Oceania > Australia > Brisbane
| Please note that Carornocar.com is currently being revised and updated in preparation for the Summer 2021 (northern hemisphere) tourist season. It is expected that some social distancing rules will still apply. For additional Brisbane car hire advice, please use the comments form below. |
Quick Ratings
Price band:
Brisbane is in car rental price band: 4/10 (1 = cheapest car rental location)
General comment - based on price alone, is it worth renting a car in Brisbane?
Sometimes. Car rental is slightly cheaper than global averages.
Volatility:
Can you expect big swings in car rental prices in Brisbane between the peak and the off peak season?
5/10 (0 = stable prices)
Driving score: 3/10
Non car score:2/10
Balance: 6
(0 = car hire not advised / 10 = rental car essential)
General comment -
Needless to say, if you are landing in Brisbane to carry onwards towards the Great Barrier Reef, there are also numerous coastal activities which would involve nothing other than parking up a hire car if you have one, so you’d get little usage out of it.
However, for anything longer than a few days or a weekend, then a hire car is almost certainly going to become very useful, because if you want to visit any of the scenic areas beyond Brisbane and the Gold Coast Metropolis, a hire car is almost certainly going to be best. This advice would apply even more strongly if you plan to head inland, rather than just sticking to the coast.
Why? Visiting Brisbane using a hire car
Why do you need a car in Brisbane ?
• Generally, a hire car will provide more flexibility, unless you are just staying in the city of Brisbane.
Why not? Visiting Brisbane without a car
Why don't you need a car in Brisbane ?
• Public transport, including local rail and express bus service is relatively good, especially compared to other Australian cities of a similar size (Perth etc).
Ratings: How does Brisbane compare?
Is it worth hiring a car in Brisbane? TBC
This is based on a rough consideration of the costs of renting a car in Brisbane, and how this compares with the costs of using public transport. The answer to this varies hugely from one destination to the next, based on a wide range of factors. It's based on renting a car at the airport (TBC), and driving for an average of 2-3 hours on open roads on most days.
How does this compare if:
You are travelling:
Solo / As couple / small family / larger family / senior couple etc
Does car rental make sense on different budgets?
Do you need to hire a car in Brisbane? TBC
This is based strictly on whether or no we think it's possible to visit Brisbane (and the surrounding area) without using a car. Of the three key questions, this one is the most likely to be a "no".
Should you rent a car in Brisbane? TBC
This is a balance of all factors. Remember this is an answer to the question for people who are already asking it. That's why the answer might still be a "yes", even when public transport is good.
See global comparisons
Hiring | Driving | Parking
Trains | Buses | Local travel
Car hire basics:
Public transportation basics:
Regular bus services: YES
Coach (inter-city): YES
Tram: NO
Metro: NO
Commuter Rail:
High Speed Rail:
Rail type (end stub / through / junction / hub):
As you start ....
Does Brisbane airport have a direct rail link?
(Yes - within terminal / adjacent / short walk) (Yes - bus transfer / other) No
Changelog
Has our advice for Brisbane car rental changed over time, or has it been pretty constant?
2017 - 7
2019 - 7
2021 - 6
Average score - 7
Notes:
Revised appraisal of public transport.
Summary
Do you or don't you need a car in Brisbane ?
Oceania > Australia > Hobart
| Please note that Carornocar.com is currently being revised and updated in preparation for the Summer 2021 (northern hemisphere) tourist season. It is expected that some social distancing rules will still apply. For additional Hobart car hire advice, please use the comments form below. |
Quick Ratings
Price band:
Hobart is in car rental price band: 5/10 (1 = cheapest car rental location)
General comment - based on price alone, is it worth renting a car in Hobart?
Sometimes. Economy rental prices are average by global standards.
Volatility:
Can you expect big swings in car rental prices in Hobart between the peak and the off peak season?
5/10 (0 = stable prices)
Driving score: 7/10
Non car score:1/10
Balance: 10
(0 = car hire not advised / 10 = rental car essential)
General comment -
Why? Visiting Hobart using a hire car
Why do you need a car in Hobart ?
Why not? Visiting Hobart without a car
Why don't you need a car in Hobart ?
Ratings: How does Hobart compare?
Is it worth hiring a car in Hobart? TBC
This is based on a rough consideration of the costs of renting a car in Hobart, and how this compares with the costs of using public transport. The answer to this varies hugely from one destination to the next, based on a wide range of factors. It's based on renting a car at the airport (TBC), and driving for an average of 2-3 hours on open roads on most days.
How does this compare if:
You are travelling:
Solo / As couple / small family / larger family / senior couple etc
Does car rental make sense on different budgets?
Do you need to hire a car in Hobart? TBC
This is based strictly on whether or no we think it's possible to visit Hobart (and the surrounding area) without using a car. Of the three key questions, this one is the most likely to be a "no".
Should you rent a car in Hobart? TBC
This is a balance of all factors. Remember this is an answer to the question for people who are already asking it. That's why the answer might still be a "yes", even when public transport is good.
See global comparisons
Hiring | Driving | Parking
Trains | Buses | Local travel
Car hire basics:
Public transportation basics:
Regular bus services: YES
Coach (inter-city): YES
Tram: NO
Metro: NO
Commuter Rail:
High Speed Rail:
Rail type (end stub / through / junction / hub):
As you start ....
Does Hobart airport have a direct rail link?
(Yes - within terminal / adjacent / short walk) (Yes - bus transfer / other) No
Changelog
Has our advice for Hobart car rental changed over time, or has it been pretty constant?
2017 - 10
2019 - 10
2021 - 10
Average score - 10
Notes:
Summary
Do you or don't you need a car in Hobart ?
Oceania > Australia > Melbourne
| Please note that Carornocar.com is currently being revised and updated in preparation for the Summer 2021 (northern hemisphere) tourist season. It is expected that some social distancing rules will still apply. For additional Melbourne car hire advice, please use the comments form below. |
Quick Ratings
Price band:
Melbourne is in car rental price band: 4/10 (1 = cheapest car rental location)
General comment - based on price alone, is it worth renting a car in Melbourne?
Sometimes. Car rental is slightly cheaper than global averages.
Volatility:
Can you expect big swings in car rental prices in Melbourne between the peak and the off peak season?
5/10 (0 = stable prices)
Driving score: 6/10
Non car score:5/10
Balance: 6
(0 = car hire not advised / 10 = rental car essential)
General comment -
The city also has a reasonable network of urban bike paths and green corridors, but this is only “reasonable” by Australian or British standards, not by Continental European standards!
Why? Visiting Melbourne using a hire car
Why do you need a car in Melbourne ?
So our general advice has to be that Melbourne is the sort of city that is much easier to get around by car, and that the car is also going to be extremely useful for visiting one of the many natural parks and other scenic areas that are easy enough to access just beyond the city.
Why not? Visiting Melbourne without a car
Why don't you need a car in Melbourne ?
However, the world-famous Puffing Billy steam railway is also situated just outside Melbourne. True rail cranks will probably want to take the train there from Flinders Street station, but it’s a slow suburban line, so if you’re going to get a rental car anyway, it’s easy enough just to park at the start of the line.
Ratings: How does Melbourne compare?
Is it worth hiring a car in Melbourne? TBC
This is based on a rough consideration of the costs of renting a car in Melbourne, and how this compares with the costs of using public transport. The answer to this varies hugely from one destination to the next, based on a wide range of factors. It's based on renting a car at the airport (TBC), and driving for an average of 2-3 hours on open roads on most days.
How does this compare if:
You are travelling:
Solo / As couple / small family / larger family / senior couple etc
Does car rental make sense on different budgets?
Do you need to hire a car in Melbourne? TBC
This is based strictly on whether or no we think it's possible to visit Melbourne (and the surrounding area) without using a car. Of the three key questions, this one is the most likely to be a "no".
Should you rent a car in Melbourne? TBC
This is a balance of all factors. Remember this is an answer to the question for people who are already asking it. That's why the answer might still be a "yes", even when public transport is good.
See global comparisons
Hiring | Driving | Parking
Trains | Buses | Local travel
Car hire basics:
Public transportation basics:
Regular bus services: YES
Coach (inter-city): YES
Tram: NO
Metro: NO
Commuter Rail:
High Speed Rail:
Rail type (end stub / through / junction / hub):
As you start ....
Does Melbourne airport have a direct rail link?
(Yes - within terminal / adjacent / short walk) (Yes - bus transfer / other) No
Changelog
Has our advice for Melbourne car rental changed over time, or has it been pretty constant?
2017 - 6
2019 - 6
2021 - 6
Average score - 6
Notes:
Melbourne has enough of an urban rail network to make it perfectly easy to visit without getting a hire car, but there’s a great deal to see just beyond the city, and with an easy day’s drive from Melbourne, and for this, would recommend getting one.
Summary
Do you or don't you need a car in Melbourne ?
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| Please note that Carornocar.com is currently being revised and updated in preparation for the Summer 2021 (northern hemisphere) tourist season. It is expected that some social distancing rules will still apply. For additional Perth car hire advice, please use the comments form below. |
Quick Ratings
Price band:
Perth is in car rental price band: 5/10 (1 = cheapest car rental location)
General comment - based on price alone, is it worth renting a car in Perth?
Sometimes. Economy rental prices are average by global standards.
Volatility:
Can you expect big swings in car rental prices in Perth between the peak and the off peak season?
5/10 (0 = stable prices)
Driving score: 4/10
Non car score:2/10
Balance: 9
(0 = car hire not advised / 10 = rental car essential)
General comment -
This is a city that has grown rich on mineral resources, and there’s nothing particularly spectacular that’s worth visiting in the centre of Perth itself. Perth is still a nice enough place to stay. It has plenty of attractive waterfront locations, and it also has a modest urban rail network. But in all honesty, the real point of coming here is to head into the national parks and other scenic areas which lie inland to the east.
Perth’s urban rail network is based on five lines, all converging on Perth Station. Although the lines from Joondalup in the north and from Mandurah in the south meet in what is known as “Perth Underground” station, this is just a couple of underground platforms within the main station. There is no underground rail system per se. A light rail network is currently at the planning stage.
For any of these places, it’s very obvious to say that a hire car really is a must.
Why? Visiting Perth using a hire car
Why do you need a car in Perth ?
Why not? Visiting Perth without a car
Why don't you need a car in Perth ?
Should you rent a car in Perth? Yes!
Ratings: How does Perth compare?
Is it worth hiring a car in Perth? TBC
This is based on a rough consideration of the costs of renting a car in Perth, and how this compares with the costs of using public transport. The answer to this varies hugely from one destination to the next, based on a wide range of factors. It's based on renting a car at the airport (TBC), and driving for an average of 2-3 hours on open roads on most days.
How does this compare if:
You are travelling:
Solo / As couple / small family / larger family / senior couple etc
Does car rental make sense on different budgets?
Do you need to hire a car in Perth? TBC
This is based strictly on whether or no we think it's possible to visit Perth (and the surrounding area) without using a car. Of the three key questions, this one is the most likely to be a "no".
Should you rent a car in Perth? TBC
This is a balance of all factors. Remember this is an answer to the question for people who are already asking it. That's why the answer might still be a "yes", even when public transport is good.
See global comparisons
Hiring | Driving | Parking
Trains | Buses | Local travel
Car hire basics:
Public transportation basics:
Regular bus services: YES
Coach (inter-city): YES
Tram: NO
Metro: NO
Commuter Rail:
High Speed Rail:
Rail type (end stub / through / junction / hub):
As you start ....
Does Perth airport have a direct rail link?
(Yes - within terminal / adjacent / short walk) (Yes - bus transfer / other) No
Changelog
Has our advice for Perth car rental changed over time, or has it been pretty constant?
2017 - 9
2019 - 8
2021 - 9
Average score - 9
Notes:
Summary
Do you or don't you need a car in Perth ?
Asia > China > Suzhou
| Please note that Carornocar.com is currently being revised and updated in preparation for the Summer 2021 (northern hemisphere) tourist season. It is expected that some social distancing rules will still apply. For additional Suzhou car hire advice, please use the comments form below. |
Quick Ratings
Price band:
Suzhou is in car rental price band: 0/10 (1 = cheapest car rental location)
General comment - based on price alone, is it worth renting a car in Suzhou?
No. Car rental only available to holders of Chinese driving licences.
Volatility:
Can you expect big swings in car rental prices in Suzhou between the peak and the off peak season?
0/10 (0 = stable prices)
Driving score: 2/10
Non car score:7/10
Balance: 1
(0 = car hire not advised / 10 = rental car essential)
General comment -
Our advice has remained broadly the same since we first looked at the city.
Needless to say, Sydney’s most famous landmarks of the Opera house and the Sydney Harbour Bridge are easy enough to visit on foot, and the bridge itself might carry an 8 lane highway as well as a 4 track railway, but you can also walk across it or indeed over it (as a tourist attraction), and that has to be the best option!
Within the urban area of Sydney, you will find some famous beaches, most notably Bondi beach, which is easy enough to get to by bus, or by taking the train to Bondi junction and then walking the last half mile.
Why? Visiting Suzhou using a hire car
Why do you need a car in Suzhou ?
Why not? Visiting Suzhou without a car
Why don't you need a car in Suzhou ?
Ratings: How does Suzhou compare?
Is it worth hiring a car in Suzhou? TBC
This is based on a rough consideration of the costs of renting a car in Suzhou, and how this compares with the costs of using public transport. The answer to this varies hugely from one destination to the next, based on a wide range of factors. It's based on renting a car at the airport (TBC), and driving for an average of 2-3 hours on open roads on most days.
How does this compare if:
You are travelling:
Solo / As couple / small family / larger family / senior couple etc
Does car rental make sense on different budgets?
Do you need to hire a car in Suzhou? TBC
This is based strictly on whether or no we think it's possible to visit Suzhou (and the surrounding area) without using a car. Of the three key questions, this one is the most likely to be a "no".
Should you rent a car in Suzhou? TBC
This is a balance of all factors. Remember this is an answer to the question for people who are already asking it. That's why the answer might still be a "yes", even when public transport is good.
See global comparisons
Hiring | Driving | Parking
Trains | Buses | Local travel
Car hire basics:
Public transportation basics:
Regular bus services: YES
Coach (inter-city): YES
Tram: NO
Metro: NO
Commuter Rail:
High Speed Rail:
Rail type (end stub / through / junction / hub):
As you start ....
Does Suzhou airport have a direct rail link?
(Yes - within terminal / adjacent / short walk) (Yes - bus transfer / other) No
Changelog
Has our advice for Suzhou car rental changed over time, or has it been pretty constant?
2017 - 2
2019 - 1
2021 - 1
Average score - 1
Notes:
Should you rent a car in Sydney? Yes, it will probably be handy for at least some of the time, but it’s far from essential.
Summary
Do you or don't you need a car in Suzhou ?
Uluru / Ayers Rock
Oceania > Australia > Uluru / Ayers Rock
| Please note that Carornocar.com is currently being revised and updated in preparation for the Summer 2021 (northern hemisphere) tourist season. It is expected that some social distancing rules will still apply. For additional Uluru / Ayers Rock car hire advice, please use the comments form below. |
Quick Ratings
Price band:
Uluru / Ayers Rock is in car rental price band: 8/10 (1 = cheapest car rental location)
General comment - based on price alone, is it worth renting a car in Uluru / Ayers Rock?
No. Car rental is very expensive by global standards.
Volatility:
Can you expect big swings in car rental prices in Uluru / Ayers Rock between the peak and the off peak season?
5/10 (0 = stable prices)
Driving score: 1/10
Non car score:6/10
Balance: 2
(0 = car hire not advised / 10 = rental car essential)
General comment -
Why? Visiting Uluru / Ayers Rock using a hire car
Why do you need a car in Uluru / Ayers Rock ?
Why not? Visiting Uluru / Ayers Rock without a car
Why don't you need a car in Uluru / Ayers Rock ?
Ratings: How does Uluru / Ayers Rock compare?
Is it worth hiring a car in Uluru / Ayers Rock? TBC
This is based on a rough consideration of the costs of renting a car in Uluru / Ayers Rock, and how this compares with the costs of using public transport. The answer to this varies hugely from one destination to the next, based on a wide range of factors. It's based on renting a car at the airport (TBC), and driving for an average of 2-3 hours on open roads on most days.
How does this compare if:
You are travelling:
Solo / As couple / small family / larger family / senior couple etc
Does car rental make sense on different budgets?
Do you need to hire a car in Uluru / Ayers Rock? TBC
This is based strictly on whether or no we think it's possible to visit Uluru / Ayers Rock (and the surrounding area) without using a car. Of the three key questions, this one is the most likely to be a "no".
Should you rent a car in Uluru / Ayers Rock? TBC
This is a balance of all factors. Remember this is an answer to the question for people who are already asking it. That's why the answer might still be a "yes", even when public transport is good.
See global comparisons
Hiring | Driving | Parking
Trains | Buses | Local travel
Car hire basics:
Public transportation basics:
Regular bus services: YES
Coach (inter-city): YES
Tram: NO
Metro: NO
Commuter Rail:
High Speed Rail:
Rail type (end stub / through / junction / hub):
As you start ....
Does Uluru / Ayers Rock airport have a direct rail link?
(Yes - within terminal / adjacent / short walk) (Yes - bus transfer / other) No
Changelog
Has our advice for Uluru / Ayers Rock car rental changed over time, or has it been pretty constant?
2017 - 3
2019 - 3
2021 - 2
Average score - 3
Notes:
Summary
Do you or don't you need a car in Uluru / Ayers Rock ?