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South Australia car rentals

Tue 3/26
Tue 4/2

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Cheap car rentals in South Australia

Economy$20/day
Compact$22/day
Intermediate$32/day
Standard$32/day
Full-size$39/day
SUV$38/day
Minivan$52/day
Full-size SUV$56/day
Mini$20/day
Passenger van$51/day
Pickup truck$42/day
Premium SUV$57/day
Compact SUV$26/day
Supplier choice$34/day
Intermediate SUV$36/day
Standard SUV$38/day
Luxury SUV$54/day
Commercial$56/day
Supplier choice van$64/day
Supplier choice pickup truck$103/day
Best rates found by KAYAK users in the past 48 hours.

Top tips for renting a car in South Australia

  • There are important things to remember when getting around with South Australia car rentals. For starters, stay on the left side of the road at a speed limit of 50 km/h (30 mph) in built-up areas and 100 km/h (60 mph) outside built-up areas. Additionally, seat belts are mandatory for all drivers, passengers, and children (child restraint or booster seats), and drunken driving is strictly prohibited. Finally, be sure to drive defensively, keeping your eyes open for pedestrians, other drivers, and parked cars.
  • Drivers in Adelaide share the road with trams or streetcars. The rules for crossing tramways are not obvious. Check for yellow lane markers on the left side of the tram lanes. These are the regions you're supposed to drive over with a car. Sometimes, a solid yellow line adjacent to the tramway means that vehicles are prohibited. Here, an overhead sign will indicate when drivers must not pass through that lane. Crossing a road while boarding or alighting a tram is a right of way for tram passengers. If the tram stops, you must also stop behind the tram's end. Wait until pedestrians finish crossing and the door closes. The only place you can pass or overtake a stopped tram is at a safety zone (a cordoned-off stop with a barrier).
  • Another unique feature on South Australian roads is a hook turn which requires you to turn right from the left lane. First, you must indicate that you're taking a right turn. Approach the intersection to the left and watch out for pedestrians. Keep moving until you're perpendicular to the traffic flowing into where you're going. Wait for the traffic lights on the right side to turn green and proceed. Not all intersections allow this. Only take a hook turn where there are respective signs over tram power lines at an intersection.
  • When heading to the outback region, search for an off-road model. For camping, get something with ample luggage capacity. And if you're planning an extended trip, ensure the vehicle is comfortable and spacious. You don't always need a 4WD to travel to Kangaroo Island- a 2WD or SUV will suffice (the island neither gets too cold nor too hot). You only need a 4WD when seeing the gorges of the Flinders Ranges in the wet months of June and July.
  • 25% of our users found rental cars in South Australia for $45 or less
  • Book your rental car in South Australia at least 1 day before your trip in order to get a below-average price
  • Off-airport rental car locations in South Australia are around 11% more expensive than airport locations on average
  • Standard rental cars in South Australia are around -21% cheaper than other car types, on average

FAQs about renting a car in South Australia

  • How much does it cost to rent a car in South Australia?

    On average a rental car in South Australia costs $70 per day.

  • What is the most popular rental car in South Australia?

    Compact (Class Compact Car or similar) is the most frequently booked rental car type in South Australia.

  • What is the cheapest car rental company in South Australia?

    In the past 72 hours, the cheapest rental cars were found at Bargain Car Rentals ($20/day), East Coast Car Rentals ($28/day) and keddy by Europcar ($30/day).

  • How can I find car rentals near me in South Australia?

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

  • Where should I rent a car in South Australia?

    Based on car searches on KAYAK, the most popular cities to rent a car in South Australia are Adelaide (83% of total searches of users looking to rent a car in South Australia), Penneshaw (5%) and Kingscote (5%).

  • How much does it cost to rent a car for a week in South Australia?

    On average a rental car in South Australia costs $377 per week ($54 per day).

  • How much does it cost to rent a car long term for a month in South Australia?

    On average a rental car in South Australia costs $1,618 per month ($54 per day).

  • Should I rent a car in South Australia?

    Driving is a great way to explore a vast territory and its natural scenery. South Australia car rentals allow you to access some destinations without public transport systems. Many companies offer car hires at airports like Adelaide Airport, cities, and suburbs. Picking up the keys is straightforward after passing through customs. We recommend you reserve a ride and plan for insurance in advance. Booking early through KAYAK can get you a more affordable rate, and you can choose a better model for a vacation.

  • What is driving like in South Australia?

    When you're new in South Australia, you'll be surprised by the wide-open spaces and significant distances between townships and major cities. In addition, expect wildlife on roads and dress appropriately because the heat can be extreme sometimes in this arid state. Fuel and snacks are not always available along the roads at regular intervals, so have enough before you start a long drive. Another challenge you might face as a tourist is unfamiliar road signs in foreign languages like French, German, and Simplified Mandarin.

  • What's the age requirement for booking South Australia car rentals?

    The minimum driving age in Australia is 21 years. You need a valid license and a driving experience of at least one year to rent a car. An underage driver surcharge applies to customers aged 21 to 25. Some car rental companies do not rent out their vehicles to senior citizens who are 75 years and above. You can rent a car with a US driving license and any other international driving permit as long as it reads in English. You might have to look for an International Driving Permit (IDP) or an approved English translator if it's in another language. 

Car rental directory

  • budget

    Budget car rental locations in South Australia

    18 Locations

  • hertz

    Hertz car rental locations in South Australia

    18 Locations

  • thrifty

    Thrifty car rental locations in South Australia

    18 Locations

  • sunnycars

    Sunnycars car rental locations in South Australia

    16 Locations

  • firefly

    Firefly car rental locations in South Australia

    15 Locations

  • avis

    Avis car rental locations in South Australia

    12 Locations

  • keddy

    keddy by Europcar car rental locations in South Australia

    12 Locations

  • enterprise

    Enterprise Rent-A-Car car rental locations in South Australia

    9 Locations

  • europcar

    Europcar car rental locations in South Australia

    9 Locations

  • dollar

    Dollar car rental locations in South Australia

    6 Locations

  • sixtrentacar

    Sixt car rental locations in South Australia

    6 Locations

  • acerentalcars

    Ace Rental Cars car rental locations in South Australia

    4 Locations

Good to know

Most popular agency

East Coast Car Rentals

Most popular car type

Standard

Average price

$53/day

Good deal

$45/day

When to book a rental car in South Australia

Average daily price per month
Rental car prices as pick-up date approaches