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Famed for its boulevards and sun-soaked ocean views, Los Angeles is a city best seen from inside a convertible. It’s your chance to road trip like a rockstar, from the downtown metropolis to the wide open road, from the sea to the mountains.
Read on for car hire deals, where to book the most unique rides, key road rules and spectacular driving routes in and around Los Angeles.
Available on flights from January - September 2021 to Gold Coast, Brisbane, Cairns, Perth, Adelaide, Canberra, Hobart, Townsville, Darwin and more. Sample fare is Sydney-Ballina. T&Cs apply.
Up to 33% off Sea World Resort and Water Park stays with park entry
Available for stays until 30 April 2021 with packages available to include entry to Warner Bros. Movie World, Sea World, Wet'n'Wild Gold Coast and Paradise Country during your stay.
Get $5 off each of your first four rides in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Geelong, Perth and Newcastle. Valid on all dates for new users. T&Cs apply.
Available on select dates when you stay a minimum of 3 nights. Destinations include Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Cairns, Auckland, Paris, London and more. T&Cs apply.
Available for Mastercard holders on flights from 1 November 2020 - 30 June 2021. Valid on flights departing from Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, Adelaide, and Canberra. T&Cs apply.
Australia stays from $95/night + Extra 10% off for members
Available on stays up until 13 months from the booking date. Destinations include Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, Hobart, Adelaide, Perth, Uluru and more. T&Cs apply.
Valid for travel on select dates in 2020 and 2021. Destinations include Europe, UK, the Middle East, Argentina, India, Asia, New Zealand, Australia and Africa and more. T&Cs apply.
Valid on select hotel stays worldwide like Australia, New Zealand, Bali, Thailand, USA, Europe and more on all dates, including over holidays like Easter, Christmas and New Year's Eve. Some restrictions apply.
Up to 40% off 5-night Gold Coast ocean-view escape with flights
Available for travel from 27 January 2021 - 30 March 2022. Includes return airfare, stay at Aria Apartments, free room upgrade, bottle of wine and chocolates, $20 dining credit and more. Valid for 2 persons. T&Cs apply.
Available on stays until 25 June 2021 and includes breakfast, transfers and more. Plus receive $150 resort credit on select stay dates. Must stay for a minimum of 5 consecutive nights. T&Cs apply.
Available on stays from 4 January - 10 February 2021 in he Reef View Hotel, Palm Bungalows and Beach Club. Includes breakfast, use of non-motorized watersports, free Wi-Fi and more. T&Cs apply.
Available on select travel dates on activities including day tours, skydiving, flight experiences, transfers, attraction passes and cruise. Destinations include in Sydney, Melbourne, Gold Coast, Cairns and more. T&Cs apply.
Available on rentals until 30 April 2021 when you spend a minimum of $200. Destinations include Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and more. T&Cs apply.
Available on select travel dates until December 2021 to Gold Coast, Adelaide, Brisbane, Hobart, Canberra, Cairns, Hamilton Island and more. Sample fare is Sydney-Melbourne. T&Cs apply.
Available on select stay dates in Adelaide, Sydney, Gold Coast, Brisbane, Melbourne and more. Sample stay is in Millicent, South Australia. T&Cs apply.
Up to 50% off room upgrades + free breakfast on stays
Available on upgrades to premium rooms and suites on stays until 30 April 2021. Destinations include Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Gold Coast, New Zealand, Fiji and more.
Up to 30% off Australia experiences + Extra 10% off with code
Available on select travel dates when you buy 2 or more experiences such as sightseeing cruises, hot air balloon flights, day tours and skydives. Destinations include Brisbane, Adelaide, Hunter Valley, Gold Coast, Sydney and more. T&Cs apply.
Available until 28 February 2021 on all activities including hot air balloon flights, attraction passes, Tiny Homes and staycation packages. Destinations include Sydney, Hunter Valley, Blue Mountains and South Coast. Minimum spend of $50 required. T&Cs apply.
Plus get up to 19% off stays from 6 January - 30 June 2021 when you spend a minimum of $250. Destinations include Brisbane, Cairns, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Whitsundays, Townsville and more. Exclusive for Trip.com members. Membership is free. T&Cs apply.
Lock your tour with $1 deposit plus get an extra 21% off when you choose My Own Room. Available on select travel dates in 2021. Destinations include Cairns, Uluru, Sydney, Brisbane, Wellington and more. T&Cs apply.
Available on stays until 2021 in Sydney, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Canberra, Adelaide, Perth, Darwin, Melbourne and more. Sample fare is for a private room in Victoria. T&Cs apply.
Available on Sunday, Monday or Tuesday pick up dates until 11 December 2021. Destinations include Sydney, Melbourne, Gold Coast, Brisbane, Auckland and more. T&Cs apply.
Available for travel until 31 December 2021 when you book for 2 nights or more. Prepayment required. Destinations include Sydney, Adelaide, Cairns, Canberra and more. T&Cs apply.
You won't fall short of car hire options from Los Angeles Airport, with numerous world-known and local brands available to book with. While no car hire company is located at the airport, most offer free shuttles that pick you up from outside the baggage claim to take you to their rental offices.
Here are some of the more popular options available:
Road rules: What to know about driving in Los Angeles
Drive on the right. In Los Angeles, and throughout the US, you must drive on the right-hand side of the road.
The first car goes first at crossroads. If there are no traffic lights at an intersection, the first car that arrived at the intersection has right of way.
You can turn right at red lights. Unless specifically prohibited, it’s legal to turn right on a red signal provided you give way to other vehicles and pedestrians.
Give way on the downhill. On steep, narrow roads where two vehicles can’t pass each other, the vehicle facing downhill must give way by reversing until the vehicle facing uphill can pass.
Popular Los Angeles driving routes
Sunset Boulevard. Immortalised in popular culture, this 35km boulevard takes you along the Sunset Strip, which includes legendary venues like the Roxy and House of Blues, before making its way through Beverly Hills and Bel Air to meet the coast.
Mulholland Drive. This route combines the best of Hollywood ritz and natural grandeur. Beginning near the Hollywood Bowl Overlook, you will pass the iconic Hollywood sign, panoramic views of Hollywood and Los Angeles, San Fernando Valley and the Griffith Park Observatory. At about 22 km long, it’s the perfect afternoon drive.
FAQs about car hire in Los Angeles
Can I hire my car in Los Angeles and drop it off in San Francisco or Las Vegas? Yes. Most car rental companies let you hire vehicles for one-way journeys. When booking, just nominate to drop the vehicle off at a different location to organise this. Note that fees may apply for one-way hires as the rental company needs to organise for the vehicle's return outside of your hire.
Do I need an international driver's licence to drive in Los Angeles? No. The state of California recognises foreign drivers’ licences for non-residents. However, if you plan to drive in other states, it is advisable to obtain an International Driving Permit.
I'm on my provisional licence. Can I drive in Los Angeles? Yes. However, be aware that people under 25 years may have difficulties with car hire and insurance. An International Driving Permit will help minimise the difficulties.
How does car insurance work? Rental car insurance is a must and can be purchased from your car hire company or from another insurance company. Depending on your level of cover, it may also be included in your travel insurance policy. Whichever option you choose, it’s important to choose the right excess amount for your plans and budget – you can even remove the excess altogether if you like. To learn more and compare hire car insurance policies, click here.
Stephanie Yip is the travel editor at Finder and has been writing about travel and lifestyle for over a decade. She has written for Travel Weekly, Escape, Showpo, The Nibbler and Hostelworld. She was also the editor of kids magazine DMAG. Stephanie has a Bachelor of Communications from the University of Technology Sydney and has visited 55 countries (and counting).
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