How do I book a car in Cairns through FindYCar?

Select "Cairns" as your pick-up location, choose your hire dates, and click "Search". Compare offers from different companies by price and terms, select the best option, and complete the booking online. You will then receive a confirmation email with a voucher for collection.

Where are the car hire offices located in Cairns?

Car hire offices in Cairns are located in several convenient areas. The main offices are at Cairns Airport terminal, in Cairns CBD along Sheridan Street and Lake Street, and in popular tourist areas such as the Esplanade. Some companies also offer pick-up points in Port Douglas, Palm Cove, and the northern beach suburbs.

What documents are required to hire a car in Cairns?

To hire a car, you will need a valid driving licence, a passport (for international visitors) or photo ID (for Australian residents), a credit card in the driver’s name, and your booking voucher. The driving licence must be valid for at least one year. International visitors may require an International Driving Permit (IDP) depending on their country of origin.

What is the minimum age to hire a car in Cairns?

The minimum age to hire a car is usually 21 years. Some vehicle categories, particularly 4WDs, campervans, and larger SUVs, are available only from age 25. Requirements vary by hire company and vehicle class. Enter your age during booking to see available options. Drivers under 25 may incur a young driver surcharge.

Can I hire a car in Cairns and return it elsewhere?

Yes, most hire companies offer one-way rentals. You can usually return the car at different locations within Cairns (CBD, airport, northern beaches) with no extra charge or a small surcharge. Returning the car in another Queensland city (for example, Townsville or Brisbane) or other Australian cities (Sydney, Melbourne) usually incurs an additional one-way fee based on distance.

Do I need to pay extra for toll roads in Cairns?

No, there are currently no toll roads in Cairns or the surrounding Far North Queensland region. You can drive freely throughout Cairns city, to Port Douglas, Daintree, Atherton Tablelands, and other popular destinations without worrying about toll charges. This makes budgeting for your trip easier and more straightforward.

Can I hire a car in Cairns without a deposit?

Yes, FindYCar offers car hire in Cairns without a deposit. Use the "No deposit" filter when searching for a vehicle. As these options are limited, it is recommended to book in advance to secure your preferred car.

Can I hire a car in Cairns without a credit card?

Most hire companies require a credit card in the driver’s name. However, FindYCar offers some vehicles that can be booked using a debit card. To find these options, select the "Debit card" filter when searching for a car.

How much does it cost to hire a car in Cairns?

Prices vary by season, vehicle class, and hire duration: economy cars around $30-45 per day, compact cars $35-55 per day, saloons/SUVs $55-100 per day, and 4WD vehicles $80-150 per day. Campervans and motorhomes range from $100-200 per day. During peak season (June-September for the dry season and December-January for holidays), rates can increase by 30-50%. Booking in advance typically offers better value.

Which car hire companies operate in Cairns?

Cairns hosts all major international and local car hire companies, including Hertz, Avis, Budget, Europcar, Thrifty, Enterprise, Sixt, Redspot, Britz, Jucy, Apollo, Maui, and East Coast Car Rentals. Companies have offices at the airport, in the CBD, and in major tourist areas.

Is unlimited mileage included in the hire?

Yes, most offers on FindYCar include unlimited mileage, allowing you to drive without distance limits. This is particularly useful for exploring Tropical North Queensland, including trips to the Daintree Rainforest, Cape Tribulation, Atherton Tablelands, Mission Beach, and the Great Barrier Reef coastal areas.

What are the most popular destinations to drive to from Cairns?

Popular driving destinations from Cairns include Port Douglas (1 hour north), Palm Cove (25 minutes north), Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation (2-2.5 hours north), Atherton Tablelands (1.5 hours west), Mission Beach (2 hours south), Kuranda (30 minutes), Mareeba (1 hour), and Cooktown (4 hours north via the inland route). Hiring a car gives you the freedom to explore Tropical North Queensland’s stunning natural attractions at your own pace.

How do I cancel my Cairns car hire booking?

You can cancel your booking through your FindYCar account or by contacting customer support. Cancellation policies vary by hire company and booking type. Most bookings offer free cancellation up to 48 hours before collection.

Car Hire Cairns: No Deposit, No Credit Card

The best way to hire a car in Cairns through FindYCar

Car hire in Cairns can be one of the easiest experiences when you book online through our website:

Browse available offers and click Book Now if you find the ideal vehicle.
Complete the form, select extras, insurance type, and more.
Pay now (20% or 100%) to automatically confirm your booking.

Location

You are free to specify any location you prefer to collect your vehicle (this could be a city, airport, or delivery)
Enter the start and end dates of the rental and perform a search.

Booking

Choose a car and add additional services (insurance, no deposit)
Book a car through our website and make the payment online
You will receive an email voucher with the rental company’s contact details and pick-up instructions.

Pick-Up

When collecting the car, you will need to present your voucher, passport, driving licence, and a credit card (if a deposit is required)
Sign the rental agreement, collect the car, and enjoy your trip.

Cheap Car Hire in Cairns: The Best of FindYCar

Some places in the distant land of kangaroos can offer a truly dreamy summer holiday, in the best Caribbean or Mediterranean style. However, just an hour’s drive away, you can turn your laid-back beach vibe upside down and enjoy the very best adventures in the traditional Australian wilderness.

To complete your to-do list in comfort, we recommend hiring a car in Cairns as soon as possible. This way, you can go beyond your plans and:

Explore the stunning coastal nature of the Great Barrier Reef
See unique flora and fauna, and feed crocodiles in the Daintree Rainforest
Take a relaxed stroll to one of the many waterfalls in the area
Visit local city attractions such as the Cairns Esplanade, Kuranda, and the many parks and museums.

Enhance your travel experience with the best extras from FindYCar, such as no credit card required, additional insurance (CDW, full cover, etc.) payable in cash, no deposit, and more.

What is the price of car hire in Cairns?

Despite its reputation as a summer resort city, daily car hire rates in Cairns seem quite reasonable:

Economy cars: $22-$36 per day
Mid-range cars: $30-$48 per day
SUVs and people carriers: $38-$70 per day
Luxury cars: $90+ per day

The final offer may be 20% (or more) cheaper or more expensive. The final price you see on your receipt depends on several key factors, including:

Short-term or long-term car hire
Availability with early booking
Collection method (location)
Extras, features, and vehicle type.

Use these guidelines to compare prices and get the best value for your money:

Table of rental prices for popular cars at Cairns Airport by season

Car model	Body type	Passengers	Luggage capacity	Price per day (low season)	Price per day (high season)
Toyota Yaris	Economy	5	2	$25	$45
Hyundai i30	Compact	5	3	$32	$55
Kia Stonic	Compact SUV	5	3	$27	$50
Toyota Corolla	Standard saloon	5	3	$29	$52
Nissan X-Trail	SUV	5	3	$38	$72
Mitsubishi Outlander	SUV	5	3	$39	$75
Kia Carnival	People carrier	7-8	4	$65	$120
Ford Ranger	Pickup	5	2-4	$50	$95
MG 3	Compact	5	2	$30	$55
Audi Q3	Luxury SUV	5	4	$75	$140

⚠️ Note: The prices shown are for reference only and may change depending on the collection location in Cairns, the hire company, booking date, specific car model, insurance conditions, and rental duration. Rates also vary by season, and prices are usually higher during peak travel months. The information reflects average market prices and does not guarantee availability at the listed rates. Some offers for car hire without a deposit and without a credit card have also been included where available.

Chart of car hire prices in Cairns: seasonal analysis based on verified bookings

Our experience shows that the lowest car hire prices in Cairns are recorded in February, when the average cost is $28. This is 32% lower than the average monthly rate of $41. This price level makes February the most favourable month for booking a car.

The highest prices are recorded in July at $67, which is 62% higher than the average monthly price. This makes July the most expensive time of year to hire a car in Cairns. Taking seasonality into account, demand for cars increases significantly in July, which is reflected in the price.

In terms of trends, the largest price increase occurred between June and July. The price rose by 72% from $39 to $67. A significant increase is also observed between March and April at 66%, from $29 to $48. The largest price drop occurred from January to February at 30%, making February even more attractive for car hire.

Our statistical results show that car hire costs in Cairns range from $28 to $67, meaning the difference between the lowest and highest price is $39, or 140% of the lowest price.

The prices were collected based on verified bookings through our website FindYCar, taking into account all vehicle types and classes, as well as bookings without a deposit and without a credit card. This allows us to conclude that the figures reflect the real situation in the Cairns car hire market, not just promotional or conditional rates.

40 $

JAN

28 $

FEB

29 $

MAR

48 $

APR

37 $

MAY

39 $

JUN

67 $

JUL

47 $

AUG

39 $

SEP

38 $

OCT

33 $

NOV

52 $

DEC

Hiring a car in Cairns: what documents do I need?

Australia is one of the easiest countries for travellers, as you only need the following documents to collect your hire car:

Credit card
Driving licence
Reservation voucher
Passport

Traffic Rules

We strongly recommend that you familiarise yourself with a few basic traffic rules before hiring a car in Cairns. Here are some that may be particularly helpful:

Drive on the left.
Pay attention and do not ignore lane markings and priority signs.
Wear your seat belt at all times.
The legal alcohol limit is just 0.05% (approximately one bottle of beer).
Keep to safe speeds: 50 km/h in built-up areas, up to 100-110-130 km/h on motorways.

Parking

Finding a free parking space can be difficult during the hottest months of the year, in the summer season.

Expect to pay $1-$3 per hour to park your vehicle. Parking outside town areas can be free.

Petrol Stations

The average price per litre is $1-$1.22, as shown on signs at coastal petrol stations.

Fuel is always high quality, but credit cards are not accepted everywhere.

Toll Roads

There are no toll roads in northern Queensland.

However, if you are planning long journeys along the coast to the south, be prepared to pay up to $10 per road.

Key features of FindYCar: car hire in Cairns with no deposit, no credit card, insurance, and full cover