• You are here! :
  •  
  • /
  • Cairns airport

Car rental Cairns airport

Search, compare and book your rental car

Pickup location
 Different return office?
   Driver age: 25-70
   I live in: United States
Search Now
Popular destinations: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Cairns, Gold Coast, Adelaide, Hobart
We compare rates from 800+ different supplier sites in more than 30,000 locations worldwide
Customers love us

Over 1 million customers trusted us to book the best car rental deal for them

Customers love us
Amend for free

Up to 48 hours before pickup

Amend for free
No extra fees

We don’t charge extra fees such as credit card or reservation fees

No extra fees

Cheap Car Rental Cairns airport

Cheap Car Rental Cairns airport

About Car Rental at Cairns Airport

Located in Queensland, Australia, Cairns Airport is one of Australia’s leading regional airports. It is the 7th busiest airport in the continent, situated just a few kilometres north of Cairns and its central business district. With direct links throughout Australia and the rest of the world, it is a prevalent choice for all of those travelling to the tropical hotspot.  

As the home of the Great Barrier Reef, Cairns is incredibly popular with tourists. Because of this, Cairns Airport provides plenty of choices when it comes to renting cars to take you around the city. Located on site, the airport boasts six car hire companies for you to choose from, including well-known companies such as AVIS, Hertz, and Enterprise. Renting a car is an ideal option for Cairns, as it gives you the freedom you need to explore the city at your own pace.

Downtown Car Rental in Cairns

Although renting at the airport is convenient, it is usually more expensive due to the additional cost of airport tax. So, you may want to check out other car rental options at your disposal. Luckily, there are plenty of other car rental companies if you head into the city. Here you will find some of the same agencies that are at the airport, however local agencies are also available for you. If you do decide to head into the city to rent a car, we recommend doing some research and booking online in advance. Not only is it even cheaper than trying to book on the day, but you’ll have a lot more options to choose from.

Driving in Cairns

Driving in Cairns is a fantastic way to make the most out of your visit. The roads in and around the city are incredibly picturesque, with beautiful views of the tropical environment and coast. The freedom that comes with driving will make your visit to Cairns a memorable one, however there are a few things to remember in order to make your time in the car safe and comfortable for yourself, your passengers, and those around you. Make sure to research the driving laws in Cairns before you get into the driver’s seat so that you are as prepared as you can be.

A few tips for driving in and around Cairns are:

Car Rental Agencies in Cairns

Regardless of whether you choose to rent downtown or at the airport, there are plenty of car rental agencies to choose from in Cairns. If you are after a well-known company, a highly recommended option is AVIS. With offices both at the airport and in the city, they guarantee to provide exceptional customer service. If you are looking for a good deal, we recommend getting in touch with them well in advance of your trip. It will be worth it, as they provide plenty of fantastic offers, discounts and coupons so that you can get the best deal possible.

On the other hand, if you want a local company then check out Gem Rent-A-Car. This Cairns-based business is a cheaper option that provides quick and easy service. They are not office bound, so they offer door-to-door assistance. In fact, they’re the only car rental business in Cairns that will come to you.

Top Road Trips from Cairns

Cairns is a beautiful city situated in North Queensland. So, as well as the Great Barrier Reef, there are plenty of other places to visit around the area. With tropical rainforests, magnificent mountains, and stunning coastal scenery around every corner, the beautiful landscape is a must-see when visiting this part of Australia.

If you’re in search of the sea, the Cassowary Coast is an absolute must. Situated south of Cairns, this region is just a short, scenic drive away from the city. It is a wildlife haven, boasting not only a varied environment perfect for plenty of species of tropical animals, but also its own wildlife sanctuary too.

Another picturesque place you shouldn’t miss out on is the Atherton Tableland. This diverse environment is full of beautiful lakes, waterfalls, and patches of rainforest for you to explore

Frequently asked questions about car rental Cairns airport

What’s the best area to stay in Cairns?
Cairns is an incredibly popular city within Queensland and so there are plenty of places you can choose to stay, from hotels, motels, and resorts, to AirBnBs and camping sites too. Wherever you decide to stay, we recommend booking early due to the popularity, especially during the warmer months as many places tend to book up quickly.
What is the cheapest time to go to Cairns?
The cheapest time to visit Cairns is just after the busy months of the summer season. If you’re looking to miss the peak season costs, book your trip for either April to May or August to September. Cairns is exceptionally popular for not only tourists from all over the world, but for many Australians too as they flock to the Great Barrier Reef. So, going outside of tourism season will certainly save you a few pennies.
What is the best time to go to Cairns?
Not only is it cheaper to travel to Cairns outside of the summer months, it also means the weather will be much less severe. The city has very hot, humid, summers, so if you’re wanting to do a lot of exploring the lower temperatures will be much more pleasant.
Can you get around Cairns without a car?
Cairns is a big city with access to a huge area of beautiful scenery and things to do. Although you can get around the town without a car, either by walking or taking the limited public transport service, we recommend hiring one so that you have the freedom to explore as much of the city as possible.

Airports near Cairns airport

Adelaide airport
Brisbane airport
Canberra airport
Darwin airport
Gold Coast airport
Hobart airport
Launceston airport
Perth airport
Sydney Airport
Tips and experiences for Cairns airport

Our customers rated Cairns airport with an average of 9.1 based on 39 ratings, and these are the most recent tips, experiences and highlights.

08-11-2021

says:
Pack light/better be early for a flight makes it less stressful/drink plenty of water/ if possible move around on a flight especially long haul/check in on line/ double check all your documents/
23-10-2021

says:
Drive to daintree and cape tribulation
27-09-2021

says:
First, download the app “maps. me” to get detailed maps for driving and also trails for hiking that can be used off-line. Second, book a hot air balloon ride to see the sunrise as you drift over the countryside near Mareeba followed by a Skyrail ride over a Hot Tropics rainforest on the way to Kuranda and return on the scenic railway. Third, take a day to drive to Mossman Gorge to hike through the World Heritage-listed Daintree rainforest and swim in the cool, clear Mossman river. Fourth, experience a three day/two night trip to the outer Great Barrier Reef for diving/snorkeling on a live-aboard. Finally, drive to the coastal cities of Palm Cove and Port Douglas to walk along the seafront and stop in at a variety of great restaurants for a refreshing drink and bite to eat.
24-09-2021

says:
Great service Got an upgraded vehicle Easy checkin Everything explained Easy checkout Hassle free Cheap rates
19-09-2021

says:
Experience the sign of Cairns, Kuranda, Cairns Northern beaches and tableland. Tableland is the most fascinating where I took my family went for scenic drive in rain forest and to different lookout point where the it’s show how beautiful of Cairns.
18-09-2021

says:
When you are happy and there are no unexpected problems or delays
15-09-2021

says:
Skyrail is good. Train trip is so so. Outer reef is a must. Rent a car if drive.
14-09-2021

says:
Definitely go to the crystal cascades and jump off the waterfall, it’s such a thrill. Go skydiving as well, Cairns is lovely scenery from the sky!
24-06-2021

says:
Plan ahead so you can check whether places are open when you want to go. Do your homework in advance to make a draft itinerary!
10-09-2020

says:
Beautiful countryside especially the drive to Palm cove. Don't forget to pop into Hartleys crocodile farm. A great day out..
08-09-2020

says:
The staff were fast and efficient, as all you want to do on arrival and drop off is get on with your travel plans. Tip would be to always go through all existing marks and damages of the car with a staff member, prior to leaving the car lot.
03-09-2020

says:
No signage of information where to catch the shuttle bus to the car yard which was located in town. Had to ask around at the airport and got directed to the shuttle bus pick up area.
02-09-2020

says:
Harding’s crocodile park, a rememberable experience, great educational venue, Must do the Daintree what a fabulous place, even though it was raining we enjoyed the rainforest discovery centre, lovely walk with our audio headphones, exceptional place do not miss this experience. The beautiful Mossman gorge, easy walking lovely rain forest walk, amazing river, small safe pools to cool off, again a great place to visit. Walk through Cairns city, a much larger city than I expected, must do the esplanade with the great baths, and amazing restaurants, fabulous shopping.
30-08-2020

says:
Using a hire car gives you much more freedom and flexibility. You will see and do more. Consider hiring a bigger vehicle to fit the whole extended family. Having everyone together added to the holiday fun. Our Kia Carnival was extremely comfortable. The deep boot space fitted all our luggage. I’d definitely recommend this to anyone.
13-08-2020

says:
Take it easy and get used to to roads and conditions. Watch out for bullying truck drivers driving right up to your rear bumper. Take plenty of breaks.
15-07-2020

says:
Lots to do in Cairns and a car is essential to get to some of the highlights. Mossman Gorge and Port Douglas are within 45 mins away. Cape tribulation and Daintree River 65 mins. Atherton Tablelands well worth a visit stop at the Coffee Works in Mareeba. Finally visit Kuranda and buy at the markets or visit the animal sanctuary, Lots to do with the help of a car and much cheaper than organised trips although being able to drive to the pick up points of an organised trip saves you money. Don't forget to visit the Northern Beaches just outside Cairns either.
19-06-2020

says:
Hire a car, get out and see the amazing landscape.
15-06-2020

says:
There are so many things to do on Cairns. There is a big light salty swimming pool in the city centre for everyone to use for free. I recommend going to the Tjapukai centre to get to know the local Aboriginal community and their traditions. Do not miss the tour on "The Croc" - a hybrid bus and boat which will take you around the city before jumping right into the water to look for crocs and mangroves. The beaches to the north of Cairns are easy to access. They look great and you can enjoy a nice drink before taking a walk on the sunset. Drive to Kuranda or hop on the train or Skyrail to visit the mountains rain village. There are many walks around Kuranda, a historical train station, Barron Gorge falls and much more to see. We love Cairns.
15-06-2020

says:
always plan a day ahead of travelling. Make sure you don't drive too long. always take a break & enjoy the scenery. Take snacks & water.
10-06-2020

says:
Going to Palm Cove a car was a necessity for us, it gave us the freedom to explore where we wanted to go, but maily when we wanted to go ! You have to go to the barrier reef , seeing it is believing it. Go on a recommended tour, which we did. Cairns International airport was small, and only two flights were leaving on our day, and I was impressed when we got there all the shops etc were closed, but dont despair ..... we had not been there 10 mins when they opened everything up ! last minute shopping ! Dont always rely on getting presents on your way home if you have other stopovers. We had an hour in Singapore and had no time to shop which we knew, and thought we could rely on the 2 hours we had in Paris , Charles De Gaule airport. Anone who has a connecting flight, and has been there will know your time is eaten up massivley , catching buses ! we had a transfer to Birmingham and while in transit we had to catch 3 buses before we got on our flight ( only just made it), so buy in Cairns !
07-06-2020

says:
The drive from Cairns to Port Douglas is beautiful. Hartley's Crocodile Farm was a great day out for the whole family. The drive to the Daintree is worth it, including a stop at the Daintree Icecream Company. Make sure you book ahead to go on the Sky Rail. We didn't and drove 40 mins from Port Douglas only to be turned away because they were booked out. We drove up to Kuranda instead - didn't rate it, not worth the trip. The markets were touristy, lacklustre and disappointing on the whole.
30-08-2019

says:
Great barrier reef and daintree rainforest
05-11-2018

says:
Cairns is amazing! And to really experience it and see the beauty especially around cairns you definitely need a car. Go south and inland to explore the waterfalls and tablelands, north to the Daintree and not to forget the beaches and the Great Barrier Reef. Just don't jump into the ocean for a swim unless you want to face a croc or shark... Don't just hang in Cairns but travel outside the city for the real Far North Queensland, which is absolutely mesmerising!
10-09-2018

says:
We stayed at Palm Cove for the first week which was wonderful with the beautiful esplanade and great dining. Each day we made trips to as far north as Mossman, around the Atherton tablelands and down through Innisfail to Cardwell. The second week we stayed with friends and family and a few nights at Mission Beach. Paranella Park was a highlight.
03-09-2018

says:
I cannot report on Cairns as we stayed in Port Douglas. Obviously, the great attraction of Port Douglas is the proximity of the Reef but there are many varied trips such as the Daintree with the chance to see the unique wildlife of the region and the spectacular ride up to Kuranda. We enjoyed great hospitality from everyone while we were there and would be pleased to return with the same arrangements.
19-08-2018

says:
Definitely do the Skyrail. Port Douglas is awesome.
15-08-2018

says:
Better spend more time in palm cove or port douglas
30-04-2018

says:
Kuranda Railway & Skyrail is a must do unique experience !
16-04-2018

says:
Travelled to Port Douglas. Would recommend hiring a car rather than getting an airport pick up as the road to Port Douglas is very scenic and in my opinion rivals the Great Ocean Road for beauty. If you are self driving you can stop at various local scenic look outs and take in the wonderful views.It was cheaper for my colleague and I to hire a car rather than paying for 2 individual airport pick ups both ways.
15-04-2018

says:
Mossman and Port Douglas. The coastal drive to these locations is stunning.
09-04-2018

says:
Having a car made a big difference in terms of being able to visit different places although for us, mainly it was short journeys rather than long ones.
04-04-2018

says:
do as much as you can, there is so much to see and do, driving is imperative though
02-04-2018

says:
Definitely suggest hiring a car to explore the lesser known sites of natural beauty in Cairns at your own pace. Most are within an hour and a half drive from Cairns city and are a must see! Especially Millaa Millaa Falls, you won't regret it!
27-03-2018

says:
If you're going to Mossman Gorge, plan to get into the water--there are so many people there, it's not going to be a peaceful hiking location. Play to its strengths instead. Snorkeling out of Port Douglas was AMAZING, I'd have done it the next day too if I weren't flying home! If you're going to Cape Tribulation, take cash so you can enjoy the tasting experience at Daintree Ice Cream...and go kayaking off the coast to enjoy the scenery, the local wildlife, and a guide's commentary on the area!
19-03-2018

says:
Snorkelling and bush walking
15-03-2018

says:
Park in the excellent shopping centres or council run car parks to avoid the heating up of cars. Visit the foreshore and enjoy the water. Do the round trip from Cairns to Mareeba ,Atherton , and return via the gillies highway via Gordonvale.
05-03-2018

says:
I would recommend picking a hotel on the outskirts of the CBD. The CBD itself is a little dated and run down in parts. Just make sure you are close to the Esplanade and the boardwalk. It is a great place to walk in the mornings and watch the sunrise.
04-03-2018

says:
The reef is fantastic but an utter ripoff on any cruise Mossman gorge is beautiful Croc spotting river boats are by contrast cheap and fun - recommended.
19-01-2018

says:
just take it easy. its an easy city to get around