Launceston car hire, Tasmania: East Coast, Bargain Car Rentals or ABC Car Hire?

Car hire in Launceston can be expensive. Expect to pay from $66 per day for car rental from the airport. However, cheaper Launceston car hire deals can be found with smaller operators such as East Coast Car Rentals, Bargain Car Rentals, Drive Car Hire and ABC Car Hire.

Tasmania is Australia’s smallest state, and most of it is easy enough to get around by car. This makes Tasmania an ideal destination for a self-drive holiday. But second city Launceston is arguably a better base than Tasmanian capital Hobart.

Cataract Gorge in Launceston, Tasmania — Cataract Gorge in Launceston is one of the highlights of Tasmania’s second city. Tamar River Cruises down the gorge are one of the best things to do in Launceston. Photo by David Whitley/ Australia Travel Questions

In the centre of the north of the island, Launceston is closer to natural treasures such as Wineglass Bay and Cradle Mountain. There are also several cheap Melbourne to Launceston flights per day, so it’s not exactly difficult to get to.

Car hire in Launceston, Tasmania

If the plan is to fly into Launceston, however, you are probably going to need a vehicle. Fortunately, that’s not difficult to arrange. Six car rental firms offer car hire at Launceston Airport, which is in Western Junction, 15km south of the city. You can choose from Avis, Budget, Europcar, Thrifty, Hertz and Redspot.

There are also a few off-airport car rental options in Launceston which can sometimes work out a little cheaper. East Coast Car Rentals and Bargain Car Rentals offer a free shuttle service from Launceston Airport.

Local Tasmanian firm Drive Car Hire also offers car hire in Launceston, a short distance from the airport. The company was formerly known as Rentforless Car Rentals. Other local, non-chain options include ABC Car Hire.

Cost of Launceston car hire

The usual factors of supply and demand, seasonality, booking length and advance booking affect the cost of car hire in Launceston. Searching with VroomVroomVroom three months in advance, Australia Travel Questions found a week’s car rental from Launceston Airport for $457, or about $66 per day. That was with East Coast Car Rentals for a compact car, such as a Hyundai Accent. The cheapest SUVs cost $604 – about $87 a day.

However, some of the smaller Launceston car rental operators don’t appear on the comparison sites. Checking directly with Bargain Car Rentals, there are some much cheaper deals. Using the same dates and times, a compact car for the week cost from $338, and a compact SUV from $389.