Cairns car rentals from $23/day

Cairns is not the biggest of cities, so drivers will find that most vehicles -- even large SUVs -- will be comfortable to drive in Cairns. However, sedans and compacts are certainly the most popular vehicles in both Cairns and Australia in general. So, perhaps it is best to follow common practice and stick to a smaller vehicle. Streetside parking will certainly be more manageable in a smaller vehicle.

Speed limits in Cairns, and in the state of Queensland in general, run between 40 km/h (25 mph) and 50 km/h (31 mph) in built-up areas, unless otherwise specified. On rural roads the speed limit is 100 km/h (62 mph) and on highways and motorways it is 110 km/h (68 mph).

Fortunately for visitors to Cairns, parking is widely available and easy to find throughout the city. Streetside parking is abundant, albeit more suited for smaller vehicles rather than large ones. There is also plenty of private parking in garages and lots. Drivers should have no issues finding parking, even in the central business district.

On average a rental car in Cairns costs $50 per day. But prices differ between operators and you can save money through a price comparison of car rental deals from different agencies. The cheapest price for a car rental in Cairns found in the last 2 weeks is $20.

In the past 72 hours, the cheapest rental cars were found at Bargain Car Rentals ($23/day), Ace Rental Cars ($30/day) and Budget ($30/day). In the last 72 hours the cheapest rental car price was found at Bargain Car Rentals 410, Sheridan Street 4870 (2 miles from city center).

Yes, automatic cars are available in most car renting companies in Cairns. As cars with manual transmission are more common in many countries, you might have to pay an additional charge for renting an automatic car.

The average gas price in Cairns is $4.04 per gallon over the past 30 days. Filling up a gas tank costs between $49 and $65, depending on the car size.

Economy (Hyundai Accent or similar) is the most frequently booked rental car type in Cairns.

Car rental companies onsite at Cairns airport include Bargain Car Rentals, Sixt, Budget, Alamo, Dollar, Europcar, Thrifty, Ace Rental Cars, JUCY and Enterprise Rent-A-Car.

Car rental companies that offer shuttle or pick-up services from Cairns airport to off-airport locations include Budget, Alamo, Europcar, Thrifty, Ace Rental Cars, JUCY, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Hertz, and Avis.

Take a look at our extensive car rental location map to find the best rental cars near you.

An Economy car rental in Cairns costs $38 per day, on average.

A Standard car rental in Cairns costs $60 per day, on average.

A Premium car rental in Cairns costs $64 per day, on average.

On average a rental car in Cairns costs $353 per week ($50 per day).

On average a rental car in Cairns costs $1,511 per month ($50 per day).

Most car rental providers in Cairns offer insurance but the level of protection can differ substantially. If you're unsure whether to get extra protection for your car rental in Cairns, check out KAYAK's car rental insurance guide.

KAYAK has deals for you to compare from 30 car rental agencies in Cairns.

Finding the right price, understanding the add-ons and staying up to date with policy changes can be a challenge. That’s why KAYAK has produced the ultimate guide to renting a car to help you cut though the jargon and make the right choice for your rental car. Find tips and insights for how to book your rental, what car rental insurance you’ll need, how to deal with a car rental agency and what extra fees to expect (and avoid!).

KAYAK searches thousands of car rental agencies to provide you with offers from all car rental agencies operating in Cairns so that you can compare car rental rates, reviews and pick-up and drop-off locations to find the best deal for you.

Children under ten years are not allowed to sit in the front passenger seat. All babies in car rentals in Cairns must be in an approved rear-facing or a forward-facing car seat fastened well. Child seats are only allowed in the back. All child-seat laws should be followed in Cairns when riding with your children.

On the other hand, an hour's drive takes you to Port Douglass which lies 41 miles away. It boasts of a beach and rainforest surrounded by a beach resort in contact with the Great Barrier Reef. It's not far from Daintree National Park. A seven-and-a-half-hour drive can take you south to Whitsunday, 620 km away. It boasts amazing white sand islands good for sailing, swimming, diving, and any water-based activity. There are many great places to stop along the way. A two-and-a-half-hour drive will take you to Cape Tribulation about 87 miles away. The city offers angelical beaches surrounded by beautiful turquoise waters and expansive shorelines. Drive down to Kuranda which lies 18 miles away and takes about thirty-four minutes away. It boasts many hiking trails surrounded by the rainforest.