Gold Coast car rentals

Driver's age: 26-65
Fri 05.04
Fri 12.04

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Cheap car rentals in Gold Coast

Mini
Economy
Compact
Intermediate
Standard
Full-size
Luxury
Minivan
Passenger van
SUV
Commercial
Pickup truck

Top tips for renting a car in Gold Coast

  • You will find parking meters and parking lots are common in Australia and usually charge within a two-hour time frame.  This is especially prevalent in the busy resorts in the Gold Coast region such as Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach and you will rarely find free on-street parking.  You can also find paid parking for three hours on the Burleigh Heads Esplanade and several all-day parking garages in Surfers Paradise with the Paradise Centre offering daily rates around A$20 (£10).  Another option would be to secure your parking with your accommodation or use a multi-story facility as on-street parking is generally limited between the hours 09:00 and9:00, although it is reasonably priced for around A$3 (£1.40) per hour if you are just making short stops.
  • On leaving the Gold Coast Airport (OOL), you can easily connect to the Gold Coast and other popular coastal regions by the Gold Coast Highway which passes the airport.  This is the dual carriage with two lanes, which runs in both directions and has speed limits around 60mph.  Be mindful of pedestrians running across this road and watch out for trams that are making U-turns.  If you prefer to take the motorway, the M1 slip road is just a five-minute drive south from the airport, and the speed limits on Australian motorways are 70 mph.
  • If you need to refill your tank with your car hire vehicle before returning it, you can find several petrol stations in the region.  If you are returning from the northside on the Gold Coast Highway, you will see the Matilda Tugun station, just to the north end near the airport. Alternatively, if you are arriving back from a southerly direction, you can find the BP garage just off the M1 motorway outside Coolangatta. You can also find many 24-hour outlets on major motorways and highways.
  • Book your rental car in Gold Coast at least 1 day before your trip in order to get a below-average price
  • Compact rental cars in Gold Coast are around 19% cheaper than other car types, on average

FAQs about renting a car in Gold Coast

  • Should I rent a car in Gold Coast?

    Hiring cars in Gold Coast is one of the perfect ways to explore this region in Australia and car hire can be found directly from Gold Coast Airport (OOL) at your convenience, meaning you can drive away in comfort with an air-conditioned vehicle straight away to start your journey.  You will also benefit by avoiding busy public transport with your luggage and it may work out more economical, especially if you are travelling in groups.  Gold Coast is Queensland’s top tourist spot, and you can explore the city, famous for its film productions and art scenes, or the local beaches and nearby national parks with your hire car.  You can reach Surfers Paradise or Broadbeach in under half an hour from Gold Coast to find water sports, beaches, and nightlife, or Coolangatta which is only a five-minute drive from the airport, offering opportunities to go scuba diving and bushwalking.

  • What is driving like in Gold Coast?

    All vehicles in Australia drive on the left-hand side, and you will find 30mph speed limits in most urban and residential areas around the Gold Coast region.  You will find well-maintained roads and good connections around Gold Coast with the Gold Coast Highway which will take you to the major towns including Surfers Paradise, Broadbeach and Southport.  All roads are toll free but if you happen to be travelling into neighbouring Brisbane via the M1 Gateway Motorway, you will be subject to tolls.  Surfers Paradise can be especially busy with cyclists and pedestrians, so be alert when travelling around the busy spots and keep within suitable speeds.

  • How old do you have to be to rent a car in Gold Coast?

    You must be 21 years old to hire cars in Australia and you may find restrictions with some companies within certain car categories which are unavailable to younger age groups.  You may also be subjected to an additional surcharge if you are aged under 25.  You must have photographic ID and a valid licence issued in your resident country which you have possessed for a minimum of a year, and you may also need an International Permit which you can arrange with your local licencing authority.

  • What is the most popular rental car in Gold Coast?

    Compact (Hyundai Kona or similar) is the most frequently booked rental car type in Gold Coast.

  • How can I find car rentals near me in Gold Coast?

    Take a look at our extensive car rental location map to find the best rental cars near you.

Car rental locations in Gold Coast

Car rental directory

  • bargaincar

    Bargain Car Rentals car rental locations in Gold Coast

    2 Locations

  • dollar

    Dollar car rental locations in Gold Coast

    2 Locations

  • hertz

    Hertz car rental locations in Gold Coast

    2 Locations

  • sunnycars

    Sunnycars car rental locations in Gold Coast

    2 Locations

  • thrifty

    Thrifty car rental locations in Gold Coast

    2 Locations

  • abaacar

    Abaa Car Rentals car rental locations in Gold Coast

    1 Location

  • acerentalcars

    Ace Rental Cars car rental locations in Gold Coast

    1 Location

  • alpha

    Alpha car rental locations in Gold Coast

    1 Location

  • apex

    Apex car rental locations in Gold Coast

    1 Location

  • bargainrentalcars

    Bargain Rental Cars car rental locations in Gold Coast

    1 Location

  • budget

    Budget car rental locations in Gold Coast

    1 Location

  • crazyclark

    Crazy Clark's Car Rentals car rental locations in Gold Coast

    1 Location

Good to know

Most popular car type

Compact

When to book a rental car in Gold Coast

Average daily price per month
Rental car prices as pick-up date approaches