Ballina car hire information
| Pick-up location | Ballina |
|---|---|
| Car types | Compact, Compact SUV, Full-size SUV, Intermediate, Intermediate SUV, Standard SUV |
| Hire locations | 24 |
| Airport locations | 13 |
| Popular agencies | Sixt, Dollar, Thrifty |
Cheap car rentals in Ballina
| Compact | $112/day |
| Intermediate | $119/day |
| Full-size SUV | $183/day |
| Compact SUV | $120/day |
| Intermediate SUV | $126/day |
| Standard SUV | $129/day |
KAYAK’s top tips for hiring a car in Ballina
- Make sure you're following the local road rules when driving your hire car in Ballina. While some states require drivers to leave a two-second gap behind the car in front of them, New South Wales requires a three-second gap. In poor weather conditions or on unsealed roads, increase the distance to a four-second gap. Some rules are more relaxed than in other states, for example, you are permitted to use your phone to pay for drive-through or parking tickets, so long as the vehicle is stationary. The engine does not have to be switched off. You can also use your phone to present an official digital licence to a police officer if you get pulled over.
- If you prefer driving electric vehicles, they can be a great choice for cheap car hire in Ballina. Multiple hotels have EV charging stations available, including the local Travelodge and Ballina Homestead Motel. You can also leave your car to charge while you do some shopping at Ballina Central Shopping Centre or refuel at BP Ballina Travel Centre’s fast charger towards the edge of town. If you plan on doing some day trips, you can also find chargers at many nearby towns, including Byron Bay and Brunswick Heads along the coast and Lismore further inland.
- Byron Bay is one of the most popular day trip destinations from Ballina, but it can also be just one stop on a road trip to the Far North Coast. Between Byron Bay and Ballina, check out Lennox Heads and the beautiful Lake Ainsworth. Past Byron Bay, you can visit Brunswick Heads and South Golden Beach. You can even head all the way to Queensland if you take the inland route to Coolangatta, but the scenic way with a few stops en route is a great way to spend at least one day of your trip and make the best use of cheap car hire in Ballina.
- Explore the stunning coastline of the Northern Rivers region with the privacy of a hire car in Ballina. The town is a gateway to Byron Bay; however, having a car will let you see smaller villages along the way, such as Lennox Head, that are bypassed on bus services. Driving to the hippie paradise of Nimbin takes roughly 1h from either Ballina or Byron Bay, though the journey is tripled with public transport and requires a connection through Lismore. Macadamia Castle is a popular attraction 15min out of Ballina by car, which has no direct public transport connection. The drive to Byron Bay from Ballina Byron Gateway Airport (BNK) takes about 40min, with a hire car saving money on an expensive taxi or shuttle transfer.
- Reception desks of major car hire companies including Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz and Thrifty are located directly across from the baggage claim area at Ballina Byron Gateway Airport (BNK). As the airport only has one terminal and a regional scale of passengers, walking to the car park and locating your hire car doesn’t take long.
- Ballina has a laid-back atmosphere where jaywalking is common. Take extra care to reduce your driving speed and give way to pedestrians at all times. Due to its location at the junction of Emigrant Creek, North Creek and Richmond River, Ballina can experience flooding in the area and on low-lying bridges. If driving after heavy rainfall, approach bridges with caution and ensure an unobstructed passing is possible. Reduce tyre pressure and research tide times if you are going to go beach driving along the coast.
- The central district of Ballina experiences little congestion and shouldn’t cause you to adjust your travel plans. The Pacific Mwy leading to Byron Bay is busiest on weekends between 10:00–12:00, while holiday periods can also see traffic spike.
- Book your rental car in Ballina at least 1 week before your trip in order to get a below-average price
- Intermediate rental cars in Ballina are around 40% cheaper than other car types, on average
FAQs about renting a car in Ballina
What type of car is recommended for driving in Ballina?
As Ballina roads are wide and peaceful to drive on, there’s no need to forfeit comfort or preference when choosing a hire car. Premium models are great for enjoying the seaside stretch of road towards Broken Head. Economy cars offer the cheapest prices and have excellent fuel efficiency. A 4x4 is necessary if you’re considering going off road and tackling the inland trails or sandy beaches.
What’s the speed limit in Ballina?
The default speed limit is 50 km/h with many key arterial roads such as The Coast Rd set at 60 km/h. Be attentive to signage on the Pacific Mwy, as built-up areas have a limit of 80 km/h while rural sections increase to 100 km/h.
Where are the best places to park in Ballina?
Free parking is available in the centre of town, restricted to 1h or 2h along River St and Cherry St. Unrestricted spaces can be found a few blocks back from the shopping strip, on Holden Ln and Tamar St.
How much is the price of fuel in Ballina?
The average price of fuel in Ballina is $7.06 per litre over the past 30 days. Filling up a tank of uel costs between $85 and $113, depending on the car size.
What is the most popular car hire in Ballina?
Intermediate (Hyundai Accent or similar) is the most frequently booked car hire type in Ballina.
How can I find car hires near me in Ballina?
Take a look at our extensive car hire location map to find the best car hire deals near you.
How much does an Intermediate car hire cost in Ballina?
An Intermediate car hire in Ballina costs $67 per day, on average.
How much does an Economy car hire cost in Ballina?
An Economy car hire in Ballina costs $69 per day, on average.
How much does a Compact car hire cost in Ballina?
A Compact car hire in Ballina costs $85 per day, on average.
What is the most popular rental car location in Ballina?
In Ballina, cars are most frequently hired at Sixt Terminal Building (3 km from city centre ).
What are the car seat laws in Ballina?
If you have children travelling with you in your hire car in Ballina, they may need a child restraint or booster seat. Children under 145 cm must be in a forward-facing child restraint or booster that suits their height and weight. Children aged six months to four years can use either a rear- or forward-facing seat, and those under six months must be in a rear-facing seat.
How old do I need to be to get a Ballina hire car?
Most Ballina car hire companies will hire a car to drivers 21 and older who have held their licence for at least one year. There is usually no maximum age limit.
Ballina car rental reviews and directory
Europcar
10.0
Wonderful
2 reviewsCleanliness
10.0
Comfort
9.0
Pick-up/Drop-off
10.0
Value for money
10.0
2 locations in Ballina
Avis
9.5
Wonderful
6 reviewsCleanliness
9.5
Comfort
9.5
Pick-up/Drop-off
9.0
Value for money
8.5
2 locations in Ballina
Filters
Reviews
3.2 Poor
Jan 2018
Cons:
i have been bill 100$ more for damages i did not do and i think it was there before10.0 Wonderful
Nov 2022
10.0 Wonderful
Apr 2022
Thrifty
8.0
Very Good
3 reviewsCleanliness
8.0
Comfort
8.0
Pick-up/Drop-off
8.0
Value for money
8.0
3 locations in Ballina
Sixt
8.0
Very Good
2 reviewsCleanliness
10.0
Comfort
10.0
Pick-up/Drop-off
8.0
Value for money
9.0
2 locations in Ballina
Firefly
10.0
Wonderful
No reviews available
2 locations in Ballina
Budget
8.4
Very Good
No reviews available
2 locations in Ballina
Hertz
7.3
Good
No reviews available
2 locations in Ballina
keddy by Europcar
6.0
Okay
No reviews available
2 locations in Ballina
Routes Car & Truck Rentals
4.8
Mediocre
No reviews available
One location in Ballina
Sunnycars
No score available yet
3 locations in Ballina
Dollar
No score available yet
2 locations in Ballina
Shouqi
No score available yet
One location in Ballina
Car hire locations in or near Ballina
Good to know
Most popular car type | Intermediate |
|---|