Gold Coast Car Rental

If you’re looking to discover this beautiful region in your own way and at your own pace, renting a car is a great way to have the freedom to plot your own journeys. With your own car you can choose when and where you’d like to go, plus it gives you the freedom to explore some of the areas that are outside the ‘tourist circuit’ so to speak.

 

 

Car hire on the Gold Coast is available from various locations including Surfers Paradise and at the Gold Coast Airport, although generally, it is best to book in advance to secure the vehicle to suit your requirements and get the best rates.

Car hire at Gold Coast Airport (Coolangatta) is serviced by most of the leading companies including Avis, Budget, Hertz, Thrifty, and Europcar. Most of these companies will also have offices in Surfers Paradise and also at Brisbane Airport should you want to pick up from one airport and drop off at the other, or even other depots in other cities.

 

Budget

 

Vehicle Options

Vehicle options range from small hatch (i.e. Toyota Corolla), small sedan (i.e. Holden Astra), Large sedans (i.e. Holden Commodore), station wagons, people movers (i.e. Toyota Tarago) and 4WD’s (i.e. Nissan Patrol/Toyota Landcruiser). Select companies offer sports and luxuries cars and for these, you should book in advance due to the limited number available. Some vehicles may have a satellite navigation option and most will come with region maps.

Company Policies

Most reputable companies have simple fuel policies, meaning they give it to you full and it’s in your interest to return it the same way or expect to get charged extra. Likewise, most of the major firms offer unlimited mileage but you should check this fact, another point to check is the fees involved should there be an accident or vehicle theft.

Local Road Rules

As for driving, road rules in Queensland are similar to other Australian states, although, there are some differences and a booklet on QLD road rules can be downloaded from the state governments transport department here.

International visitors can also find information on driving in Queensland with a foreign or an international license here.

The Top Car Rental agencies on the Gold Coast

All of these companies offer online rate search for price comparison.

 

CompanyLocationVehiclesAirport P/UP and Drop Off
BudgetGold Coast Airportsmall hatch, medium sedan, SUVYES
AvisGold Coast Airportsmall, medium, station wagon, SUV, 4WD, luxuryYES
HertzGold Coast Airportsmall, medium, station wagon, SUV, 4WD, luxury, ute, light truck, sports carYES
EuropcarGold Coast Airportsmall hatch, sedan, SUV, luxury, sports carYES
ThriftyGold Coast Airportsmall, medium, family, people mover, station wagon, SUV, 4WD, luxury, light trucksYES
RedspotGold Coast Airportsmall hatch, sedan, SUV, people mover (Hiace), luxury, sports carYES
Family Car RentalsBurleigh Headssmall, medium, family, people mover, station wagon, SUVYES
Bargain Car RentalsTweed Headssmall, medium, SUVYES
Daves Car RentalSurfers Paradisesmall, medium, family, people mover, station wagon, SUVYES
ACE Rental CarsCurrumbin Waterssmall, medium, family, people mover, station wagon, SUVYES
Rent a BombCurrumbin Waterssmall sedans, hatch, station wagon, Tarago