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Book a car rental in Brisbane
Brisbane is the third-largest city in Australia with countless attractions to explore. While public transport is strong within the central city, renting a car provides direct access to locations beyond public transit.
You can plan your itinerary without depending on bus/train timetables, route transfers or reduced weekend/evening frequencies. With a self-drive vehicle, you also save time. For example, a direct drive to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary takes approximately 20 min from the CBD compared to 50+ minutes on the bus and extra waiting time.
Moreover, some beautiful day trips, such as the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast Hinterland from Brisbane, are only possible by car. No matter which places are on your wishlist, we help you find the best car rental in Brisbane for a comfortable journey.
With us, you can compare deals from global as well as local rental suppliers in one place. This way, you can choose a vehicle that falls within your budget and is suitable for your adventure!
Top car rental pickup/return locations in Brisbane
We let you choose a car rental location anywhere in Brisbane. Whether you are arriving at Brisbane Airport (BNE), Brisbane Salisbury Railway Station, or want to collect your vehicle from the CBD, suburbs like Hamilton, Archerfield or a neighbourhood, enter the location to check all the available deals for your travel dates.
Some of our partner suppliers also allow a selected hotel delivery option, which allows you to start your journey directly from your accommodation without visiting the rental office.
Best car rental deal types in Brisbane
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One-day car rental deals
The demand for a one-day rental car in Brisbane is high. Travelers prefer to book a vehicle for 24 hours when they want to do a specific activity. For instance, driving up to Tamborine Mountain, heading to the Mount Coot-tha Summit or visiting the Australia Zoo by taking a direct 1-hour drive north instead of combining trains and shuttle buses.
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Weekly car rental deals
These are great for someone whose plans extend beyond the central city grid or when they need consistent, reliable transport for extended stays. Our deals for weekly car rentals in Brisbane are suitable for iconic 7-day itineraries, such as the Pacific Coast Highway or South East Queensland Circuit.
It is also a good option for business travelers visiting Brisbane for multi-day site visits across suburban hubs (such as Rocklea, Archerfield or North Lakes). A weekly rental is more economical than daily taxi/rideshare expenses.
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Monthly car rental deals
People typically go for monthly car rentals in Brisbane when they want to spend 1 to 3 months exploring Queensland (they use Brisbane as a base for collecting the vehicle). University students or professors attending semester programs at UQ, QUT or Griffith University also opt for renting a car for 1 to 6 months. It allows easy commuting to suburban campuses and weekend coastal getaways.
One-way car rental in Brisbane
Brisbane is located right in the middle of Australia’s East Coast; hence, it serves as a primary gateway for classic coastal road trips. We let you pick up a vehicle from any convenient location in the city and return it in a different spot (within or outside the city). On our platform, you can compare several one-way car rental deals at competitive prices from multiple suppliers.
These are some of the most popular one-way routes from Brisbane preferred by customers:
| Destination | Approx. distance | Approx. driving time |
|---|---|---|
| Brisbane to Sydney | 900 km (560 miles) | 10 to 12 hours |
| Brisbane to Melbourne | 1,750 km (1,085 miles) | 18 to 20 hours |
| Brisbane to Gold Coast | 75-80 km (47-50 miles) | 1 hour |
| Brisbane to Perth | 4,300 km (2,670 miles) | 45+ hours (across the continent) |
| Brisbane to Cairns | 1,700 km (1,055 miles) | 19 to 20 hours |
| Brisbane to Byron Bay | 164 km (102 miles) | 2 hours |
| Brisbane to Airlie Beach | 1,112 km (691 miles) | 12 hours and 20 min |
Things to do in Brisbane
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Relax at South Bank & Streets Beach
Spend your time at Streets Beach, a man-made white-sand lagoon surrounded by palm trees right in the heart of the city.
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Meet native wildlife at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
Have fun at the world’s oldest and largest koala sanctuary. Observe over 130 koalas resting in their natural habitats.
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Dine beneath the Story Bridge
Spend an evening at Howard Smith Wharves. Select any venue for evening drinks, craft beer and waterfront dining directly along the Brisbane River.
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Enjoy the panoramic views at Mount Coot-Tha Summit Lookout
Watch a beautiful sunset/sunrise at the city’s highest point. Click pictures of views over the surrounding green hinterland.
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Book a guided climb at Story Bridge
The famous steel structure to get a bird's-eye perspective of the river traffic and city grid.
VIP Cars’ tips for hiring a car in Brisbane
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Car rental demand in Brisbane is highest during winter months from June to August. So if you are traveling in this period, make sure to book your vehicle at least 4 to 6 weeks in advance.
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An SUV car rental in Brisbane is highly recommended for drives with steep elevation and winding roads (Springbrook & Lamington National Parks). It is also the best option for a group of 5 to 6 heading to Gold Coast Theme Parks and Noosa.
An SUV provides significantly better legroom, storage for keeping beach bags, towels, strollers or cooler boxes and highway stability compared to a compact sedan.
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Brisbane uses electronic tolling for major routes like the Gateway Motorway, Clem7 Tunnel, AirportLinkM7 and Go Between Bridge. Make sure to verify with your provider if the rental car has an activated e-tag or how you will be charged for toll fees.
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Vehicles in Australia are right-hand drive and driving is on the left side of the road. If you are used to right-side driving, take your time to adjust.
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Stay vigilant while driving in rural areas or national parks like Mount Glorious or the Hinterland. If possible, avoid driving during dawn and dusk when kangaroos and wallabies are most active.
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Some of our partner suppliers may provide rental cars for drivers aged 18+. Read the rental terms carefully before booking, as some vehicle categories may be limited for young drivers.
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If you are looking for a rental car in Brisbane with no deposit, use the relevant filter (zero deposit/low deposit) to narrow down your options quickly.
