How to book a car at Cairns Airport through FindYCar?

Select "Cairns Airport" as your pickup location, choose the rental dates, and click "Search". Compare offers from different companies by price and terms, choose the best option, and complete the booking online. You will then receive a confirmation email with a voucher for pickup.

Where are the car rental offices located at Cairns Airport?

Car rental offices at Cairns Airport are located in the main terminal building. Rental desks are situated on the ground floor in the arrivals area. After collecting your baggage, follow the signs for "Car Rental" to find the service desks. Some companies have their vehicles parked directly outside the terminal, while others provide shuttle buses to nearby parking lots.

What documents are required to rent a car at Cairns Airport?

To rent a car, you will need a valid driver's license, a passport (for international visitors) or photo ID (for Australian residents), a credit card in the driver's name, and your booking voucher. The driver's license must be valid for at least one year. International visitors may need an International Driving Permit (IDP) depending on their country of origin.

What is the minimum age to rent a car at Cairns Airport?

The minimum age to rent a car is usually 21 years old. Some car categories, particularly 4WD vehicles and larger SUVs, are available only from 25 years old. Requirements vary by rental company and vehicle class. Enter your age during booking to see available options.

Can I rent a car at Cairns Airport and return it somewhere else?

Yes, most rental companies offer one-way rentals. You can usually return the car in Cairns city or nearby locations like Port Douglas with no extra fee or a small surcharge. Returning the car in another Australian city (e.g., Brisbane, Townsville, Sydney, Melbourne) usually incurs an additional one-way fee based on the distance.

Do I need to pay extra for toll roads from Cairns Airport?

No, there are currently no toll roads in Cairns or the surrounding Far North Queensland region. You can drive freely from the airport to Cairns city, Port Douglas, and other popular destinations without worrying about toll charges. This makes budgeting for your trip easier.

Is long-term car rental available at Cairns Airport?

Yes, FindYCar offers long-term car rentals at Cairns Airport. The most common options are weekly or monthly rentals, which often come with discounted rates compared to daily rentals. Long-term rentals are popular for exploring the Great Barrier Reef region and Tropical North Queensland.

Can I rent a car at Cairns Airport without a deposit?

Yes, FindYCar offers car rentals at Cairns Airport without a deposit. Use the "No deposit" filter when searching for a vehicle. Since these options are limited, it is recommended to book in advance to secure your preferred vehicle.

Can I rent a car at Cairns Airport without a credit card?

Most rental companies require a credit card in the driver's name. However, FindYCar offers some vehicles that can be booked using a debit card. To find these options, select the "Debit card" filter when searching for a car.

How much does it cost to rent a car at Cairns Airport?

Prices vary by season, car class, and rental length: economy cars around $30-45/day, compact cars $35-55/day, and sedans/SUVs $55-100/day. 4WD vehicles, popular for exploring the Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation, range from $80-150/day. During peak season (June-September and December-January), rates can increase by 30-50%. Booking in advance typically offers better rates.

Which car rental companies are located at Cairns Airport?

Cairns Airport hosts all major international and local car rental companies, including Hertz, Avis, Budget, Europcar, Thrifty, Enterprise, Sixt, Redspot, Britz, and Jucy. All companies have service desks in the terminal building.

Is unlimited mileage included in the rental?

Yes, most offers on FindYCar include unlimited mileage, allowing you to drive without any distance limits. This is particularly useful for exploring Tropical North Queensland, including trips to the Daintree Rainforest, Cape Tribulation, Atherton Tablelands, and the Great Barrier Reef coastal areas.

What are the most popular destinations to drive from Cairns Airport?

Popular driving destinations from Cairns Airport include Cairns city (10 minutes), Palm Cove (25 minutes), Port Douglas (1 hour), Daintree Rainforest (2 hours), Cape Tribulation (2.5 hours), Atherton Tablelands (1.5 hours), Kuranda (40 minutes), and Mission Beach (2 hours). A rental car is essential for exploring the stunning natural attractions of Far North Queensland.

How can I cancel my car rental booking at Cairns Airport?

You can cancel your reservation in your FindYCar account or reach out to customer support for help. In most cases, free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 48 hours before pickup.

Car Rental Cairns Airport → No Deposit, No Credit Card

The best way to rent a car at Cairns Airport through FindYCar

Renting a car at one of Australia’s airports is easier than you might think:

Browse the best deals on FindYCar and Book Now when you find the perfect one.
Provide a few details (insurance type, payment, and extras) and add your driver’s information.
Pay 20% or 100% in advance via Pay Now to confirm your reservation.

Location

You are free to specify any place you like to pick up your vehicle (This could be a city, airport, or delivery)
Enter the start and end dates of the rental and perform a search.

Booking

Choose a car and add additional services (insurance, no deposit)
Book a car through our website and make the payment online
You will receive an e-mail voucher with the rental company’s contacts and pick-up instructions.

Pick-Up

When picking up the car, you will need to present your voucher, passport, driver’s license, and a credit card (if a deposit is required)
Sign the rental agreement, pick up the car, and enjoy your trip.

Cheap Car Rental Cairns Airport: Best of FindYCar

Cairns Airport is one of Queensland’s largest and busiest airports, handling millions of travelers, boasting excellent service, and offering competitive car hire deals. As soon as you step off the plane, you can pick up the keys and embark on your ultimate East Coast adventure.

Public transportation in the country is well-developed, allowing you to travel according to your schedule and destination. However, you’ll get more upsides when you rent a car at Cairns Airport:

Explore the area’s top attractions, such as Daintree Rainforest, Palm Cove, and more.
Dozens of active recreational activities, such as surfing, crocodile feeding, fishing, and more.
Visit urban destinations, such as Kuranda Village, the Night Market, museums, and theaters.

No credit card, for cash, insurance upgrades (LDW, CDW, Full Coverage, and others), no deposit, free cancellation, and dozens of cool features you can get via FindYCar at any time.

What’s the price of car hire at Cairns Airport?

Coastal resort towns are rarely associated with affordable vacations, but rentals here aren’t as expensive as some might assume. Take a look at typical daily rates for these different types:

Economy: $25-$42 per day
Mid-range: $32-$56 per day
SUVs and minivans: $39-$64 per day
Luxury: $115+ per day

Want to pay less when renting a car at Cairns Airport? Then check out these valuable savings tips that will cut your costs by up to 40-50%:

Book in advance (more than a week)
Compare prices
Only choose the options you can’t live without
Look for long-term car rentals.

Here’s how you can compare prices:

Table of rental prices for popular cars at Cairns Airport by season

Car model	Body type	Passengers	Luggage capacity	Price per day (low season)	Price per day (high season)
Volkswagen Polo	Economy	5	2	$26	$45
Hyundai i20	Economy	5	2	$29	$50
Toyota Corolla	Compact Sedan	5	3	$36	$60
Nissan X-Trail	SUV	5	3	$39	$72
Kia Sportage	Compact SUV	5	3	$37	$70
Kia Carnival	Minivan	7-8	4	$51	$95
Suzuki Jimny	SUV	4	2	$24	$45
Mitsubishi Montero	SUV / 4×4	5	3-4	$69	$110
Audi Q3	Luxury SUV	5	4	$75	$140
Toyota Commuter	Passenger Van	12	5	$93	$150

⚠️ Note: The prices displayed are for guidance only and may change based on the pickup location at Cairns Airport, the rental company, booking date, specific car model, insurance terms, and rental period. Rates also vary by season, with higher prices typically during peak travel months. The table shows average market prices and does not guarantee availability at the listed rates. It may also include some offers for car rentals without a deposit and without the need for a credit card, where available.

Chart of car rental prices at Cairns Airport: seasonal analysis based on verified bookings

Our experience shows that the lowest car rental prices at Cairns Airport are recorded in February at €27. This is 31% lower than the average annual price, which is €41. March at €28 and November at €32 are also very affordable months, with prices 32% and 22% below the annual average respectively. During these periods, it is possible to plan trips with minimal costs, especially when booking in advance.

The highest prices are observed in July at €67, which is 63% higher than the annual average. December at €51 and April at €49 are also expensive months, with prices exceeding the average by 24% and 20% respectively. During these months, demand for cars increases significantly, so rental costs are usually higher and availability of certain models may be limited.

Our result is based on statistics collected from verified bookings through our FindYCar website. All car types and classes were taken into account, including rental options without a deposit and without the need for a credit card. This provides the most complete picture of market prices and helps you choose the most advantageous period to rent a car in Cairns.

39 €

JAN

27 €

FEB

28 €

MAR

49 €

APR

38 €

MAY

39 €

JUN

67 €

JUL

45 €

AUG

38 €

SEP

37 €

OCT

32 €

NOV

51 €

DEC

Renting a car at Cairns Airport: What documents do I need?

A typical rental agency on the Queensland coast only requires three documents:

Drivers license
Passport
Credit card and reservation voucher (optional).

Traffic Rules

Car hire at Cairns Airport feels slightly different from the typical European driving experience. Keep these few rules in mind, and you’ll be safe:

Driving on the left side of the road, with overtaking on the right.
50 km/h is the maximum speed limit in urban areas. Faster speeds are only permitted on highways or open roads, up to 100-130 km/h.
Fasten your seat belts and use a safety seat if driving with children.
0.05% is the alcohol limit.
Carry your documents and follow road markings.

Parking

While in the city, it’s best to find parking at a reasonable price of $1.50-$2.50/hour.

Outside urban areas, you can easily find a great spot for free.

Gas Stations

Australia is one of the few countries where you can ignore a vehicle’s mpg, as fuel is cheap here.

Premium gasoline costs just $1.10 per liter, and diesel costs $0.95. Car rental at Cairns Airport feels better when your gas is that cheap.

Toll Roads

Queensland is a completely toll-free province.

However, there are still many toll roads throughout the country, both south and north, so you might want to consider an e-Tag and up to $10 in toll fees.

Top features of FindYCar: Car rental at Cairns Airport with no deposit, no credit card, insurance, and full coverage