Brisbane car hire, including one-way pickups to Cairns & beyond
Great value car rentals from Brisbane’s most trusted car hire providers
Cheapest rate today, by vehicle class in Brisbane
Browse hire vehicles from compact cars to spacious SUVs ideal for exploring Queensland, compare eight rental brands across six Brisbane CBD depots, and find the ideal vehicle — with free cancellation — for your trip in as little as two minutes. We compare live rates from leading brands including Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Europcar, Hertz, Sixt, and Thrifty, and you pay at pickup.
Economy Car
View offerTravel 06 Sep - 09 Sep 2026
from AUD $37/day
Compact Car
View offerTravel 06 Sep - 09 Sep 2026
from AUD $41/day
Intermediate Car
View offerTravel 06 Sep - 09 Sep 2026
from AUD $42/day
Intermediate SUV
View offerTravel 03 Sep - 10 Sep 2026
from AUD $45/day
Fullsize SUV
View offerTravel 03 Sep - 10 Sep 2026
from AUD $54/day
Special
View offerTravel 03 Sep - 10 Sep 2026
from AUD $57/day
Fullsize Car
View offerTravel 02 Sep - 05 Sep 2026
from AUD $58/day
Standard Car
View offerTravel 03 Sep - 10 Sep 2026
from AUD $64/day
Compact SUV
View offerTravel 03 Sep - 10 Sep 2026
from AUD $70/day
Showing 9 of 26 offers
Rental rate prices displayed are AUD and were available in response to a search at 12:01 am on August 31, 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.
Rates are in AUD and were last updated on 31 August, 2026
Booking tips for renting a car in Brisbane
Best time to book a hire car in Brisbane
Hire car prices in Brisbane fluctuate daily, but there are some general pricing trends to be aware of. School holidays are a big driver of rental prices, with April, July and December typically seeing the highest prices for Brisbane rental cars, while rates in November and May are generally the cheapest.
Our Australia car hire trend data indicates that nationwide, car hires rented two weeks in advance are on average 12 per cent cheaper than same-day rentals. What this means is that if you’re planning on renting a car in Brisbane over any school holiday period, it’s a good idea to book at least two weeks in advance.
How to find cheaper car hire in Brisbane
1. Consider an off-airport rental depot
According to our booking data, renting from an off-airport rental provider in Brisbane can be considerably cheaper than elsewhere in the city. Across 2025, the average price of an off-airport rental car in Brisbane was 40 per cent cheaper than at a hire car depot at Brisbane Airport, and 35 per cent cheaper than a CBD provider. This represents a substantial saving, especially for longer hire periods. Bargain Car Rentals and East Coast Car Rentals (both in Hendra) and Everything Fleet (in Pinkemba) are off-airport depots serving Brisbane Airport.
2. Choose a smaller car
You’ll often find more affordable rental rates for economy or compact hatchbacks (like an MG 3 or Kia Picanto). Smaller cars are better suited to inner city driving and are typically cheaper to run, be they petrol-fuelled or EVs.
3. Look at near-airport locations and budget providers
Not all rental car providers near Brisbane Airport are considered off-airport depots (because they don’t offer a shuttle service to and from the airport), but they may still offer cheaper hire car prices than downtown branches. Brisbane suburbs with hire car depots close to Brisbane Airport include Eagle Farm, Hendra and Pinkemba, and are worth comparing prices in. More affordable rental car providers in Brisbane include Bargain Car Rentals, East Coast Car Rentals and Everything Fleet.
One-way car hires from Brisbane
Brisbane is a very popular option for one-way car hires, with the Gold Coast, the Sunshine Coast and Cairns all being common requests. The Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast are relatively short drives from Brisbane (70 km and 116 km respectively), while Brisbane to Cairns is an epic road trip of over 1,700 km. To search for a for one-way hire car, untick “Return to the same location” in the search form, select your drop-off point, and compare rates. A one-way fee may apply, but exact policies vary by provider and the distance involved.
Average car hire rates in Brisbane
Price range over the past 12 months for an economy car
Price range over the past 12 months for an intermediate car
Price range over the past 12 months for a compact car
Next 7 days rates
Per day price range
31 Aug
$51
$131
01 Sep
$50
$85
02 Sep
$53
$89
03 Sep
$52
$99
04 Sep
$57
$97
05 Sep
$37
$88
06 Sep
$37
$83
Next 7 days rates
Per day price range
31 Aug
$59
$141
01 Sep
$45
$93
02 Sep
$45
$97
03 Sep
$44
$109
04 Sep
$48
$112
05 Sep
$45
$109
06 Sep
$42
$86
Next 7 days rates
Per day price range
31 Aug
$64
$184
01 Sep
$58
$157
02 Sep
$58
$136
03 Sep
$61
$156
04 Sep
$80
$139
05 Sep
$78
$124
06 Sep
$76
$121
Price range over the past 12 months for an intermediate SUV
Next 7 days rates
Per day price range
31 Aug
$55
$173
01 Sep
$76
$116
02 Sep
$77
$116
03 Sep
$70
$116
04 Sep
$84
$116
05 Sep
$72
$116
06 Sep
$71
$116
Next 7 days rates
Per day price range
31 Aug
$63
$188
01 Sep
$49
$134
02 Sep
$49
$130
03 Sep
$45
$138
04 Sep
$52
$131
05 Sep
$49
$128
06 Sep
$46
$128
Next 7 days rates
Per day price range
31 Aug
$77
$368
01 Sep
$81
$163
02 Sep
$82
$150
03 Sep
$54
$161
04 Sep
$65
$146
05 Sep
$55
$133
06 Sep
$57
$136
Next 7 days rates
Per day price range
31 Aug
$140
$237
01 Sep
$157
$193
02 Sep
$149
$184
03 Sep
$133
$180
04 Sep
$128
$169
05 Sep
$118
$164
06 Sep
$125
$173
Next 7 days rates
Per day price range
31 Aug
$133
$133
01 Sep
There is limited availability for pick up at this location on some dates in the next seven days. Use our price comparison tool to get current rental rates and availability.
Limited availability
02 Sep
There is limited availability for pick up at this location on some dates in the next seven days. Use our price comparison tool to get current rental rates and availability.
Limited availability
03 Sep
There is limited availability for pick up at this location on some dates in the next seven days. Use our price comparison tool to get current rental rates and availability.
Limited availability
04 Sep
There is limited availability for pick up at this location on some dates in the next seven days. Use our price comparison tool to get current rental rates and availability.
Limited availability
05 Sep
There is limited availability for pick up at this location on some dates in the next seven days. Use our price comparison tool to get current rental rates and availability.
Limited availability
06 Sep
$84
$84
Next 7 days rates
Per day price range
31 Aug
There is limited availability for pick up at this location on some dates in the next seven days. Use our price comparison tool to get current rental rates and availability.
Limited availability
01 Sep
There is limited availability for pick up at this location on some dates in the next seven days. Use our price comparison tool to get current rental rates and availability.
Limited availability
02 Sep
There is limited availability for pick up at this location on some dates in the next seven days. Use our price comparison tool to get current rental rates and availability.
Limited availability
03 Sep
There is limited availability for pick up at this location on some dates in the next seven days. Use our price comparison tool to get current rental rates and availability.
Limited availability
04 Sep
There is limited availability for pick up at this location on some dates in the next seven days. Use our price comparison tool to get current rental rates and availability.
Limited availability
05 Sep
There is limited availability for pick up at this location on some dates in the next seven days. Use our price comparison tool to get current rental rates and availability.
Limited availability
06 Sep
$86
$86
Next 7 days rates
Per day price range
31 Aug
$230
$315
01 Sep
$238
$333
02 Sep
$215
$301
03 Sep
$209
$330
04 Sep
$185
$215
05 Sep
$182
$215
06 Sep
$185
$215
Next 7 days rates
Per day price range
31 Aug
$136
$136
01 Sep
There is limited availability for pick up at this location on some dates in the next seven days. Use our price comparison tool to get current rental rates and availability.
Limited availability
02 Sep
There is limited availability for pick up at this location on some dates in the next seven days. Use our price comparison tool to get current rental rates and availability.
Limited availability
03 Sep
There is limited availability for pick up at this location on some dates in the next seven days. Use our price comparison tool to get current rental rates and availability.
Limited availability
04 Sep
There is limited availability for pick up at this location on some dates in the next seven days. Use our price comparison tool to get current rental rates and availability.
Limited availability
05 Sep
There is limited availability for pick up at this location on some dates in the next seven days. Use our price comparison tool to get current rental rates and availability.
Limited availability
06 Sep
There is limited availability for pick up at this location on some dates in the next seven days. Use our price comparison tool to get current rental rates and availability.
Limited availability
Next 7 days rates
Per day price range
31 Aug
$95
$169
01 Sep
$109
$123
02 Sep
There is limited availability for pick up at this location on some dates in the next seven days. Use our price comparison tool to get current rental rates and availability.
Limited availability
03 Sep
There is limited availability for pick up at this location on some dates in the next seven days. Use our price comparison tool to get current rental rates and availability.
Limited availability
04 Sep
There is limited availability for pick up at this location on some dates in the next seven days. Use our price comparison tool to get current rental rates and availability.
Limited availability
05 Sep
$442
$442
06 Sep
$105
$442
Next 7 days rates
Per day price range
31 Aug
$442
$442
01 Sep
There is limited availability for pick up at this location on some dates in the next seven days. Use our price comparison tool to get current rental rates and availability.
Limited availability
02 Sep
There is limited availability for pick up at this location on some dates in the next seven days. Use our price comparison tool to get current rental rates and availability.
Limited availability
03 Sep
There is limited availability for pick up at this location on some dates in the next seven days. Use our price comparison tool to get current rental rates and availability.
Limited availability
04 Sep
There is limited availability for pick up at this location on some dates in the next seven days. Use our price comparison tool to get current rental rates and availability.
Limited availability
05 Sep
$442
$442
06 Sep
$442
$442
Next 7 days rates
Per day price range
31 Aug
There is limited availability for pick up at this location on some dates in the next seven days. Use our price comparison tool to get current rental rates and availability.
Limited availability
01 Sep
There is limited availability for pick up at this location on some dates in the next seven days. Use our price comparison tool to get current rental rates and availability.
Limited availability
02 Sep
There is limited availability for pick up at this location on some dates in the next seven days. Use our price comparison tool to get current rental rates and availability.
Limited availability
03 Sep
There is limited availability for pick up at this location on some dates in the next seven days. Use our price comparison tool to get current rental rates and availability.
Limited availability
04 Sep
$103
$103
05 Sep
$103
$107
06 Sep
$98
$98
Next 7 days rates
Per day price range
31 Aug
$140
$189
01 Sep
$154
$154
02 Sep
$146
$146
03 Sep
$131
$138
04 Sep
$126
$126
05 Sep
$116
$127
06 Sep
There is limited availability for pick up at this location on some dates in the next seven days. Use our price comparison tool to get current rental rates and availability.
Limited availability
Next 7 days rates
Per day price range
31 Aug
$124
$142
01 Sep
$139
$139
02 Sep
$142
$142
03 Sep
$136
$168
04 Sep
$139
$139
05 Sep
$136
$142
06 Sep
$136
$136
Historical daily rate pricing information is data from actual bookings made using our search engine in the previous 12 months.
Next 7 days rates are obtained from searches in our reservation system for a 3 day rental duration, by an Australian resident aged between 30 and 69 years old, with a pickup and return time of 10:00 am on the indicated pick up date. Rates and vehicle availability may change without notice.
Prices are in AUD and include all mandatory fees for the rental and exclude credit card surcharges and extras.
While we make reasonable efforts to provide accurate and reliable data, the data is provided ‘as is’ and errors or other defects may occur. For more information, click here: Terms and Conditions.
Rates are in AUD and were last updated on 31 August, 2026
Which type of hire car in Brisbane is right for you?
Selecting the right Brisbane hire car will depend on a number of factors including the trip you have planned, how many passengers you’re carrying and how much luggage you all have. Queensland is big and with longer road trips, features like a more spacious vehicle and additional boot space for gear can make a real difference. The following outlines some common car hire scenarios along with some vehicle type and model suggestions available from car hire providers.
| Best for | Vehicle type | Typical models | Why choose this vehicle type |
| Weekend CBD & South Bank break | Economy or compact car | Kia Picanto, MG 3, Toyota Corolla | If you’re staying at an inner-city hotel, many CBD depots are on Charlotte and Albert streets, a short walk away. Economy and compact cars are preferable on busy city streets and can be easily parked around South Bank and the CBD. |
| Gold Coast / Sunshine Coast escape | Compact SUV or intermediate car | Toyota CH-R, Mazda Cx3, Kia Cerato | Surfers Paradise is 76 km south of Brisbane on the M1, the Sunshine Coast is 116 km north via the Bruce Highway, and both destinations are a comfortable there-and-back drive on a full tank or charge. A more spacious SUV will make your road trip all the more comfortable. |
| Family day trip to the theme parks | Mid-size SUV or people mover | Kia Sportage, Subaru Crosstrek, Kia Carnival | Dreamworld, Movie World and Sea World are three of the Gold Coast’s most popular theme parks, and for a family trip, a people mover or 7-seat SUV delivers plenty of comfort — along with all the boot space you’ll need — for a scenic drive to the Gold Coast. |
| Sunshine Coast Hinterland scenic drive | SUV | Mg Zs, Ldv D90, Mazda CX5 | A road trip to the Sunshine Coast’s hinterland will include mountain roads that climb out of the Bruce Highway corridor. The extra ground clearance that comes with an SUV will be a welcome help on any steeper drives. |
Brisbane Airport car hire
Are you flying into Brisbane?
Consider collecting your vehicle from the airport. We work with a range of car hire providers at Brisbane Airport (BNE).
Regional airports near Brisbane
Car rental depots in Brisbane CBD
Brisbane’s CBD car rental depots are clustered in the city centre, mostly on Albert and Charlotte streets. Find a convenient car hire depot on the map below, browse customer ratings, and choose the rental car that fits your accommodation and budget.
Avis Brisbane Albert St
View details4.8 (2)Mon–Fri 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Sat–Sun 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM53 Albert Street, Queensland
Avis South Brisbane
View detailsNo reviewsMon–Fri 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM, Sat–Sun ClosedCnr Fish Lane & Cordelia St, Queensland
Budget Brisbane Downtown
View details3.8 (18)Mon–Fri 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Sat–Sun 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM53 Albert Street, Queensland
Dollar Brisbane Downtown
View detailsNo reviewsMon–Fri 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Sat–Sun 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM55 Charlotte St, Queensland
East Coast Brisbane City
View details4.4 (7)Mon–Fri 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM, Sat 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM, Sun Closed13 Warner Street, Queensland
Europcar Brisbane City
View details4.3 (2)Mon–Fri 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Sat–Sun 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM728 Ann Street, Queensland
Hertz Brisbane Downtown
View detailsNo reviewsMon–Fri 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Sat–Sun 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM55 Charlotte St, Queensland
Redspot Brisbane
View detailsNo reviewsMon–Sat 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM, Sun 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM46 Charlotte Street, Brisbane City,, Queensland
Sixt Brisbane City
View details4.7 (11)Mon–Fri 7:00 AM - 4:00 PM, Sat–Sun 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM49 Barry Parade, Queensland
Thrifty Brisbane Downtown
View details4.9 (10)Mon–Fri 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Sat–Sun 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM55 Charlotte St, Queensland
Car hire near Brisbane
If you’d prefer to collect your hire car from outside the city centre, the following pickup points are dotted around greater Brisbane, from Ascot, Brisbane Airport, Hamilton, Hendra and Tingalpa to the east and southeast, Slacks Creek, Springwood and Woodridge in the south, and Boondall, Brendale and Strathpine to the north. Choosing a depot near where you’re staying can save you a trip into the CBD, and sometimes a little on the daily rate too.
Local expert tips when renting a car in Brisbane
Toll payments
Brisbane has six inner-city toll roads: AirportlinkM7, Clem7, Gateway Motorway, Go Between Bridge, Legacy Way and Logan Motorway. None accept cash or credit card payment, and while most hire cars have e-Tags fitted, treatment of tolls and fines vary by provider. Check your rental car Terms and Conditions for details.
Flooding
Brisbane’s storm season runs October to March, and thunderstorms can cause flooding in low-lying suburbs near the Brisbane River including South Brisbane, Milton, West End and New Farm. Sections of the Bruce Highway towards the Sunshine Coast are likewise prone to flooding at this time.
Ekka
Held every August at the Brisbane Showgrounds, Ekka, or the Royal Queensland Show, is Queensland’s largest event and attracted over 420,000 people in 2025. We see cheap rental cars selling out first at this time of year, so book early if you’re after a budget rental car for the show.
Parking
King George Square and Wickham Terrace are Council car parks in Brisbane’s CBD. The first hour on weekdays costs $24, with evening and weekend discounts available. Commercial car parks and paid on-street parking are also available. Any parking fine will be charged to you by your rental car provider.
Charging EVs
Providers including Chargefox, Evie and Jolt contribute towards the 50+ electric vehicle charging locations in Brisbane. Southbank, Brisbane City, Fortitude Valley, and around QUT are all well-serviced. Coverage near Brisbane Airport is limited, so be sure to charge your EV before driving to the airport to return your car.
Driving to the airport
Brisbane Airport (BNE) is a 15 km or 20-minute drive east of Brisbane’s CBD. AirportlinkM7 (toll way) or Kingford Smith Drive are the primary approaches by car. If you’re driving during peak hours (weekdays 7:30 am-9:30 am and 4:30 pm to 6 pm), allow extra time in case of traffic congestion.
Frequently asked questions
On hiring a car in Brisbane, Queensland
How much does it cost to hire a car in Brisbane?
For a rental period from 7 September to 14 September 2026, prices range from AUD $29 per day for a Compact Car to AUD $146 per day for a Premium SUV. Enter your planned dates to compare live rental rates for your vehicle in Brisbane.
What is the cheapest car rental in Brisbane?
The cheapest car rental in Brisbane for the rental period from 7 September to 14 September 2026 is a MG 3 or similar from East Coast costing AUD $29 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 Brisbane?
Based on our data from over 40,400 rental car bookings in Brisbane over the last 12 months, booking your hire car 28 days beforehand can save you over 32 per cent.
How much does it cost to rent a car in Brisbane for a week?
A one-week car hire in Brisbane currently starts from AUD $203, equivalent to around AUD $29 per day, based on a 7-day rental from 7 September to 14 September 2026. East Coast’s MG 3 or similar is our cheapest option — enter your travel dates to compare live car hire rates in Brisbane.
How much does it cost to hire a Minivan or People Mover in Brisbane?
The price of a minivan hired in Brisbane from 3 September to 10 September 2026 ranges from AUD $77 to AUD $264 per day before any added extras. Enter your travel dates and compare live rates for a minivan rental in Brisbane.
How much does it cost to hire an Electric Car in Brisbane?
An electric rental car hired in Brisbane from 7 September to 14 September 2026 costs AUD $73 per day before any added extras. As rates can vary depending on the depot location, please enter your travel dates in the search form to compare live rates, rental car provider options, and depot location.
What is the highest-rated hire car in Brisbane?
The highest-rated rental car in Brisbane is Mitsubishi Pajero or similar, based on ratings by our customers within the last 12 months.
What is the best car rental company in Brisbane?
Thrifty is our highest-rated car hire provider in Brisbane, scoring an average rating of 4.9 out of 5 based on actual bookings by our customers.
What is the cheapest car rental company in Brisbane?
East Coast is the cheapest car rental company in Brisbane, with rates from AUD $37 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.
Is it cheaper to pick up at Brisbane Airport or in the city?
Due to charges levied by Brisbane Airport, renting an on-airport car hire is more expensive than at off-airport depots, with CBD locations less expensive than on-airport, but more expensive than off-airport. In 2025, the average price of an off-airport rental car in Brisbane was 40 per cent cheaper than an on-airport depot, and a CBD provider was 7 per cent cheaper than an on-airport option.
Is it cheaper to book a weekly car rental in Brisbane?
The per-day rates of some rental cars may fall if you book for a longer rental period. Prices often change around daily, three-day, five-day and seven-day periods, so don’t assume that a shorter rental period will always have a lower effective daily rental rate.
What toll roads will I need to plan for around Brisbane?
Brisbane toll roads include the Gateway Motorway, Logan Motorway, Clem7 Tunnel, AirportlinkM7 and Legacy Way. Hire cars are usually already fitted with an e-Tag, but confirm how toll payments are handled with your provider when you collect the car. Any fines for non-payment will be on-charged to you by the provider, often with a surcharge.
Can I do a one-way hire from Brisbane to the Gold Coast or Sunshine Coast?
Yes, one-way hires from Brisbane are a popular choice with both closer destinations like the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast and far away locations like Cairns all popular options. To search for a one-way hire, untick the “Return to the same location” option in the search form and enter your desired pickup and return locations. One-way fees vary by provider and distance.
Do I need a rental car in Brisbane?
Brisbane’s CBD is relatively compact and well served by public transport, but if you’re planning to venture outside the CBD, booking a car hire is the recommended approach — both for the added convenience and for being able to drive where you want, when you want. Brisbane has plenty of car parking areas, so it’s easy to park your car and then explore on foot, and if you need to park at Brisbane Airport, that’s available too.
Can P-platers hire a car in Brisbane?
A holder of a Provisional Licence (P-plater) may be able to hire a car in Brisbane as long as they have held their provisional licence for at least 12 months, but this should be confirmed beforehand as not all rental car providers accept provisional licences. The P-plater must also be at least 21 years of age.
How old do you have to be to rent a car in Brisbane?
The minimum age to rent a car in Brisbane is 21 years of age, but drivers under the age of 25 are often subject to a “Young Driver Surcharge.” This surcharge is levied per day of rental, and the exact charge varies from one rental car provider to another.
Have a question we haven’t answered?
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Here’s what VroomVroomVroom customers think
- 12 Aug 2026craig w.Booked: Toyota Corolla or similarBrisbane City
- 11 Aug 2026craig w.Booked: Toyota Corolla or similarBrisbane City
- 29 Jun 2026paul f.Booked: Kia Picanto or similarBrisbane City
- 14 Jun 2026kylie l.Booked: Mg Zs or similarBrisbane City
- 18 May 2026richard m.Booked: Ford Ranger or similarBrisbane City
- 16 Aug 2026natalie h.Booked: Mystery Car or similarLaunceston Airport
- 21 Aug 2026sabrina v.Booked: Toyota Corolla or similarMelbourne Downtown
- 07 Aug 2026greg j.Booked: Honda Crv or similarSydney Airport
We ask users of our booking service to review it after they’ve completed their reservation. We present a selection of reviews on this page. Our review scores are calculated by averaging the scores of all the reviews that we collect. We don’t publish reviews that violate our guidelines. To learn more about guidelines and our reviews generally, visit Terms and Conditions.
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