Car rental at Cairns Airport
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Cheap car rentals at Cairns airport
| Mini |
| Economy |
| Compact |
| Intermediate |
| Standard |
| Full-size |
| Luxury |
| Minivan |
| Passenger van |
| SUV |
| Commercial |
| Pickup Truck |
Top tips for renting a car at Cairns airport
- With car hire at Cairns Airport (CNS), you open a gateway to the beautiful Queensland coastline, with a no-fuss approach to reaching stunning attractions, including the famous Great Barrier Reef. Apart from the obvious benefits of travel and time flexibility, you’re guaranteed new models, break-down assistance, freedom from the beaten track and economic savings when venturing further than urban areas. With a hire car, you can reach beaches around Cairns far more economically than by taxi.
- You will have a wide selection of car hire companies to choose from with car hire at Cairns Airport. You can choose from global names such as Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz, Thrifty, SIXT and many others. Whether you are returning to Australia or travelling domestically within the continent on a holiday, you can find hire car services in the arrival halls of both terminals.
- When it’s time to return your car hire at Cairns Airport, you will find it incredibly easy. There are two car hire return car parks, based at the domestic and international terminals, very close to the pick-up counters. The car parks are well signed as you drive in. If there is nobody from the car hire company in the car park, you can lock the doors and place the keys on the company counter.
- All the car hire companies at Cairns Airport operate on similar working hours to each other, which are roughly 08:00 to 23:30. If you are planning on dropping off the car hire late at night, you should ensure you make it there before closing time. The airport is not open 24 hours a day and closes after the last flight of the night.
- Book your rental car at Cairns airport at least 3 weeks before your trip in order to get a below-average price
FAQs about renting a car at Cairns airport
Where are the car hire companies situated at Cairns Airport?
The primary car hire companies at Cairns Airport are based within Terminals 1 and 2. When you land, collect your luggage and proceed left after Arrivals and walk towards the various bus bays hosting the car hire counters. It is a short walk toward the counters, but most of the companies will send a shuttle to fetch you and your luggage if needed. They will require a phone call when you land and will collect you at the arrival gate.
Which hire car companies offer fast service at Cairns Airport?
Most of the bigger car hire companies will be convenient to deal with if your documentation is in order and the booking is placed correctly online. Budget has not only a shuttle service but also the Fastbreak Service, which offers a quick way of collecting your car when booked online. Proceed to the Fastbreak line and present your licence and everything will be pre-arranged.
What kinds of amenities does the Cairns Airport hire car centre offer?
The Cairns Airport car hire counters are found inside both arrival terminals. There is a covered walkway that connects the domestic and international terminals. You will find no official centre for car hire but rather counters within the arrival halls. Both arrival halls are well equipped to make you comfortable. You can tap into free Wi-Fi while you wait for the car hire transaction to be completed and be close to dining, shopping options and bathrooms. The airport is relatively compact and comprehensive.
What types of documentation are required to hire a car at Cairns Airport?
With Cairns Airport car hire, you will need to have photographic identification on a valid driver’s licence that is at least 12 months old. Your license will need to be in English or you will need to present an International Driver’s Licence. You will need your credit card for payment, or in some cases, a debit card will suffice; make sure you check the payment terms. You will need to be 21 years of age to hire most vehicles.
Which car rental companies will pick you up at Cairns airport?
Car rental companies that offer shuttle or pick-up services from Cairns airport to off-airport locations include Ace Rental Cars, Alamo, Avis, Budget, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Europcar, Firefly, Hertz, JUCY , and keddy by Europcar.
Cairns Airport car rental reviews and directory
Alamo
8.7
Very good
32 reviewsCleanliness
8.5
Comfort
8.5
Pick-up/Drop-off
9.0
Value for money
8.6
2 locations in Cairns Airport
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Reviews
10.0 Wonderful
May 2018
Pros:
Clean car, easy pick up and return, upgrade since they were out of our size9.6 Wonderful
Mar 2018
Pros:
Staff were very good and the process was simple.Cons:
All good.8.0 Very good
Jul 2023
10.0 Wonderful
Apr 2023
10.0 Wonderful
Feb 2023
10.0 Wonderful
Jan 2023
Ace Rental Cars
10.0
Wonderful
1 reviewCleanliness
10.0
Comfort
10.0
Pick-up/Drop-off
10.0
Value for money
8.0
One location in Cairns Airport
Bargain Car Rentals
9.4
Wonderful
4 reviewsCleanliness
9.7
Comfort
9.1
Pick-up/Drop-off
8.2
Value for money
8.5
One location in Cairns Airport
Europcar
9.0
Wonderful
6 reviewsCleanliness
9.0
Comfort
9.0
Pick-up/Drop-off
9.0
Value for money
9.0
One location in Cairns Airport
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Reviews
10.0 Wonderful
Sep 2018
Pros:
I appreciated the upgrade. The service provided at check in was excellent.2.0 Poor
Jul 2017
Cons:
I booked this for a reasonable price months in advance as diving the Great Barrier Reef was a bucket list item. When I landed though, europcar said that they had given my car away and had no other cars they could fulfill my reservation with as it was high tourism season. No offer to help, no sympathy. Of course I had my phone and checked online and found they indeed had multiple cars available immediately, but were asking double what I had booked mine for. How convenient... I got a car from a competitor instead, and will be avoiding Europcar going forward.10.0 Wonderful
Jun 2023
Sixt
8.7
Very good
17 reviewsCleanliness
8.9
Comfort
8.9
Pick-up/Drop-off
9.0
Value for money
7.9
2 locations in Cairns Airport
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Reviews
10.0 Wonderful
Sep 2022
5.6 Fair
Jul 2018
Cons:
That said no hidden fees but still charge 1000$ or insurance forcefully similar car NO FOR 6 people they give us 2 people car argument over argument rude etc10.0 Wonderful
Mar 2017
Pros:
The service from Sixt in Cairns was brilliant, from the pick up service at the airport to the swift pick up of the car and drop off. All staff were very friendly and the car itself a dream to drive, making our experience in North Queensland brilliant.10.0 Wonderful
Mar 2022
10.0 Wonderful
Jan 2022
4.0 Mediocre
Jan 2022
Apex
8.3
Very good
10 reviewsCleanliness
9.1
Comfort
9.3
Pick-up/Drop-off
8.8
Value for money
8.1
One location in Cairns Airport
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4.0 Mediocre
Mar 2022
10.0 Wonderful
Dec 2021
10.0 Wonderful
Oct 2021
2.0 Poor
Mar 2024
10.0 Wonderful
Jul 2022
8.0 Very good
Jul 2022
Budget
8.3
Very good
27 reviewsCleanliness
8.7
Comfort
8.4
Pick-up/Drop-off
8.7
Value for money
7.4
One location in Cairns Airport
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Reviews
6.0 Okay
Jan 2024
10.0 Wonderful
Sep 2022
10.0 Wonderful
Apr 2021
Pros:
The staff were very pleasant. Drop-off very easy10.0 Wonderful
Dec 2019
Pros:
Very friendly agent, easy to rent, pick up, and return. Good process to log any known damage to car (we didn't have any).9.2 Wonderful
Jun 2019
Pros:
Friendly staffCons:
More workers to help check-in8.0 Very good
Jan 2019
Pros:
Nice car, very comfortable easy to drive. Rental desk at the airport in Cairns.Cons:
Drop off and office not at the same address. Not clearly mentioned. Missed it the first time had to go around the block once againHertz
8.0
Very good
15 reviewsCleanliness
8.3
Comfort
8.3
Pick-up/Drop-off
8.3
Value for money
8.0
One location in Cairns Airport
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Reviews
8.0 Very good
Mar 2024
10.0 Wonderful
May 2021
Pros:
Staff were very helpful, car we booked as not available so they upgraded us FOC.Cons:
Nothing from us10.0 Wonderful
Feb 2019
Pros:
Friendly staff. Easy pickup and drop off.10.0 Wonderful
Dec 2018
Pros:
very friendly employees, easy claim process initiating, flexible return.9.6 Wonderful
Apr 2017
Pros:
Everything was clean, simple, and very easy pick up and drop off.Cons:
Just a little small for a family of five. Not what i would call a typical SUV.9.2 Wonderful
Jan 2017
Pros:
Pick-up and drop off were convenient. No extra charges. The car type/condition was a good choice for the area and driving conditions.Cons:
Not sure the additional insurance I purchased when I made the rental reservation was necessary (as I was lead to believe at the time).Thrifty
8.0
Very good
3 reviewsCleanliness
8.0
Comfort
8.0
Pick-up/Drop-off
8.0
Value for money
8.0
One location in Cairns Airport
Avis
5.7
Fair
5 reviewsCleanliness
7.3
Comfort
7.3
Pick-up/Drop-off
4.6
Value for money
4.0
One location in Cairns Airport
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Reviews
6.8 Okay
Dec 2019
Pros:
Upgraded car.Cons:
Drop off8.4 Very good
Aug 2019
Cons:
Seams like a lot of money2.0 Poor
Mar 2019
Cons:
Cust service rep was miserable, rude, condescending, and short with answers. Should realize that without customer she is without employment. Train these people to understand they are providing a valuable service and not treat the people who pay their salary with obvious disdain7.6 Good
Jan 2019
Pros:
Our car was not ready, we had to wait a bit. Avis discounted our rate a bot for the inconvenience. It was a very comfortable vehicle but front end maintenance needed signal beeped at us quite a bit which was a little unsettlingCons:
See above2.0 Poor
Apr 2022
JUCY
10.0
Wonderful
No reviews available
Cleanliness
10.0
Comfort
10.0
Pick-up/Drop-off
10.0
Value for money
10.0
2 locations in Cairns Airport
MINI Car Rentals
10.0
Wonderful
No reviews available
Cleanliness
6.0
Comfort
10.0
Pick-up/Drop-off
10.0
Value for money
8.0
One location in Cairns Airport
One location in Cairns Airport
Locations in Cairns Airport
432 Sheridan Street, Cairns, Australia
+61 7 4021 2777
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One location in Cairns Airport
Locations in Cairns Airport
Airport Ave
+61 1800 501 934
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2 locations in Cairns Airport
Locations in Cairns Airport
Terminal Buildinairport Avenue
+61 7 4034 9045
Terminalbuildingairport Avenue
+61 7 4034 9045
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One location in Cairns Airport
Locations in Cairns Airport
Airport Ave
+61 740 359 299
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One location in Cairns Airport
Locations in Cairns Airport
Terminal Building
+61 740 349 088
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One location in Cairns Airport
Locations in Cairns Airport
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One location in Cairns Airport
Locations in Cairns Airport
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3 locations in Cairns Airport
Locations in Cairns Airport
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2 locations in Cairns Airport
Locations in Cairns Airport
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One location in Cairns Airport
Locations in Cairns Airport
410 Sheridan Street Cairns, QLD
1800 808 122
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One location in Cairns Airport
Locations in Cairns Airport
410 Sheradan Street
1800 808 122
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One location in Cairns Airport
Locations in Cairns Airport
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One location in Cairns Airport
Locations in Cairns Airport
Cairns Airport CNS
+61 7 4041 0895
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One location in Cairns Airport
Locations in Cairns Airport
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One location in Cairns Airport
Locations in Cairns Airport
Terminal Building
+61 7 4034 9045
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No reviews available
One location in Cairns Airport
Locations in Cairns Airport
Terminal Building
+86 10 6064 1387
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No reviews available
Car rental locations at Cairns Airport
Good to know
Most popular car type | Economy |
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