Car rental at Cairns Airport

Car rental at Cairns Airport

Search hundreds of travel sites at once for car hire deals at Cairns Airport (CNS)

Same drop-off
Fri 29/9
Noon
Fri 6/10
Noon
Driver's age:

Cheap car rentals at Cairns airport

Economy$40/day
Compact$41/day
Intermediate$58/day
Standard$62/day
People mover$84/day
Full-size SUV$83/day
Mini$43/day
Passenger van$86/day
Premium SUV$107/day
Supplier choice$50/day
Compact SUV$50/day
Intermediate SUV$51/day
Standard SUV$62/day
Best prices found by KAYAK users in the past 48 hours.

Top tips for hiring a car at Cairns airport

  • 25% of our users found a car hire at Cairns airport for $73 or less
  • Book your car hire at Cairns airport at least 3 weeks before your trip in order to get a below-average price

FAQs about renting a car at Cairns airport

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

    On average a rental car at Cairns airport costs $78 per day.

  • What is the cheapest car rental company at Cairns airport?

    In the past 72 hours, the cheapest rental cars were found at Alamo ($50/day), Bargain Car Rentals ($52/day) and Apex ($55/day).

  • Which car rental companies will pick you up at Cairns airport?

    Car rental companies that offer shuttle or pick-up services from Cairns airport to off-airport locations include JUCY , Ace Rental Cars, and Budget.

Cairns Airport car rental reviews and directory

Alamo

8.6

Very Good

31 reviews

Cleanliness

8.6

Comfort

8.6

Pick-up/Drop-off

8.9

Value for money

8.6

2 locations in Cairns Airport

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Locations in Cairns Airport

Term Building Airport Avenue

+61 7 4034 9045

Monday07:00 - 22:00
Tuesday07:00 - 22:00
Wednesday07:00 - 22:00
Thursday07:00 - 22:00
Friday07:00 - 22:00
Saturday07:00 - 22:00
Sunday07:00 - 22:00
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Terminal Building Airport Ave

+61 7 4034 9045

Monday07:00 - 22:00
Tuesday07:00 - 22:00
Wednesday07:00 - 22:00
Thursday07:00 - 22:00
Friday07:00 - 22:00
Saturday07:00 - 22:00
Sunday07:00 - 22:00
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Reviews

10.0 Wonderful

May 2018

KAYAK

Pros:

Clean car, easy pick up and return, upgrade since they were out of our size

9.6 Wonderful

Mar 2018

KAYAK

Pros:

Staff were very good and the process was simple.

Cons:

All good.

8.0 Very Good

Jul 2023

KAYAK
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

Apr 2023

KAYAK
Easy pickup and drop off, friendly staff.

10.0 Wonderful

Feb 2023

KAYAK
Easy process with very helpful staff.

10.0 Wonderful

Jan 2023

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

1 out of 7

Ace Rental Cars

10.0

Wonderful

1 review
Cheapest deal

Cleanliness

10.0

Comfort

10.0

Pick-up/Drop-off

10.0

Value for money

8.0

One location in Cairns Airport

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from $44/day

Locations in Cairns Airport

Cairns Domestic Airport

+61 7 4035 9299

Monday08:30 - 15:00
Tuesday08:30 - 15:00
Wednesday08:30 - 15:00
Thursday08:30 - 15:00
Friday08:30 - 15:00
Saturday09:00 - 13:00
Sunday09:00 - 13:00
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10.0 Wonderful

Jul 2023

KAYAK
N/A

1 out of 1

Europcar

10.0

Wonderful

5 reviews

Cleanliness

10.0

Comfort

10.0

Pick-up/Drop-off

10.0

Value for money

10.0

One location in Cairns Airport

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Locations in Cairns Airport

Terminal Building

+61 7 4034 9088

Opening times not available

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Reviews

10.0 Wonderful

Sep 2018

KAYAK

Pros:

I appreciated the upgrade. The service provided at check in was excellent.

2.0 Poor

Jul 2017

KAYAK

Cons:

I booked this for a reasonable price months in advance as diving the Great Barrier Reef was a bucket list item. When I landed though, europcar said that they had given my car away and had no other cars they could fulfill my reservation with as it was high tourism season. No offer to help, no sympathy. Of course I had my phone and checked online and found they indeed had multiple cars available immediately, but were asking double what I had booked mine for. How convenient... I got a car from a competitor instead, and will be avoiding Europcar going forward.

10.0 Wonderful

Jun 2023

KAYAK
Staff was great.

1 out of 1

Bargain Car Rentals

9.3

Wonderful

3 reviews

Cleanliness

9.6

Comfort

9.3

Pick-up/Drop-off

8.0

Value for money

9.0

One location in Cairns Airport

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from $59/day

Locations in Cairns Airport

410, Sheridan Street

Opening times not available

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Reviews

10.0 Wonderful

Jan 2023

KAYAK
More shuttle bus would be prefect

6.0 Okay

Nov 2022

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

10.0 Wonderful

Feb 2023

KAYAK
Easy to deal with.

1 out of 1

Apex

8.8

Very Good

9 reviews

Cleanliness

9.0

Comfort

9.2

Pick-up/Drop-off

8.6

Value for money

8.6

One location in Cairns Airport

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Locations in Cairns Airport

396 Sheridan Street, Cairns North, Qld

+61 740 532 896

Opening times not available

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Reviews

4.0 Mediocre

Mar 2022

KAYAK
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

Dec 2021

KAYAK
Friendly helpful staff with good local advice.

10.0 Wonderful

Oct 2021

KAYAK
Great service indeed!

10.0 Wonderful

Jul 2022

KAYAK
Easy shuttle to and from the pickup/drop off. Friendly service, great little car. Would definitely recommend Apex and will use them again.

8.0 Very Good

Jul 2022

KAYAK
No

10.0 Wonderful

Jul 2022

KAYAK
It wasn't cheap, but i think it's the 'Cairns thing'. Service was excellent, ready pick up and drop off, nice and friendly staff. I would use them again if in Cairns. Highly recommended.

1 out of 3

Sixt

8.7

Very Good

17 reviews

Cleanliness

8.8

Comfort

8.8

Pick-up/Drop-off

8.9

Value for money

7.9

2 locations in Cairns Airport

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from $47/day

Locations in Cairns Airport

Cnr Sheridan and Aplin Streets

+61 7 4051 8099

Monday08:00 - 15:00
Tuesday08:00 - 15:00
Wednesday08:00 - 15:00
Thursday08:00 - 15:00
Friday08:00 - 15:00
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Terminal building, Cairns

+61 7 4033 9800

Monday07:30 - 23:59
Tuesday07:30 - 23:59
Wednesday07:30 - 23:59
Thursday07:30 - 23:59
Friday07:30 - 23:59
Saturday07:30 - 23:59
Sunday07:30 - 23:59
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Reviews

10.0 Wonderful

Sep 2022

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

5.6 Fair

Jul 2018

KAYAK

Cons:

That said no hidden fees but still charge 1000$ or insurance forcefully similar car NO FOR 6 people they give us 2 people car argument over argument rude etc

10.0 Wonderful

Mar 2017

KAYAK

Pros:

The service from Sixt in Cairns was brilliant, from the pick up service at the airport to the swift pick up of the car and drop off. All staff were very friendly and the car itself a dream to drive, making our experience in North Queensland brilliant.

10.0 Wonderful

Mar 2022

KAYAK
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

Jan 2022

KAYAK
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

Jan 2022

KAYAK
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.

1 out of 3

Budget

8.7

Very Good

26 reviews

Cleanliness

9.0

Comfort

8.7

Pick-up/Drop-off

9.0

Value for money

7.8

One location in Cairns Airport

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from $79/day

Locations in Cairns Airport

Terminal Building

+61 7 4033 9777

Monday07:00 - 22:00
Tuesday07:00 - 22:00
Wednesday07:00 - 22:00
Thursday07:00 - 22:00
Friday07:00 - 22:00
Saturday07:00 - 22:00
Sunday07:00 - 22:00
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10.0 Wonderful

Sep 2022

KAYAK
Like - the pick up and drop off point is conveniently located next to airport entrance (given most people would have luggage to carry to airport terminal).

10.0 Wonderful

Apr 2021

KAYAK

Pros:

The staff were very pleasant. Drop-off very easy

10.0 Wonderful

Dec 2019

KAYAK

Pros:

Very friendly agent, easy to rent, pick up, and return. Good process to log any known damage to car (we didn't have any).

9.2 Wonderful

Jun 2019

KAYAK

Pros:

Friendly staff

Cons:

More workers to help check-in

8.0 Very Good

Jan 2019

KAYAK

Pros:

Nice car, very comfortable easy to drive. Rental desk at the airport in Cairns.

Cons:

Drop off and office not at the same address. Not clearly mentioned. Missed it the first time had to go around the block once again

8.0 Very Good

May 2017

KAYAK

Pros:

I booked the car as soon as we landed at the Cairns airport and it was ready in 10 minutes. The car had under 1900km so pretty new. No problems during the week and the return was seem less.

Cons:

By far the insurance that they try to sell you and the scare tactics they use to get you to buy into it...

1 out of 5

Hertz

8.1

Very Good

13 reviews

Cleanliness

7.7

Comfort

8.2

Pick-up/Drop-off

8.5

Value for money

8.0

One location in Cairns Airport

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Locations in Cairns Airport

Airport Ave

+61 7 4038 9990

Monday06:00 - 23:00
Tuesday06:00 - 23:00
Wednesday06:00 - 23:00
Thursday06:00 - 23:00
Friday06:00 - 23:00
Saturday06:00 - 23:00
Sunday06:00 - 23:00
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Reviews

10.0 Wonderful

May 2021

KAYAK

Pros:

Staff were very helpful, car we booked as not available so they upgraded us FOC.

Cons:

Nothing from us

10.0 Wonderful

Feb 2019

KAYAK

Pros:

Friendly staff. Easy pickup and drop off.

10.0 Wonderful

Dec 2018

KAYAK

Pros:

very friendly employees, easy claim process initiating, flexible return.

9.6 Wonderful

Apr 2017

KAYAK

Pros:

Everything was clean, simple, and very easy pick up and drop off.

Cons:

Just a little small for a family of five. Not what i would call a typical SUV.

9.2 Wonderful

Jan 2017

KAYAK

Pros:

Pick-up and drop off were convenient. No extra charges. The car type/condition was a good choice for the area and driving conditions.

Cons:

Not sure the additional insurance I purchased when I made the rental reservation was necessary (as I was lead to believe at the time).

2.0 Poor

Apr 2023

KAYAK
It would have been so much better had I hired a car from Hertz but I hired one from Apex. Who were superb

1 out of 2

Thrifty

8.0

Very Good

3 reviews

Cleanliness

8.0

Comfort

8.0

Pick-up/Drop-off

8.0

Value for money

8.0

2 locations in Cairns Airport

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Locations in Cairns Airport

Airport Ave

+61 136139

Monday06:00 - 23:00
Tuesday06:00 - 23:00
Wednesday06:00 - 23:00
Thursday06:00 - 23:00
Friday06:00 - 23:00
Saturday06:00 - 23:00
Sunday06:00 - 23:00
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Cairns Ap

+61 7 4033 9800

Monday07:30 - 23:59
Tuesday07:30 - 23:59
Wednesday07:30 - 23:59
Thursday07:30 - 23:59
Friday07:30 - 23:59
Saturday07:30 - 23:59
Sunday07:30 - 23:59
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Reviews

10.0 Wonderful

Dec 2016

KAYAK

Pros:

I had a small fender bender on my car and Thrifty made it easy dealing with the problem and replacing the car. Very friendly personnel.

1 out of 1

Avis

5.3

Cleanliness

6.0

Comfort

6.4

Pick-up/Drop-off

4.4

Value for money

4.8

One location in Cairns Airport

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Locations in Cairns Airport

Terminal Building

+61 7 4033 9555

Monday07:00 - 22:00
Tuesday07:00 - 22:00
Wednesday07:00 - 22:00
Thursday07:00 - 22:00
Friday07:00 - 22:00
Saturday07:00 - 22:00
Sunday07:00 - 22:00
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Reviews

6.8 Okay

Dec 2019

KAYAK

Pros:

Upgraded car.

Cons:

Drop off

8.4 Very Good

Aug 2019

KAYAK

Cons:

Seams like a lot of money

2.0 Poor

Mar 2019

KAYAK

Cons:

Cust service rep was miserable, rude, condescending, and short with answers. Should realize that without customer she is without employment. Train these people to understand they are providing a valuable service and not treat the people who pay their salary with obvious disdain

7.6 Good

Jan 2019

KAYAK

Pros:

Our car was not ready, we had to wait a bit. Avis discounted our rate a bot for the inconvenience. It was a very comfortable vehicle but front end maintenance needed signal beeped at us quite a bit which was a little unsettling

Cons:

See above

2.0 Poor

Apr 2022

KAYAK
I could not rate the car as Avis cancelled my booking with out even notifying me on arrival to Cairns airport the staff just said it had been cancelled but could not give a reason for cancellation or lack of notification he did give a very insincere sorry with out any attempt to help slove the lack of a car over all Avis wrecked my 7 day stay in Cairns as it is hard relying on public transport to navigate around all the tourist attractions the area has to offer with out a car with all that said avoid Avis at all cost

1 out of 2

JUCY

10.0

Wonderful

No reviews available

Best rated
Most popular

Cleanliness

10.0

Comfort

10.0

Pick-up/Drop-off

10.0

Value for money

10.0

2 locations in Cairns Airport

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from $45/day

Locations in Cairns Airport

55 Dutton Street

+61 1800 150 850

Opening times not available

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Cairns Off Airport Location

+61 1800 150 850

Monday09:00 - 13:00
Tuesday09:00 - 13:00
Wednesday09:00 - 13:00
Thursday09:00 - 13:00
Friday09:00 - 13:00
Saturday09:00 - 13:00
Sunday09:00 - 13:00
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No reviews available

Dollar

9.0

Wonderful

No reviews available

One location in Cairns Airport

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from $161/day

Locations in Cairns Airport

Airport Ave

+61 1800 501 934

Monday06:00 - 23:00
Tuesday06:00 - 23:00
Wednesday06:00 - 23:00
Thursday06:00 - 23:00
Friday06:00 - 23:00
Saturday06:00 - 23:00
Sunday06:00 - 23:00
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No reviews available

Firefly

7.5

Good

No reviews available

One location in Cairns Airport

Locations in Cairns Airport

Airport Ave

+61 740 359 299

Monday04:00 - 23:30
Tuesday04:00 - 23:30
Wednesday04:00 - 23:30
Thursday04:00 - 23:30
Friday04:00 - 23:30
Saturday04:00 - 23:30
Sunday04:00 - 23:30

Filters

No reviews available

National

7.0

Good

No reviews available

2 locations in Cairns Airport

Locations in Cairns Airport

Terminal Buildinairport Avenue

+61 7 4034 9045

Monday07:00 - 22:00
Tuesday07:00 - 22:00
Wednesday07:00 - 22:00
Thursday07:00 - 22:00
Friday07:00 - 22:00
Saturday07:00 - 22:00
Sunday07:00 - 22:00

Terminalbuildingairport Avenue

+61 7 4034 9045

Monday07:00 - 22:00
Tuesday07:00 - 22:00
Wednesday07:00 - 22:00
Thursday07:00 - 22:00
Friday07:00 - 22:00
Saturday07:00 - 22:00
Sunday07:00 - 22:00

Filters

No reviews available

keddy by Europcar

8.0

Very Good

No reviews available

One location in Cairns Airport

Locations in Cairns Airport

Terminal Building

+61 740 349 088

Monday08:00 - 15:00
Tuesday08:00 - 15:00
Wednesday08:00 - 15:00
Thursday08:00 - 15:00
Friday08:00 - 15:00
Saturday08:00 - 15:00
Sunday08:00 - 15:00

Filters

No reviews available

Payless

5.7

Fair

No reviews available

One location in Cairns Airport

Locations in Cairns Airport

Cairns Airport

Monday00:00 - 01:3004:30 - 23:59
Tuesday04:30 - 23:5900:00 - 01:30
Wednesday04:30 - 23:5900:00 - 01:30
Thursday00:00 - 01:3004:30 - 23:59
Friday04:30 - 23:5900:00 - 01:30
Saturday04:30 - 23:5900:00 - 01:30
Sunday04:30 - 23:5900:00 - 01:30

Filters

No reviews available

Sunnycars

No score available yet

3 locations in Cairns Airport

Locations in Cairns Airport

146 Sheridan Street

Opening times not available

Airport Avenue

Opening times not available

Terminal Building

Opening times not available

Filters

No reviews available

Red Spot

No score available yet

2 locations in Cairns Airport

Locations in Cairns Airport

Cairns Airport Terminal 1 International

Opening times not available

Cairns Airport Terminal 2 Domestic

Opening times not available

Filters

No reviews available

Atlas Car & Truck Rental

No score available yet

One location in Cairns Airport

Locations in Cairns Airport

410 Sheridan Street Cairns, QLD

1800 808 122

Opening times not available

Filters

No reviews available

Atlas Choice

No score available yet

One location in Cairns Airport

Locations in Cairns Airport

410 Sheradan Street

1800 808 122

Opening times not available

Filters

No reviews available

Autorent Car Rental

No score available yet

One location in Cairns Airport

Locations in Cairns Airport

Cairns Airport CNS

+61 7 4041 0895

Opening times not available

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No reviews available

Enterprise Rent-A-Car

No score available yet

One location in Cairns Airport

Locations in Cairns Airport

Terminal Building

+61 7 4034 9045

Monday07:00 - 22:00
Tuesday07:00 - 22:00
Wednesday07:00 - 22:00
Thursday07:00 - 22:00
Friday07:00 - 22:00
Saturday07:00 - 22:00
Sunday07:00 - 22:00

Filters

No reviews available

Shouqi

No score available yet

One location in Cairns Airport

Locations in Cairns Airport

Terminal Building

+86 10 6064 1387

Opening times not available

Filters

No reviews available

113 travellers who rented a car in Cairns Airport gave the car agency they used an average rating of 5.7

Car rental locations at Cairns Airport

Good to know

Most popular agency

JUCY

Most popular car type

Economy

Average price

$67/day

Good deal

$58/day