Car hire is one of travel's biggest sources of unexpected bills. A deal that looks like $25/day can end up costing $80/day once you're at the counter. Here are the charges to watch for — and how to sidestep every one of them.
Fuel policies
The most common source of complaints. There are three models to know:
- Full to full — you receive the car full, return it full. This is the fairest option. Look for it when comparing.
- Full to empty — you pay for a full tank upfront and return it empty. Sounds convenient but you'll overpay unless you run it to zero.
- Same to same — you receive and return at the same level. Fine in theory but disputes about the level on return are common.
Insurance upsells
Rental desks are trained to sell additional insurance products. Super CDW, excess waiver, personal accident cover, tyre and windscreen cover — these can double the daily rate. Most travellers don't need to buy these at the desk. See our full insurance guide for cheaper alternatives.
Young driver surcharges
Drivers under 25 (sometimes under 30) are charged a daily surcharge at most suppliers, typically $10–$25/day. This is often not shown in comparison prices. Always check the full price breakdown before booking if a driver is under 25. Some suppliers are more generous — use our comparison to find them.
Additional driver fees
Adding a second driver typically costs $5–$15/day at the desk. Some suppliers include it free — filter for this when comparing. If you're sharing driving duties on a long trip, the cost adds up fast.
One-way drop fees
Returning the car to a different location than pickup usually attracts a one-way fee. These vary enormously — from $0 to $300+. Always check before booking if you're planning a one-way trip. Our one-way car hire guide covers this in full.
Airport surcharges
Picking up at an airport typically costs 10–25% more than a city centre location. If you're flying in but have flexibility, consider taking a taxi or shuttle into town and picking up there — especially for longer rentals where the saving is significant.
Late return fees
Most suppliers have a 30-minute grace period. After that, many charge a full extra day's rate. Plan your return with buffer time, especially if returning before a flight.
Toll charges and admin fees
If you use toll roads without the rental company's transponder, many suppliers will charge you the toll amount plus a daily admin fee of $5–$12 just for processing it. Buy or rent a separate transponder, or check if toll charges are included in your booking.
The best defence against all of these is comparison shopping. Compare car hire prices and look beyond the headline rate — filter by fuel policy, insurance inclusion and total price to find the genuinely best deal.