Self-Drive Car Rental in Canberra, Australia

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There are 37 car hire providers in Canberra. Check out the map below to find the most convenient pick-up spot.

The most popular car rental companies in Canberra

Hiring a car in Canberra: Fast facts

Here's everything you need to know to hit the road happy.
Most popular car hire companyHertz
Most popular carIntermediate/Standard, SUV
Average daily price₹ 18,997
Best time to book1 week before

How to book the best car rental deals in Canberra

We’re frequently named as the most trusted travel search site out there. We scan hundreds of trusted travel providers and put it all in one place, allowing you to instantly compare car hire rates and then book with no fees. Here's how to get the most out of your Canberra car rental search.

How to find a cheap car hire deal in Canberra

  • Searching for a cheap rental car in Canberra? You're right where you need to be. With prices averaging ₹ 18,997 a day, we compare all the best offers so you can search less, save more, and drive away happy.

  • ₹ 3,637 is the cheapest daily price for a rental in Canberra.

  • For longer trips, pick up a weekly rental from ₹ 20,066 and pack more sights into your itinerary.

  • Timing is everything when it comes to finding the best price on a Canberra car hire. Try booking around one week before your departure date.

  • Avis, Europcar and Hertz are some of the top-ranked providers in the city. Use them as a starting point to compare offers.

  • The coverage Avis or another supplier includes with your Canberra car hire can vary, so remember to go over the fine print. While some include a collision damage waiver (CDW), others will provide it for an extra charge.

  • Booking a one-way car hire is often a great hack for finding a deal. Simply check 'Return car to a different location.' Providers often need to move vehicles from one branch to another, which means you can lock in some great one-way prices on a car for rent in Canberra.

  • Search for a vehicle with a 'Fair fuel policy.' You'll pick up and drop off your ride with a full tank, so you pay only for what you use. No surprise fuel add-ons when you hand back the keys either.

  • Want to explore freely without stressing about how many miles you clock up? Search for rentals with 'Unlimited mileage' under the 'Policies' filter and go as far as you like without the extra charges.

Best value car hire options right now

  • The best value can be found with this company, with average prices at ₹ 10,801 a day.

  • Not far behind, this provider offers daily rates of around ₹ 9,272.

  • The third option won't stretch your budget either. You'll pay roughly ₹ 10,590 a day with this supplier.

  • The Intermediate rental category is a reliable choice if you're unsure what sort of ride you need. It's also the vehicle type that's rented the most in Canberra.

Flying to Canberra? Think about an airport pick-up

  • Make arrival day easier by booking a car hire at Canberra Airport. If you're flying to Canberra through this airport, simply pick up your ride after landing and get moving. The drive to the city centre is about 8 kilometres and takes around 15 minutes.

Compare car hire types in Canberra

  • Small: Whether you're zipping around busy cities or taking a short trip, this car category delivers big value in a small package. Including mini and economy classes, you can look forward to easy handling and excellent fuel efficiency.

  • Medium: Choose from compact and intermediate cars that combine comfort, space and fuel efficiency. Easy to manoeuvre in cities and with enough space for longer drives, they work well for most plans.

  • Large: You've got the kids, the bags, the snacks, the works. Large vehicles have got the space to pack it all in without breaking a sweat. Perfect for long-distance journeys, this Canberra car hire category includes full-size cars.

  • SUV: Enjoy a higher driving position and a commanding view of the journey ahead in an SUV. Whether you're navigating rugged backcountry or gliding down stretches of highway, many offer all-wheel drive to help you tackle any road.

  • Van: If you're searching for a car for rent in Canberra that can handle a small crowd (and all their gear), a van has space where it counts. Including commercial vans and trucks, they're just the thing for group excursions, moving or business needs.

Insurance and optional extras

  • Excess insurance covers your out-of-pocket costs if your Canberra car hire is stolen or damaged. While not compulsory, you'll be glad to have it if something goes wrong. Just remember that not all insurance policies are equal, so make sure you understand exactly what's included.

  • From GPS units to mobile Wi-Fi hotspots, the right extras can seriously upgrade your ride. Think about which features will make your trip more comfortable when you rent a car in Canberra.

Good to know

  • Age requirements can vary by provider (and even car type), so know the rules before you book. Some suppliers in Australia may rent to younger drivers for an additional fee. If you fall outside the typical age range, just uncheck 'Driver aged between 25–70' and then enter how old you are to unlock the right options.

  • Add a car seat to your Canberra car hire reservation if you're planning to travel with the kids. Guidelines vary from place to place, but using a child seat suited to their age, size and weight is always the safest choice.

  • You'll need some documents when collecting your car. As a rule, bring your physical driver's licence, a credit card with enough funds to cover the excess (debit cards usually aren't accepted), and another form of photo ID. Your booking will confirm exactly what's required.

  • If you've never driven in Australia, don't forget that traffic here sticks to the left side of the road.

  • Make sure you follow the local speed limits. Usually that's around 45kph in urban areas and 95kph or so on highways, unless road signs indicate differently.

  • A blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit of 0.05% applies in Australia. The safest way to stay legal to drive is to avoid drinking altogether.

  • Around 8am is one of the busiest times for traffic around this destination. Try to avoid peak times generally for a smoother trip.

  • You'll be using the Australian dollar (AUD) for everything you buy throughout your trip. You may find it helpful to carry a mix of cash and cards so you always have a backup option.

  • English is the language spoken in most parts of the country.

Best hotels in Canberra for drivers

  • Pull in, drop your bags, and start relaxing at Peppers Gallery Hotel. Offering accessible parking as well as internet access and a library, this hotel is around 2 kilometres from central Canberra.

  • Canberra Lyneham Motor Inn also works well if you've got a few road trips in mind. It features accessible parking, along with air conditioning and internet access. Base yourself here and you'll be roughly 5 kilometres from the city centre.

  • Browse the lineup of hotels in Canberra for even more choices. Use the 'Parking,' 'Valet parking,' and 'Outdoor parking' filters to find the perfect fit. You can even use the 'Electric vehicle (EV) charging station' filter to zero in on EV-friendly stays.

  • After you've locked in a car hire deal in Canberra and your hotel, all that's left to do is decide where to head to first. Get things started with popular attractions such as National Gallery of Australia, National Portrait Gallery and Museum of Australian Democracy.

Hit the road: Where to drive to from Canberra

  • Goulburn should be on your itinerary if you'd like to visit Riversdale Historic Homestead and Garroorigang Historic Home. This city is around 80 kilometres northeast of central Canberra.

  • Reliable accommodation options with parking in Goulburn include Willows Motel and Alpine Heritage Motel.

  • Or collect your cheap car hire in Canberra and head roughly 56 kilometres north to Yass. Featuring Henry Lawson Park and Hume and Hovell Track, it's every bit as good as advertised.

  • Relax after a day of exploring Yass at Swaggers Motor Inn or Thunderbird Motel Yass. These hotels cater to guests with cars.

  • The only thing left to do now is hit the pillow. Doonside Hotel and Blacktown Tavern have room for both you and your wheels while visiting Blacktown.

Frequently asked questions

On average, hiring a car in Canberra will set you back around ₹ 18,997 per day or ₹ 23,619 per week. 
The cheapest car to rent in Canberra is a compact estate (sometimes known as a station wagon). The most popular is Intermediate/Standard, SUV.
The cheapest car hire companies in Canberra are currently Thrifty and Hertz.
Bagging the best car hire deal depends on when you book  – often, it pays to book your wheels as far in advance as possible. But according to our data, the cheapest month to rent a car in Canberra is currently February.
On average, around ₹ 23,619. But the best price we found for car hire for a week in Canberra is ₹ 20,066.
Based on everything we know about daily prices, the average cost to hire a car in Canberra for a whole month is ₹ 158,425. 

But sometimes, you'll get a discount for booking a whole month instead of 3 and a half weeks. So play with your dates to find the best deals!
If you're looking for freedom to explore Canberra, choose a car with unlimited mileage, or look for car hire deals with a ’full to full' fuel policy as opposed to a 'half-full to full' one.

We also clearly highlight car and van hire options in Canberra that have free cancellation
Yes – you can easily find car hire companies that allow you to pick up your car in one place, and then drop it off in another. Just select ‘Return car to a different location’ when you search with us.
Public transport can only get you so far, and could be tricky to navigate with children or luggage. With your own set of wheels, you can go wherever you want, whenever you want, for as long as you want. And you'll be able to discover more outside of Canberra.
Most places – Canberra included – allow under 25s to rent a car as long as they provide a valid driver's license and the correct documentation. It may cost slightly more due to a higher insurance excess for young drivers. 
The cheapest price we found for an economy car is ₹ 3,771 per day. The average price per day is around ₹ 13,455.
Of course. Most major car hire companies like Hertz, Budget and Europcar offer baby and child seats as an add-on when you book.
Other travellers rated Enterprise as the best overall in terms of experience.
Yes – van hire is available in Canberra.