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Car Hire Darwin Airport

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Your Choices at Darwin Airport

10
Brands
126
Vehicles
Economy to Luxury
Quality and Features
From $198
Daily Price

Cheapest Prices

The cheapest price you can rent a vehicle for pickup next week for a 7 day rental period

Reviews From Our Customers

03 Jun 2026
Great for people who want to plan ahead without committing financially. Loved the flexibility this gave me.
01 Jun 2026
Thank you for helping to create our special memories. What an experience!
01 Jun 2026
It's great to speak to a human, real people that are helpful.
31 May 2026
Didn't need a credit card to book, l love that!
30 May 2026
Highly impressed with the friendly and efficient service.
29 May 2026
Quick and easy to book.
29 May 2026
Warm, welcoming and wonderfully efficient. Highly recommend.
28 May 2026
Seamless booking, all my questions answered over Live Chat and outstanding service. Could not have asked for more!
26 May 2026
Such a great birthday gift.
24 May 2026
What a game changer! I hate giving out my card details online, so this was perfect.
23 May 2026
Exceptional Communication. The reservation staff was incredibly clear and concise, they took the time to explain all the different tiers and options without making me feel rushed.
22 May 2026
Really good.
20 May 2026
Nice to drive, hard to find somewhere to park but overall, very good.
19 May 2026
Five stars. I'd recommend them to anyone.
17 May 2026
Everything was quick, simple and stress free.
Expert Tip

Rental rates just outside peak holiday periods offer substantial savings

Reasons to Book With DriveNow

Find and compare best pricing on car hire at Darwin Airport

Australia’s Northern Territory is a tropical adventure waiting to be explored. Darwin, the capital city of NT is surprisingly closer to Bali and Singapore than its southern cousins Sydney, Melbourne, or Perth giving it a more exotic feel than the rest of the country. Whether you’re planning a city break or venturing out to the surrounding area, Darwin has plenty to offer travellers. You can reach the majestic national parks of Kakadu, and Litchfield in a few hours’ drive or, stroll along Mindell Beach Sunset Market and get lost in the abundance of delicious foods from around the world. You can even encounter saltwater crocs in their natural habitat. This vibrant city makes it the perfect holiday destination for any wanderer. With so much to discover in and around Darwin, hiring a car will allow you to uncover so much more. Planning in advance saves you precious time on holiday and gives you flexibility with your journey. Book a rental car with DriveNow and it will be ready to pick up as soon as you land at Darwin Airport.

Why use DriveNow for car rental at Darwin Airport?

For more than a decade, DriveNow has built rock solid partnerships with the most trusted car rental operators in the business. With a wealth of experience in comparing the best vehicles to suit your needs, we guarantee to bring you the lowest rates on the market. Our convenient car comparison service allows you to find the perfect car for you and your travelling party from our reliable partners: Budget, Thrifty, Hertz, and Enterprise.

With no hidden fees before, during, or after your trip it takes the worry out of hiring a car. You’ll have a clear picture of your vehicle and cost before landing at Darwin Airport, so you’re ready to pick up the keys and venture into the Northern Territory.

Why book with DriveNow?

  • 100% Australian owned and operated
  • The lowest rental car prices in the market
  • We partner with brands you know and trust
  • Free booking service with no fees or hidden charges
  • We’ve been comparing pricing on car hire since 2003
  • Immediate email confirmation and a locked in rental rate
  • Our system searches, finds and displays the lowest rental rate for you
  • In most instances, no deposit or credit card is required when booking. Just pay on pick-up
  • Impartial and instant rate comparison allows you to easily compare rental brands and price

FAQs when hiring a car from Darwin Airport

How much does it cost to hire a car at Darwin Airport (NT)?

Prices for Rental Car at Darwin Airport (NT) generally range from $198 to $470 per day *

For a more more accurate estimate, tailored to the type of vehicle you are interested in, please refer to the following table:

Vehicle TypePrice Range *
Compactfrom $438 to $442 per day
Intermediatefrom $208 to $211 per day
SUVfrom $198 to $470 per day

To get the most accurate rental price and availability for your Rental Car use the DriveNow search comparison tool

* All prices are in AUD and were last updated at 29 May 2026

We obtain this data using our custom comparison tool that gathers prices directly from suppliers' systems using the following criteria

  • Australian resident
  • pick up from Darwin Airport (NT) on 02 Jun 2026
  • return to Darwin Airport (NT) on 09 Jun 2026

How old do I need to be to rent a car in Darwin?

With some exceptions you need to be over 21 to hire a car in Australia. If you are between 21 and 25 the rental car supplier at the collection point may ask you:

· To pay a Young Driver's Age surcharge to complete the rental agreement

· Be required to choose a particular insurance liability option

· To select a specific vehicle category that allows drivers to be under 25 years of age (some suppliers restrict certain vehicle categories to only 25+ hirers)

· Have your rental agreement denied and your booking cancelled if the driver does not meet the requirements of that rental branch (refer to the rental car supplier’s cancellation policy)

What type of licence do I need to hire a car in the NT?

In Australia all drivers are required to hold a current full and valid driver’s licence for at least 12 months, without any restrictions. Probationary licences are not accepted. Your valid driver’s licence must be presented when collecting your rental vehicle along with the licenses of any additional drivers.

Driver licences must be in English or supported by a certified translation or international driving permit along with your licence. For non-English language-based driving licenses we always recommend to also carry an International Driving Permit.

Are there any road restrictions when hiring a car in the NT?

Yes. Check with the staff at the rental branch where you collect your vehicle before departing. Failure to adhere to restrictions will invalidate all insurance cover.

Rental companies do impose restrictions on vehicle usage and these may include driving only on maintained sealed roads with strictly no off-road use and not taking the vehicle on a ferry.

Rental companies reserve the right to restrict vehicle movements in certain areas due to adverse road or weather conditions (such as Outback Australia and the Northern Territory during the Wet Season). There may be certain exceptions to this, your chosen rental company can advise you when collecting your vehicle.

What does ‘or similar’ mean when making a car hire booking?

Each vehicle is displayed with ‘or similar’. When making a reservation, you are booking a vehicle category and not a specific vehicle model. Specific makes and models within a vehicle category may vary in availability and features such as passenger seating, luggage capacity, equipment, mileage and engine size.

Car rental companies turn over their rental fleets on a regular basis and as vehicles move between branch locations and different cities. Therefore, occasionally the vehicle you pick up may not be the exact make and model you selected at the time of booking. Normally the vehicle will be within the vehicle category booked however if none are available it will be a similar size or alternatively the next category available.

Not all vehicles are available from all locations. We are unable to monitor a supplier’s fleet movements across a particular country.

As rental car companies will not guarantee that a particular make, model or colour will be available for a specific reservation, unfortunately DriveNow cannot either.

Is entering a flight number important when booking a car rental at an airport?

Yes your arrival flight number is important information for the car rental company if you are collecting a vehicle from an airport. Your flight number will indicate to the rental car company which terminal you will be arriving at (Domestic or International Terminal).

If you experience a flight delay and the rental company is aware of your flight details, they are more likely to hold the vehicle for you. Without arrival flight details in your reservation and if you haven’t collected the vehicle at the booked time, they may treat your reservation as a ‘no-show’ and release the vehicle to another customer.

If no flight details are entered into your reservation, we cannot guarantee the rental car supplier will hold the vehicle for you, especially during busy holiday periods.

Is excess reduction insurance with the rental car company optional?

Yes. Additional excess liability reduction is optional. DriveNow recommend you consider all options when collecting your vehicle. Some travel insurance policies & credit card company insurance cover include car hire excess option and not the car insurance itself.

Check with your travel insurer or credit card provider as to what you are covered for. In the event of an accident, you will still be required to pay the full excess amount to the car rental supplier and then submit a claim to your insurer. As a general rule travel insurance is strongly recommended.

Excess amounts, additional cover and security bond amounts will only be available at the time of vehicle collection from the rental company, as the costs of these may vary based on the customer’s and booking details. Please contact your rental location to confirm prior to pick-up if you have any questions.

For further information on insurance options with Prosura, contact DriveNow.

What costs can l expect when l collect my rental vehicle?

At the time of collection you will be required to pay for your rental by credit card. At this time you will have the option to add additional items such as GPS hire, child seats, additional drivers, age surcharge, excess liability reduction, windscreen damage cover, premium roadside assistance, snow cover and toll passes.

In some countries the car rental supplier may add to your total rental cost a credit card surcharge fee to cover the cost of processing the credit card payment. This amount will depend on the credit card type used. American Express and Diners Cards often attract a higher % fee.

Which car rental providers operate at Darwin Airport?

There are 9 car rental brands with onsite branches at Darwin Airport in the terminal. These include Alamo, Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Europcar, Hertz, National, Sixt and Thrifty. Brands which are offsite from Darwin Airport are Bargain Car Rentals and East Coast Rentals.

Can I request additional items on the booking page?

Yes. You can select additional items in Step 2 on the booking page or include them in the comments box of the booking page.

· Child, Booster & Infant Seats – Select at the time of booking

· GPS - Select at the time of booking, if doing a one-way rental you will need to request in comments box

· Excess Liability Reduction – Request at the time of pick-up with the rental branch staff

· Additional driver - Request at the time of pick-up with the rental branch staff

· Snow Cover Package - Request at the time of pick-up with rental branch staff

Is a security bond payable when renting a car?

Yes. A security bond amount will be required when you collect your vehicle and will be applied to your credit card. It is important you have sufficient credit on the card to cover this.

The amount on the security bond can vary due to a number of different factors including; the total amount of your rental cost, credit card type, age of the renter, type of vehicle, location of residency, length of the reservation, insurance options taken and if collection is from an airport, city, regional location or franchised owned branch.

The security bond is released when the vehicle is returned and without any damage. The release of the bond and the return of your funds are subject to your credit card’s terms and conditions (for example how long it takes for the bond to be credited back to your card).

Are there any booking fees with DriveNow?

No. DriveNow does not charge booking fees or service charges when making a booking through our website.

How far is Darwin from Alice Springs?

1500kms, a 15 hour drive on the Stuart Highway. At least 3 days is recommended for the road trip to Alice Springs, this will allow you to travel safely at your leisure and enjoy the journey.

Can the prices change overnight?

Yes. DriveNow is a comparison web site with live pricing fed directly from our rental partners. As such pricing can change at the discretion of the rental provider and as vehicles are booked by other customers. However once you have made your confirmed booking the rates are locked in for the booking dates you have selected.

Booking in advance is always recommended to secure the best rate, generally the earlier you book the cheaper the rate.

Do I need to book in advance?

Where possible it is recommended that you book in advance. During peak periods such as long weekends, Easter, Christmas and School Holidays, vehicles sell out well in advance.

This is particularly true for specialty vehicles such as 12-seaters, People Movers, luxury & sport cars along with 4WD’s which all sell-out quickly and early. Customers should consider booking 3-4 months in advance to secure the best rate and avoid the disappointment of missing out due to supply being exhausted.

A brief introduction to Darwin Airport

Airport Information

Address: 1 Henry Wrigley Dr, Darwin International Airport NT 0820

Code: DRW

Telephone: +61 8 8920 1811

Location: Darwin Airport is located approximately 8km north of the city centre

No. of Terminals: 1

Timezone: GMT/UTC +9:30

Situated just 8km (a short 15-minute drive) from the city centre in Marrara, Darwin Airport services both domestic and international travel with regular flights departing to popular Asian destinations such as Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines.

The Airport dates back to 1919, making it one of the oldest airports in Australia. In its earliest years it was solely used as a military airfield before civilian airlines were permitted in the mid-1940s.

As well as acting as the primary domestic and international airport for the Northern Territory it was also used as an important refueling stop for airlines flying between Australia, Asia and on Europe right up to the seventies when airlines equipped with longer ranged aircraft were able to fly direct to Australia's main cities.

In 1974, the airport was used to evacuate over 25,000 people out of Darwin after Cyclone Tracy hit and flattened the city. In 1999, Darwin Airport was also used to assist in UN operations in East Timor, and supported medical evacuations during the 2002 Bali bombings.

Fast-forward to 2015 when the airport expanded its present-day terminal building doubling its capacity and costing $85 million, enabling it to grow into the Northern Territory’s premier international and domestic airport.

Darwin Airport Terminal Map Source: darwinairport.com.au