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Car Hire Cairns Airport

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Car rental offers Cairns Airport

Whether you're looking for a small rental car or a station wagon for the entire family, we will always have a suitable car for the lowest price. Below are a few examples from our selection in Cairns Airport.

Car type
Mini
Economy
Compact
Intermediate
Standard
Full-size
Luxury
Station wagon
Passenger van
SUV
Electric

Rental car options at Cairns Airport

The following car rental companies received the highest ratings in Cairns Airport. Compare the ratings and prices of these rental companies with a single search.

  • Hertz

    8.9 (7366)
    From £ 36 / day
  • Enterprise

    8.8 (2076)
    From £ 22 / day
  • Bargain Car Rentals

    8.8 (21)
    From £ 13 / day
  • Alamo

    8.4 (9207)
    From £ 20 / day
  • Avis

    8.3 (6386)
    From £ 43 / day
  • Thrifty

    8.3 (5810)
    From £ 34 / day
  • Europcar

    8.3 (8669)
    From £ 27 / day
  • East Coast Car Rentals

    8 (133)
    From £ 15 / day
  • Sixt

    7.9 (3621)
    From £ 30 / day
  • Keddy By Europcar

    7.8 (3742)
    From £ 28 / day
  • Ace Rental Cars

    6.8 (14)
    From £ 23 / day
  • Budget

    6.4 (10094)
    From £ 35 / day
  • National Car Rental

    8.6 (430)
    No rates available
  • FireFly Car Rental

    7.6 (3926)
    No rates available
  • Dollar Rent a Car

    8.1 (4604)
    From £ 40 / day
  • National

    No reviews
    No rates available
  • Routes

    No reviews
    No rates available
  • Dollar

    No reviews
    No rates available
  • Simba Car Hire

    No reviews
    From £ 26 / day

Recent reviews

Our customers rate us a 8.9/10 out of 2259

Cairns Airport average daily price per month

Cairns Airport - When is the most affordable time to rent a mini class car?

At this destination (Cairns Airport), December is the most affordable time to rent a mini class car with an average daily rate of . The rest of the year, the average rate is per day. August is the peak month for renting mini class cars, with an average rate of per day. To secure a good selection and favorable rates, it is recommended to make your rental car reservation well ahead of time. Last-minute bookings may result in limited options and higher prices.

Cairns Airport - When is the most affordable time to rent a economy class car?

At this destination (Cairns Airport), October is the most affordable time to rent a economy class car with an average daily rate of . The rest of the year, the average rate is per day. August is the peak month for renting economy class cars, with an average rate of per day. To secure a good selection and favorable rates, it is recommended to make your rental car reservation well ahead of time. Last-minute bookings may result in limited options and higher prices.

Cairns Airport - When is the most affordable time to rent a compact class car?

At this destination (Cairns Airport), October is the most affordable time to rent a compact class car with an average daily rate of . The rest of the year, the average rate is per day. August is the peak month for renting compact class cars, with an average rate of per day. To secure a good selection and favorable rates, it is recommended to make your rental car reservation well ahead of time. Last-minute bookings may result in limited options and higher prices.

Cairns Airport - When is the most affordable time to rent an intermediate class car?

At this destination (Cairns Airport), October is the most affordable time to rent a intermediate class car with an average daily rate of . The rest of the year, the average rate is per day. August is the peak month for renting intermediate class cars, with an average rate of per day. To secure a good selection and favorable rates, it is recommended to make your rental car reservation well ahead of time. Last-minute bookings may result in limited options and higher prices.

Cairns Airport - When is the most affordable time to rent a standard class car?

At this destination (Cairns Airport), October is the most affordable time to rent a standard class car with an average daily rate of . The rest of the year, the average rate is per day. August is the peak month for renting standard class cars, with an average rate of per day. To secure a good selection and favorable rates, it is recommended to make your rental car reservation well ahead of time. Last-minute bookings may result in limited options and higher prices.

Cairns Airport - When is the most affordable time to rent a full-size car?

At this destination (Cairns Airport), October is the most affordable time to rent a full-size class car with an average daily rate of . The rest of the year, the average rate is per day. August is the peak month for renting full-size class cars, with an average rate of per day. To secure a good selection and favorable rates, it is recommended to make your rental car reservation well ahead of time. Last-minute bookings may result in limited options and higher prices.

Cairns Airport - When is the most affordable time to rent a luxury car?

At this destination (Cairns Airport), August is the most affordable time to rent a luxury class car with an average daily rate of . The rest of the year, the average rate is per day. August is the peak month for renting luxury class cars, with an average rate of per day. To secure a good selection and favorable rates, it is recommended to make your rental car reservation well ahead of time. Last-minute bookings may result in limited options and higher prices.

Cairns Airport - When is the most affordable time to rent a station wagon?

At this destination (Cairns Airport), November is the most affordable time to rent a station wagon with an average daily rate of . The rest of the year, the average rate is per day. August is the peak month for renting a station wagon, with an average rate of per day. To secure a good selection and favorable rates, it is recommended to make your rental car reservation well ahead of time. Last-minute bookings may result in limited options and higher prices.

Cairns Airport - When is the most affordable time to rent a SUV?

At this destination (Cairns Airport), October is the most affordable time to rent an SUV with an average daily rate of . The rest of the year, the average rate is per day. August is the peak month for renting an SUV, with an average rate of per day. To secure a good selection and favorable rates, it is recommended to make your rental car reservation well ahead of time. Last-minute bookings may result in limited options and higher prices.

Cairns Airport - When is the most affordable time to rent a MPV?

At this destination (Cairns Airport), August is the most affordable time to rent an mpv with an average daily rate of . The rest of the year, the average rate is per day. August is the peak month for renting an mpv with an average rate of per day. To secure a good selection and favorable rates, it is recommended to make your rental car reservation well ahead of time. Last-minute bookings may result in limited options and higher prices.

Cairns Airport - When is the most affordable time to rent a minivan?

At this destination (Cairns Airport), August is the most affordable time to rent a minibus with an average daily rate of . The rest of the year, the average rate is per day. August is the peak month for renting a minibus, with an average rate of per day. To secure a good selection and favorable rates, it is recommended to make your rental car reservation well ahead of time. Last-minute bookings may result in limited options and higher prices.

Cairns Airport - When is the most affordable time to rent a sports car?

At this destination (Cairns Airport), January is the most affordable time to rent a sports car with an average daily rate of . The rest of the year, the average rate is per day. August is the peak month for renting a sports car, with an average rate of per day. To secure a good selection and favorable rates, it is recommended to make your rental car reservation well ahead of time. Last-minute bookings may result in limited options and higher prices.

Cairns Airport - When is the most affordable time to rent a convertible?

At this destination (Cairns Airport), April is the most affordable time to rent a convertible with an average daily rate of . The rest of the year, the average rate is per day. April is the peak month for renting a convertible, with an average rate of per day. To secure a good selection and favorable rates, it is recommended to make your rental car reservation well ahead of time. Last-minute bookings may result in limited options and higher prices.

Car rental location Cairns Airport

Cairns Airport Guide

Car Hire

At only four miles from Cairns CBD, Cairns Airport is a well-located transport hub and the seventh busiest airport in Australia. Car hire in Cairns Airport is an ideal way to navigate Cairns, areas close to the Great Barrier Reef and the rest of northern Queensland.

Who to Book With
Car rental offices at Cairns Airport can be found at the Domestic Terminal's northern end and in the International Terminal's Arrivals hall. Hirers can choose between Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz, Redspot and Thrifty.

Need to Know Essentials
You will need to show the following identification at vehicle collection:

- UK driver’s licence (both parts)
- International Driver's Permit
- Credit card used for the reservation
- Printed confirmation of the booking
- Valid passport to confirm ID

For more info read our FAQ's.

Driving
The Bruce Highway, which spans just over 1,000 miles, connects Cairns to the state capital Brisbane. This journey can take up to three days if stops are made along the way. While big towns and cities in Australia are well-connected by roads and highways, travelling inland between small destinations usually requires advance planning. Foreign drivers must hold an International Driver’s Permit. Although the city centre of Cairns is small enough to walk around, its low population density means that finding parking spaces is usually straightforward.

See our guide to Australia for more information on driving here.

Transport

Self-drivers usually use the Captain Cook Highway to reach the airport from the city centre. Other options include taxis, buses and shuttles provided by hotels in Cairns. Trains don’t connect with the airport directly but Cairns city offers rail links to other Australian locations.

Trains
Cairns Airport is without any rail links, although Queensland Rail trains depart from Cairns Station in the city centre for Brisbane and Kuranda. Services are slow and infrequent.

Taxis
Taxi ranks can be found outside the International Terminal and the Domestic Terminal. Service is mainly supplied by Black & White Taxi, one of the most active companies in the area.

Taxi prices:
Cairns Airport to Cairns CBD is about £15
Cairns Airport to Holloways Beach is about £20
Cairns Airport to Trinity Beach is about £30

Buses
Sun Palm Transport Group operates shuttle buses from the airport to Cairns CBD, the Northern Beaches, Mission Beach, Cape Tribulation, Port Douglas and Palm Cove. It costs around £6 one-way to be transferred to the CBD for an adult and around £3 for a child.

Facilities

Terminals
Cairns Airport has two main terminals – International and Domestic - that receive around four million passengers per year. Airlines operating here mainly provide transport to and from Australian and Asian destinations. Travel between the two terminals is possible via a covered walkway.

Parking
Parking at Cairns Airport is possible at the Budget Long Term, the Long Term Domestic, the Short Term Domestic and the Covered Car Park. A stay of one week in the Long Term Domestic lot costs around £45.

Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi service is available in Cairns Airport but must be paid for. Typical rates stand at around £1.80 per hour, around £3.50 per 24 hours or around £20 per seven days.

Information Services
Two information desks are located in the Arrivals hall of the International Terminal and one is located near Baggage Reclaim in the Domestic Terminal.

Useful Numbers
Main office: +61 7 4080 6703

Accessibility
The two terminals each have a drop-off and pick-up area for those with reduced mobility. Airlines operating at the airport can provide pre-arranged wheelchairs or crutches. All car parks at Cairns Airport have disabled persons’ parking spaces.

Restaurants and Bars
The International Terminal is home to the Landside Café in the Arrivals hall and the Airside Café in the Departures lounge. The Domestic Terminal features Hungry Jacks, La Porchetta and Healthy Habits. Drinks may be consumed at the Blue Sky Brewery, the Coffee Club or the Skybury Café.

VIP Lounges

Domestic Terminal:
Qantas Club

Money and ATMs
A single ATM can be found in Arrivals in the International Terminal, while there are three bureaux de change booths – one in Baggage Reclaim, one in Departures and another in Arrivals. The Domestic Terminal has an ATM in its Departures lounge, where there is also a single currency exchange booth.

Shopping
The Domestic Terminal is laden with shops, such as BeachCulture and Sunglass Hut, which both sell products for relaxing by the sea. Electronics are available from Tech To Go and stationery is provided by Smiggle. Shops such as Discover, Purely Merino, Australian Produce Store, Australian Made and World of Chocolate sell locally-made products and handicrafts. Branches of most of these outlets can also be found in the International Terminal, where JR Duty Free also has a branch. Travel essentials, newspapers and magazines can be found at Hub or Newslink in the Domestic Terminal and at Relay in the International Terminal.

Practical information

  • Currency
    Australian dollar
  • Driving direction
    Left
  • City speed limit
    50 km/h
  • Freeway speed limit
    100 - 130 km/h
  • Language
    English
  • Popular car category
    SUV

What most people want to know

The following questions and answers are a selection of the most popular questions. If you do not find the answer to your question, have a look at the Frequently Asked Questions page or contact us.

Is Carrentals.co.uk the cheapest?

Yes, we offer a guarantee of the lowest price - because we compare various retailers, we can always offer you the best price in town.

What do I need to do when picking up a car?

To pick up your car, you will need your voucher, passport, driver's license and a credit card. It is very important that your driver's license and credit card are in the same name as the main driver. Keep in mind that the local rental company will reserve a certain amount on your credit card as a deposit. This requires the PIN code for your credit card. If your driver's license is foreign (for example, in Chinese), you must bring a translation with you. Only your original passport and driver's license will be accepted - a copy is not sufficient.

Are there any additional costs?

In general, our rates are all-inclusive. Should there be any additional costs, our booking department will get in touch with you before issuing the invoice. Should you object, you can always cancel your reservation with no obligations attached (at least 48 hours in advance).

What kind of insurance is applicable to my car rental?

In general, Liability Insurance, Fire Insurance, All-Risks Insurance and Theft Insurance are included in the cost of your rental car.

What is a worry-free label?

Only rental companies with a high level of customer satisfaction are eligible to be included in our Worry-Free selection. This rate includes excess cover and unlimited kilometres. Your vehicle will be provided and must be returned with a full tank of fuel. With a vehicle from our Worry-Free selection, you can travel with peace of mind and no hidden costs.

How can I change or cancel my reservation?

You can cancel your reservation through "My Account". We recommend contacting us by phone if your changes to your booking or cancellation takes place at short notice (48 hours or less).

When will I get a confirmation of my booking?

Most reservations will receive confirmation within minutes after payment takes place. We recommend contacting our Booking Department for last minute reservations (pick-up within 48 hours).

Which car rental companies are compared by Carrentals.co.uk at this location?
  • Hertz
  • Enterprise
  • Bargain Car Rentals
  • Alamo
  • Avis
  • Thrifty
  • Europcar
  • East Coast Car Rentals
  • Sixt
  • Keddy By Europcar
  • Ace Rental Cars
  • Budget
  • National Car Rental
  • FireFly Car Rental
  • Dollar Rent a Car
  • National
  • Routes
  • Dollar
  • Simba Car Hire
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