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Car hire Los Angeles

Cruise the streets of LA in style with our guide to car hire in LA - including the latest deals.

Stephanie Yip
Stephanie Yip

Updated

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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.

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Compare prices for car hire in Los Angeles

Top Los Angeles car hire deals

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P&O Cruises P&O Cruises

$1 deposits + up to $500 onboard credit on Australia and South Pacific cruises

Available on select voyages in 2021 and 2022. Destinations include Brisbane, Sydney, New Zealand, Vanuatu, Fiji and more. T&Cs apply.

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Hotels.com Hotels.com

Up to 43% off Australia stays + Extra 8% off hotel bookings

Available on select dates until December 2021. Destinations include Sydney, Canberra, Newcastle, Melbourne, Brisbane and more. T&Cs apply.

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Virgin Australia Virgin Australia

Domestic flights from $89 each way

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.

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Wotif Wotif

Up to 60% off Australia stays

Available on stays until July 2021 in Sydney, Melbourne, Gold Coast, Perth, Brisbane, Adelaide, Sunshine Coast and more. T&Cs apply.

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Booking.com Booking.com

Up to 20% off Australia getaways

Available on stays from 5 January - 31 March 2021. Destinations include Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Darwin, Adelaide and more. T&Cs apply.

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DriveNow 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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HotelsCombined HotelsCombined

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.

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DiDi DiDi
Exclusive

Get $20 credit

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.

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Accor Hotels Accor Hotels

Up to 30% off worldwide stays

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.

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Qatar Airways Qatar Airways

Up to 10% off international flights with code

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.

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Accor Hotels Accor Hotels

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.

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Airbnb Airbnb

Refer a friend and get a $25 Airbnb credit

Give a friend $50 toward their first stay and get $25 credit for yourself toward a future booking.

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Trafalgar Tours Trafalgar Tours

Up to 15% off last-minute trips

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.

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Otel.com Otel.com

Extra 9% off hotel bookings

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.

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Rentalcars.com Rentalcars.com

Up to 20% off car hire

Compare car hire prices on Rentalcars.com and save up to 20% compared to booking direct.

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Luxury Escapes Luxury Escapes

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.

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Hamilton Island Hamilton Island

Free 1 night on 5-night stays

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.

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Hamilton Island Hamilton Island

Up to 20% off 3+ nights Hamilton Island escape

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.

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Viator Viator

Up to 15% off local activities

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.

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Expedia.com.au Expedia.com.au

Up to 46% off Australia getaways

Available on select stay dates in Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Cairns and Hobart. T&Cs apply.

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Expedia.com.au Expedia.com.au

Up to 40% off Australia stays + free cancellations

Available on select travel dates to Broome, Mackay, Launceston, Darwin, Perth, Cairns, Sydney, Gold Coast and more. T&Cs apply.

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Europcar Europcar
Exclusive

$20 off Australia-wide rentals

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.

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Trip.com Trip.com

Up to 50% off Australia getaways

Available on stays until 30 April 2021. Destinations include Sydney, Gold Coast, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Cairns and more. T&Cs apply.

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Trip.com Trip.com

Virgin Australia flights from $78 each way

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.

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Stayz Stayz

Australia beach holidays from $82/night

Available on select stay dates in Adelaide, Sydney, Gold Coast, Brisbane, Melbourne and more. Sample stay is in Millicent, South Australia. T&Cs apply.

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Stayz Stayz

Australia stays from $39/night

Available on select travel dates across Sydney, Melbourne, Cairns, Brisbane, Perth and more. Sample stay is in Reynella, Adelaide. T&Cs apply.

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Marriott Marriott

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.

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RedBalloon RedBalloon

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.

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Wotif Wotif

Up to 50% off Australia getaways

Available on stay until February 2021 in Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Gold Coast, Cairns, Hobart, Sydney and more. T&Cs apply.

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Klook Klook

Extra 10% off NSW activities with code

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.

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Klook Klook

Get 10% off NSW car hires

Available on rentals until 28 February 2021 in Sydney, Hunter Valley, Blue Mountains and South Coast. Minimum spend of $50 required. T&Cs apply.

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Klook Klook

Get 7% off NSW getaways with code

Available on stays until 28 February 2021 in Sydney, Hunter Valley, Blue Mountains and South Coast. Minimum spend of $100 required. T&Cs apply.

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Trip.com Trip.com

Extra $50 off Queensland getaways

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.

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G Adventures G Adventures

Up to 30% off Australia and New Zealand tours

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.

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Airbnb Airbnb

Australia stays from $13 per night

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.

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Europcar Europcar

Up to 20% off base rate

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.

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Europcar 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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Accor Hotels Accor Hotels

Up to 25% off Australia stays

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.

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Trafalgar Tours Trafalgar Tours

Up to 18% off worldwide tours

Available on select travel dates from 2021-2022. Destinations include Britain, Germany, Ireland, Spain, Morocco, USA, Croatia and more. T&Cs apply.

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Lastminute.com.au Lastminute.com.au

Up to 50% off tropical getaways

Available on select stay dates in 2021 in Cairns, Port Douglas, Townsville and more. T&Cs apply.

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Car hire from Los Angeles Airport (LAX)

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:

  • Right Cars
  • Midway Car Rental
  • Allstates Car Rental
  • U-Save Car and Truck Rental
  • Atwest Rent A Car

Who offers luxury car hire in Los Angeles?

Here are some of the more popular car rental companies that specialise in luxury vehicles:

  • Rex Luxury Car Rental
  • Royal Exotic Car Rental
  • Silver Lake Luxury Car Rental
  • Black and White Car Rental
  • Gotham Dream Cars
  • 777 Exotics Car Rental
  • LA Luxury Car Rental
  • Falcon Car Rental

Who offers mustang car hire in Los Angeles?

  • Budget
  • 777 Exotics Car Rental
  • Classic Mustang Rentals
  • Regency Car Rentals
  • Legends Car and Van Rentals
  • Olympic Rent-A-Car

Who offers muscle car hire in Los Angeles?

  • Fast Lane Luxury Cars
  • Legends Car and Van Rentals
  • 777 Exotics Car Rental
  • Olympic Rent-A-Car
  • Regency Car Rentals

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.

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