Car rental at Cairns airport from $40/day

Toyota Corolla

or similar SMALL

$47/day

Hyundai i30

or similar MEDIUM

$47/day

Toyota RAV4

or similar SUV

$82/day

Kia Carnival

or similar VAN

$95/day

Class Full-size SUV

or similar SUV

$75/day

MG 3

or similar SMALL

$40/day

Class Full-size Van

or similar VAN

$115/day

MG ZS

or similar SUV

$53/day

Class Special Car

or similar Category

$55/day

Class Standard SUV

or similar SUV

$55/day

Mazda CX-5

or similar SUV

$63/day

Kia Sportage

or similar SUV

$76/day

Best prices found by KAYAK users in the past 48 hours.

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.
25% of our users found a car hire at Cairns airport for $65 or less
Book your car hire at Cairns airport at least 3 weeks before your trip in order to get a below-average price

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.
How much does it cost to rent a car at Cairns airport?
On average a rental car at Cairns airport costs $77 per day.
What is the cheapest car rental company at Cairns airport?
In the past 72 hours, the cheapest rental cars were found at Simba Car Hire ($43/day), Ace Rental Cars ($49/day) and Ace ($51/day).
Which car rental companies will pick you up at Cairns airport?
The only car rental company that offers shuttle or pick-up services from Cairns airport to off-airport locations is JUCY .

Ace Rental Cars

10.0

Wonderful

Read 1 review

Cleanliness

10.0

Comfort

10.0

Pick-up/Drop-off

10.0

Value for money

8.0

2 locations in Cairns Airport

Locations in Cairns Airport

147 Lake Street

+61 1800 620 408

Opening times not available

Cairns Domestic Airport

+61 7 4035 9299

Monday	08:30 - 15:00
Tuesday	08:30 - 15:00
Wednesday	08:30 - 15:00
Thursday	08:30 - 15:00
Friday	08:30 - 15:00
Saturday	09:00 - 13:00
Sunday	09:00 - 13:00

Alamo

8.7

Very Good

Read 19 reviews

Best rated

Cleanliness

8.5

Comfort

8.6

Pick-up/Drop-off

8.8

Value for money

8.6

2 locations in Cairns Airport

Locations in Cairns Airport

Cairns Domestic Airport

+61 7 4034 9045

Monday	07:00 - 22:00
Tuesday	07:00 - 22:00
Wednesday	07:00 - 22:00
Thursday	07:00 - 22:00
Friday	07:00 - 22:00
Saturday	07:00 - 22:00
Sunday	07:00 - 22:00

Cairns International Airport

+61 7 4034 9045

Monday	07:00 - 22:00
Tuesday	07:00 - 22:00
Wednesday	07:00 - 22:00
Thursday	07:00 - 22:00
Friday	07:00 - 22:00
Saturday	07:00 - 22:00
Sunday	07:00 - 22:00

Filters

Reviews

10.0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Jul 2024

Intermediate

Everything was hassle free .

8.0 Very Good

Anonymous, Jul 2024

Standard

Drip off in Cairns for Entreprise not straightforward

8.0 Very Good

Anonymous, Jul 2023

Compact

The pickup experience was a bit inefficient and slow. The Kayak booking acceptance email directed us to Cairns airport terminal 1, but the actual pickup office for Alamo was in terminal 2. The office couldn’t be contacted by phone. When we eventually found the office., after asking around, the pickup process was slow. But once we got the car it was a good vehicle and our overall experience was good. Drop off was easy.

10.0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Apr 2023

Mini

Easy pickup and drop off, friendly staff.

10.0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Feb 2023

Compact

Easy process with very helpful staff.

10.0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Jan 2023

Easy pick up and drop off. Craig on the desk was extremely helpful and professional certainly will be recommending!

Sixt

8.7

Very Good

Read 7 reviews

Most popular

Cleanliness

8.9

Comfort

8.9

Pick-up/Drop-off

9.0

Value for money

7.9

2 locations in Cairns Airport

from$70/day

Locations in Cairns Airport

Cnr Sheridan and Aplin Streets

+61 7 4051 8099

Monday	08:00 - 15:00
Tuesday	08:00 - 15:00
Wednesday	08:00 - 15:00
Thursday	08:00 - 15:00
Friday	08:00 - 15:00

Terminal building, Cairns

+61 7 4033 9800

Monday	07:30 - 23:59
Tuesday	07:30 - 23:59
Wednesday	07:30 - 23:59
Thursday	07:30 - 23:59
Friday	07:30 - 23:59
Saturday	07:30 - 23:59
Sunday	07:30 - 23:59

Filters

Reviews

10.0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Sept 2022

Staff were great and very efficient. Car could have been cleaner

10.0 Wonderful

Mark, Mar 2022

Staff were friendly and helpful especially as I arrived several hours before the scheduled pick and they could get me a car. The car was clean and faultless.

10.0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Jan 2022

So easy to book, extremely competitive pricing, quick pick up and drop off. Extremely pleased to arrive to collect the car, and to be told that we would be receiving a free upgrade.

4.0 Mediocre

Anonymous, Jan 2022

Everything was good except for not getting my $400 holding fee back within a day,which I was told I would. After making a phone call I was informed it would take 1 to 2 months before my money will be credited back into my account.

10.0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Dec 2021

Car was great value. Car was easy to find. I suggest adding a free Uber or taxi from hotel to airport to pick up the car and vice versa when dropping car back at the airport would be a great idea

10.0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Nov 2021

Friendly staff

Apex

8.7

Very Good

Read 12 reviews

Cleanliness

9.3

Comfort

9.5

Pick-up/Drop-off

9.1

Value for money

8.6

One location in Cairns Airport

Locations in Cairns Airport

396 Sheridan Street, Cairns North, Qld

+61 740 532 896

Opening times not available

Filters

Reviews

10.0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Jul 2024

Standard SUV

I would like to express my gratitude to Jacinta. My daughter was in hospital during our stay in cairns and Jacinta was very understanding and bent over backwards to get me in a car so I could get back to the hospital. Excellent service! Thanks again Jacinta!

4.0 Mediocre

Anonymous, Mar 2022

They stated the vehicle was located in Cairns Airport which was not the case! We had to get a shuttle bus to the depot for pick up and drop off.

10.0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Dec 2021

Friendly helpful staff with good local advice.

10.0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Oct 2021

Great service indeed!

10.0 Wonderful

Pat, Oct 2024

Standard SUV

All good friendly staff easy access no headaches

10.0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Jul 2024

Standard SUV

Great service

Bargain Car Rentals

8.7

Very Good

Read 4 reviews

Cheapest deal

Cleanliness

9.2

Comfort

8.5

Pick-up/Drop-off

7.7

Value for money

8.0

One location in Cairns Airport

from$46/day

Locations in Cairns Airport

410, Sheridan Street

Opening times not available

Filters

Reviews

4.0 Mediocre

Anonymous, Jul 2024

Full-size SUV

They describe themselves as being at the cairns airport. They are not at the airport.

10.0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Jan 2023

Intermediate

More shuttle bus would be prefect

6.0 Okay

Anonymous, Nov 2022

Pickup from airport took a long time and the process was awkward

10.0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Feb 2023

Mini

Easy to deal with.

Budget

8.3

Very Good

Read 10 reviews

Cleanliness

8.6

Comfort

8.3

Pick-up/Drop-off

8.7

Value for money

7.3

One location in Cairns Airport

Locations in Cairns Airport

Terminal Building

+61 7 4033 9777

Monday	07:00 - 22:00
Tuesday	07:00 - 22:00
Wednesday	07:00 - 22:00
Thursday	07:00 - 22:00
Friday	07:00 - 22:00
Saturday	07:00 - 22:00
Sunday	07:00 - 22:00