Car Hire Brisbane Airport

Looking for Car Hire Brisbane Airport

Brisbane Airport is much bigger than Coolangatta Airport on the Gold Coast.

You need to make sure where you are hiring your car from. The choices are either the Domestic or the International Terminal otherwise you could get caught out at the wrong one!

First things first... Which terminal?

Brisbane Airport is big. The International and Domestic terminals are 2kms apart!

Each terminal is self contained for car rentals with their own airport car rentals areas.

• Brisbane Airport Car Hire at the domestic terminal
• Brisbane International Car Rentals

Considerations for Car Hire Brisbane Airport

If you are flying in or out of the airport at Brisbane, car hire is a bit more complicated than Gold Coast Airport car hire.

The main reason for this is domestic and international terminals are 2 kms apart and you need to travel between them either in a taxi or by the AirTrain.

When booking your Brisbane Airport car rental it is really important to make sure you book the car at the terminal you will arrive at.

The main brand name international global car rental franchises plus Red Spot Car Rentals (Australian owned) have representation in both terminals and when booking you just need to select the correct terminal.

As with any airport car rental you trade convenience with cost as you are usually paying a surcharge for picking up the car at the airport.

You may want to consider an airport transfer to your accommodation and then hiring a car close to your accommodation.

This can be particularly valid if you are arriving off an international flight and may be jet lagged or unused to driving on the left hand side of the road. Considerations and tips for driving in Australia.

Car Hire Brisbane Airport Domestic Terminal

The car rental companies in the Brisbane Domestic terminal are located on the ground floor just after baggage claim areas of both Qantas and Virgin Blue.

Car rentals Brisbane airport include the following car hire operators at the Brisbane domestic terminal building:

• Avis
• Budget Rent a Car
• Europcar
• Hertz
• Thrifty Car Rentals
• Red Spot Car Rentals

You can compare the prices of the major Brisbane Airport car hire companies by using a car hire comparison tool. I find it the best way to see the different options all on the one page.

It is highly recommended that you book ahead, including any extras you might need such as child seats and GPS as these are in high demand particularly at peak time. You cannot expect to turn up a the airport and hire a car on the spot.

Red Spot Car Rentals is an Australian company founded in Sydney and now expanding Australia wide. I see their cars around the coast quite a bit. They seem to have a good balance between quality and competitive price.

Red Spot Car Rentals have an option for full insurance and nothing to pay if you have a bingle in their cars whilst hiring them, so no nasty excesses! You pay upfront for peace of mind!

They have recently changed their website and it looks much better and I found it easier to navigate. When booking Red Spot Car Rentals at Brisbane Airport just select the airport to start with, when you get to the details page you can select which terminal (international or domestic), so you don't end up with a car booked at the wrong terminal!

East Coast Car Rentals are another option, though they are not represented at the airport, they have a shuttle that will pick you up. You definitely need to pre-book you car hire Brisbane airport before you fly in.

CAR HIRE TIP - Check your Travel Insurance Before You Hire A Car

I didn't realise until a recent interstate trip, that my travel insurance covered the excesses on my car hire! This save me so much money, I won't be travelling without insurance from now on! So check your Travel Insurance Policy to see if you are covered.

If you don't already have your travel insurance, check out the one I use Travel Insurance Direct - they even send you checklists and reminders and follow you up after your trip to find out if you need to claim! How good is that!

* - They have several versions of their policies, so always double check what is covered in the insurance policy you take out.

Car Hire Brisbane Airport International Terminal

Brisbane Airport International car rental companies are found on the 2nd floor arrivals area.

When you walk into the arrivals area and out of customs you will need to turn to your right and walk to the end of the terminal building. There you will find the following companies represented:

• Avis
• Budget
• Europcar
• Hertz
• Thrifty
• Redspot Car Rentals

East Coast Car Rentals are not at the airport but they have a shuttle that will pick you up. You need to pre-book.

Booking your car rental ahead of time is essential, especially at peak times and ensure you order any extras you might need such as child seats and GPS. You cannot expect to turn up at the airport and hire a car on the spot.

Quick Tips for Car Hire Brisbane Airport

• Read the fine print in the Terms of Conditions when booking a hire car!
• Australian or International drivers licences are required.
• Usually drivers must be over 21 years with higher insurance premiums for those under 25.
• In Australia we drive in right hand drive cars along the left hand side of the road!
• Manual transmissions are usually cheaper to hire than automatic transmission. If you can't drive a manual or stick shift, make sure you check the transmission type!
• Most cars use unleaded petrol not diesel - but diesel is becoming more popular. Always check before you fill up!

More tips for car rentals

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