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Car hire reviews

Melbourne car hire reviews

14 reviews25 suppliers available69 locations in Melbourne
3.9

Car hire in Melbourne is one of the most rewarding rental decisions in Australia if your itinerary includes the Great Ocean Road, Yarra Valley, Mornington Peninsula, or wider Victorian road trips. Inside central Melbourne, a car is optional: the tram network is excellent, parking is expensive, and CBD congestion can be tiring. But for almost any outward-bound route, a rental becomes highly practical. Melbourne Airport (MEL) pickup is the best option because supplier choice is widest there, airport logistics are smooth, and you can head toward the West Gate or Tullamarine Freeway without city navigation first. City pickup can work for later departures, but fleet availability is narrower. Expect toll roads around Melbourne, left-hand drive, and variable weather on coastal routes. A compact hatchback or mid-size SUV is ideal for most itineraries. Melbourne is often rated as one of the most driver-friendly cities in Australia thanks to clear signage and road discipline. The reviews below show which Melbourne suppliers deliver efficient pickups and which ones turn the process into unnecessary friction. For more on Australian rentals, see our Australia car hire guide, and compare Sixt and Enterprise for strong local coverage.

Counter intelligence

Melbourne supplier insights

14 reviews
Avg wait

13 min

Best: Europcar (10 min)

Upsell pressure

64% low

Damage disputes

0%

0 of 14 reviews

Car match

100%

Got car they booked

Based on 14 reviews across 69 locations and 25 suppliers. Average rating: 3.9/5 · Typical wait: ~13 minutes · Car availability is strong

Quick insights

Melbourne Car Hire Insights

Quick research insights on suppliers and pickup locations in Melbourne.

Locations in Melbourne

69 locations in Melbourne

Reviews reflect the personal opinions of travellers. We screen for guidelines compliance but don't fact-check individual claims. How it works

3.9

Good

14 reviews

KW

Kate Williams

1 Apr 2026

3.0

Car was good, counter was slow

The actual car was nice and clean, no complaints there. The frustrating bit was the desk, just really slow for no obvious reason. Took about 35 minutes and there were only a few people ahead of us.

30+ minutes
moderate
yes
No damage dispute
RG

Rachel Green

26 Jan 2026

4.0

Solid, no drama

Quick shuttle, friendly enough staff, car matched booking. Did a weekend down the Great Ocean Road and had zero problems. Would use them again.

10-20 minutes
low
yes
No damage dispute
RG

Rachel Green

16 Jan 2026

4.0

Solid, no drama

Quick shuttle, friendly enough staff, car matched booking. Did a weekend down the Great Ocean Road and had zero problems. Would use them again.

10-20 minutes
low
yes
No damage dispute
Melbourne Airport
KW

Kate Williams

12 Jan 2026

3.0

Car was good, counter was slow

The actual car was nice and clean, no complaints there. The frustrating bit was the desk, just really slow for no obvious reason. Took about 35 minutes and there were only a few people ahead of us.

30+ minutes
moderate
yes
No damage dispute
Melbourne Airport
JC

James Crawford

22 Nov 2025

4.0

Melbourne CBD Europcar — laneway parking nightmare avoided

Staff warned us about the hook turns and provided a compact that actually fit in underground garages. CBD pickups aren't for everyone, but this team knew their stuff.

5–15 min queue
Mild upsell pressure
Car matched booking
No damage dispute
ML

Melbourne L.

1 Oct 2025

4.0

Melbourne Airport Redspot — honest advice for Tullamarine

Staff warned us about the CityLink tolls and gave genuine alternatives. The Toyota Camry was clean and return was straightforward. Australian-owned and it showed in the service quality.

5–15 min queue
Mild upsell pressure
Car matched booking
No damage dispute
MT

Melb T.

9 Sept 2025

4.0

Melbourne Airport Avis — Tullamarine standard

Consistent Avis experience — the Toyota RAV4 was clean, return process explained clearly, and no surprises on the final bill. Nothing flashy, just reliable.

5–15 min queue
Mild upsell pressure
Car matched booking
No damage dispute
MR

Melb R.

2 Sept 2025

4.0

Melbourne city Thrifty — Southbank convenience

City pickup saved airport time. The Hyundai handled Great Ocean Road perfectly. Toll advice was clear.

5–15 min queue
Mild upsell pressure
Car matched booking
No damage dispute
Melbourne
HM

Hannah Müller

22 Aug 2025

4.0

Melbourne Airport Thrifty — solid choice, watch the toll pass

Quick pickup and a clean Mazda CX-5 made a good first impression, but the Linkt toll explanation felt rushed and we ended up paying for unused days.

5–15 min queue
Mild upsell pressure
Car matched booking
No damage dispute
HM

Hannah Müller

22 Aug 2025

4.0

Melbourne Airport Thrifty — solid choice, watch the toll pass

Quick pickup and a clean Mazda CX-5 made a good first impression, but the Linkt toll explanation felt rushed and we ended up paying for unused days.

JC

James Crawford

22 Nov 2025

4.0

Melbourne CBD Europcar — laneway parking nightmare avoided

Staff warned us about the hook turns and provided a compact that actually fit in underground garages. CBD pickups aren't for everyone, but this team knew their stuff.

M

MelbourneLocal

1 Oct 2025

4.0

Melbourne Airport Redspot — honest advice for Tullamarine

Staff warned us about the CityLink tolls and gave genuine alternatives. The Toyota Camry was clean and return was straightforward. Australian-owned and it showed in the service quality.

M

MelbTravelPro

9 Sept 2025

4.0

Melbourne Airport Avis — Tullamarine standard

Consistent Avis experience — the Toyota RAV4 was clean, return process explained clearly, and no surprises on the final bill. Nothing flashy, just reliable.

M

MelbRoads

2 Sept 2025

4.0

Melbourne city Thrifty — Southbank convenience

City pickup saved airport time. The Hyundai handled Great Ocean Road perfectly. Toll advice was clear.

Melbourne