Hiring & Renting a Car when in Melbourne
Renting a car while visiting Melbourne is the best choice if you want the convenience of having access to a vehicle at any time of the day or night and are comfortable finding your way around an unfamiliar city.
If you’re arriving from overseas, please note that ‘downunder’ we drive on the left side of the road!
Quick Tip: Check with your Hotel/Motel that a parking space is included in your accommodation fee.
Melbourne’s public transport system is second to none: highly efficient, very reliable and affordable. But for day trips outside Melbourne, or longer trips to other locations in Victoria or beyond, sometimes it’s easier to hire a car and travel at your own leisure. There are numerous options for car hire in Melbourne, with something for every budget.
Best Hire Options
Some options for car hire, including some well-known international brands, are:
- Thrifty
- Europcar
- Avis
- Budget Car Rental
- Wicked Campers (live in mini campervans)
- Hertz
Book Car Rentals
If you’re arriving by plane to Melbourne, there are plenty of car-hire companies based at Melbourne Airport with their offices located at the terminals. Other Melbourne car rentals will have transfers to and from the airport, so you can immediately collect your rental car and be on your way!
Another Tip: if you’re staying at a CBD Motel or Apartment building please note that the underground parking in some buildings allows an overhead clearance of under 180cm (so higher vehicles like vans wont fit).
Rent-a-Bomb
For the budget conscious on a tight budget, there are several cheap car rentals in Melbourne and Australia with ‘rent-a-bomb’ options. These vehicles should usually be road-worthy, but will always be older models or basically just cars with dents and scratches.
Getting Around & Where to Park
Car-parking facilities are available nearby big attractions including Melbourne Zoo, Queen Victoria Market, Lygon Street Carlton Restaurants, Botanical Gardens, Melbourne University, and the Melbourne Aquarium. Plans to attend events in Melbourne, such as the Melbourne Cup or those at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, can be combined with car travel and parking at public transport hubs near your accommodation.
For those seeking adventure that are keen to explore the more rugged areas of Victoria, many Melbourne car hire companies have diesel vehicles, manual cars, and 4WD vehicles available.
Whatever your preferred vehicle, you will be sure to find a car rental in Melbourne that suits your needs!