CAR HIRE: Everything you wanted to know (but didn’t know to ask)


A good hire car can make a great trip awesome. It gives you the freedom to go where you want, when you want, without having to worry about tour group schedules or unfamiliar public transport. But what do you need to know before you go? Read on and find out!

1. Is a one-way car hire more expensive than a round trip?

Yeeep. Unfortunately, it usually is. In fact, when we looked at Wotif data for Aussies travelling within Australia, we found that…

Round-trip car hire in Australia is, on average, over 35% cheaper than one-way car hire (also known as point-to-point car hire).
In 2017, the average cost of a domestic round-trip car hire was just $ 87.15, as opposed to $ 131.80 for a one-way car hire.

While most car rental companies offer both options, point-to-point car hire is usually more expensive because there is often a fee for the flexibility of being able to drop your car off at a different location from where you originally picked it up. If you really need to book a one-way car rental, it’s best to book as early as possible to make sure there’s availability for your travel dates. The more cars available at the time you book, the better your chances of getting a good deal.

Take to the open road in Liffey, Tasmania

2. When should I book?

The earlier, the better, especially in the lead-up to long weekends and school holidays (when we typically see peak demand on Wotif). Booking early is the best way to ensure that the vehicle you need is in stock at a depot that’s convenient for you.

If you have a lot of expenses in the lead-up to your holiday, you may be tempted to leave your car hire booking until the last minute. But if you hire it on Wotif, you’ll have the option to book now and pay later, so you won’t have to pay anything until you pick up your vehicle. Woohoo!

Take in the view along Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown, New Zealand

3. What sorts of trips are hire cars good for?

Nothing beats the freedom of having your own set of wheels, no matter what type of trip you’re on. But on Wotif, we’ve found that certain types of trips are more likely to include a car rental:

In 2017, the average duration of a domestic car-hire was just over four days. But for overseas trips, Aussies typically hire cars for more than seven days.
In Australia, capital cities like Sydney and Melbourne are usually the most popular pick-up points. However, popular drive destinations like the Gold Coast, Launceston, the Sunshine Coast, and Newcastle are top car-hire destinations too.
Overseas, car hire in New Zealand is hugely popular with Aussie travellers, with Auckland, Christchurch, Queenstown, and Wellington some of our top car-hire destinations. Further afield, Aussies also love to hit the road in the United States – particularly Los Angeles, Honolulu, San Francisco, and Las Vegas.

Sunshine Coast road trip, anyone?

4. How can I get a better deal?

Aside from booking early, there are two easy ways to save on your car hire:

1. If you’re also booking a flight or accommodation for your trip, book the whole lot together with your car hire on Wotif to create your own custom package. Bundling your car hire with flights and/or accommodation on Wotif will give you access to great savings not available when you book separately.
2. If possible, avoid picking up your vehicle from a major airport. The increased demand can make it more expensive.

CHECK OUT WOTIF CAR HIRE

Behind the stats

Car hire rates: Based on the average rate for domestic car hire in Australia on Wotif.com between 1 January 2017 and 31 December 2017 for travel from 1 January 2017 to 31 December 2017. Prices shown are in Australian dollars, as booked on the Australian site, and are not necessarily the rates currently displayed on the site. Rates are subject to car type, destination, and date selections made.

Car hire demand: Based on average car hire demand on Wotif.com between 1 January 2017 and 31 December 2017 for travel from 1 January 2017 to 31 December 2017.

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