible 24 hours a day — even if the rental desk is closed. In most cases, the process is as follows:
Follow “Car Rental Return/Parking” signage as you approach the airport.
Park in your provider’s designated bays — note these areas are often shared by multiple providers, so make sure you park in the right one.
Make your way to the rental car counter.
Off-airport provider
Off-airport depots operate outside of the airport boundary, typically a five to 15 minutes drive from the terminal, so it is important that you know where the depot is — the address for the return of your hire car should be clearly displayed on your booking confirmation. It’s also important that you factor in the shuttle time to the airport terminal into your schedule, especially during peak travel periods. As with on-airport providers, the steps are straightforward, and as follows:
Drive to the depot address on your booking confirmation.
Park in the area marked for the return of rental cars — this should be clearly signposted.
Make your way to the rental car counter.
Step-by-step: Returning your vehicle
The return process is effectively the reverse of a rental car pick-up, and you’ll be expected to follow all of the following regardless of if you’re using an on-airport or off-airport depot.
1. Refuel before arrival
Most rental car providers operate on a full-to-full fuel policy, which means you’re expected to return your rental vehicle with either a full tank of fuel or a fully-charged battery. If you don’t do this, the provider will charge you — at a premium rate — to refuel or recharge the vehicle. Our advice is the refuel within 5–10 km of the airport and to keep your receipt. The Vroom Fuel Price Compare smartphone app can be helpful in finding affordable fuel near the airport.
2. Park in the correct area
Follow signage at the provider depot carefully. While off-airport depot parking areas tend to be dedicated to a sole provider, on-airport ones are frequently shared between multiple rental brands, so be sure to park in the correct parking area.
3. Remove your personal belongings
Once you have parked your rental car, check you have removed all your personal belongings. Be sure to check the following areas of the car as travellers frequently forget items in these places, and the provider may charge you to return them to you at a later date.
Boot of the car.
The glovebox.
Under all seats.
The door pockets.
4. Vehicle inspection
If the rental desk is open, a staff member may inspect the vehicle with you. They will check the vehicle for any new damage, confirm the fuel or charge level, and sometimes ask if you had any problems with the rental.
If you’re returning your rental car outside of business hours, you should photograph the vehicle, its fuel gauge and odometer, lock the car, and drop the carkeys in a secure return box. For more detailed information on after-hours returns, see our out of hours guide.
5. Finalise paperwork
If you’re returning your vehicle during business hours, staff will then confirm your return time, fuel status, and that no new damage has occured, and then finalise any paperwork and additional charges (if any).
6. Head to the airport
If you’re using an on-airport depot it’s now simply a case of walking to departures. For off-airport depots, you’ll need to wait for a transfer (typically a minivan) to the airport precinct. These transfers don’t always run on demand, and this is why you should be sure to allow sufficient time to get from the depot to the airport.
What if you’re running late?
If traffic delays you, or you anticipate arriving after closing time, it’s critical that you contact the depot as soon as possible. For on-airport depots, after-hours key drop may be available, while for off-airport depots, the shuttle services may stop at a set time, in which case you may need to arrange alternative transport to the terminal. Communicating early helps avoid misunderstandings regarding a late return.
Tips for returning your rental car
Allow at least 20–30 minutes for the entire process before your flight check-in time.
Confirm the correct terminal if you’re using a shuttle transfer.
Ensure the fuel tank or battery charge matches the required fuel or charge level.
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.
Learn more about Australian airports and car hire
