Great Barrier Reef car rentals

Driver's age: 25-65

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Cheap car hire in Great Barrier Reef

These are the best prices for 29 Oct - 5 Nov.
Toyota Corolla car
Toyota Corolla
or similar Small
4
2
4-5
฿3,375/day
View deal
Hyundai i30 car
Hyundai i30
or similar Medium
5
3
4-5
฿4,637/day
View deal
Toyota RAV4 car
Toyota RAV4
or similar SUV
2
2
4-5
฿2,567/day
View deal
Class Standard SUV car
Class Standard SUV
or similar SUV
5
3
4-5
฿1,890/day
View deal
Mazda CX-3 car
Mazda CX-3
or similar SUV
4
2
4-5
฿2,917/day
View deal
Mazda CX-5 car
Mazda CX-5
or similar SUV
5
3
4-5
฿3,452/day
View deal
Booking Insights

KAYAK’s insights & trends for Great Barrier Reef car hire

Check out the latest trends and booking tips to hire a car in Great Barrier Reef with confidence.

How far in advance should you book car hire in Great Barrier Reef?

You should book your car hire in Great Barrier Reef around 66 days before your trip in order to get a below-average price.

What is the cheapest month to hire a car in Great Barrier Reef?

The cheapest month to hire a car in Great Barrier Reef is November at an average cost of ฿1,770/day. July is the most expensive month to hire a car in Great Barrier Reef when prices are ฿2,296/day on average, which tends to be 15% above the yearly average hire price for Great Barrier Reef.

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Great Barrier Reef car rental price comparison by vehicle type

Find the right rental car in Great Barrier Reef by comparing prices across vehicle types.

Small cars

฿1,299 - ฿1,724

All Car Types

฿1,795 - ฿3,132

How much does it cost to hire a small car in Great Barrier Reef?

How much does it cost to hire a medium car in Great Barrier Reef?

How much does it cost to hire an SUV in Great Barrier Reef?

How much does it cost to hire a van in Great Barrier Reef?

How much does it cost to hire a pickup truck in Great Barrier Reef?

How much does it cost to hire a luxury car in Great Barrier Reef?

Small car hire in Great Barrier Reef typically costs around ฿1,561 per day. The best time to book is November, when prices average ฿1,299 per day, which is about 17% less than the yearly average. Small cars are usually 31% cheaper than the average car hire in Great Barrier Reef, making them ideal for budget-conscious travellers.

Medium car hire in Great Barrier Reef typically costs around ฿1,778 per day. The best time to book is January, when prices average ฿1,310 per day, which is about 27% less than the yearly average. Medium cars are usually 22% cheaper than the average car hire in Great Barrier Reef, offering a good balance of space and value.

SUV hire in Great Barrier Reef typically costs around ฿2,438 per day. The best time to book is June, when prices average ฿1,955 per day, which is about 20% less than the yearly average. SUVs are typically 8% more expensive than the average car hire in Great Barrier Reef but provide extra space and capability for groups or road trips.

Van hire in Great Barrier Reef typically costs around ฿3,339 per day. The best time to book is January, when prices average ฿2,251 per day, which is about 33% less than the yearly average. Vans are typically 33% more expensive than the average car hire in Great Barrier Reef but are the best choice for families or groups needing maximum passenger capacity.

Pickup truck hire in Great Barrier Reef typically costs around ฿1,853 per day. The best time to book is January, when prices average ฿1,276 per day, which is about 32% less than the yearly average. Pickup trucks are 18% cheaper than the average car hire in Great Barrier Reef, making them a practical choice for hauling gear or outdoor adventures.

Luxury car hire in Great Barrier Reef typically costs around ฿3,305 per day. The best time to book is March, when prices average ฿2,352 per day, which is about 29% less than the yearly average. Luxury cars are typically 32% more expensive than the average car hire in Great Barrier Reef but deliver premium comfort and style for special occasions.

Good to know

Most popular agency

Most popular car type

Average price

Good deal

Budget
Small
฿1,642/day
฿1,642/day

Top tips for hiring a car in Great Barrier Reef

  • If you’re visiting the Great Barrier Reef off the east coast of Queensland, the best airport to fly to is Cairns Airport (CNS) in Cairns. Multiple car rental agencies have a counter at the airport, including Avis, Hertz, Europcar, Budget, Enterprise, Redspot, Sixt, and Thrifty. The car rental desks are conveniently located in the Arrivals section at the northern end of Terminal 2 (Domestic) and the Arrivals Hall at Terminal 1 (International).
  • Road conditions in the Great Barrier Reef are generally good. The stretch from Cairns through other major towns along the reef has well-maintained roads with stunning coastal views. Road conditions may vary in remote areas. You’ll come across unpaved sections or roads with potholes. Major towns along the coastline have narrow streets. Observe caution when driving through those sections. The region has several winding roads, so slow down as you approach those sections.
  • The type of car to rent in the Great Barrier Reef depends on your needs. A convertible is the best option to enjoy scenic views of the beautiful coastline. We recommend an economy rental if you’re on a solo trip and have less luggage. A passenger van is ideal for larger groups with more luggage that require more space. Consider renting an SUV rental if you plan to venture off-road.
  • The Great Barrier Reef is a popular tourist destination, so you’ll likely encounter heavy traffic during peak tourist season. Most tourists flock to the region from June through October. Major roads along the coastal area are usually busy during this time. Traffic in major towns along the Great Barrier Reef can also get busy during morning and evening rush hour, mostly from 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Towns with the heaviest traffic during peak rush hour include Cairns, Port Douglas, Airlie Beach, and Townsville.
  • 25% of our users found rental cars in Great Barrier Reef for ฿1,642 or less

FAQs about hiring a car in Great Barrier Reef

  • How much does it cost to rent a car in Great Barrier Reef?

    On average a rental car in Great Barrier Reef costs ฿1,642 per day.

  • How can I find car hires near me in Great Barrier Reef?

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

  • How much does it cost to rent a car for a week in Great Barrier Reef?

    On average a rental car in Great Barrier Reef costs ฿11,497 per week (฿1,642 per day).

  • How much does it cost to rent a car long term for a month in Great Barrier Reef?

    On average a rental car in Great Barrier Reef costs ฿49,272 per month (฿1,642 per day).

  • Should I rent a car in the Great Barrier Reef?

    Renting a car in the Great Barrier Reef offers a convenient option for exploring the region. You can drive to popular attractions in the Great Barrier Reef at your own pace. It’s also the most reliable option since there is limited public transportation. Great Barrier Reef car rentals allow you to explore the region comfortably, especially if you have a lot of luggage. They are more affordable when you look at the cumulative costs of hiring a taxi to various destinations in the Great Barrier Reef.

  • What is it like driving in the Great Barrier Reef?

    Driving in the Great Barrier Reef is generally easy. The good road network in the region grants you a smooth driving experience. Expect a scenic drive along the coastline. Major towns along the Great Barrier Reef are heavily populated, so be prepared to slow down when driving through those areas. Driving is on the left-hand side of the road. The general speed limit on major roads along the Great Barrier Reef is 30 mph (50 km/h) in urban areas and 68 mph (110 km/h) outside built-up areas. School zones have a speed limit of 25 mph (40 km/h). There are speed cameras and police patrols everywhere, so drive within the posted speed limits to avoid hefty fines.

  • How old should I be to rent a car in the Great Barrier Reef?

    The minimum age to rent a car in the Great Barrier Reef is 21. Some car rental agencies have a minimum rental age limit of 25. Drivers aged 21 to 24 may incur an additional surcharge. You must also provide the necessary documents, including a valid driver's license in your name, an internationally recognized credit card or debit card for payment, and additional identification documents (a passport or photo ID). An International Driving Permit (IDP) isn’t a major requirement since English is the primary language in the region.

Car rental directory

  • sunnycars

    Sunnycars car hire locations in Great Barrier Reef

    9 Locations

  • budget

    Budget car hire locations in Great Barrier Reef

    7 Locations

  • thrifty

    Thrifty car hire locations in Great Barrier Reef

    7 Locations

  • firefly

    Firefly car hire locations in Great Barrier Reef

    6 Locations

  • hertz

    Hertz car hire locations in Great Barrier Reef

    6 Locations

  • sixtrentacar

    Sixt car hire locations in Great Barrier Reef

    5 Locations

  • keddy

    keddy by Europcar car hire locations in Great Barrier Reef

    5 Locations

  • avis

    Avis car hire locations in Great Barrier Reef

    4 Locations

  • dollar

    Dollar car hire locations in Great Barrier Reef

    4 Locations

  • europcar

    Europcar car hire locations in Great Barrier Reef

    4 Locations

  • enterprise

    Enterprise Rent-A-Car car hire locations in Great Barrier Reef

    3 Locations

  • jucy

    JUCY car hire locations in Great Barrier Reef

    3 Locations

Car rental locations in Great Barrier Reef

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