Car Rental Gold Coast Airport

Tips for Car Rental Gold Coast Airport

There are two main options for car rentals on arrival at the Coolangatta Gold Coast Airport:

• On airport car hire
• Near airport car hire

The biggest question about hiring a car at Coolangatta Airport on the Gold Coast is:

Should I use the on airport hire cars or the off airport rental car companies?

If you read on, you will find pros and cons for each and can then make your own mind up.

Considerations for Car Rental at Gold Coast Airport

Airport car hire is certainly very convenient.

The car hire companies at Coolangatta Airport are right by the baggage claim for domestic passengers and a short walk for international passengers.

Generally, the rental car companies at the Gold Coast Airport are the big ones that can afford airport rents.

Of course those costs are passed on to you in the form of an airport surcharge!

For car rentals at any airport you trade convenience with cost.

Some considerations are:

• Your car hire budget
• How many days you plan to use the car during your trip
• Where you plan to go
• What you plan to use the car for
• How many people you are travelling with
• Where you are staying

For example, hiring a car can almost pay for itself just in the airport transfers if you are a family. If your accommodation is not close to public transport or is a little out of the way and you need to drive to get anywhere, then a car is almost essential.

If, on the other hand, you are on a tight budget and travelling by yourself then hiring a car probably doesn't make that much sense. There are other transport options you can consider. Or you can consider one of the cheaper car rental options such as looking at the off airport hire car companies or car rentals in Surfers Paradise for the days you plan to use a car.

Car Rental Gold Coast Airport Companies

When I am on holiday with my family, I don't like to mess around with cheap older cars or getting transferred off the airport to pick up a hire car.

I want to enjoy my holiday not sit in a car waiting for roadside assistance!

On the one hand I like to know I am getting a certain standard. I also like to think I am not going to pay over the top for a hire car either.

Hiring directly at the airport is always a bit of a compromise. But it is essential that you book ahead.

You may not get any car, if you just turn up expecting one at the airport. It just doesn't happen.

There are six main on airport car agencies:

• Avis
• Budget
• Europcar
• Hertz
• Thrifty
• Redspot

I usually try to compare the prices and offerings of Avis, Budget Europcar, Hertz and Thrifty as I know what standard I will get. I use a car hire comparison tool as I find it the best way to see the different options all on the one page.

This comparison saves you time and money. I highly recommend it.

Comparison tools do not compare all the options... Just the majors

You will still need to look up prices for Redspot or East Coast Car Rentals.

Redspot is an Australian company founded in Sydney and which has expanded Australia wide. I see their cars around the coast quite a bit and I like what I see. They seem to have a good balance between quality and competitive price.

Redspot 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!

Off Airport Car Rental Gold Coast Airport

Here are some of the car rental companies close to Coolangatta and the airport:

• Airport Rent-a-Car
• Coolangatta Airport Car Rentals
• Economy Rental Cars
• Jetsetter Car Rentals
• Letz Rent a Car

Rental car companies located near to the airport will arrange a shuttle or pick up service to their location to secure your business.

Make sure you are fully aware of any airport transfer fees - some say they will pick you up for free but then call it an airport surcharge. You will sometimes have the choice of new cars or cheaper older cars.

These companies often don't rotate out their new cars as fast as the bigger more expensive companies, so if that worries you stick with the big guys!

Quick Tips for Car Rental Gold Coast 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!

Other Gold Coast Transport Options

Don't want to drive yourself?

If you don't want to drive whilst here on holiday there are many other transport options, including buses, shuttles, tours, limousines and helicopters to name a few!