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Car Hire in Cairns
Pickup & return
* Available from 6am - 11pm *
No membership fees
Additional drivers
Free cancellation up to 48 hours before pickup
Car Rental in Cairns
Explore Cairns with ease by renting a car with Uber Carshare! Our platform features a wide range of vehicles, conveniently located throughout the city. From SUVs to compact cars ideal for zipping around town, you're sure to find the right ride for your needs. Instead of dealing with the hassle of traditional car rental companies, our flexible pickup and drop-off hours, allow you to easily borrow a car with the click of a button. No need to wait in line or sign tedious paperwork. Plus, with cars conveniently located near local landmarks such as the Cairns Esplanade or Rusty's Markets, you can easily get where you need to go! Simply become a member and use our app to find and rent a car by the hour or by the day. Don't let the hassle of transportation hold you back from truly experiencing all that Cairns has to offer. Book your car rental in Cairns with Uber Carshare today!
Browse rental cars in Cairns
Subaru Impreza 2014
2 of 2
From $30/hr or $180/day + 53c/km incl. fuel
Suzuki swift 2011
96 of 102
From $12/hr or $30/day + 45c/km incl. fuel
Suzuki Ignis 2017
8 of 8
From $9.07/hr or $35/day + 45c/km incl. fuel
Hyundai i20 2014
0 of 0
From $12/hr or $60/day + 21c/km incl. fuel
Dodge Caliber 2012
8 of 8
From $7.69/hr or $38.46/day + 33c/km incl. fuel
Toyota Yaris 2008
26 of 30
From $9.95/hr or $27.95/day + 45c/km incl. fuel
Hassle-free car rental
The easiest way to get driving in Cairns.
Tap, book and drive
Rent a car using the Uber Carshare app. No rental counters, no access cards and no worries.
Hundreds of cars near you
Rent cars owned by locals - parked on your street, or near the airport.
Only pay for what you need
Rent by the hour or day, week or longer.
See how we compare
All trips include fuel, damage cover and 24/7 roadside assistance.
Rent for 2 hours
Drive for 25km
$29
Uber Carshare
Hourly rate $7 x 2 = $14
Distance rate 33c/km (incl. fuel) $8.25
Booking fee $7
$57
Traditional Car Share
Hourly rate $9.90 x 2 = $19.80
1 month membership (incl. 150km fuel) $37
$60
Rental Agency
Daily rate, minimum spend $57
Fuel $3
Prices are based on average rates for a standard car, including average fuel costs and minimum membership fees as of August 2021.
Show price breakdown
Rent for 1 day
Drive for 50km
$59
Uber Carshare
Daily rate $35
Distance rate 33c/km (incl. fuel) $16.50
Booking fee $7
$123
Traditional Car Share
Daily rate $86
1 month membership (incl. 150km fuel) $37
$65
Rental Agency
Daily rate $57
Fuel $8
Prices are based on average rates for a standard car, including average fuel costs and minimum membership fees as of August 2021.
Show price breakdown
Rent for 5 days
Drive for 250km
$265
Uber Carshare
Daily rate $35 x 5 = $175
Distance rate 33c/km (incl. fuel) $82.50
Booking fee $7
$483
Traditional Car Share
Daily rate $86 x 5 = $430
1 month membership (incl. 150km fuel) $37
100km fuel $16
$325
Rental Agency
Daily rate $57 x 5 = $285
Fuel $40
Prices are based on average rates for a standard car, including average fuel costs and minimum membership fees as of August 2021.
Show price breakdown
Find the perfect rental car
There's all kinds of cars to rent in Cairns.
Frequently asked questions
International drivers are welcome to rent cars in Cairns. You just need to hold a full unrestricted driver licence from your home country, with a formal English translation if it is in another language.
Our pricing works slightly differently from traditional car rental companies. When you borrow a car with Uber Carshare, you pay for both the time you have the car and the distance you drive, as well as your damage cover and booking fee.
Uber Carshare trips are covered through Mobility Mutual - a member-owned mutual risk protection fund that’s specifically designed for our car-sharing community. Each time you borrow a car with Uber Carshare you will be able to select the excess option which best suits your needs.
With Uber Carshare you can access hundreds of cars parked on streets and in car parks all over Cairns. There’s probably one within a few minutes walk from your home! Looking for something a bit bigger? Check our Utes and Vans in Cairns.
No credit card? No problem. Once you’ve joined up, you can hire a car without a credit card. We accept any Visa or Mastercard debit or credit card - just make sure it has the necessary funds available! Note that members will be charged a $150 deposit on their first booking, which will be returned after the trip is completed.
Neighbourhood guide
New to Cairns or stopping by? We've got you covered.
Useful Information about Cairns
New to Cairns or just stopping by? It’s not only about car hire in Cairns. Whether you’re heading straight from Cairns airport or driving in from elsewhere, we’ve got you covered. Discover where to go and what to see during your trip.
What to do in Cairns
Cairns is a laid-back city best enjoyed outdoors. The gateway to North Queensland, visit Cairns for:
- the Great Barrier Reef
- Wet Tropics World Heritage Rainforest
- bustling markets
- world-class cafés
- beaches just a stone's throw away.
7 of the best day trips from Cairns city
When you’re in a city wedged between the wet tropics and the Great Barrier Reef, you know the road trips are going to be good. Jump in your hire car and get ready for adventure.
Experience the bustling mountain towns or head off the beaten path with these seven unmissable road trips from Cairns.
Cairns: must-sees and must-dos
A laid-back yet vibrant city, Cairns is where your holiday will begin. Your day might look like this:
- Hit the morning markets.
- Swim in the sparkling Esplanade Lagoon or Trinity Beach.
- Taste fresh seafood off the back of a fish trawler.
- Spend the afternoon by the pool with your long-awaited holiday read, or shop up a storm.
- Finish the day off in style at one of Cairns’ world-class cafés, restaurants or rooftop bars.
But in Cairns, connecting with nature goes deeper and you get the chance to experience local indignous culture on guided tours. Or explore the Daintree rainforest with Kuku Yalanji people at the Mossman Gorge Centre, a short drive north of Cairns.
Another must-see to the north is Port Douglas. Rent a car and hit the road to enjoy sophisticated dining, shopping and sprawling natural beaches. Over 80% of the land is protected under World Heritage listing.
And of course, you must see the Great Barrier Reef. Grab a car hire in Cairns and head to the reef on your own time. Choose from an array of reef tours, or head up in a light plane and see the stunning views from above.
Exploring a little further afield, jump on the car ferry that takes you over the Daintree River and towards Cape Tribulation. Feel awed amongst the world’s oldest rainforest, and eat some ice cream made from local exoctic ingredients. And for a less indulgent but equally enjoyable treat, try some of the famous local tropical fruits.
What to know about the seasons in Cairns
The first thing you need to know: there's no bad time to visit Cairns. Every season delivers natural wonders, city sophistication, laid back beaches and friendly locals.
Winter: June to August
Cairns and surrounds are at their busiest in June, July and August. But don’t let that put you off – there’s a mighty good reason for that. As those from colder climes escape winter, you can join them in enjoying the balmy Cairns welcome.
- Enjoy a road trip to Palm Cove or adventure up Cape York.
- Dive with rare dwarf minke whales.
- Camp under endless stars.
- Explore the reef and its many islands.
Spring: September to November
Spring is when things start heating up again in Cairns. The dry weather makes for endless opportunities to explore.
- Soak in freshwater swimming holes.
- Dive the Great Barrier Reef.
- Hike untouched national parks.
- Experience the awe inspiring annual coral spawning event.
Summer: December to February
While hot and humid, visit Cairns in December, January or February to see nature come alive.
- Treat your tastebuds to some of the freshest tropical fruit you’ll find anywhere in the world.
- Marvel at the world’s oldest rainforest fresh from rain – take in the smells and watch the colours brighten in front of your eyes.
- Keep your eyes open for the famous Cassowaries and their young, too, who roam freely through summer.
Autumn: March to May
The heat continues through March, April and May, but you can rely on a rejuvenating afternoon shower most days.
- Chase waterfalls at their magnificent peaks.Chase waterfalls at their magnificent peaks.
- Go a white water rafting adventure.
- Enjoy a secluded and cool rainforest cabin.
- Grab a car hire in Cairns and road trip through the outback as it turns a lush green.
Want to learn more about Cairns? Visit Queensland Tourism.
Get Inspired
Ideas for your next QLD adventures.
