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Car Hire in Cairns Airport made easy

When you arrive at Cairns Airport, you need a quick and efficient rental vehicle pick-up with no red tape and the keys in your hand. We can offer you the best airport car rental deal, so you can hit the road quickly.

Gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, Cairns in northern Queensland is the ideal place for a holiday. Although the real natural delights lie offshore, the city is a cosmopolitan and tropical gem. There are activities galore, from a simple stroll on the Esplanade to ballooning, hang-gliding, sky-diving and, of course, diving in the underwater wonderland.

Rental cars make it easy to navigate the city and its beautiful surroundings. Cairns is a spread-out city and the lovely beaches are located to the north and south rather than near the CBD, so having your own wheels is a definite advantage. Booking in advance means you can pick up your Cairns Airport car rental and drive away with no worries!

Great Prices, Right Car

Don’t spend hours scouring the internet for quotes to compare.If you are looking for a car rental in cairns airport,  Airportrentals.com delivers a full selection with a lot of options, thanks to our simple search engine! Just input your travel details, including the dates for your rental, and you will have a list of the many car hire suppliers at Cairns Airport. A huge range of companies and brands are displayed on the site, from the local cheap car rental in Cairns, to the multinationals of Hertz and Budget. Reviews and vehicle features are displayed with each result to help you make an informed decision.

Comparisons are easy with so many rental brands together on one site. Airport Car Rentals makes it even easier with filters to narrow down the Cairns car hire options. Filter by fleet, class or transmission to find the perfect vehicle, be it a luxury SUV or a simple economy hatchback. We are constantly working with suppliers to bring our customers the best and cheapest prices online, so there is no need to worry about paying a premium for the convenience.

Car Rental Cairns Airport: Where to Now in Queensland?

Picking up your Cairns car rental is easy- the difficult part is deciding where to take it! To the north is Port Douglas, a coastal resort town with beautiful beaches. Also nearby is the beautiful Daintree Rainforest, a great place to visit on a road trip. The Cape York Peninsula is a remote but scenic part of the country, often overlooked by tourists.

South of Cairns, a series of lovely beach towns and cities lead down the coast towards Brisbane and the Gold Coast. A highlight is the Whitsundays, the islands which lie offshore near Airlie Beach. This bucket list destination is a tropical paradise, a must-visit part of the Queensland coast and easily accessible in a rental vehicle.

Wherever your travels take you, a car hire from Cairns Airport is a great way to begin the journey!

Cairns isn’t even one of Australia’s 10 biggest cities, but it’s still known around the world for its flawless scenery, and as the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. Whether you’re visiting just to see this natural wonder, or if you plan to drive further afield in North Tropical Queensland, there are several places you can pick up your Cairns car hire from the Airport to Cairns City and Palm Cove.

Other popular pick up locations in Queensland include a car hire from Gold Coast Airport or Brisbane.

Car Hire Cairns: Pick-up Depots

Cairns isn’t even one of Australia’s 10 biggest cities, but it’s still known around the world for its flawless scenery, and as the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. Whether you’re visiting just to see this natural wonder, or if you plan to drive further afield in North Tropical Queensland, there are several places you can pick up your Cairns car hire from the Airport to Cairns City and Palm Cove.

Cairns City

Cairns City is reasonably small, so it’s easy to get started on your road trip from town now matter which direction you’re headed. There are regular shuttles from the airport to the city centre, making it easy to get in and pick up your Cairns car hire. Rental companies operating out of Cairns City include Europcar, East Coast Car Rentals, Hertz, Budget, Avis, Honk, Thrifty, Ace Rental Cars, Apollo Rental Cars, Keddy by Europcar, Cairns Affordable Car Rentals and Jucy Car Rentals.

Cairns - Palm Cove

For travellers heading north towards the Daintree Forest or Port Douglas, it may make more sense to pick up your car hire from Palm Cove, which is roughly 30 minutes north of Cairns City. Here, you can hire vehicles from Avis Australia.

Cairns Airport

Cairns Airport is only 10 minutes north of the CBD by in your Cairns car hire, and it keeps things simple to pick up your rental vehicle as soon as you land if you need wheels to get around. The airport is a good place to start from regardless of whether you’re heading up or down the coast, or even just straight into Cairns. Suppliers with depots at Cairns Airport are Europcar, East Coast Car Rentals, Hertz, Budget, Avis, Atlas Car & Truck Rental, Honk, Thrifty, Redspot Car Rentals, Ace Rental Cars, AutoEurope, Firefly, Apollo Rental Cars, Keddy by Europcar, Cairns Affordable Car Rentals, Europcar Australia INT, and Sixt Australia.

At AirportRentals.com we have many options for your car rental at Cairns Airport.

We have the major brands which have late model car rentals located directly at Cairns Airport. This is the most convenient car hire option, however you often pay more to pick up direct from Cairns Airport.

We also have car hire suppliers who are located very near Cairns Airport and offer a complimentary shuttle. They pick you up and take you to their office to collect the car.

Whilst the cars on offer for hire are often the same late model vehicles, there are some great savings to be made if you don't mind the shuttle ride.

Top Hire Car Cairns Airport Suppliers:

● Avis Car Hire is located in the Cairns Airport Terminal Building, Cairns, QLD 4870 and also 135 Lake Street, Cairns, QLD 4870. They have a great range of late Cairns car hire model vehicles. As well as the Compact, Standard, Intermediate and Full Size vehicles they have a range of Prestige and Luxury vehicles.

● Budget Car Hire is located in the Cairns Airport Terminal Building, Cairns QLD 4870 and also have a branch at 153 Lake Street, Cairns, QLD 4870. They have late model Cairns car rental vehicles starting with the Compact range up to SUV, 4WD and Passenger Vans.

● Europcar Car Hire is located in the Cairns Airport Terminal Building, Cairns, QLD 4870 and a nearby branch on Abbott Street, Cairns, QLD 4870. They have late model vehicles with an average age of 11 months old. Cairns Airport car hire options available with Europcar include Economy, Compact, Intermediate, Standard car types as well as having VW Golf and Mercedes Benz A Class.

● Hertz Car Rental is located in the Cairns Airport Terminal Building, Cairns QLD 4870 and a city car hire branch at 1 Abbott & Shields Street, Cairns, QLD 4870. They have late model rental vehicles with car types ranging from Compact to the FJ Cruiser 4WD.

● Redspot Car Rental is 100% Australian owned and are conveniently located in the Cairns Airport Terminal Building, Cairns, QLD, alongside the major brands. They are late model rental cars and often priced very competitively. The Cairns car rental range start with Economy vehicles like the Nissan Micra and goes up to the 8 seater cars like the Kia Carnival.

● Thrifty Car Hire is in the Cairns Airport Terminal Building and at Cnr Sheridan and Aplin Streets, Cairns QLD 4870 terminal alongside the other major car hire brands. They are late model vehicles in 15 car types including Premium 4WD and Intermediate Vans.

● Firefly Car Rental is serviced by Hertz at the Hertz desk. Same rental cars but often very well priced. Look out for these deals.

● Auto Europe Car Rental will be one of the brands you see above. More often than not Europcar or Thrifty. Look out for this Cairns Airport car hire brand as you can often pocket a great saving.

● Apollo Car Rental is serviced by Hertz with different payment and terms and conditions. Have a read of these as at certain times of the year they can be the best deal for your Cairns car hire.

Off Airport Brands:

● Atlas Car Rental is the newest addition to our offering and is located at 410 Sheridan Street, Cairns, QLD 4870. They operate a complimentary shuttle from the airport so you can pick up your Cairns car hire. They are late model cars. Check the map below to see their location.

● East Coast Car Rental has one of the biggest car rental fleets in Cairns and is located at 146 Sheridan Street, Cairns, QLD 4870. They service the airport by way of a complimentary shuttle and their office is located close by. They have late model cars and are often the best rates for new cars.

● Ace Car Rentals is located at 147 Lake Street, Cairns, QLD 4870 and operates a shuttle at no charge from the airport. The Cairns car hire range is 2-4 years old.

Cairns, located in the north of Queensland, is one of Australia’s larger towns, and is especially famous for its proximity to the Great Barrier Reef - easily accessible with a rental vehicle. The population of Cairns is roughly 150,000, but thanks to a multitude of tourist hot spots, the region attracts as many as 2 million visitors each year.

One of Cairns’ notable features is that it sits at one end of the 1,700-kilometre Bruce Highway, which runs between this northern city and Brisbane. Cairns is also a starting or finishing point for the Captain Cook Highway that covers just 75 kilometres and takes you to the city of Mossman - a roadtrip we highly recommend once you've picked up your car hire from Cairns Airport or one of the other depots on offer.

Cairns – The Traffic Report

The Cairns CBD is based on a simple grid layout with the bay fringing the north-east border. The traffic in this area is comparatively low, so making your way around in a rental car won’t be too difficult at all. Naturally, roads are busiest at rush hour before and after normal work times, so it may be easier to avoid travelling in your Cairns car hire shortly before 9am and after 5pm if possible.

Driving from Cairns Airport in a car hire to the CBD

Cairns Airport is extremely close to the city centre,  just 6 kilometres away in your car hire. This will only take you 10 minutes to drive – just head south out of the airport and follow National Route 1 into town.

Cairns Airport Car Rentals: Tips for driving

● In summer, parked cars can get extremely hot. Don’t leave food in the car, aim to park your Cairns car rental in the shade whenever possible and leave windows cracked an inch for air.

● Once you leave the city, be wary that you might come across animals on the road at night in country areas. Kangaroos, for example, are a common sight and can be very dangerous to hit in your Cairns car hire while driving.  

● As many tourists walk through town during their stays, keep an eye out for people stepping onto the roads while driving your car rental in busy central areas.

● Rainy season in Cairns brings extremely heavy rainfall. If you’re out driving in your Cairns car hire when it happens, take it slow and pull over to wait it out if you are uncomfortable.

Road trips from Cairns

●  Port Douglas: The drive to Port Douglas in a rental car is worth it just for the views. This 70-kilometre trip will take a little over an hour, and waiting on the other end is a gorgeous beach-side town that’s a popular spot for Great Barrier Reef tours.

●  Daintree Rainforest: The World Heritage Listed Daintree Rainforest is one of the premiere tourist attractions in Australia, and it’s only 2.5 hours – 125 kilometres – from Cairns Airport in your car hire. Check out the walks, tours, 4WD trips, beaches and the zipline!

●  Undara Lava Tubes: For a longer trip, drive 3.5 hours (260 kilometres) inland to the Undara Lava Tubes by Mount Surprise. Set upon a volcanic national park, these tubes are actually giant underground tunnels formed by a lava flow more than 190,000 years ago. Note that access is by guided tour only once you've parked up your Cairns car hire.

Car parking in Cairns city with your Cairns car rental

There are more than 6,400 council-provided car parks in Cairns to leave your car hire, 1,400 of which are in the central city. These are a mix of on-street and off-street parks, and generally cost $1.20 per hour.

As well as this, there are private parking buildings throughout the CBD, such as the Koppens Carpark on Grafton Street, the Hartley Street Carpark, and the Convention Centre on Sheridan Street.

Learn more about parking spots for your Cairns car rental and permits on the city council website here.

Car parking at Cairns Airport

There are several options for parks at Cairns Airport.

Most lots offer the first 10 minutes for free to allow you to make pick ups and drop offs easily.

The T1 car park is right next to the international terminal and costs $6 for 10-30 minutes or $7 for 30-60 minutes, and has a maximum charge of $27 for the first 24 hours.

The T2 park is next to the domestic terminal and has the same fees as the international park.

Another option is the T2 covered car park, which is a smaller area next to the uncovered T2. Prices here are a little more expensive at $11 for 30-60 minutes and $14 for 1-2 hours to leave your Cairns car rental. There is no free 10 minutes in this park.

To save on cash, book your airport parking online before you go with your Cairns car hire.

Cairns Fuel

The cost of fuel in the far north of Australia does tend to be higher than that in southern states. Prices are generally at their lowest at the start of the week on Mondays and Tuesdays, then peak later in the week.

Fuel stations close to Cairns Airport

You’ll need to refill the tank before you return your Cairns Airport car rental, so here are the nearest petrol stations to Cairns Airport.

● Portsmith Fuel: 45 Arnold Street (6 kilometres)

● Coles Express: 291-293 Sheridan Street (4.5 kilometres)

● Caltex Australia Ltd: 131 Sheridan Street (5.5 kilometres)

● BP: 230-238 Sheridan Street (4.5 kilometres)

● Portsmith Fuel: 475 Draper Street (9 kilometres)

How much does fuel cost in Cairns?

Fuel prices do rise and fall internationally as they do with a car rental in Australia as a whole, but you can usually expect to pay roughly 120 cents per litre in Cairns. As the fuel stations are all quite close with many situated on Sheridan Street, it’s easy to drive down this road and see if any of the outlets are offering cheaper petrol to fill up your Cairns car hire.

The RACQ (Royal Automobile Club of Queensland) offers a price watch for fair fuel costs. Follow the link here for more information.

Things To Do

Cairns doesn’t get all the hype that cities like Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane are showered with, but that doesn’t mean this tropical spot isn’t an absolute pearler. It’s not just the climate, the exotic food and the stunning natural surroundings that make this city something special - there’s a bunch of amazing things to do in Cairns which will keep you busy for as long as you’re sticking around. Sorting out a Cairns Airport car hire will let you whip around all the different attractions as quickly or slowly as suits your schedule, so make sure to sort out your transport well ahead of time to nab a mint deal. Below is just a small sample of the kind of attractions that could brighten up your next Cairns trip. Cairns offers visitors the chance to experience a whole different side to Australia. Its northerly locale places the city square in the tropics, with rainforests to the west and the glories of the Great Barrier Reef to the east. Sorting out a Cairns car hire before you arrive will give you the freedom to explore to your heart’s content without being tied to someone else’s schedule. This makes a big difference, considering the wide range of attractions on offer in and around Cairns.

Cairns Indigenous Art Fair

Celebrate indigenous culture at the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (CIAF). There is plenty to see and do including incredible art pieces, demonstrations, artist talks and expressive dance performances. Learn more about the wonderful artists and the stories behind their ethical creations. Curb your cravings with local food vendors offering ice cream, curries, coffee and everything in between. Apart from a few events, entry is free. Your Cairns car rental can take you there.

Where: Located at the Cairns Cruise Liner Terminal - Corner Wharf and Lake Streets, Cairns City QLD 4870, Australia
Visit ciaf.com.au for more information about the upcoming event on July 10-14 2019
Hours: The Cairns Indigenous Art Fair is held annually during Winter - check for dates.
 

Cairns Jockey Club

If you fancy catching a bit of horse racing excitement before you leave the area, the Cairns Jockey Club is the place to go. For more than a century, the club has been based at Cannon Park toward the southern end of the city (a short drive in a Cairns car hire), and is the home of popular events like Brothers Cairns Cup Day, Cairns Amateurs Ladies Day and Sea FM Hoof Wine & Seafood Race Day. 

Address: 585 Mulgrave Rd, Woree QLD 4868, Australia
Contact No. +61 7 4054 1203
Website: cairnsjockeyclub.com.au
 

Wildlife Habitat (CaPTA Group)

This Port Douglas attraction - easily reachable with a Cairns Airport car rental - is a zoo with a difference. Wildlife Habitat puts you amongst the exhibits, with boardwalks allowing visitors to wander through three separate habitats (Rainforest, Savannah and Woodlands, Wetlands) and observe wildlife in their own environments. Prepare to see koalas, kangaroos, crocodiles, snakes and a huge variety of birds which fly freely.
The zoo offers a range of specialised experiences to make any visit even better: picnics with parrots, lunch with lorikeets, a wide range of tours and presentations including feedings of various critters, and photos with them too. The Wildnight Nocturnal Tour is particularly interesting, and a great option for those willing to return in the evening to see the animals in a different light.

Where: Port Douglas Rd, Port Douglas QLD 4877, Australia
Opening Hours: Daily from 8am to 5pm (closed Christmas Day)

Places To Stay

Atherton Blue Gum B&B

About an hour and a half inland from Cairns to the southwest lies the town of Atherton. This is the perfect locale for an escape from the humidity and hustle of the city. While you’re in area, consider a stay at the Atherton Blue Gum B&B. Offering a reassuring blend of simplicity and comfort, this low key B&B has a natural, environmentally friendly feel to it that will have you waking to birdsong and gazing out at lush tropical flora. Atherton Blue Gum B&B also has a range of features to make your stay more pleasant, from a pool and spa, to poolside pergola-covered BBQ facilities, to WiFi capabilities. 

Address: 36 Twelfth Ave, Atherton QLD 4883, Australia

Summit Rainforest Retreat

If you’re keen to indulge in a little luxury during your stay in Queensland, the Summit Rainforest Retreat will do the trick nicely. This acclaimed deluxe accommodation’s location on the Atherton tablelands allows you to visit over the Christmas/New Year period to enjoy temperate weather or head there midyear to bask in the heat of the tropical sun. Nearby you can find a variety of wildlife viewing spots that are blessedly free from the crowds that accompany such attractions closer to Cairns. Treat yourself to an extraordinary vacation with a stay at the Summit Rainforest Retreat.

Address: 22 Twelfth Ave, Atherton QLD 4883, Australia