How much does it cost to rent a car at Mildura Airport (MQL)?

On average, car rentals at Mildura Airport (MQL) cost around AUD $95 per day, with the lowest-priced rentals available from AUD $51 per day.

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Car Rental Locations & Options

Car Hire Locations and OptionsLocationProsCons
MQL TerminalRental desks inside arrivals hall
Staff available for all scheduled flights
Get your car right after landing
Open long hours including weekends
About 19% airport fee added
Waiting lines when busy flights arrive
Few speciality vehicles available
Mildura CityMany rental companies on main streets
Often cheaper prices (no airport fee)
May have speciality vehicles
10 km from airport (need taxi)
Limited hours (usually Mon-Fri 8:00-5:00, Sat 9-12)
Closed Sundays and public holidays
Off-Site Near AirportSome companies offer free pickup service
May offer better prices than terminal
Need to call when you arrive
May wait for shuttle/pickup
Not available for all late flights
Rental Companies at MQLAvis (Terminal building)
Budget (Terminal building)
Thrifty (Terminal building)
Hertz (Terminal building)
Sixt (Terminal building)

Location	Pros	Cons
MQL Terminal	Rental desks inside arrivals hall Staff available for all scheduled flights Get your car right after landing Open long hours including weekends	About 19% airport fee added Waiting lines when busy flights arrive Few speciality vehicles available
Mildura City	Many rental companies on main streets Often cheaper prices (no airport fee) May have speciality vehicles	10 km from airport (need taxi) Limited hours (usually Mon-Fri 8:00-5:00, Sat 9-12) Closed Sundays and public holidays
Off-Site Near Airport	Some companies offer free pickup service May offer better prices than terminal Need to call when you arrive May wait for shuttle/pickup Not available for all late flights

Car Rental Prices

Average: AUD $95/day
From: AUD $51/day

Low-cost rental tips

Dodge the airport surcharge (~19% extra) by grabbing your car from a city depot in Mildura. You'll need a taxi to get there and they're usually closed on Sundays, so do the maths to see if it's worth it for your trip.
Travel in winter (June to August) for the cheapest deals. If you're visiting during peak times like summer or school holidays, try to book at least 6 weeks in advance.
A weekly rental can be cheaper than booking for just 5 or 6 days. It's worth checking the 7-day price, as it can sometimes be a better deal.
Save around $10 a day by skipping the rental company's GPS. Your smartphone's map app works just fine, but download offline maps for trips to remote spots like Mungo National Park where reception can be patchy.

Car hire prices at Mildura Airport (MQL) 2025/2026

Parking and Driving

Location	Car Parking Options	Cost & Restrictions
MQL Airport	Short-term spaces Long-term areas Rental return area	Short-term: Time limits apply, check signage Long-term: Fees and conditions may apply Rental return areas clearly marked
Mildura CBD	On-street spots Public car parks Mildura Central shopping centre	Free but time-limited (usually 2-4 hours) No metres in town Watch for signage showing time limits
Riverfront	Dedicated spaces Street spots along Hugh King Drive	Free and generous time limits Plenty of space except during major events
National Parks	Designated areas at trailheads Visitor centres	Free spaces Stay on marked roads and designated areas

Key Local Driving Regulations

Drive on the left side of the road at all times
Speed limits: 50 km/h in urban areas, 100-110 km/h on highways
School zones: 40 km/h during posted times (usually 8-9:30 AM and 2:30-4 PM weekdays)
Blood alcohol limit: maximum 0.05% BAC
Mobile phones: no handheld use while driving (including at traffic lights)
Seatbelts: mandatory for all occupants
Child restraints: required for children under 7 years

Why rent a car in Mildura

Rent a car to see:

Wentworth (NSW) – Murray–Darling junction, Perry Sandhills
Trentham Estate Winery – cellar door, restaurant
Mungo National Park
Merbein – river views
Red Cliffs – Big Lizzie, Hattah-Kulkyne National Park
Renmark (SA) – Riverland

Local Rental Locations

Driving Distances from Mildura MQL Airport, Australia

FAQs

Do I need an International Driving Permit to rent from MQL?

If your licence is in English, you can usually rent with just your foreign driver's licence. If your licence is in another language, an International Driving Permit or an official English translation is required alongside your original licence.

How busy is Mildura Airport for car rentals? Should I expect delays?

MQL is a regional airport handling primarily domestic flights. While not usually busy, rental counters can have short queues when full flights arrive. Pre-booking and membership in loyalty programs can speed up the process.

Is it better to rent from the airport or from city locations?

Airport rental offers immediate convenience but includes an approximately 19% surcharge. For stays longer than 3-4 days, the savings from a city rental might outweigh the taxi fare (a taxi fare applies) into town. For short stays or business trips, airport rental usually offers the best value of time.

What vehicle type is recommended for exploring from MQL?

A mid-size car or small SUV is suitable for most visitors. If planning to visit Mungo National Park or other remote areas, consider an SUV that has higher clearance. 4WD is only necessary for specific off-road conditions or wet weather travel where permitted by the rental agreement.

Can I pick up at MQL and drop off in another city?

Yes, one-way rentals are available to major cities like Melbourne, Adelaide or Sydney, but expect a one-way fee (approximately $100-300 depending on distance). These must be arranged in advance as not all vehicles are eligible for one-way rentals.

Is after-hours pickup available at MQL?

Yes, rental companies at Mildura Airport extend their hours to meet all scheduled flights. For very late arrivals, confirm availability through your rental company. After-hours drop-off is always available via key drop boxes.