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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.
Updated
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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
Europcar
$1/day one-way car hire in Australia
Valid on select dates for select car hire in Australia. Destinations updated regularly.
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Europcar
Up to 20% off Australia and New Zealand rentals
Available on select dates until 15 December 2020. Rental must be for 2 days or more and booked 21 days in advance. T&Cs apply.
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Deal ends
Europcar
Up to 20% off base rate
Available for pick-ups on Sunday, Mondays, and Tuesday until 15 December 2020. Destinations include Australia and New Zealand. T&Cs apply
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Deal ends
Hertz
Free upgrade on Australia rentals
Available on rentals until 31 December 2020 when you use the code. T&Cs apply.
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Avis
4th day free + free upgrade on Australia car hires
Available on rentals until 18 December 2020 in Sydney, Melbourne, Gold Coast, Perth, Adelaide and more. Minimum 4 days rental required. T&Cs apply.
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DriveNow
Campervan hire from $5/day
Available on select routes, dates and locations in Australia, including Darwin, Alice Springs, Cairns and Brisbane, and New Zealand.
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Priceline.com
Extra 12% off with code
Available on select travel dates across Australia. Maximum discount of $50. T&Cs apply.
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Priceline.com
Up to 7% off Express Deals with code
Available on select travel dates across Australia. Minimum spend of $100 required. T&Cs apply.
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East Coast Car Rentals
Get a chance to win a 2-night holiday
Register your email address and get a chance to win a 4-day car hire, 3-night accommodation, signed Softball Australia Summer Slam Jersey and an American Tourister suitcase valued up to $1,000. T&Cs apply.
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Deal ends
Hertz
15% off prestige hires in Australia
Available for travel on select dates until 28 February 2021 on participating locations excluding Tasmania. Minimum rental period of one consecutive days applies. T&Cs apply.
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Deal ends
Hertz
15% off 3+ day weekend car hires in Australia
Available for travel on select dates until 28 February 2021 on participating locations excluding Tasmania. Minimum rental period of 3 consecutive days applies. T&Cs apply.
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Hertz
10% off 3+ day car hires in Australia
Available for travel on select dates until 28 February 2021. Destinations include Sydney, Melbourne and more. Minimum rental period of 3 consecutive days applies. T&Cs apply.
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Hertz
Get 1 day free on 5-day car hires in Australia
Available for travel on select dates until 28 February 2021. Destinations include Sydney, Melbourne and more. Must include a Saturday night keep. T&Cs apply.
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Deal ends
Qeeq
Exclusive
Up to USD$30 off car rentals worldwide + Free Covid-19 protection
Available on select rental dates. Destinations include Australia, New Zealand, USA and more. T&Cs apply.
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Qeeq
Up to USD$110 car hire coupons
Available on select rental dates. Minimum spend of $USD$150+ applies. Destination includes Australia, New Zealand, USA and more.
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Motorhome Republic
5% off Britz campervan rentals
Save on pick-ups across Australia until 22 December. Destinations include Sydney, Melbourne, Hobart, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and more.
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Motorhome Republic
Up to 5% off early bird motorhome rentals in Australia
Available for travel on select dates until March 2021 with Hippie Camper, Cruisin Motorhomes Australia, Cheapa Campa and more. Destinations include Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Hobart, Adelaide and more. T&Cs apply.
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Enterprise Rent a Car
Canberra Airport car hire from US$64
Available on select rental dates. T&Cs apply.
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Motorhome Republic
Up to 20% off daily motorhome rental with code in Australia
Available for pick up between 8 October - 13 December 2020. Destinations include Sydney, Melbourne and more.
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Coupon code ends
Kayak
Canberra car hires from $34/day
Available on select rental dates with Hertz, Europcar, Avis, Thrifty and more. T&Cs apply.
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Deal ends
Avis
Up to 15% off Australia rentals
Available until 20 December 2020 on prepay bookings. Destinations include Sydney, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Adelaide and more. T&Cs apply.
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Budget Car Rental
Get 3rd day free on Australia rentals
Available on rentals until 18 December 2020 in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and more. Minimum of 3 days rental required. T&Cs apply.
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Budget Car Rental
Up to 20% off Western Australia car hire
Available on select 2020 and 2021 dates in Fremantle, Midland and Malaga. Minimum of 7 days rental required. T&Cs apply.
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Budget Car Rental
Western Australia car hire from $20
Available on rentals until 16 January 2021 across Fremantle, Midland and Malaga. Minimum 7 days rental. T&Cs apply.
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Deal ends
National Car Rental
Free car rental 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.
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DriveMyCar
Car hire from $24 per day
Hire cars across Australia from as little as $24 per day. T&Cs apply.
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Rentalcars.com
Compare over 800 car hire companies worldwide
Rentalcars.com can help you compare major car hire company rates for the best price. Companies it compares include Hertz, Avis, Europcar, Thrifty, Alamo, Dollar and Budget. Destinations include Australia, New Zealand, Canada and more.
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Avis
Third day free on Australia rentals
Available on rental until 18 December 2020 when you use the code. Destinations include Hobart, Adelaide, Perth, Sydney, Melbourne and more. Minimum of 3 days rental required. T&Cs apply.
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Coupon code ends
Discover Cars
Australia car hires from $14.99/day
Available on select dates in Sydney, Brisbane, Cairns, Gold Coast, Melbourne and more.
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Europcar
Up to 15% off base rate on 5+ day car rentals
Available for pick ups from May - December 2020 at select locations across Australia and New Zealand. T&Cs and black out dates apply.
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Europcar
Up to 10% off base rate on 3+ day car rentals
Available for pick ups until 15 December 2020 at select locations across Australia and New Zealand. T&Cs and black out dates apply.
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Europcar
Earn 1,000 bonus Velocity points
Available on pick ups until 31 January 2021 across Australia and New Zealand. Minimum 4 days rental required. T&Cs apply.
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Outdoorsy
Australia rentals from $58/day
Available on select rental dates. Destinations include Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Newcastle and more. Sample rate is for a Flexi Delish in Baldivis, WA. T&Cs apply.
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Lastminute.com.au
Australia car hires from $43/day
Available on select dates in 2020 in Sydney, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Perth, Darwin, Broome and more. Sample rate is for a compact car in Coffs Harbour. T&Cs apply.
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Avis
Free upgrade on car hires
Sign up your email and receive the best car rental offers in Australia. T&Cs apply.
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