Launceston Car Hire – Compare Prices in 60 secs

Compare 1,000s of Car Rentals

Compare & Save with Road Genius

Compare car rentals all around the world

24/7 Support

Get support from a dedicated team of travel experts

Find Low Prices

Save by finding great deals and securing low price rentals

No Booking Fees

No booking fees. Free cancellation on most cars

Launceston is a good starting point for exploring Tasmania’s many landscapes and the second most popular option after Hobart. With its central location, renting a car gives you the freedom to visit national parks, coastal routes and historic towns at your own pace.

🚗 Car Hire Locations & Options

Location	👍 Pros	👎 Cons
Launceston Airport (LST)	Quicker access to your car after arrival All major rental companies on-site Quick pickup process (typically 20 min)	~10% airport surcharge on rates Possible queues during peak flight arrivals No pickups after 9:00 PM
Off-Airport Providers	Lower rates (no airport fees) Free shuttle service to nearby depots Often newer vehicles at local companies	Extra 15-20 min for shuttle transfer Must call upon arrival for pickup Additional step in the rental process
Launceston City	Convenient if staying downtown first Can save on airport surcharges Walking distance from city hotels	Need transport from airport ($20-25 taxi) Limited operation hours (typically 8am-5pm) Fewer vehicle choices than airport

Provider Options:

Major International Brands: Avis, Budget, Europcar, SIXT, Hertz, Thrifty, Dollar, Enterprise (via Redspot)
Local Tasmanian Companies: Bargain Car Rentals, East Coast Car Rentals, LeisureRent, Drive Car Hire, Apex

Wait Time Notes: Peak rental desk crowds are mid-morning to early afternoon when multiple flights arrive. During summer holidays (December-January) rental stock may be limited—book 3-6 months in advance.

After-Hours Services: Most rentals at Launcston Airport (LST) do not allow pickups after 9:00 PM. After-hours drop-off is available at the airport through secure key drop boxes. City locations typically operate only during business hours with limited after-hours options.

🗺️ Best Driving Routes & Travel Distances

Destination	Distance	Estimated Time	Notes
Cradle Mountain	140 km	2 hours	Winding mountain roads near the end. Stop at Sheffield "Town of Murals." No fuel at Cradle Mountain; fill up in Sheffield or earlier.
Bay of Fires	160 km	2.5-3 hours	Twisty roads through Scottsdale. Features orange-lichen rocks and white beaches. Fuel available in St Helens.
Freycinet (Coles Bay)	180 km	3 hours	Via St Helens, or 230 km via Midlands Highway. Great coastal views on East Coast route.
Hobart	200 km	2.5 hours	Via Midland Highway. Historic Heritage Highway with colonial towns. Regular fuel stops available.
Devonport (Ferry)	100 km	1 hour 20 min	Easy highway drive. Ferry terminal for Spirit of Tasmania.
Stanley (The Nut)	225 km	3 hours	Scenic coastal drive. Allow full day or overnight stay.
Tamar Valley Loop	120 km	Half day	Wine route with cellar doors. Cross Batman Bridge for circular tour.

Road Trip Planning Tips:

Tasmania’s roads are winding and can take longer than GPS estimates, so allow extra time.
Small towns typically have limited evening services. Get fuel before 6pm in remote areas.
Plan rest stops every 2 hours; Campbell Town (on Midland Highway) and Elizabeth Town (Bass Highway) make good breaks.

🅿️ Parking & Local Regulations

Parking Type	Rates & Hours	Tips
Launceston CBD Street Parking	Metered Mon-Fri 9am-5:30pm Typically $1-2 per hour Often 1-2 hour limits	Use "EasyPark" app to pay and extend remotely
City Car Parks (Paterson St, Elizabeth St, etc.)	First hour often free Around $4-6 for 4 hours Typically $10-15 for all day	Free 3:30-5:30pm daily at Paterson St lots
Sunday Parking	Free street parking in most areas Free at River's Edge (Seaport)	Check signs for specific restrictions
Airport Parking	Short-term: around $4 first hour Long-term: Lower daily rates	First 10 min free in drop-off zone

Local Driving Rules:

Drive on the LEFT side of the road.
Blood alcohol limit: strict 0.05% BAC (lower than many countries).
Speed limits: 50 km/h in towns, 100 km/h on highways (sometimes 110 km/h on major highways).
School zones: 40 km/h during morning/afternoon periods on school days.
Roundabouts: Give way to vehicles coming from your right.
Mobile phones: No handheld use while driving (severe penalties).
Seatbelts: Mandatory for all passengers.
Speed cameras: Both fixed and mobile units are common.

Unique Tasmania Rules:

No toll roads anywhere in Tasmania.
Give way to school buses with flashing lights (slow to 40 km/h).
Keep 1.5m distance when passing cyclists on open roads.
No right turn on red lights (unlike some places in North America).

Why Rent a Car in Launceston?

Key Attractions Best Reached by Car:

Cataract Gorge - Just 5 minutes from city centre with on-site parking.
Tamar Valley Wineries - Flexible cellar door visits only possible with your own vehicle.
Cradle Mountain - Freedom to arrive early for wildlife spotting and popular hiking trails.
Bay of Fires - Explore multiple beach coves that organised tours often skip.
Narawntapu National Park - Evening wildlife viewing for wallabies and wombats.

Practical Benefits:

Public transport is limited outside city centres.
Car rental provides the only practical way to explore multiple regions in one trip.
Early morning/evening drives offer the best wildlife viewing opportunities.
Flexibility to change plans or stay longer at favourite spots.
Access to accommodation options in smaller towns and rural areas.

🏷️ Car Rental Pricing & Tips

Price Factor	Typical Impact	Money-Saving Tip
Booking Timing	Last-minute summer rentals can cost 2-3x more	Book 3-6 months ahead for December-February
Vehicle Size	Compact cars 30-40% cheaper than SUVs	Choose the smallest vehicle suitable for your needs
Season	Peak (Dec-Feb) vs. Off-peak (May-Sep) rates differ by 50-100%	Visit in shoulder seasons (Mar-Apr or Oct-Nov)
Security Deposit	$400-3,000 hold on credit card depending on insurance	Check if your travel insurance covers rental excess
Insurance Options	Basic excess (deductible) often $3,000-5,000 Daily reduction fees $20-30	Credit card coverage may replace rental company's expensive daily insurance
One-Way Fees	$50-100 for Launceston-Hobart drop-offs	Look for relocation specials that waive this fee
Kilometre Limits	Most rentals now offer unlimited kilometres	Double-check for any limits if planning extensive driving

Hidden Fees to Watch For:

Young driver surcharge (under 25): $16-30 per day.
Additional driver fee: $5-10 per day per driver.
Child seat rental: $5-15 per day.
GPS rental: around $10 per day (consider using your smartphone instead).
Cleaning fee: $50-200 for excessively dirty returns.
Fuel charges: Return the car with a full tank or face premium refill rates.

Best Deals By Season:

Cheapest Months: May and August (winter low season).
Best Value Months: February (late summer) and November (late spring).
Highest Rates: December 20 - January 15 (peak holiday period).

Vehicle Type Guide

Vehicle Type	Best For	Considerations
Economy/Compact	Solo travellers or couples City and highway driving Fuel efficiency	Limited trunk space May not be allowed above snow line in winter Best value for most travellers
Midsize/SUV	Families with children Travellers with larger luggage Winter travel to highland areas	Higher clearance for rural roads More comfortable on long drives Better for gravel roads (if permitted)
4WD/AWD	Winter travel to mountains Permitted on more unsealed roads Off-road activities (where allowed)	Higher fuel consumption More expensive to rent Not necessary for most tourist routes
People Mover/Van	Groups of 5+ travellers Families needing child seat space Extended touring with lots of luggage	More challenging to park in cities Higher rental and fuel costs Slower on mountain roads
Campervan	Combined transport and lodging Preference for holiday park stays Extended touring of remote areas	Limited one-way options Restricted access on some mountain roads Higher fuel consumption

Vehicle Recommendations by Trip Type:

City Exploration: Economy car (Toyota Yaris, Kia Rio).
Full Tasmania Circuit: Compact or midsize (Toyota Corolla, Mazda 3).
Winter Mountain Visits: SUV (Toyota RAV4, Mitsubishi Outlander).
Family Holiday: Midsize SUV or wagon (Subaru Outback).
Off-Road Activities: 4WD SUV (check rental agreement for off-road permissions).

Seasonal Considerations

Season	Driving Conditions	Rental Availability	Special Considerations
Summer (Dec-Feb)	Good road conditions Daylight until 9pm Busier tourist roads	Limited availability Highest rental rates Advance booking essential	Book 3-6 months ahead More wildlife on roads at dusk Peak demand at national parks
Autumn (Mar-May)	Mild days, cooler nights Occasional rain Morning fog in valleys	Good availability Rates begin to decrease More vehicle choices	Shorter daylight hours Fewer crowds at attractions Tamar Valley autumn colours
Winter (Jun-Aug)	Possible ice on high roads Snow in mountains Earlier darkness (5pm)	Good availability Lowest rental rates Last-minute bookings possible	Snow chains may be required for mountain areas Some highland roads may close Check road alerts before mountain trips
Spring (Sep-Nov)	Improving conditions Occasional wind and showers Longer daylight hours	Good availability until November Moderate rates Some flexibility in booking timing	Road maintenance after winter Wildflowers in national parks Pleasant driving temperatures

Winter Driving Tips:

Check Tasmania Police road closure alerts before mountain trips.
Ask the rental company about snow cover insurance if heading to alpine areas.
Allow extra driving time in winter conditions.
Consider an AWD/4WD vehicle if visiting Ben Lomond or Cradle Mountain.

FAQs

Is an International Driving Permit required in Tasmania? If your licence is not in English you need an International Driving Permit or official translation. All drivers must have a full licence (not provisional).

Can I take a rental car on the Spirit of Tasmania ferry? Most rental contracts prohibit taking the vehicle on the ferry. Usually you will need to rent a separate vehicle after arriving in Tasmania. Check with your specific rental provider if this is part of your plans. The ferry terminal is in Devonport: Spirit of Tasmania ferry.

Are there any roads where rental cars are not permitted? Many rental agreements prohibit driving on unsealed (gravel) roads. Check your contract carefully and ask for written permission if you plan to drive to remote areas.

Do I need a 4WD in Tasmania? For most tourist routes and attractions, a standard 2WD vehicle is sufficient. 4WD is only necessary for specific off-road tracks or during winter mountain driving (usually not available through standard car rental companies).

How strict is speed enforcement in Tasmania? Very strict. Speed cameras are common, and the tolerance for exceeding limits is low (often just a few km/h). Fines are substantial and will be passed on to you by the car rental company.

What's the best way to pay for fuel in Tasmania? Credit cards are widely accepted at fuel stations. Stations are self-service - you pump your own fuel and then pay inside. Fill up before long rural drives as some remote areas have limited opening hours.

Additional Travel Tips

Electric Vehicle Information:

Tasmania has over 200 EV charging stations.
Launceston has approximately 20 public chargers.
Fast chargers available in city centre and some car parks.
Coverage is good in major towns but sparse in remote western areas.
Most rentals remain petrol/diesel, but EV options are growing.

Road Challenges to Prepare For:

Wildlife on roads, especially at dawn and dusk—reduce speed during these times.
Narrow, winding roads outside cities—allow extra travel time.
Mountain roads may have steep sections (like "Jacob's Ladder" to Ben Lomond).
Some national park access roads have gravel sections (check rental agreement).

Emergencies & Contacts:

Emergency: 000.
Non-emergency police: 131 444.
Roadside assistance: Provided by rental company (number on agreement).
Keep rental company contact information handy.
Mobile coverage can be limited in remote areas (Telstra network has the best coverage).

Driving Distances from Launceston, Australia

Compare Car Hire Prices in Launceston