Melbourne car rental information
| Pick-up location | Melbourne |
|---|---|
| Car types | Compact, Compact SUV, Economy, Full-size SUV, Intermediate, Intermediate SUV, Minivan, Passenger van, Premium SUV, SUV, Standard SUV, Supplier choice |
| Rental locations | 120 |
| Airport locations | 38 |
| Popular agencies | East Coast Car Rentals, Bargain Car Rentals, Europcar, Dollar, Hertz |
Cheap car rentals in Melbourne
| Economy | $20/day |
| Compact | $21/day |
| Intermediate | $30/day |
| SUV | $38/day |
| Minivan | $53/day |
| Full-size SUV | $38/day |
| Passenger van | $51/day |
| Premium SUV | $47/day |
| Compact SUV | $24/day |
| Intermediate SUV | $30/day |
| Supplier choice | $30/day |
| Standard SUV | $42/day |
Top tips for renting a car in Melbourne
- There are some major local roads you need to know before getting around in cheap Melbourne car rentals. St Kilda Road is a major boulevard from the city center to St Kilda and Port Phillip Bay. Chapel Street is a popular shopping and dining district between South Yarra and Windsor. Lygon Street is another popular dining destination, particularly for Italian cuisine. Victoria Parade runs from the city center to East Melbourne and connects to many of Melbourne's major hospitals and medical centers. Hoddle Street is a busy arterial road from the Eastern Freeway to Collingwood and connects many of Melbourne's eastern suburbs. Flemington Road runs from the city center to Flemington and connects to Melbourne's major sporting venues.
- Before hitting the road in cheap car rentals in Melbourne, ensure you are aware of the toll policy for your car rental provider. Melbourne has several toll roads, including CityLink, a major toll road that runs through Melbourne's city center and connects the Tullamarine Freeway, West Gate Freeway, and Monash Freeway. EastLink, from the eastern suburbs of Melbourne to the southeast, and WestLink M7, from the Western Ring Road to the M5 East Motorway, also have tolls. Peninsula Link is a toll road from Carrum Downs to Mount Martha on the Mornington Peninsula.
- If you'll be driving cheap electric car rentals in Melbourne, take advantage of some of the free EV-charging stations in the city. Four free EV-charging stations are located in Federation Square, which is in the heart of Melbourne's central business district. Two free EV-charging stations are located in the car park at Queen Victoria Market, a popular shopping destination in Melbourne. Chadstone Shopping Centre has several free EV-charging stations in its car park. Melbourne Airport has several free EV-charging stations in the T1 and T2 car parks, reserved for electric and hybrid vehicles.
- For travelers with flights to Melbourne, you may find yourself landing at Melbourne Airport, Essendon Airport, or Avalon Airport. Luckily for would-be car renters, all three airports feature on-site rental counters. For Melbourne Airport, the rental car center is found on the ground floor of the airport in Terminal T123’s parking garage. In Essendon Airport and Avalon Airport, visitors can find the rental counters in the respective main terminal buildings.
- No trip to Australia is complete without a few road trips. Fortunately for travelers renting a car in Melbourne, many of Australia’s wonders are within a short drive of the city. Some of the top spots to visit include Yarra Valley and its wonderful wineries, and Phillip Island, where you will find some of Australia’s most famous animals such as koalas, wallabies, and even penguins.
- Drivers new to Melbourne should be aware of the city’s rush hour traffic jams, which run from 6:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and from 3:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. However, even though congestion can be quite severe in Melbourne during those times, some smart navigation and route planning can help to mitigate the situation. For instance, it pays to avoid Punt Road and Princes Street in the central downtown area during rush hour.
- Besides driving on the left side of the road, drivers in Melbourne should keep their eyes open for trams and, in particular, Melbourne’s famed hook turns. Hook turns are right turns that are made in the left lane because a tram is also crossing the intersection. Signage will be posted to indicate to drivers when hook turns are present and where to turn.
- 25% of our users found rental cars in Melbourne for $32 or less
- Book your rental car in Melbourne at least 2 days before your trip in order to get a below-average price
- Off-airport rental car locations in Melbourne are around 11% cheaper than airport locations on average
- Intermediate rental cars in Melbourne are around 22% cheaper than other car types, on average
FAQs about renting a car in Melbourne
What type of car is recommended for driving in Melbourne?
While Melbourne may not have as narrow of streets as you would see in many European cities, the roads can still be a bit compact compared to roads in the U.S. Thus, travelers renting cars would be best off sticking to a compact or smaller vehicle, especially when taking streetside parallel parking into consideration.
What’s the speed limit in Melbourne?
Speed limits in Melbourne, and in the state of Victoria in general, run between 40 km/h (25 mph) and 50 km/h (31 mph) on city roads, 100 km/h (62 mph) on rural roads and 110 km/h (68 mph) on highways and motorways.
Where are the best places to park in Melbourne?
Streetside parking in greater Melbourne is fairly available but, once you get into the central business district, parking can become fairly scarce. Because of this, it is highly recommended that drivers park in one of the many parking garages dispersed across Melbourne CBD. Drivers should note that if you plan on doing a bit of shopping while you are downtown, you can often validate your parking ticket in a nearby store to earn a parking ticket refund.
How much does it cost to rent a car in Melbourne?
On average a rental car in Melbourne costs $41 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 Melbourne found in the last 2 weeks is $15.
What is the cheapest car rental company in Melbourne?
In the past 72 hours, the cheapest rental cars were found at East Coast Car Rentals ($20/day), Bargain Car Rentals ($24/day) and Alamo ($30/day). In the last 72 hours the cheapest rental car price was found at East Coast Car Rentals 2 Tarmac Drive, Tullamarine 3043 (10 miles from city center).
Can I rent an automatic car in Melbourne?
Yes, automatic cars are available in most car renting companies in Melbourne. As cars with manual transmission are more common in many countries, you might have to pay an additional charge for renting an automatic car.
How much is gas price in Melbourne?
The average gas price in Melbourne is $4.50 per gallon over the past 30 days. Filling up a gas tank costs between $54 and $72, depending on the car size.
What is the most popular rental car in Melbourne?
Intermediate (Toyota Corolla or similar) is the most frequently booked rental car type in Melbourne.
Which car rental companies are at Melbourne airport (MEL)?
Car rental companies onsite at Melbourne airport include Bargain Car Rentals, CarHood, Ace Rental Cars, JUCY, AeroDrive, Europcar, Alpha, Hertz, Avis and Atlas Car & Truck Rental.
Which car rental companies will pick you up at Melbourne airport (MEL)?
Car rental companies that offer shuttle or pick-up services from Melbourne airport to off-airport locations include Bargain Car Rentals, Sixt, CarHood, Ace Rental Cars, Budget, JUCY, Europcar, Alpha, Hertz, and Avis.
How can I find car rentals near me in Melbourne?
Take a look at our extensive car rental location map to find the best rental cars near you.
How much does an Intermediate car rental cost in Melbourne?
An Intermediate car rental in Melbourne costs $64 per day, on average.
How much does a Compact car rental cost in Melbourne?
A Compact car rental in Melbourne costs $94 per day, on average.
How much does a Mini car rental cost in Melbourne?
A Mini car rental in Melbourne costs $110 per day, on average.
How much does it cost to rent a car for a week in Melbourne?
On average a rental car in Melbourne costs $286 per week ($41 per day).
How much does it cost to rent a car long term for a month in Melbourne?
On average a rental car in Melbourne costs $1,226 per month ($41 per day).
Should I get insurance when renting a car in Melbourne?
Most car rental providers in Melbourne offer insurance but the level of protection can differ substantially. If you're unsure whether to get extra protection for your car rental in Melbourne, check out KAYAK's car rental insurance guide.
How many car agencies are operating in Melbourne?
KAYAK has deals for you to compare from 39 car rental agencies in Melbourne.
Which car rental companies in Melbourne have updated their vehicle cleaning and safety policies because of Coronavirus (COVID-19)?
Some car rental companies in Melbourne which have updated their car rental health and safety policies due to COVID-19 to make sure vehicles are clean and disinfected include Budget, Europcar and Hertz
What do I need to know before booking a car rental in Melbourne?
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!).
Why should I use KAYAK to rent a car in Melbourne?
KAYAK searches thousands of car rental agencies to provide you with offers from all car rental agencies operating in Melbourne so that you can compare car rental rates, reviews and pick-up and drop-off locations to find the best deal for you.
Which road trips can I take from Melbourne?
The Yarra Valley is a beautiful wine-producing region located just outside of Melbourne. The drive from Melbourne to the Yarra Valley takes about 1 hour. The Mornington Peninsula is a scenic coastal region located south of Melbourne. The drive from Melbourne to the Mornington Peninsula takes about 1 hour. The drive from Melbourne to the beginning of the scenic Great Ocean Road in Torquay takes about 1.5 hours.
Are there roads in Melbourne with few or no gas stations?
While most major roads and highways in Melbourne have gas stations, some rural Melbourne or smaller roads may not have them. Some of the most popular are Great Ocean Road, The Black Spur, Yarra Valley, and the Great Alpine Road.
Melbourne car rental reviews and directory
Alpha
10.0
Wonderful
3 reviewsCleanliness
10.0
Comfort
10.0
Pick-up/Drop-off
10.0
Value for money
10.0
3 locations in Melbourne
Filters
Reviews
8.4 Very good
Apr 2018
Pros:
Nice car, decent price and easy drop off and pickupCons:
I asked repeatedly for a response to my emails that I never received. Didn’t make me confident about changes to my insurance. Thankfully nothing happened10.0 Wonderful
Mar 2018
Pros:
Ease of booking and friendly staffCons:
KIA Sportage (just joking, it was ok)Enterprise Rent-A-Car
10.0
Wonderful
5 reviewsCleanliness
10.0
Comfort
10.0
Pick-up/Drop-off
10.0
Value for money
10.0
3 locations in Melbourne
Ace Rental Cars
9.6
Wonderful
6 reviewsCleanliness
9.6
Comfort
9.6
Pick-up/Drop-off
9.3
Value for money
9.0
3 locations in Melbourne
Hertz
8.8
Very good
29 reviewsCleanliness
9.3
Comfort
8.8
Pick-up/Drop-off
8.5
Value for money
8.3
4 locations in Melbourne
Filters
Reviews
10.0 Wonderful
Dec 2019
Pros:
There was an issue with the first car not being clean and the staff was very responsive and gave me a different car right away without hassle.10.0 Wonderful
Jan 2019
Pros:
Great dropoff10.0 Wonderful
Dec 2018
Pros:
That it was new and well maintained when I had to change my time then it was easy as9.6 Wonderful
Mar 2018
Pros:
Fast check in/check out; accurate pricing to online quote.clean new car & no charge upgrade.Cons:
GPS navigator a bit too pricey per day, shoild be a standard free option.9.6 Wonderful
Aug 2017
Pros:
Agent who helped us with the return was good. It was unclear why the amount we were told the rental would cost, and the cost the computer showed were different (not to our favor by quite a bit). He tried to find out what happened and made adjustments. Also told us about a great place to eat.Cons:
Hertz seems to rely on the clients to take pictures of any car damages when they pick up the vehicles, and have those pictures to show the agents when returning the car. Very much on the honor system, which if it works is fine - just surprised that they don't have such pictures in the Hertz system tagged to each vehicle.10.0 Wonderful
Jul 2017
Pros:
Friendly service. Very prompt and easy to deal with.Thrifty
8.0
Very good
11 reviewsCleanliness
8.6
Comfort
8.3
Pick-up/Drop-off
8.0
Value for money
8.6
10 locations in Melbourne
Filters
Reviews
10.0 Wonderful
May 2021
Pros:
Friendly service, clean modern car.8.0 Very good
Jul 2019
Pros:
Easy rental in a foreign countryCons:
My confirmation said Kluger but got smaller vehicle at check in8.0 Very good
Jun 2019
Cons:
I did not get a receipt via email yet. When I asked for it, they told me that I‘ll get it via email.10.0 Wonderful
May 2019
Cons:
This company has an attitude which I appreciate. Very service-oriented. Vehicle was great too. Real clean inside.2.0 Poor
Jun 2018
Cons:
Reserved a 8 seater suv but thrifty refuses to give a car that is 8 seater even after showing proof of reservation. Receptionist said kayak has different code and that my reservation is for 7 seater. I feel cheated. We were 8 ppl traveling from us and I needed exact 8 seats. Will never do business with them. I actually want my refund for inconvenience.2.0 Poor
Nov 2016
Cons:
Disappointed about the service and staff here. I rent a car from 11:38 11/11/2016, for 4 days till 15/11/2016; then ask for 1 day extension till 16/11/2016 and did ask for return car late at 5pm on 16/11 instead of 12:00pm. A staff said it was fine and didn't mention anything about the charge we need to pay after 12:00pm. I returned a car at 5:00pm on 16/11/2016 and was charged for 2 days extension and was told because any hours after 12:00pm was considered 1 more day rental. Another thing is that there was a cratched in the car before i took. when i returned, the staff went straight away to the cratched and told me to be charged for that. But i took some photos before i took the car , i told them about that then he said it's ok. so terrible.Sixt
7.7
Good
17 reviewsCleanliness
8.4
Comfort
8.6
Pick-up/Drop-off
7.5
Value for money
7.3
3 locations in Melbourne
Filters
Reviews
2.0 Poor
Mar 2019
Cons:
The A'beckett St branch no longer exists. 2 contact phone numbers had been disconnected. So unprofessional.7.2 Good
Aug 2018
Pros:
- Location in the heart of CBD with easy access. - Drop off open 24/7. - Price.Cons:
- Separate office counter and car park building (distance +/- 350 m) - Car not ready, had to wait another 30 minutes. - Cleanliness of the car.10.0 Wonderful
Mar 2017
Pros:
Easy pick up and drop off Although we had a small car, it ran well and very economically.Cons:
Pick up/drop off was a different location to where you registered but this is a minor detaill.5.2 Fair
Mar 2017
Cons:
difficult to find the office. Even the construction workers on the adjacent site didn't know they were there.10.0 Wonderful
Jun 2023
8.0 Very good
May 2023
East Coast Car Rentals
7.6
Good
5 reviewsCleanliness
8.0
Comfort
7.2
Pick-up/Drop-off
7.6
Value for money
7.6
3 locations in Melbourne
Filters
Reviews
10.0 Wonderful
Jan 2022
8.0 Very good
Feb 2022
2.0 Poor
Feb 2022
10.0 Wonderful
May 2019
Pros:
Quick service, great car. Will definitely use again and recommend.Europcar
7.0
Good
12 reviewsCleanliness
8.2
Comfort
7.8
Pick-up/Drop-off
7.4
Value for money
7.2
7 locations in Melbourne
Filters
Reviews
6.0 Okay
Feb 2017
Pros:
Good service, and a nice car in the end but...Cons:
the original size of car shown on your website was not provided (shogun sport or similar). Instead was offered asx (2nd booking confirmation from you guys). I took one look and knew there wasn't enough luggage space as we had 2 large suitcases an, 2 carry on suitcases and 2 small bags. I know the size of a shogun sport. The only larger car they had (which we could get all our luggage into Was an exec (Merc e class). Although they 'did a deal' I still had to pay more than DOUBLE to get a suitable car to meet our needs for the trip (an extra $40 A DAY)!!! Just about to book a car for our trip to the states. Won't be using kayak to book with again. Europcar said this often happens with regards to class of car when booked through a third party.2.0 Poor
Apr 2023
8.0 Very good
Apr 2022
10.0 Wonderful
Jan 2022
10.0 Wonderful
Dec 2021
Apex
7.0
Good
4 reviewsCleanliness
7.5
Comfort
7.5
Pick-up/Drop-off
6.5
Value for money
6.0
2 locations in Melbourne
Filters
Reviews
6.0 Okay
Jun 2022
10.0 Wonderful
May 2022
2.0 Poor
Apr 2022
10.0 Wonderful
Mar 2022
Firefly
6.6
Okay
1 reviewCleanliness
8.0
Comfort
7.0
Pick-up/Drop-off
6.0
Value for money
6.0
7 locations in Melbourne
Filters
Reviews
3.2 Poor
Jul 2019
Pros:
Friendly staffCons:
The surcharges should’ve been known at the beginning. There were many hidden fees that showed up on the final invoice that wasn’t explains. Also, the location was hard to find since they were a part of hertz — this caused many confusion.Avis
6.6
Okay
10 reviewsCleanliness
6.8
Comfort
6.8
Pick-up/Drop-off
7.4
Value for money
6.5
6 locations in Melbourne
Filters
Show reviews that mention
Reviews
2.0 Poor
Dec 2021
Pros:
Staff was fine - but the car as advertised was NOT what was produced, which was acknowledged. But there was nothing to do by that point as we had to leave.Cons:
The car as advertised should be the car that is given. I gave up a cheaper reservation, closer to home for this one. Just wrong.6.8 Okay
Jan 2020
Pros:
The car was great and had no issuesCons:
I hired the car expecting to pay the quoted price on the website. Instead when I arrived to Avis with my itinerary in hand for the week ahead I was charged double by hidden fees for my being 23years old. Not a word was mentioned about by the website nor the staff until the keys were being handed to me and asked to sign the paper work. At that moment in time it’s too late to go through another rental agency or cancel plans so I had to bite the bullet. Please read all fine print and ask questions before you book.9.6 Wonderful
Mar 2019
Pros:
Pick up and drop off was easy, best service i've received so far in car rentals. Car imo wasn't worth the price but that could be negotiable but everything was good8.0 Very good
Dec 2017
Cons:
Not clean. No air in tyres before giving to me2.0 Poor
Jul 2022
Budget
6.6
Okay
8 reviewsCleanliness
7.3
Comfort
7.0
Pick-up/Drop-off
5.3
Value for money
6.6
5 locations in Melbourne
Filters
Reviews
6.4 Okay
Dec 2018
Pros:
The carCons:
The service - please tell people the name of the car park where they need to drop the car off! There are no signs until you actually are inside. We lost half an hour trying to find it in traffic. That really ocershaded our trip.6.0 Okay
Mar 2017
Cons:
I was supposed to return the car st 11:00 am but due to many reasons it was delayed by 45 mins. The staff earlier promised to not charge me when I spoke on the phone but on my return , I was charged an additional $22 which was equal to half the value. This is grossly Injustice10.0 Wonderful
Apr 2023
2.0 Poor
Jan 2022
One location in Melbourne
from $25/dayLocations in Melbourne
Melbourne Airport
+61 1300 729 230
Filters
Reviews
2.0 Poor
Jan 2023
6.0 Okay
Mar 2023
2 locations in Melbourne
from $85/dayLocations in Melbourne
77 Queens Lane VIC Melbourne
+61 413 778 666
Unit 18/53/55 Garden Dr, Tullamarine VIC , Australia
+61 1300 853 150
Filters
Reviews
2.0 Poor
Jun 2023