Canberra car hire

Roads are wide and parking spaces are rather accessible in Canberra, meaning you don’t have to sacrifice on comfort or taste when choosing a hire car. Larger people movers and 4x4 cars navigate the city without issue, while compact models provide budget-friendly prices and are very fuel efficient.

Unless otherwise indicated, the maximum speed is 50 km/h. The reduced school zone limit of 40 km/h is enforced longer than most states across Australia: from 08:00–16:00. Speed and red light cameras are common throughout the city, so be vigilant while behind the wheel.

Canberra Centre Car Park is located right in the heart of the shopping district and offers 3h of parking for approximately A$ 6. If you’re visiting on the weekend, make use of cheaper Sunday parking which is only about A$ 2 for the whole day. Citywest Car Park has a flat rate of about A$ 15 if you’re happy to park on the rooftop and is open Monday to Friday.

Take a look at our extensive car hire location map to find the best car hire deals near you.

A Standard car hire in Canberra costs $144 per day, on average.

A Compact car hire in Canberra costs $74 per day, on average.

A Special car hire in Canberra costs $171 per day, on average.

If you're staying in Canberra, then a dedicated sat nav will likely be unnecessary. The city is quite easy to navigate and your phone should be enough (just make sure you can use it hands-free). If you're heading into rural areas of the ACT and NSW, you may find you don't have internet coverage. You can check with your Canberra car hire provider on whether you’re likely to need a satellite GPS.

When driving your hire car in Canberra, be aware that you may encounter animals such as kangaroos and deer, even in built-up areas. Stay vigilant, particularly at dawn and dusk, and if you see animals on the road, slow down or brake while continuing to drive straight.