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Book the best car hire in Adelaide
Adelaide is the 5th largest city in Australia and the largest city of the state of South Australia. It is a highly popular destination among tourists due to its rich cultural events, outstanding food & wine and proximity to beautiful natural landscapes.
Public buses are efficient inside the metropolitan areas, but regional buses outside the city center run on limited schedules or require complex transfers. To let you travel comfortably without compromising on the places in your itinerary, we provide the best deals for car hire in Adelaide.
With a self-drive car by your side, you can fully explore South Australia. You can easily hop between world-class wineries like Barossa Valley (~50-minute drive northeast of CBD) or Adelaide Hills (just 20-30 min east).
Additionally, a rental car gives you easy access to spectacular coastal towns like Victor Harbor, beaches such as Port Willunga Beach, and scenic viewpoints like Crows Nest Road Lookout, making it easier to explore the southern coast slowly.
No matter how long you plan to stay in the city, you can book your preferred vehicle with us to make the most of your trip.
Where to pick up/return a rental car in Adelaide
You can select ADL Airport, railway station, downtown or suburbs like Collinswood, Edwardstown or Reynella to pickup/return a rental car in Adelaide. We provide convenient locations throughout the city to suit your travel plans. All you have to do is enter your preferred pickup/drop-off spots in the search form and compare all the available deals for your travel dates.
Most popular car hire deals in Adelaide
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One-day car rental
Travelers who only want to do specific things prefer hiring a car for one day in Adelaide. Such deals are high in demand as the city is near to several attractions. For example, many people like to visit McLaren Vale & Fleurieu Coast (45 minutes south of Adelaide) combining coastal drives along Gulf St Vincent with rolling vineyard country.
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Weekly car rental
A weekly rental in Adelaide is convenient if you are staying for 5-7 days and want transport throughout your trip. Weekly rental prices can sometimes work out cheaper than paying the daily rate for seven separate days. Such deals are also great for your multi-day road trips around South Australia starting from the city.
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Monthly car rental
Booking a car hire in Adelaide for a month gives you the flexibility to take long-distance road trips to destinations such as Melbourne, Sydney or Perth. A monthly rental can be a convenient and cost-effective option for exploring iconic Australian road-trip routes at your own schedule. Depending on the supplier, you may also be able to extend your rental period if you decide to extend your journey.
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Long term car rental
The city has a high volume of temporary residents and contract workers that find hiring a car for long term in Adelaide (2, 6 or more months) more economical than multiple short term bookings. It also hosts different institutions like the University of Adelaide, UniSA or Flinders University. International students prefer renting a vehicle for the semester instead of committing to vehicle ownership.
One way car hire in Adelaide
The convenience of renting a vehicle from one location and returning it in a different spot is unmatched. To provide you with this comfort, on our platform you can hire a car one way in Adelaide. It saves you time that is otherwise wasted while driving back to the starting point just to drop-off the vehicle.
The demand for one way rentals is also popular in Adelaide because the city serves as a major gateway for several of Australia’s most famous cross-country road trips like the Great Ocean Road drive.
These are some of the most traveled destinations from Adelaide:
| Destination | Approx. distance | Approx. driving time (without stops) |
|---|---|---|
| Adelaide to Melbourne | 726 km (451 miles) | 8 hours |
| Adelaide to Sydney | 1,376 km (855 miles) | 14.5 hours |
| Adelaide to Perth | 2,605 km (1619 miles) | 27-28 hours |
| Adelaide to Brisbain | 2,007 km (1247 miles) | 22 hours |
| Adelaide to Darwin | 3,030 km (1883 miles) | 31.5 hours |
| Adelaide to Kangaroo Flat | 630 km (390 miles) | 8 hours |
| Adelaide to Alice Springs | 1,535 km (954 miles) | 16 hours |
Things to do in Adelaide
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Adelaide Central Market
Explore the iconic market of the city which is operating since 1869. An ideal place to try artisan cheeses, fresh produce and local baked goods.
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Art Gallery of South Australia
The place features 45,000 + works of Indigenous Australian art and few classic European pieces. The gallery is located along the historic North Terrace.
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Mount Lofty Summit
Get a panoramic view of Adelaide metropolitan area down to the ocean. You can relax in cafes or go on scenic trails.
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Adelaide Zoo
The zoo houses thousands of native and exotic species. It is located along the River Torrens near the CBD. A great place to take part in interactive animal encounters and educational talks.
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Glenelg Beach
Watch a beautiful sunset over the Gulf St Vincent waters. You can have a great time in oceanfront dining and boutiques.
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Adelaide Oval
A popular stadium known for hosting AFL matches and international cricket matches. You can take a guided stadium tour or RoofClimb experience for sky-high views over the city.
VIP Cars’ tip for hiring a car in Adelaide
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If you have booked an electric rental car in Adelaide, it is highly recommended to download apps like PlugShare or Chargefox to easily locate public fast chargers acros the city and regional towns.
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Be careful while driving on the rural roads through the Adelaide Hills, Barossa, Fleurieu Peninsula and Flinders Ranges. These areas are prime wildlife corridors for animals like kangaroos or wombats. They are most active at dawn, dusk and during the night.
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If you rent a car in Adelaide to drive one-way to Melbourne or Sydney, you may encounter electronic toll roads. Ask your supplier beforehand about the toll charges.
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If you are traveling with children, it is advisable to add an appropriate child seat to your car rental. In South Australia, children under 16 must use a suitable restraint that is properly adjusted and fastened.
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Adelaide experiences high car rental demand in December to March. Therefore, it is best to book a vehicle atleast 6 to 8 weeks in advance to get a wide selection and affordable prices.
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If your itinerary mainly includes driving inside Adelaide's central business district, inner suburbs or dining hubs (e.g., East End, North Adelaide, Norwood), go for an economy car as it is perfect for tight parallel street parking spots or compact multi-story garage bays.
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To find a car rental with no deposit in Adelaide, you can use the zero deposit/low deposit filter on our booking form to narrow down the options.
