Bargain Car Rentals

Bargain Car Rentals: car hire in Australia with national coverage

Bargain Car Rentals is an Australian vehicle rental company founded in Hobart, Tasmania, over 15 years ago. Its focus is on offering new cars at affordable prices year-round, as a mobility alternative for travellers and residents. The company serves more than 90,000 customers and operates in 14 locations across the country.

Fleet available for different types of trips

The vehicle catalogue covers multiple categories designed for diverse needs. The company describes the following options:

• Compact or small cars: economical and easy to park.
• SUVs: versatile for urban and rural environments.
• Family or 7-seater SUV: spacious for family groups.
• Utes: utility vehicles suitable for work and recreation.
• Luxury cars: focused on comfort and premium style.
• Vans: with large cargo capacity.
• Mini buses: for group transport.
• Moving trucks and vans: also for group moves.

The fleet includes vehicles for short and long-term rentals, and there is the option to hire commercial vehicles with flexible terms.

Locations in Australia

Bargain Car Rentals has offices at airports and key cities. The confirmed service points are: Adelaide Airport, Brisbane Airport, Cairns Airport, Darwin City, Darwin Airport, Gold Coast Airport, Hobart City, Hobart Airport, Launceston Airport, Melbourne Airport, Perth Airport, Sunshine Coast Airport, Sydney Airport and Townsville Airport. The company operates several branches across the country and allows pick-up and drop-off at selected locations, including the option of one-way rental only in limited locations.

Included services and rental conditions

The base rental rate includes an additional driver at no charge, no surcharge for drivers under 25, airport pick-up and drop-off service for off-airport locations, unlimited mileage on passenger vehicles (except in the Northern Territory) and limited liability protection. The company does not charge booking fees and offers free cancellations on most bookings, subject to terms and conditions.

To rent a vehicle in Australia, drivers must be between 21 and 85 years old and hold a full, unrestricted licence. Documents required for pick-up include a driver's licence and a credit card; an international driving permit and passport may also be requested depending on the case. Vehicles are not permitted on unsealed roads.

Booking and customer service

The booking process consists of four steps: searching for dates and location, selecting the vehicle with the option to pay now or later, customising with liability reduction or extras, and confirmation with instant details. The company offers a 5% discount when booking directly on its website with the code BOOKDIRECT, and a prepayment option with additional savings.

The contact centre handles general enquiries, sales and customer care. For urgent enquiries, a phone line is available with option 3. Formal complaints are managed via a form and a response is aimed within 7 working days. There is also an FAQ section and 24/7 chat support.

Track record and awards

The company presents itself as a local and reliable option, with more than 31,000 5-star reviews. In 2025 it was a finalist in the Most Loved Direct Car Hire, Legendary Service Direct Car Hire and Top Value Direct Car Hire categories at the Finder Customer Satisfaction Awards. It also offers programmes for corporate and group customers, with the possibility of negotiated rates for multiple bookings.