Deal
$1 per day on relocation rentals
Available on Australia campervan and motorhome rentals on select dates in 2022. T&Cs apply.
Canberra car hire: Compare and book cheap rentals
Wizz around the capital or explore beyond Canberra to scenic areas for as little as $46 a day by hiring a car.
We’re reader-supported and may be paid when you visit links to partner sites. We don’t compare all products in the market, but we’re working on it!
Expect to find national parks, glistening streams, wildlife, a foodie trail and a town from the 1800s when you venture past Canberra's city limits. Visit during the right few months and you can even reach a winter wonderland within a short time.
We share the top road trips to take from the capital along with helpful information that will help you budget a smooth road trip.
Compare hire cars and prices in Canberra
We've sussed out how much you can expect to pay for car hire. Our figures are based on a quote from our engine for a rental car from Canberra Airport for 2 days, booked a month in advance for a driver aged 30+.
Small, economy car
- Car: Toyota Yaris
- Seats: 4
- Luggage: 1 large bag and 1 small bag
- Rental company: Thrifty
- Cost: $83.15 for 2 days or $41.58 per day
Medium car
- Car: Toyota Corolla
- Seats: 4
- Luggage: 1 large bag and 1 small bag
- Rental company: Hertz
- Cost: $74.44 for 2 days or $37.22 per day
Large car
- Car: Kia Cerato
- Seats: 5
- Luggage: 1 large bag and 1 small bag
- Rental company: Thrifty
- Cost: $95.13 for 2 days or $47.57 per day
Estate car
- Car: Holden Commodore Estate
- Seats: 5
- Luggage: 3 large bag and 3 small bag
- Rental company: Budget
- Cost: $186.96 for 2 days or $93.48 per day
Prices mentioned above were retrieved on 16 August 2019 and change constantly. Get the latest prices for your car hire today.
Who offers car hire at Canberra Airport?
Who offers formal car hire in Canberra?
Who offers luxury car hire in Canberra?
Tips for driving in the Canberra
- Be ready for roundabouts. Canberra has over 400 roundabouts, each of which has a "halfway round" rule which requires drivers to use the left lane if turning off before the halfway point. Drivers intending on exiting halfway must use the right lane.
- Keep your eyes peeled for cyclists. Canberra is known as the cycling capital of Australia so be sure to be aware of cyclists on the road. Most intersections will have a clearly marked cycling lane that give cyclists the right of way.
- Watch out for wildlife. Wildlife in the surrounding areas of Canberra is common. Keep your eyes on the road and brake instead of swerving when you see an animal. Kangaroos, wombats and possums are common, especially around dusk or dawn.
- Drive on the left. As with the rest of Australia, Canberra is no exception when it comes to driving on the left-hand side of the road. Keep to the left when driving on a multi-lane road and only move to the right when passing another vehicle.
- Provisional licence holders may not be able to rent and drive cars. Most of the best-known car hire companies won't rent a car to a driver on their provisional licence. Redspot is one exception.
- All hire cars in Canberra come with a basic level of insurance. Check the excess on your policy, though. Figures can be high, but you can pay your hire company extra to reduce the excess. Alternatively, you can organise your own car hire rental excess insurance which may save you money.
3 popular driving routes in Canberra
Canberra to Kangaroo Valley
- How long is the drive? 210km each way
- How long do I need? 2–3 days (2.5 hours of driving)
- Must-sees along the way: Hampden Bridge, Manning's Lookout, Upper Kangaroo River Road
A quick trip to Kangaroo Valley is a treat where you'll be rewarded with sparkling creeks, lush green rainforests and bushlands in "Australia's most beautiful valley". A craft beer festival and barbeque festival are held here but it's also the perfect romantic getaway.
Murrumbateman Foodie Trail (Canberra to Murrumbateman)
- How long is the drive? 104km round trip
- How long do I need? 1–2 days (30 minutes of driving)
- Must-sees along the way: Murrumbateman Village Market, Robyn Rowe Chocolates, Four Winds Vineyard Cellar Door
On the way to Murrumbateman you'll surely be sidetracked by the amount of restaurants and pubs laying fresh food in front of you such as beets, cheese and smoked meat platters, among other things. But once in Murrumbateman you'll be able to take it easy at one or two of the vineyards for wine tasting.
Braidwood
- How long is the drive? 87km
- How long do I need? 1–2 days (1 hour of driving)
- Must-sees along the way: Royal Mail Hotel, Monga National Park, The Big Hole walking track
Braidwood is like stepping back in time as it's a historic gold rush town where colonial architecture, pubs, antique shops and more date back over 100 years inviting visitors along the footsteps of the past.
I'm ready to book my car hire!
Car hire deals in Canberra
Code
exclusive
Get up to $20 in ride vouchers
Get $5 off 4 rides in 7 days across Australia, including Sydney, Newcastle, Adelaide, Cairns, Gold Coast, Perth, Melbourne and more when you use the code. Valid for new users only. T&Cs apply.
Deal
Campervan hire from $5 per day
Available on select routes, dates and locations in Australia, including Darwin, Alice Springs, Cairns and Brisbane and New Zealand.
Deal
Up to 15% off car-hire rentals in Australia
Available on rentals made by Auto Club Members in Australia. Visit site for more details. T&Cs apply.
Code
Up to 15% off Australia campervan hires
Available on rentals from 16 May – 30 November 2022 when you book a minimum of 10 days. Destinations include Adelaide, Brisbane, Cairns, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Sydney and more. T&Cs apply.
Code
Get 12% off with code
Available on bookings for attractions, sightseeing tours, airport transfers and car rentals. T&Cs apply.
Deal
Campervan relocation rentals from $1 per day
Get a JUCY campervan one-way rental as low as $1 a day on select locations across Australia. T&Cs apply.
Code
7th day free on car hires
Available on rentals until 30 June 2022 across Australia, including Cairns, Melbourne, Hobart, Sydney, Perth, Darwin and more. Minimum of 7 days rental required. T&Cs apply.
Deal
Up to 20% off Australia and New Zealand car hire
Available until 30 September 2022 on 2+ days rentals when you book 21 days in advance. Destinations include Brisbane, Cairns, Sydney, Melbourne, Gold Coast, Auckland and more. T&Cs apply.
Deal
$1/day one-way car hire in Australia
Valid on select dates for select car hire in Australia. Destinations updated regularly.
Deal
Up to 25% off car-hire rentals for Auto Club Members in Australia
Available on rentals picked up or booked by Auto Club Members on or before 30 June 2022 in Australia. Visit site for more details. T&Cs apply.
Code
Get 5% off base rate on rentals
Available on Star RV Australia rentals until March 2023 when you book 180 days in advance. Destinations include Sydney, Brisbane, Cairns and more. T&Cs apply.
Code
Up to 15% off New Zealand car hires
Available on select dates in 2022 when you spend a minimum of $250 required. T&Cs apply.
Code
Up to $50 off weekend rentals in Australia
Available on 3-day rentals including a Saturday night overstay until 30 June 2022. Destinations include Adelaide, Melbourne, Cairns, Perth, Sydney, Hobart and more. T&Cs apply.
Deal
Up to 50% off + an extra 10% off Australia car hires
Available on rentals when you book for 6+ months. Destinations include Melbourne, Brisbane and more. T&Cs apply.
Deal
Earn free rental days for members
Join the Emerald Club and earn 1 rental credit for every qualified car rental. Inclusive of free rental days and other benefits. Destinations include Australia, Canada, United States and more. T&Cs apply.
Code
Up to 20% off Australia weekend car hires
Available on select rental dates until 30 June 2022. Maximum rental period of 4 consecutive days. Destinations include Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney, Gold Coast, Adelaide, Perth, Hobart, Cairns and more. T&Cs apply.
Deal
Car hire from $21 per day
Hire cars across Australia from as little as $21 per day. T&Cs apply.
Deal
Free upgrade on car hires
Sign up with your email and receive car rental offers across Australia, including Sydney, Melbourne, Gold Coast, Brisbane and more. T&Cs apply.
Deal
Earn Qantas Points on car hires
Earn 4 Qantas Points per $1 spent on rentals in Australia. T&Cs apply.
Deal
Earn Qantas Points on rentals
Earn 4 Qantas Points per $1 spent on car rentals across Australia. T&Cs apply.
Deal
Australia car hires from $14.99/day
Available on select dates in Sydney, Brisbane, Cairns, Gold Coast, Melbourne and more.
More guides on Finder
-
Canberra road trip itineraries
You’ll have the car packed up in no time with these Canberra road trip must-sees.
-
Cheap campervan hire
Catch the latest deals for cheap campervan hire in Australia. Brands include Hippie Campers, Jucy and Spaceships.
-
Campervan hire in Broome | Where to book, what to know
Plan your epic road trip around WA with our guide to campervan hire in Broome.
-
Campervan hire on the Sunshine Coast | Where to book and what to know
Encounter wildlife, regional treats and sandy shores with your campervan hire on the Sunshine Coast.
-
Campervan hire in Cairns | Where to book, what to know
Get out and explore Tropical North Queensland with our guide to campervan hire in Cairns.
-
Campervan relocations in Australia | Where to book and what to know
Discover great destinations for campervan relocations for your adventure across Australia.
-
Campervan hire in Darwin | Where to book, what to know
Get out and explore the Top End with our guide to campervan hire in Darwin.
-
Campervan hire in Hobart | Where to book, what to know
Make the most of the great outdoors by comparing your options and the latest deals for campervan hire in Hobart.
-
Campervan hire on the Gold Coast | Where to book, what to know
Take your vacation to the next level with a campervan hire on the Gold Coast.
-
Campervan hire in Melbourne | Where to book, what to know
Hit the road and experience the beauty of Victoria with a campervan from these companies.
Ask an Expert
