Check out the latest trends and booking tips to hire a car in Darwin with confidence.
How far in advance should you book a rental car in Darwin?
You should book your rental car in Darwin around 8 days before your trip in order to get a below-average price.
What is the best car hire company in Darwin?
Based on ratings and reviews from real users on KAYAK, the best car rental companies in Darwin are Thrifty (10.0), National (10.0), and Hertz (10.0, 1 review).
SUV rentals (Mitsubishi Outlander or similar) are the most popular type of vehicle to rent in Darwin. SUV cars in Darwin cost RM 234/day on average, though some users have found deals as low as RM 150/day.
What is the cheapest month to hire a car in Darwin?
The cheapest month to hire a car in Darwin is February at an average cost of RM 101/day. July is the most expensive month to hire a car in Darwin when prices are RM 303/day on average, which tends to be 655% above the yearly average hire price for Darwin.
What car hire company in Darwin has the most locations?
Dollar and Sunnycars operate 4 locations each in Darwin, more than any other car hire company.
As the most tropical climate out of all Australian capital cities, having a temperature-controlled car in Darwin is vital. Hiring a car in Darwin also offers superb freedom to explore the surrounding nature reserves that are not connected by public transport. Go hiking and discover waterfalls in the famous Litchfield National Park, which can be reached with a 1h drive, or get a look out over the city in Charles Darwin National Park, which is only 15min away. Bus services in Darwin generally finish at around 20:00, meaning a hire car will open up more night-time activities. Attractions in the city of Darwin are also spread out, with places such as the Military Museum and MAGNT more than 4 km from the CBD, and it is not quite time-efficient to visit all of them on public transport.
The offices of car hire companies, including Avis, Budget, Europcar and Thrifty, are located on the ground floor at Darwin International Airport (DRW). The reception desks are directly across from the baggage claim in the Arrivals Hall, while the pick-up area is only a short walk outside the terminal.
Be aware that trucks carrying multiple trailers, known as road trains, are common on major highways around Darwin. Take extra care and keep a safe distance from the vehicles when driving, remembering that you need plenty of space and time to overtake. Familiarise yourself with the windscreen wipers in your hire car as dust often rises off the road and impairs visibility. Keep a watchful eye out for wild animals and livestock, especially at night, as they are known to wander onto the road in rural areas.
Traffic flows freely throughout most of the day in Darwin; however, increased congestion is certainly noticed between 07:30–08:30 and 16:00–17:00. Stuart Hwy handles the majority of commuters entering and leaving the city for work, thus it’s best to avoid it at peak periods on weekdays.
If you plan on heading out of Darwin and into the outback, there are a few extra things you may want in your Darwin hire car. Consider adding a satellite GPS to your hire agreement. Once you head outside the major cities and towns, you won't want to rely on your phone for directions. Additionally, always bring a paper map as a final backup. If you're heading into national parks or other remote areas, it's also a good idea to have an emergency communication device such as a satellite phone or an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB).
Driving in and around Darwin can be very different depending on the season you’re visiting in. The dry season typically lasts from May to October and generally has the best conditions for driving. The coolest (though still very warm) months are June, July and August. If you're visiting during the rainy season, from November to April, you may encounter road closures due to heavy rain. The Northern Territory government provides up-to-date information about road closures on its Road Report website. It displays both closed roads and hazardous roads where extra care should be taken.
Getting cheap car hire in Darwin makes it easy to explore other towns, attractions and national parks in the Northern Territory. Stuart Highway, for example, connects Darwin to South Australia and goes through Alice Springs along the way. The trip between Darwin and Alice Springs takes at least two days, but there are a number of beautiful places along the way. Around 4 hours after leaving Darwin, you can take a quick detour to Nitmiluk Gorge; here you can hike, swim and canoe while you explore. Around 5 hours from Alice Springs, you can stop at Tennant Creek, with the stunning Barkly Tablelands to the east.
Economy rental cars in Darwin are around 37% cheaper than other car types, on average
FAQs about renting a car in Darwin
What type of car is recommended for driving in Darwin?
Compact cars offer fantastic prices and fuel efficiency, making them a popular choice for visitors planning to travel out of Darwin. Smaller models of hire cars will also navigate the inner-city streets best, though you won’t have to handle many tight alleyways or corners.
What’s the speed limit in Darwin?
Unless otherwise indicated by signage, the default speed limit is 60 km/h. Many streets in Darwin’s city centre are, however, reduced to 40 km/h, which is the same limit for school zones between 08:00–17:00. The maximum speed outside of built-up areas is 110 km/h.
Where are the best places to park in Darwin?
Paid parking spaces are metered in the city centre from 08:00–17:00 on weekdays, with hourly fees at roughly A$ 2. State Square Car Park is a short walk from the waterfront precinct and has flat daily rates of about A$ 11, open 24h. Parking throughout the CBD is free and unrestricted on weekends and public holidays.
How can I find car hires near me in Darwin?
Take a look at our extensive car hire location map to find the best car hire deals near you.
How much does a Mini car hire cost in Darwin?
A Mini car hire in Darwin costs RM 161 per day, on average.
How much does a Premium car hire cost in Darwin?
A Premium car hire in Darwin costs RM 494 per day, on average.
How much does a Compact car rental cost in Darwin?
A Compact car rental in Darwin costs RM 214 per day, on average.
What charging stations for electric vehicles are in Darwin?
There are a number of EV charging stations in Darwin's city centre as well as the surrounding suburbs. While EV charging stations will be harder to find if you're heading out of the major towns, there are also stations outside many national parks in the area.
Which Darwin car hire offices are available outside of the airport?
While you'll find most companies offering cheap car hire in Darwin at the airport, a number also have offices in the city centre. You'll find most close to the Waterfront Precinct, with Enterprise offices on The Esplanade. Hertz, Thrifty and Europcar all have offices on Mitchell Street, just a few blocks back from The Esplanade.
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