Melbourne 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

Melbourne has a mix of urban exploration and day trips best done with a rental car. Whether you are arriving at Melbourne Airport or staying downtown, Road Genius will give you an overview of renting a car and driving in Victoria’s capital.

🚗 Car Hire Locations & Options

Location	👍 Pros	👎 Cons
Melbourne Airport (MEL)	Immediate car access Major companies on-site 24/7 availability	Higher rates (around 10% airport surcharge) Possible queues after international flights Peak times can be hectic
Melbourne CBD	Lower rates (no airport fees) Multiple companies Walking distance from hotels	Limited operating hours (often close by 5-6 PM) May require transport from airport Fewer vehicle choices
Inner Suburbs (South Yarra, Richmond)	Convenient for hotel guests Generally lower rates Often accessible by public transport	Limited weekend hours May have smaller fleets Need transport from airport
Outer Suburbs (Frankston, Hoppers Crossing)	Sometimes better availability Can be cheaper Less busy than central locations	Requires travel from city/airport Limited hours Not convenient for tourists

Wait Times Notes: Peak crowds are early mornings and mid-day at the airport. Summer (December-February) and school holidays, rental queues can be long. Always book in advance.

Best Time to Travel: For availability and deals, go for shoulder seasons (May-June or September-October). Weekday car rentals are cheaper than weekend pickups.

Car Rental One-Way: One-way car rentals are also popular with common options including renting from Melbourne to Adelaide, Melbourne to Sydney or Melbourne to Brisbane.

🗺️ Best Driving Routes & Travel Distances

Destination	Distance	Estimated Time	Notes
Great Ocean Road	240 km	3+ hours	Winding coastal roads. Start at Torquay. Best done over 2-3 days, but possible as a day trip.
Phillip Island	140 km	2 hours	Good highway driving. Famous for penguin parade at dusk. Allow time for wildlife viewing.
Yarra Valley	50-60 km	1 hour	Wine region northeast of city. Easy driving on good roads. Perfect for day trips.
Dandenong Ranges	35 km	45 minutes	Narrow, winding roads through lush forest. Scenic drives with quaint villages.
Mornington Peninsula	75 km	1.5 hours	Beaches and wineries. Peninsula Link freeway (no toll) makes access easy.
Ballarat	115 km	1.5 hours	Historic gold rush city. Western Freeway is an excellent 110 km/h highway.
Grampians National Park	260 km	3 hours	Mountain scenery and hiking. Good roads but allow extra time for park exploration.

Seasonal Driving Notes:

Summer (Dec-Feb): Busiest season with highest car rental demand. Coastal routes can be crowded.
Winter (Jun-Aug): Lower rental rates except during ski season. Morning fog common in hilly areas.
Autumn (Mar-May): Ideal driving conditions with mild weather and autumn colours in wine regions.
Spring (Sep-Nov): Good value season with pleasant temperatures and fewer tourists.

🅿️ Parking & Local Regulations

Area	Parking Options	Approximate Cost	Tips
Melbourne CBD	Street meters Commercial garages Early bird specials	Street: Around $5-7/hour Garages: Approximately $20-25/day (early bird) Casual hourly: Around $8+/hour	Check signs carefully for clearway times (no parking 7-9AM, 4-6PM on major roads). Many meters accept card payment.
Inner Suburbs	Time-limited street parking Permit zones Some paid areas	Free (time limits apply) Metered: Around $2-4/hour	Residential areas often have 1-2 hour limits during business hours. Permit zones need resident permits.
Tourist Areas (St Kilda, South Bank)	Metered parking Commercial lots	Approximately $3-5/hour Daily rates vary	Popular areas fill quickly on weekends and holidays. Consider parking further out and walking.
Shopping Centres	Free parking (time limits) Paid parking in some CBD malls	Often free for 2-3 hours with validation City malls: Around $10-15 for 2-3 hours	Many suburban shopping centres offer free parking with reasonable time limits.

Key Driving Rules:

Drive on the LEFT side of the road.
Default speed limits: 50 km/h in built-up areas, 100 km/h on highways.
School zones: 40 km/h during designated times.
Blood alcohol limit: 0.05% (stricter than many countries).
Mobile phones must be hands-free only.
Strict enforcement of speed limits with cameras throughout the city.

Unique Melbourne Rules:

Hook turns: At some CBD intersections, right turns must be made from the far left lane to keep tram tracks clear. Look for signs reading "Right Turn From Left Only."
Tram etiquette: When a tram stops to let passengers on/off, vehicles behind must stop completely until doors close.
No left turns on red (unlike North America).

Toll Roads: Melbourne has two toll roads: - CityLink (M1/M2): Connects airport to city and continues southeast. - EastLink (M3): Eastern suburbs route.

Both are cashless systems. Rental companies typically handle tolls automatically, charging your credit card with the toll amount plus a daily admin fee (typically $3-5 per day of toll use).

Why Rent a Car in Melbourne?

Melbourne’s layout and attractions make having a car handy for several reasons:

Flexibility for Urban Exploration While central Melbourne has good public transport, a car makes it easier to explore different neighbourhoods and suburbs in a day.
Access to Unique Day Trips The city is surrounded by significant attractions within a day’s drive that are hard to get to with public transport, including wineries, beaches and national parks.
Time Efficiency Many visitors underestimate Melbourne’s size. Having a car saves a lot of time when visiting attractions spread across the city.
Weather Adaptation Melbourne is famous for its “four seasons in one day” weather. A car provides shelter and flexibility when the weather changes suddenly.
Family Convenience For families with children, a car simplifies logistics for storing strollers, changing bags, and other necessities.
Access to Hidden Gems Many local beaches, parks, and lookout points are best accessed by car, letting you discover places many tourists don't see.
Extended Stay Benefits For stays longer than a few days, a car allows you to establish a base in a more affordable suburb while still accessing all attractions.

🏷️ Rental Car Pricing & Tips

Factor	Impact on Price	Tips to Save
Season	Peak (Dec-Feb): Around +30-50% Off-peak (May-Jun): Around -20-30%	Book shoulder seasons when possible. Winter (except ski season) offers best rates.
Booking Time	Last minute: Around +20-40% 2+ months ahead: Around -15-25%	Book as early as possible, especially for summer holidays and special events.
Vehicle Size	Economy to Full-size: Around +40-100% Economy to SUV: Around +60-120%	Choose the smallest suitable vehicle. Upgrades are sometimes offered at pickup for small fees.
Rental Duration	Weekend (Fri-Mon): Higher rates Weekly rentals: Around 15-30% discount	Mid-week rentals often cost less. Weekly rates usually offer better value than daily rates.
One-Way Fees	Can add around $100-500 for interstate returns	Avoid one-way rentals when possible, or look for relocation deals.
Additional Drivers	Typically $5-10 per day per extra driver	Many companies waive fees for spouses. Ask at booking.
Insurance Options	Full coverage can double daily rate	Check if your credit card or travel insurance covers rental cars to avoid duplicate coverage.

Money-Saving Tips:

Many cars come with unlimited kilometres - check the search results on Road Genius to confirm.
Fuel policy is typically "full-to-full". Refill before return to avoid high refuelling charges.
Airport pickups include a location surcharge of approximately 10%. Consider city locations if time permits.
Book early for peak periods (Christmas, Easter, Grand Prix weekend in March).
Young driver surcharges apply for drivers under 25 years old (typically $15-30 per day extra).

Hidden Costs to Watch For:

Toll administration fees (in addition to actual toll costs).
After-hours pickup or return fees at some locations.
GPS rental (around $10-15 per day) if not included.
Child seat rentals (around $5-15 per day).
Premium location surcharges (especially at the airport).

Additional Travel Tips

Concern	Information & Solutions
Fuel Availability	Petrol stations plentiful in cities and on major highways. Premium unleaded (95/98) and diesel widely available. Electric charging stations growing in metro areas.
Navigation	GPS or smartphone essential, especially for hook turns and tram zones. Download offline maps as backup for rural areas.
Traffic Congestion	Worst on weekdays 7:30-9:30 AM and 4:30-6:30 PM. CityLink toll road often faster during peak times despite the cost.
Weather Considerations	Carry sunglasses for glare and umbrella for Melbourne's changeable weather. Air conditioning standard in all rental cars.
Road Conditions	Generally excellent. Rural roads well-maintained. Unsealed roads usually prohibited in standard rental agreements.
Wildlife Awareness	Drive cautiously at dawn/dusk in rural areas. Kangaroos and other wildlife may cross roads unexpectedly.
Alternative Transport	Consider combining car rental with public transport in CBD areas. "Park and ride" facilities available at outer train stations.

Emergency Information:

Emergency services: 000 (Triple Zero).
Roadside assistance: Provided by rental companies (number on rental agreement/key tag).
VicRoads traffic updates: Check the VicTraffic app.

FAQs

Is it difficult to drive on the left side in Melbourne if I'm used to right-side driving? Most visitors adjust quickly. Remember the driver sits on the right side of the car, closest to the centre line. Take extra care at intersections and roundabouts initially.

Are there any areas I should avoid driving in Melbourne? The CBD can be tricky for first time visitors due to hook turns and trams. Consider parking at the edge of the city and using public transport for central exploration until you feel comfortable.

How strictly are speed limits enforced? Very strictly. Speed cameras are everywhere and fines are issued for even small infractions. Victoria has almost zero tolerance for speeding.

Can I use my foreign driver's licence in Melbourne? Yes, visitors can drive on a valid foreign licence for the duration of their stay. An International Driving Permit is recommended if your licence is not in English

What's the best vehicle for the Great Ocean Road? Any standard car is fine. The road is fully sealed. A compact SUV is better for the views but a standard sedan is fine too.

Driving Distances from Melbourne, Australia

Compare Car Hire Prices in Melbourne