Car Rental in Adelaide

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Pick-up location

Adelaide, Australia

Return car in same location

Pick-up date

Drop-off date

Driver's country of residence is United States of America (USA) and age is 30-65

700+ Trusted Suppliers:

Cheapest Car Rental Rates

Adelaide Edwardstown

Compact

Kia Cerato or similar

5
2
4
A/C
Auto.

per day

Adelaide Airport

Standard SUV

MG HS or similar

5
2
4
A/C
Auto.

per day

Adelaide North

Intermediate

Suzuki Baleno or similar

5
2
4
A/C
Auto.

per day

Travel Information

Languages

English

Currency

AUD

Drive on

Left-hand side

Country code

+61

Average car rental price

$44 per day

Average car rental length

7 days

Speed limit within town

50 km/h or 31 mph

Speed limit out of town

100 - 130 km/h or 62 - 81 mph

Acceptable limit of BAC

0.05%

Rating

9.2 / 10

Average gas price

$1.20 per liter or $4.53 per gallon

Lowest gas price

$1.10 per liter or $4.16 per gallon

Highest gas price

$1.33 per liter or $5.05 per gallon

Why rent a car in Adelaide?

Adelaide is a great place to visit. Although not as famous as other Australian cities like Sydney, Melbourne, or Perth, it has plenty to offer in terms of history, culture, and entertainment. Adelaide is also located near some of the most beautiful and unique nature in all of Australia, and all of it can be easily reached with a rental car.

One-Way Car Rentals in Adelaide

The most popular one-way rental options for pick up in Adelaide and drop off in another city include:

From Adelaide to Sydney - 56 offers from $24.00 per day
From Adelaide to Melbourne - 39 offers from $24.00 per day
From Adelaide to Cairns - 36 offers from $70.53 per day
From Adelaide to Canberra - 31 offers from $46.18 per day

Top ways to enter Adelaide

Adelaide Airport: By far the largest in South Australia and the fifth-busiest in the country, Adelaide Airport handled 8.4 million travelers in the 2017-18 financial year. The airport hosts a large number of domestic flights as well as flights to and from such destinations as New Zealand, Hong Kong, Qatar, Indonesia, and Singapore. Located just 6km (3.7 miles) southwest of the city center, the airport can be reached in about ten minutes.
Melbourne Airport: Although a whole day’s drive away, Melbourne-Tullamarine is technically the closest international airport to Adelaide. The second-busiest airport in the country handles around 35 million travelers every year offering flights to destinations not only in Australia, but also in Oceania, Asia, North America, and Europe. Located 720km (447 miles) southeast of Adelaide, Melbourne Airport can be reached in about eight hours. There are many daily flights connecting the two cities, so it might be a better idea to fly from Melbourne to Adelaide and to pick up a car after arriving in the latter.

City facts

Cooler than many other places in Australia (but still very warm), Adelaide enjoys a Mediterranean climate. The average high temperature is 30°C (85°F) in January and February, the hottest months, and 15°C (60°F) in July. The summers, lasting from December to February, are typically dry, but winters (from June to August) are much more humid. Snowfall is unheard of in Adelaide itself but can occur in the nearby mountains.
With a population of 1.34 million people, Adelaide is the capital and largest city of the state of South Australia. Indeed, about 75% of the state’s inhabitants live in or near the city. Adelaide is also the fifth-busiest city in Australia, behind only Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth, but ahead of the nation’s capital, Canberra. Adelaide has been frequently mentioned by The Economist and other outlets as the city with the highest quality of living in Australia and amongst the TOP 10 in the world. A person from Adelaide is called an Adelaidean.
Inhabited for centuries by the indigenous Kaurna people, Adelaide was originally called Tarndanyangga or ‘the place of the red kangaroo.’ British colonists settled in the area in 1836. Unlike many other British settlements in Australia, Adelaide was never the site of a penal colony; instead, it was settled by free immigrants. The city was named after Adelaide of Saxe-Meiningen, a European queen consort.

Top sights and activities

Bicentennial Conservatory. Although located indoors, this is a truly unique nature area as it creates the conditions of the tropical rainforest of Northern Australia as well as its neighbors Papua New Guinea, Oceania, and Indonesia. The conservatory works hard to get every aspect of the rainforest right, including even a mist that falls from the roof. The conservatory is part of the Adelaide Botanic Gardens which also has many different attractions and unique plants from all over Australia and the rest of the planet.
South Australian Museum. A great natural history museum, it has collections of such varied topics as South Australian biodiversity, megafauna that used to inhabit the earth, meteorites, and even Australian Polar expeditions. The museum is also said to host one of the best collections of Australian Aboriginal and Pacific Islander art in the world.
The beaches. Adelaide is a famous beach destination, with many beautiful coastal stretches located right in the city center. Glenelg Beach is hip and busy, Henley Beach is family-friendly and has a lot of dining opportunities right on the coast, Semaphore Beach is surrounded by sand dunes, and Port Noarlunga Beach is a water sports paradise. With a rental car, you can also travel west or east along the coast to find more secluded spots just for yourself.
Tandanya National Aboriginal Cultural Institute. Before the Europeans arrived in the mid-19th century, South Australia was already long inhabited by Indigenous Australians. The area of present-day Adelaide was inhabited by the Kaurna people who were neighbored by many other Aboriginal groups of surprising diversity. Celebrating this heritage, the Tandanya Institute is a great place to learn about indigenous culture, music, and society today.
National Railway Museum. The largest of its kind in all of Australia, the National Railway Museum displays historical trains and locomotives from various eras. Visitors can even take a short train ride within the museum’s premises. The National Railway Museum is in the Port Docks area, about a 20-minute drive northwest of the city center. Visitors who liked this place are likely to also appreciate the South Australian Maritime Museum.
The Adelaide Botanic Garden. The lungs of Adelaide, this botanic garden is an oasis of greenery in the heart of the city. Although perhaps not as exotic as the previously mentioned Bicentennial Conservatory, visiting the garden is one of the nicest ways to spend a long and relaxing day in Adelaide. Centrally located, the botanic garden is near a number of other notable landmarks.

Traffic and parking

One of the largest road hazards in Australia is the wildlife. Use extra caution when driving in bad weather or after dark as this is when most of the collisions with wildlife happen.
Mobile coverage is very rarely available outside of major highways and population centers, so use extra caution when traveling in rural areas.
Another great risk when traveling outside of main highways is the heat. The temperatures can reach extremes very easily, especially during the summer months and in inland areas. Always stay properly hydrated and set out your route in advance to be able to supplement your water supplies.
Laws regarding driving under the influence differ from state to state in Australia. In South Australia, the legal alcohol limit is 0.05% for experienced drivers and 0.00% for novice drivers and drivers with provisional licenses. Exceeding the limit can lead to large fines and a driver's license ban.
Proof of insurance and the car’s documentation needs to be in the car whenever you’re driving.
When driving, you need to have your passport or ID card with you at all times.
The primary, nationwide emergency number in Australia is 000.

Toll roads

There are currently no toll roads in South Australia. There are a number of toll roads in Australia, mainly in the states of Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland.

Most toll roads in Australia use an open toll system with mainline toll barriers. All toll roads in Australia use cashless payment system. You can purchase a prepaid pass for most toll roads. Some rental cars in Australia are equipped with an electronic transponder, the price of which is usually included in the rental price. Ask your car rental provider about it in advance.

Different toll roads are operated by different companies, so there is no nation-wide system in place.

Ideas for day trips

Adelaide Hills. Located near the city, the Adelaide Hills is a pretty area that offers an escape from the summer heat and is nice to visit year-round. A great place for a walk or a picnic, it also has attractions like the Mount Lofty Lookout, Belair National Park, and Cleland Conservation Park. The latter is a sanctuary for wildlife such as koalas, wombats, and Tasmanian devils. Located just 31km (19 miles) east of Adelaide, the hills take about 40 minutes to reach by car.
Victor Harbor. A scenic coastal town, Victor Harbor has attractions like the Steam Ranger Heritage Railway and the nearby Granite Island which has a colony of fairy penguins. The area is also near many surfing hotspots like Goolwa Beach, Port Elliot Beach, and Middletown Beach. Located 80km (50 miles) south of Adelaide, Victor Harbor can be reached in about 1 hour and 10 minutes.
Kangaroo Island. One of Australia’s largest islands, it is famous for its unspoiled nature, lighthouses, and, yes, lots of kangaroos (other unique wildlife like the echidna, platypus, fur seals, and sea lions also live there). The island can only be accessed by ferry, and while it is technically possible to bring a rental car on most boats, you should still ask your rental car provider in advance if they permit it. Kangaroo Island is some 210km (130 miles) southwest of Adelaide and takes about 3 hours and 30 minutes to reach (including the ferry trip). While it can technically be visited as a day trip, it is best to leave aside at least a couple of days to see more.
National parks. Adelaide is very near a number of national parks and other protected areas; and while not among the largest in the country, they offer a great opportunity to explore the region’s nature. These include Belair National Park (which is the oldest national park in South Australia), Onkaparinga National Park just south of the city, Cleland Conservation Park, and Mount Crawford Forest Reserve. All of these fascinating nature areas are just an hour’s drive or less from the city center of Adelaide.

Most popular cars

The most popular rental car in Adelaide is the Toyota Yaris, although many travelers also go for the Toyota Camry and the VW Golf. The most popular rental car types are economy, intermediate, and compact.

Further destinations

Melbourne. The capital of Victoria and Australia’ second-largest city, Melbourne is a center of art, culture, and entertainment. Visitors love the Royal Exhibition Building, Melbourne Aquarium, the National Gallery of Victoria along with countless other landmarks and attractions. Melbourne is 725km (450 miles) southeast of Adelaide and can be reached in about seven hours. There are plenty of attractions on the way, not least of which is the Great Ocean Road, one of the most scenic highways on the planet.
The Eyre Peninsula. A beautiful area with a somewhat remote and distinct fee to it, Eyre has endless pristine beaches, deep cliff caves, and Port Lincoln, a historical town that’s said to have the best seafood in the country. The area is also great for whale spotting and encounters with other aquatic wildlife. Port Lincoln is 650km (404 miles) west of Adelaide and can be reached in just under seven hours. You can explore the rest of the region from there.
Munga-Thirri-Simpson Conservation Park. A vast nature area, this conservation park is one of the best places to experience the Australian desert. Made up of endless dunes, Acacia forests, and dry lakes, the landscape is desolate but fascinating. Munga-Thirri is bordered by Kati Thanda Lake Eyre National Park and Witjira National Park. Important: The conservation park is not easy to access and has almost no human settlement nor gas stations. The destination should only be visited by experienced travelers who have previously visited a desert environment. It is best to book a tour or a guide or at the very least, to do a lot of research and prepare adequately. Also, keep in mind that the national park was closed to visitors for the summer of 2018-2019 because of extreme heat and the same might happen in upcoming summers.
Grampians National Park. Significantly more accessible than Munga-Thirri, Grampians is one of the largest national parks of the neighboring state of Victoria. Made up of sandstone cliffs, impressive waterfalls, and majestic views, the park is popular with hikers and climbers. The area is called Gariwerd by the Indigenous Peoples of the region, and you can learn more about them at the Brambuk National Park and Cultural Centre. Located about a five-hour drive from Adelaide, Grampians can be conveniently visited on the way to Melbourne. There are a number of guest houses and other types of accommodation around the park. Grampians is only an hour’s drive from the Little Desert National Park, another fascinating nature area.

Car rental prices in Adelaide

Station wagons - from $51 per day
Large cars - from $24 per day
Medium cars - from $23 per day
Vans - from $37 per day
Premium cars - from $47 per day
Small cars - from $29 per day
SUVs - from $34 per day

Money-saving and other tips

Follow these tips to land a great rental car in Adelaide:

Compare the rates of different rental car providers
Book your rental car well in advance
Plan your route before you go
Know your fuel and mileage requirements
Visit during the month when the rental prices are the cheapest. According to our data, visiting Adelaide is the cheapest in June when renting a car is about 62% cheaper than the yearly average.

This information was written, fact-checked, and/or translated by our content creators.

Learn more about our Editorial Policy.

Fact checked by

Yulia Saf

This article was reviewed and updated by Yulia, the spirited explorer behind Misstourist who has spent eight years traveling to over 70 countries, inspiring others with her passion and experiences. She founded Misstourist to empower fellow adventurers with invaluable resources and authentic storytelling. From bustling markets to breathtaking fjords, Yulia's adventures have created a thriving community of travel enthusiasts, making Misstourist an essential resource for uncovering the world's hidden gems.

Top 20 cities near Adelaide

Port Lincoln from $23.61 per day

245 km / 152.2 miles away
Mildura from $48.05 per day

335 km / 208.2 miles away
Broken Hill from $46.61 per day

426 km / 264.7 miles away
Bendigo from $35.65 per day

557 km / 346.1 miles away
Ballarat from $35.65 per day

558.6 km / 347.1 miles away
Geelong from $32.77 per day

629.9 km / 391.4 miles away
Avalon from $59.80 per day

632.4 km / 393 miles away
Melbourne from $22.79 per day

641.7 km / 398.7 miles away
Somerton from $49.90 per day

648 km / 402.6 miles away
Pakenham from $31.26 per day

710.1 km / 441.2 miles away
Albury from $40.42 per day

772.7 km / 480.1 miles away
Wagga Wagga from $32.23 per day

813.1 km / 505.2 miles away
Burnie from $53.03 per day

922.1 km / 573 miles away
Canberra from $27.83 per day

970.2 km / 602.9 miles away
Devonport from $43.23 per day

974.4 km / 605.5 miles away
Dubbo from $42.71 per day

978.1 km / 607.8 miles away
Orange from $38.11 per day

990.4 km / 615.4 miles away
Merimbula from $34.70 per day

1,046.2 km / 650.1 miles away
Launceston from $40.72 per day

1,054.3 km / 655.1 miles away
Narellan from $37.99 per day

1,122.3 km / 697.4 miles away

Top 20 locations near Adelaide

Adelaide Airport from $24.97 per day
Adelaide North from $34.50 per day

7.1 km / 4.4 miles away
Mildura Airport from $48.05 per day

335 km / 208.2 miles away
Bendigo Epsom from $49.88 per day

557 km / 346.1 miles away
Avalon Airport from $59.80 per day

632.4 km / 393 miles away
Melbourne Airport from $22.79 per day

641.7 km / 398.7 miles away
Melbourne Hoppers Crossing from $32.62 per day

642.3 km / 399.1 miles away
Melbourne Tullamarine from $32.62 per day

646 km / 401.4 miles away
Downtown from $33.94 per day

657.6 km / 408.6 miles away
South Melbourne from $42.33 per day

658.1 km / 408.9 miles away
Melbourne Richmond from $35.64 per day

661.5 km / 411 miles away
Melbourne St Kilda from $45.92 per day

662 km / 411.3 miles away
Melbourne Brighton from $35.15 per day

664.8 km / 413.1 miles away
Melbourne Moorabbin from $31.63 per day

671.9 km / 417.5 miles away
Melbourne Bayswater from $29.33 per day

684 km / 425 miles away
Melbourne Dandenong from $31.26 per day

686.2 km / 426.4 miles away
Melbourne Frankston from $31.26 per day

686.8 km / 426.8 miles away
Albury Airport from $40.82 per day

772.7 km / 480.1 miles away
Wagga Wagga Airport from $33.85 per day

813.1 km / 505.2 miles away
Canberra Airport from $42.86 per day

970.2 km / 602.9 miles away

What is the cheapest month to rent a car in Adelaide?

Car rental prices in Adelaide vary by time of year. This graph shows the average prices per month to help you find the best time of year to rent.

Average rental costs per day in Adelaide

$35.62

January

$32.71

February

$40.28

March

$35.02

April

$30.69

May

$27.54

June

$25.89

July

$29.91

August

$35.82

September

$39.28

October

$37.98

November

$48.97

December

The cheapest month to rent a car in Adelaide is July (when prices average $25.89 per day). This is 26% cheaper than the yearly average and 47% cheaper than renting in December (when prices average $48.97).

This information can help you identify the low season. But these are only average numbers. How much your car rental will cost will depend on the type of vehicle you rent, how long you’ll rent it for, and how far ahead you book. Simply enter your dates in the form at the top of the page to see the exact prices.

What’s the usual rental length in Adelaide?

How long travelers keep their rental cars for varies from month to month: in January, the average renter keeps their car for 9 days, and in September, they keep their car for 6 days.

Average number of rental days in Adelaide

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

What's the most popular month to rent a car in Adelaide?

Based on the number of searches by our customers, the most popular month for renting a car in Adelaide is January, and the least popular is June.

Monthly searches in Adelaide by pick-up date relative to the average

238%

January

125%

February

108%

March

80%

April

55%

May

41%

June

43%

July

46%

August

46%

September

80%

October

102%

November

237%

December

Car rental information

Car rental locations	13
Airport locations	1
Popular suppliers	Bargain Car Rentals, Simba Car Hire, EastCoast Car Rentals, SIXT, Alamo
Popular car categories	SUVs, Medium cars, Large cars, Small cars
Lowest price	$23 per day
Cheapest supplier	Simba Car Hire

Most popular car models of rental suppliers

Rental Supplier	Model	Doors	Luggage	Type
Bargain Car Rentals	Hyundai Accent	4	2	Medium cars
Bargain Car Rentals	Kia Stonic	4	2	SUVs
Bargain Car Rentals	MG HS	4	2	SUVs
Bargain Car Rentals	MG 5	5	2	Large cars
EastCoast Car Rentals	MG ZS	5	2	SUVs
Simba Car Hire	Kia Picanto	4	1	Small cars
Simba Car Hire	Kia Carnival	5	3	Vans
Simba Car Hire	Kia Stonic	5	2	SUVs
EastCoast Car Rentals	Kia Picanto	5	1	Small cars
EastCoast Car Rentals	Toyota RAV4	5	2	SUVs

Our customers' reviews

Because we want to make sure each review listed here is left by a real customer, we don’t have the option to post a review here. Instead, we ask each and every customer to leave a review after they return their rental car. This way, you know that all reviews are authentic.

New Zealand

Hyundai Accent

11/16/24

Wine region in South Australia

Australia

MG HS

9/10/24

Barossa Valley was great, paddle boat cruise down the Murray was fun, visiting Victor Harbour was good

Philippines

Kia Picanto

8/10/24

I have been in Adelaide for buisness, i didnt do any sightseeing.

Australia

Toyota RAV4

7/16/24

Hahndorf, Central district Market, China town and great restaurants And Illuminate.

Singapore

Toyota Corolla

6/6/24

Handolf town was amazing.

Australia

Kia Stonic

5/29/24

Three wine regions in three days!

Australia

Hyundai Accent

4/10/24

Beautiful scenery

Australia

Skoda Kamiq

4/9/24

We stayed at Glenelg, near the beach. Excellent area for strolling along the beach. lot's of cafe's and restaurants and easy access by car to all the wine regions - Barossa, McLaren Vale and Adelaide Hills. Also as cyclists Adelaide is an excellent city to ride your bike whether you are a beginner (loads of bike paths) or a serious cyclist - up into the hills !!!

Australia

Toyota Corolla

3/11/24

Hybrid hire vehicle worked out well despite not being familiar with this type of vehicle. Using electric mostly and little fuel despite travelling to Goolwa and back. Very smooth travelling and quite vehicle with plenty of power when required.

Australia

Toyota Corolla

2/13/24

Friends

Australia

Kia Picanto

1/27/24

Easy to deal with and great car

Australia

Mitsubishi Outlander

1/22/24

Adelaide tour down under cycling was exceptional.

Canada

Toyota Yaris

1/17/24

Sight seeing

Australia

MG HS

1/2/24

Just drove the car all over Adelaide and was happy with its performance.

Australia

Toyota Corolla

1/2/24

Was cold in Adelaide

Australia

Toyota Yaris

12/31/23

Explored the beauty of Adelaide city and surrounds

Australia

MG 3

12/15/23

Family time

Australia

Kia Carnival

11/25/23

Adleaide vibe

Australia

MG 3

11/20/23

Many restaurants in Goolwa are fabulous! The coffee at Mother Duck was exceptional!

Australia

Toyota Kluger

11/5/23

Family personnel trip.

United States of America (USA)

Toyota Corolla Hatch Hybrid

10/25/23

Did lots of driving around. Drove from Adelaide to Melbourne and then spent a week catching up with family and friends all over town. The car was zippy and powerful, yet didn't use more than half a tank of fuel for the whole week I was there. Had a good amount of room as well - was able to fit 4 medium/large suitcase, 1 roller bag (carry on), 1 large backpack and 3 bags of assorted items in the car on my drive to Melbourne AND still had the passenger seat free if someone had needed to travel with me. Amazing!

Hong Kong

Toyota Yaris

9/21/23

From Adelaide down to the great ocean road then up to Ballarat back to Adelaide, great experience.

Australia

Toyota Corolla

5/18/23

Bad weather

Australia

Toyota Corolla Sedan

5/15/23

Visiting family

New Zealand

Toyota Corolla

5/13/23

We enjoyed our roadtrip to Victor Harbor via Hahndorf and found the roads around Adelaide very easy to navigate. Safe parking on the city fringes and enjoyed using the Trams in the city.

Australia

Suzuki Swift

4/29/23

Hahndorf and was amazing and only a short drive from Adelaide. As well as visiting this German settlement, there are a number of surrounding places worth checking out, including Stirling, Jurlique Farm and Mount Lofty for great views of Adelaide.

Australia

Toyota Yaris

3/16/23

with the car, we (a family of 4 adults) went to Monarto Safari and Kayaking.

Australia

Suzuki Swift

3/2/23

Hahndorf is a must visit. McLaren Vale, Barossa Valley are beautiful and very friendly, eateries are everywhere and superb.

Australia

Toyota Yaris

2/24/23

Family gathering. Visited the Adelaide hills which was fantastic.

Australia

Toyota Corolla Sedan

1/23/23

Family visit

Australia

Mitsubishi Lancer

1/19/23

Long lost cousins were our tour guides. Will be back!

Australia

Toyota Yaris

1/8/23

Sports

Australia

Nissan Juke

1/4/23

perfect weather !

France

Hyundai Kona

11/24/22

great !

Canada

Mitsubishi Lancer

11/11/22

Two Hands Cellar Door and shout out to Izway Wines

Australia

Hyundai i30

10/26/22

Note you can order GPS at the counter when you pick up the car. My Lofty wildlife park is a must. So is Hahndorf as well as the beach such as Glenelg. Great city!

Australia

Kia Carnival

10/1/22

Visited family in Cowell

Australia

Toyota Yaris

9/26/22

Didn't visit anywhere except family for a wedding, but did visit Glen Ewen Estate,lovely place for a reception or function

Australia

Toyota Corolla

2/12/22

Drive though the Barossa Valley, have lunch. Drive to Renmark along the Murray, and take time to stop and enjoy the scenery

Australia

Toyota Corolla

12/31/21

For this city you need a vehicle to visit the jetties/beaches, outskirt towns and winery locations.

Australia

Toyota Corolla

5/18/21

Adelaide, Victor Harbour, Goowla

Israel

Toyota Corolla

11/13/19

We want to extend the rental period we got cheaper prices over the internet so we rent the extension period with other company . Maybe I really don't know it will be wise to offer it in more competitive prices . But not conclusive depend upon many variables. Any way it was great thanks

Australia

Toyota Corolla Sedan

5/10/19

An excellent city to visit. Much quieter than Melbourne and Sydney. Very easy to drive around and the gateway to Australia's best wineries and lovely grape growing centres. Most of the wineries are spectacular to visit.

Australia

Mitsubishi ASX

2/17/19

Adelaide Hill’s a delight to drive through

Poland

Toyota Corolla

1/9/19

Marina Pier and Gelong is really easy reach by the car. Adelaide is really nice City, with good Food (Marcelina Pizza) and drink! Also don't Forget about the pigs on the Queen Street:):)

Australia

Nissan Micra

12/28/18

Adelaide is unique. Comparison with other cities is not only silly but futile as well. Plaese have a good holiday

United Kingdom

Holden Malibu

12/12/18

Adelaide is an easy place to drive around, with the outer suburbs having easy to navigate arterial roads and the CBD is a simple grid. Car rental isn't expensive and whilst the bus service is generally not too bad, you'll save time and possibly even money (depending on the amount of driving).