Car hire in Sunshine Coast, Australia

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Choose from 26 pick-up spots

When's the cheapest time to hire a car in Sunshine Coast?

Our data shows that July is the cheapest month to rent a car in Sunshine Coast. It’s around R 919 per day in July, compared to the yearly average of R 1,147 per day.
Cheapest month avgJuly • R 919
Yearly avg priceR 1,147

Select your Sunshine Coast pick-up location

There are 26 car hire providers in Sunshine Coast. Check out the map below to find the most convenient pick-up spot.

Car hire pick-up spots in Sunshine Coast

Compare car hire prices at airports, train stations and in different neighbourhoods across Sunshine Coast. You might find a better price, or the perfect pick-up point nearby. Start your journey where it suits you.
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These are estimated prices to help you choose from a large number of options. Each is an average based on the lowest car rental prices found for each destination over the last 15 days.

The most popular car rental companies in Sunshine Coast

Hiring a car in Sunshine Coast: Fast facts

Here's everything you need to know to hit the road happy.
Most popular car hire companyBargain Car Rentals
Most popular carCompact, People Carrier
Average daily priceR 1,535
Best time to book3 weeks before

How to book the best car rental deals in Sunshine Coast

We’re frequently named as the most trusted travel search site out there. We scan hundreds of trusted travel providers and put it all in one place, allowing you to instantly compare car hire rates and then book with no fees. Here's how to get the most out of your Sunshine Coast car rental search.

How to find a cheap car hire deal in Sunshine Coast

  • Pick up a cheap rental car in Sunshine Coast for an average of R 1,535 a day and hit the road happy. We do the hard work for you by searching the best rental providers, so you can easily compare prices and book.

  • Daily rental prices in Sunshine Coast start from just R 704.

  • For longer trips, book a weekly rental from R 4,922 and make room for more adventures.

  • Consider this your cheat code for when to book. Around one week in advance gives you the best chance at finding the best price on a Sunshine Coast car hire.

  • Find your perfect ride with Bargain Car Rentals, East Coast or Apex. They're some of the most popular providers in the city.

  • The coverage Bargain Car Rentals or another company offers for your Sunshine Coast car hire can vary, so remember to go over the small print. While some include a collision damage waiver (CDW), others will provide it for an extra charge.

  • Booking one-way could snag you a bargain on your rental. Providers sometimes offer lower rates when vehicles need to be moved between branches. Simply choose 'Return car to a different location' when searching the cars for rent in Sunshine Coast.

  • Skip the hidden fees by choosing a vehicle with a 'Fair fuel policy.' Start and end your trip with a full tank, and pay only for what you use.

  • Hit the road without tracking every mile and racking up additional fees. Go to the 'Policies' filter and pick 'Unlimited mileage' to find a ride that lets you explore further.

Best value car hire options right now

  • Topping the list for value is this company, with prices averaging R 1,800 a day.

  • Taking second place is [this provider](this provider](https://www.skyscanner.co.za/car-hire/car-hire-with-provider/hertz/672)), offering daily rates of around R 1,711.

  • The third option won't cost a fortune either. You'll pay roughly R 1,727 a day with this supplier.

  • Want a car that's the reliable option for most getaways? The Compact rental category ranks as the top pick for travellers visiting Sunshine Coast.

Flying to Sunshine Coast? Think about an airport pick-up

  • If you're flying into Sunshine Coast, get going faster by booking a car hire at Sunshine Coast Airport. The drive time from this airport to the city centre is around 14 kilometres and takes about 20 minutes.

Compare car hire types in Sunshine Coast

  • Small: These cheap rental cars in Sunshine Coast may be small in size, but they're big where it counts. Including mini and economy vehicles, they're easy to manoeuvre, great on mileage, and just the thing for short trips.

  • Medium: Choose from compact and intermediate cars that combine fuel efficiency, space and comfort. Easy to manoeuvre in cities and roomy enough for longer drives, they're a great all-rounder.

  • Large: Offering a more comfortable ride and improved tech features, this Sunshine Coast car hire category includes full-size cars. With bigger back seats and plenty of storage space, they let you load up and transport everyone, and everything, with ease.

  • SUV: SUVs are your four-wheel fix for wanderlust. All-wheel drive and everyday versatility equip them for urban streets and winding backroads alike.

  • Van: If you're searching for a car for rent in Sunshine Coast big enough for a small crowd (and all their gear), a van has room where it matters. Including commercial vans and trucks, they're a great choice for group trips, business needs or moving.

Insurance and optional extras

  • Choosing excess insurance for your Sunshine Coast car hire can take the stress out of driving. It protects you from paying a hefty excess fee in case of a collision or theft. Insurance policies can differ between rental providers, so give them a quick comparison.

  • From GPS units to reverse cameras, the right extras can seriously level up your drive. Consider which features will help you make the most of your trip when you rent a car in Sunshine Coast.

Good to know

  • Check each provider's age requirements before booking your car hire in Australia. Rules can vary, and added fees or restrictions may apply if you're a younger driver. At the start of your search, uncheck the 'Driver aged between 25–70' box and enter your age to explore your options.

  • If you're travelling with kids, check if you need to add a car seat to your Sunshine Coast car hire booking. Whether local laws require them or not, they're always the safest way for little ones to travel.

  • You'll have to provide some documents when you get to the rental desk. As a general rule, bring your physical driver's licence, a credit card with enough balance for the deposit (debit cards usually aren't accepted), and additional photo ID. Your booking confirmation will spell it all out.

  • Familiarise yourself with your rental. Check your seat and mirrors, test the brakes and blinkers, and get a feel for its handling before you set off. And remember to stick to the left side of the road in Australia.

  • Local speed limits can vary, but it's usually around 45kph in urban areas and 95kph or so on highways. Always check the posted signs.

  • A blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit of 0.05% applies in Australia. The most reliable way to be safe to drive is to avoid drinking completely.

  • Around 8am is one of the busiest times for traffic in this destination. Try to avoid rush hours if you want a smoother run.

  • The Australian dollar (AUD) is the currency you'll be using for general expenses and activities. Pay with a card when it's convenient, but carry a little cash when electronic payments aren't available.

Best hotels in Sunshine Coast for drivers

  • Offering parking, Number One in Hastings Street adds extra convenience to your stay. This hotel is around 3 kilometres from central Sunshine Coast and also comes with an outdoor swimming pool and Wi-Fi.

  • Or take advantage of the parking at Noosa Village River Resort. The city centre is roughly 2 kilometres from this option, which also features a steam room and express check-in.

  • Browse the range of hotels in Sunshine Coast for even more choice. Use the 'Parking,' 'Valet parking,' and 'Outdoor parking' filters to find the perfect fit. You can even apply the 'Electric vehicle (EV) charging station' filter to bring up places with on-site charging.

  • Once you've found a car hire deal in Sunshine Coast and your hotel, the only thing left is to decide where to head to first. Get things started at a top attraction like Baroon Lookout.

Hit the road: Where to drive to from Sunshine Coast

  • Buderim should be on your to-do list if you'd like to visit Tree of Life and Buderim Lions Lookout. This city is around 32 kilometres south of central Sunshine Coast.

  • You'll be well looked after at Ingenia Holidays Rivershore and Novotel Sunshine Coast Resort, two reliable accommodation options with parking in Buderim.

  • Add Caboolture to your journey too. Pick up your cheap car hire in Sunshine Coast and drive roughly 80 kilometres south to explore leading attractions like Abbey Museum of Art and Archaeology and North Harbour Heritage Park & Mountain Bike Trail.

  • Caboolture Motel and Best Western Caboolture Gateway Motel are comfortable places to stay in Caboolture if you've got more than a quick stop in mind. Go for one of these and take the hassle out of finding a spot for your ride.

  • Browse the room options at Springwood Motor Inn or The Glen Hotel and Suites. Make one your base for exploring everything Logan City has to offer. They also have parking available.

Frequently asked questions

On average, hiring a car in Sunshine Coast will set you back around R 1,535 per day or R 10,743 per week. 

The cheapest car to rent in Sunshine Coast is a compact van or truck. The most popular is Compact, People Carrier.

The cheapest car hire companies in Sunshine Coast are currently Bargain Car Rentals and Hertz.

Bagging the best car hire deal depends on when you book  – often, it pays to book your wheels as far in advance as possible. But according to our data, the cheapest month to rent a car in Sunshine Coast is currently November.

On average, around R 10,743. But the best price we found for car hire for a week in Sunshine Coast is R 4,922.

If you're looking for freedom to explore Sunshine Coast, choose a car with unlimited mileage, or look for car hire deals with a ’full to full' fuel policy as opposed to a 'half-full to full' one.

We also clearly highlight car and van hire options in Sunshine Coast that have free cancellation

Yes – you can easily find car hire companies that allow you to pick up your car in one place, and then drop it off in another. Just select ‘Return car to a different location’ when you search with us.

Public transport can only get you so far, and could be tricky to navigate with children or luggage. With your own set of wheels, you can go wherever you want, whenever you want, for as long as you want. And you'll be able to discover more outside of Sunshine Coast.

Most places – Sunshine Coast included – allow under 25s to rent a car as long as they provide a valid driver's license and the correct documentation. It may cost slightly more due to a higher insurance excess for young drivers. 

The cheapest price we found for an economy car is R 790 per day. The average price per day is around R 1,595.

Of course. Most major car hire companies like Bargain Car Rentals, bespoke noosa car rentals and Apex offer baby and child seats as an add-on when you book.

Other travellers rated Bargain Car Rentals as the best overall in terms of experience.

Yes – van hire is available in Sunshine Coast.