Melbourne car rental guide
Top 10 Car Rental Companies in Melbourne
The best car rental companies in Melbourne are Hertz, Avis, Europcar. Prices start from €35/day for an economy car, the minimum age is 21, and airport pickup adds about 10%.
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Ranked comparison
Top 10 rental companies in Melbourne
Ranked by customer rating, price transparency and pickup convenience. Each opens a pre-filled search.
#1
Hertz
Editor’s pickFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €400Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€42/day
all-in estimate
View Hertz deal
#2
Avis
Top ratedFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €400Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€40/day
all-in estimate
View Avis deal
#3
Europcar
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €380Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€38/day
all-in estimate
View Europcar deal
#4
Budget
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €380Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From€35/day
all-in estimate
View Budget deal
#5
Sixt
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €420Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€46/day
all-in estimate
View Sixt deal
#6
Enterprise
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €400Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€41/day
all-in estimate
View Enterprise deal
#7
National
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €400Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€43/day
all-in estimate
View National deal
#8
Thrifty
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €350Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From€33/day
base rate
View Thrifty deal
#9
East Coast Car Rentals
Local pickFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€30/day
base rate
View East Coast Car Rentals deal
Prices are indicative market estimates · Last checked 2026-07-21 · 2 public sources (DiscoverCars + market data)
Price guide
Prices by car type in Melbourne
| Car type | From / day | Example | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | €35 | Toyota Corolla | 5 |
| Compact | €41 | Hyundai i30 | 5 |
| SUV | €65 | Toyota RAV4 | 5 |
| Minivan (7-seat) | €92 | Kia Carnival | 7 |
| Luxury | €115 | BMW 3 Series | 5 |
Pickup locations
Where to pick up a car in Melbourne
Airport — Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine, MEL)
MEL sits about 22km northwest of the CBD, roughly a 25-minute drive via CityLink. Australia drives on the left.
Downtown — Melbourne CBD
Downtown desks near the CBD suit travelers who want a car mainly for day trips to the Great Ocean Road or Yarra Valley rather than city driving.
Fees
Fees at a glance
| Fee | Typical amount | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Airport surcharge | ~10% of base rate | MEL airport pickup |
| CityLink toll (e-tag/e-toll) | €3–8 per trip, billed to card | Driving the CityLink tollway to/from the airport or CBD |
| Young-driver fee (21–24) | €8–15/day | Drivers under 25 |
| Additional driver | €5–8/day | Per extra driver |
| One-way drop fee | €60–180 | Returning to a different Victorian city |
| Refundable deposit | €300–420 | Standard credit-card hold at pickup |
Local intelligence
Things to know before renting in Melbourne
- Melbourne Airport (MEL) is about 22km northwest of the CBD, roughly a 25-minute drive via the CityLink tollway, and Australia drives on the left.
- CityLink has no toll booths — tolls are read automatically by overhead sensors, and rental cars are billed via an e-tag or a pay-online option within a few days of travel.
- Prices are displayed in EUR for easy comparison, though Melbourne's local currency is the Australian dollar (AUD).
- The Great Ocean Road begins about 1h15m from Melbourne near Torquay and is one of the most popular self-drive routes in the country.
- The Yarra Valley wine region is about an hour's drive from the city center, a common half-day or full-day rental trip.
- Melbourne's tram-heavy CBD uses a unique "hook turn" rule at some intersections — right turns are made from the left lane to keep the tram tracks clear.
- Central Melbourne has several tram-only and clearway lanes with strict enforcement — check signage carefully before parking in the CBD.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about renting a car in Melbourne
Do you need a car in Melbourne?
The CBD is well served by trams, but a car is the best way to reach the Great Ocean Road, Yarra Valley, and Phillip Island beyond the city.
How far is Melbourne Airport from the CBD?
About 22km, roughly a 25-minute drive via the CityLink tollway.
Which side of the road do you drive on in Australia?
Australia drives on the left, and most rental cars are automatic.
What is a "hook turn" in Melbourne?
At some CBD intersections, right-turning cars must wait in the left lane and turn only after the lights change, so they don't block the tram tracks in the middle of the road.
What currency are prices shown in for Melbourne?
Prices are displayed in EUR for easy comparison, though Melbourne's local currency is the Australian dollar (AUD).
How do CityLink tolls work with a rental car?
CityLink has no toll booths — sensors read your plate automatically, and the charge is billed to your rental company's e-tag or must be paid online within a few days.
What is the cheapest car type in Melbourne?
Economy cars like a Toyota Corolla start around €35/day. An SUV starts around €65/day.
