Auto Europe
Car hire in Perth – Discovering Western Australia
Popular for its relaxed atmosphere and long string of magnificent beaches, many of which attract top surfers from all over the world, Perth (the sun-baked capital of Western Australia) is a gorgeous city nestling astride the winding Swan River. This enchanting place of verdant parks and inviting waterfront districts is idyllically lapped by the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean, where sailing, swimming, surfing, fishing, kayaking and boating are just some of the activities awaiting visitors to this privileged part of the country.
Founded by Captain James Stirling in 1829 on land inhabited by indigenous Australians for almost 50,000 years, Perth today has a population of around two million people and now ranks as the fourth largest city in Australia. With its relaxed atmosphere and lovingly restored heritage buildings, it is quickly metamorphosing into one of the country's most picturesque tourist destinations, and a place that offers world-class cuisine and many internationally-renowned vineyards in and around its beautiful environs, as well as being the ideal playground for visitors pursuing a plethora of outdoor adventures.
With a car hire in Perth you'll be able to fully explore Western Australia in total comfort and at your own pace. There are more than sixty national parks in this part of the country, plus dozens of nature reserves and regional parks. Travelling up and down the city's glorious coastline is as much an indulgence as a road-trip adventure because very few places on the planet have so much to offer in such a confined area, including award-winning wineries, pristine beaches, deep caves, reefs teeming with marine life and a number of lush rainforests, to name just a few of its unique attractions.
Auto Europe provides high-quality, low-cost car hire in over 190 popular destinations worldwide, with more than 28,000 convenient pick-up points from which to choose. By partnering with the most prestigious local, national and international car hire suppliers, we have the largest fleet of vehicles available, from small, manoeuvrable cars to luxurious, high performance vehicles for extended road-trips along the Perth coastline. Book online now or ask our award-winning rental specialists for assistance and they will be happy to fin you the best deal.
We are a very well established company that has been offering great prices and the very best service since 1954, so you know you're in the best hands when you rent a car in Perth with Auto Europe. For added peace of mind, we urge you to spend some time check out the supplier ratings and read the comments posted by some of our previous customers on our Perth car hire reviews page before finalising your travel plans.
For more information on renting a vehicle in Perth, click on the car hire related topics listed below:
| Suppliers | Car Hire FAQs | Travel Guide |
Where to pick up a car hire in Perth
As one of the world's oldest and best-established car rental companies, Auto Europe has achieved success by working with all the most prestigious vehicle providers and offering a wide choice of locations in and around Perth. Our customers can pick up their car from the airport or in the heart of the city centre and be on your way in just a few minutes! Our state-of-the-art booking engine helps you make the right selection, whether it's something small and economical you need for extensive city sightseeing or a more powerful car for that trip of a lifetime up and down Western Australia's wonderful coastline. Once you've keyed in your preferred supplier and vehicle category, take a look at the an interactive map to see the available options for cheap car hire in Perth.
Perth Airport
The fourth-busiest airport in Australia, Perth Airport caters for around 15 million passenger movements each year. Located just 10 kilometres (6 miles) east of Perth's CBD (Central Business District), it is one of three commercial airports in the Perth metropolitan area, along with Rottnest Island Airport and Jandakot Airport. The customer service desks are located on the ground floor of each of the airport's four terminal, so picking up your car rental is quick and easy (don't forget to have your driving licence, passport and car hire documents ready when you arrive).
Perth Airport (PER)
Website: perthairport.com.au
Address: Perth Airport WA 6105, Australia
Telephone: +61 8 9478 8888
Book with the best car hire suppliers in Perth
Auto Europe is a leading international car hire company currently offering a vast selection of convenient pick-up and drop-off locations in 190 different destinations around the world. Thanks to our many years of experience dealing with all the global and local car rental companies, we can offer you the best standard of service and cheapest prices on the market.
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Should you require additional information about the car hire companies we work with or their policies, for example out of office pick up or questions regarding age restrictions, our car rental specialists are just a phone call or e-mail away and happy to assist you.
Frequently asked questions about renting a car in Perth
This section features the most frequent questions asked by people booking a car hire in Perth. Scroll down for important tips relating to a wide range of essential car hire topics, such as credit cards, coverage, tolls, traffic and much more. If you need any more information, please contact our reservations team for assistance and they will be happy to help you with your reservation and assist you with your travel itinerary.
Do I need a credit card to rent a car in Perth?
Yes. Whenever a driver chooses to rent a car in Perth and other popular destinations in Australia, he or she will always be required to present a valid major credit card (ie Visa, Mastercard, Diners or American Express) in their name when they arrive to collect their vehicle. This is because the local vehicle supplier will need to place a hold on the value of the deductible for the duration of the rental period, the amount of which is fully refunded once the vehicle has been returned (in exactly the same condition). Please note that only a credit card will do and debit or pre-paid cards will be acceptable, although Auto Europe accepts both credit and debit cards as payment methods for all pre-paid reservations. Customers looking to drive a premium or luxury category car will often be required to present a second credit card (also in the main driver's name) at the time of picking up the vehicle.
Finding out which cards (and types) are acceptable couldn't be easier; just click on the blue and white info icon (i) after making a quick search in the Auto Europe booking engine and the relevant information will pop up. Please note that when booking the car hire online, Auto Europe accepts both credit and debit cards as payment methods for all pre-paid reservations. For more info, please read our blog post covering the six of the most important things to know about credit cards and deposits, as well as our dedicated post on the subject of credit cards for more tips and suggestions when planning your next low-cost car rental in Perth.
What insurance do I need for my car rental in Perth?
One advantage of booking your car rental in Perth with Auto Europe is the fact that all our standard rates include the minimum amount of legally-required cover, including Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) and Theft Protection (TP), both with or without excess depending on the car rental company. Nevertheless, it's important to note that this does not cover all parts of the vehicle, meaning that for total peace of mind it's always best to spend a little bit more to completely cover yourself with Auto Europe's excellent Full Damage & Theft Protection product which includes the wheels, roof, under-carriage, etc, the cost of which might vary depending on the location, rental duration, car category and supplier.
All the information you need regarding what's included in the basic rate can be easily found by making a quick search in the Auto Europe booking engine. All you have to do is select your dates, destination, vehicle category and supplier before clicking on the blue and white info icon (i) where you will find the amount of the CDW Deductible, Theft Insurance Deductible and Liability Insurance for your low-cost car rental in Perth. The same details are also included in the Terms and Conditions when you make an enquiry or finalise your booking.
It's worth being aware of the fact that it is common practice for local car hire staff to try selling you extra car hire coverage at the time of picking up your vehicle, including (but not restricted to) PAI (Personal Accident Insurance), PEC (Personal Effects Coverage), Super CDW, Seguro Relax Insurance, Road Assistance etc. Please note that Auto Europe cannot refund the cost of any locally-purchased insurance charges/fees even if the additional coverage sold to you is deemed unnecessary once the rental car has been returned to the pick-up point.
For more related information, please consult our dedicated page where you will find plenty of tips and suggestions about car hire coverage. If in any doubt, please contact our rental specialists for assistance and they will be happy to provide you with all the information you need.
How is the traffic in Perth?
Perth is a great city to drive around, although it's always best to avoid the morning and evening rush-hour during the week. Traffic in Perth is lighter compared with Melbourne and Sydney, plus the pleasant weather throughout the year makes driving along the city's beautiful coast even more enjoyable. Using a car hire in Perth is definitely the best way to see the city and its surroundings, including Fremantle city centre. Remember to drive on the left side of the road and note that road signs still use the metric system. On the local motorways, speed limits range from 80kph to 100kph, or 50kph in built-up areas. Please note that some stretches of road (ie Beaufort Street between Bulwer Street and Walcott Street) are permanently limited to 40kph.
Where can I park my car hire in Perth?
Perth operates with a pay-and-display parking system, and in some places the first hour of parking is free of charge (check this before inserting coins into the ticket machine). Parking costs vary according to zones, which also have different parking time restrictions. There are also multi-storey and open-air car parks where you can safely park your car hire in Perth. One of Perth's most important car park operators is CPP which runs more than thirty car parks (both ground-level and multi-storey), over 11,000 off-street parking spaces and 6,000 on-street fee-payable parking spaces, many of them in the city centre and close to some of the top tourist attractions. Visitors can purchase CPP's rechargeable parking card which is a convenient alternative method of payment to cash or credit card.
Do I need to pay tolls when driving my car hire in Perth?
No. Currently, Australian toll roads only exist in the eastern states of New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland, with most located within the limits of Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. However, a growing number of motorways are being tolled in Australia nowadays, with the money collected either electronically or cash, although the country is gradually moving towards a fully electronic toll-collection system through transponders fitted inside the car. For more information about tolls here, please visit the Linkt toll payment website.
Do I need an international driving licence to hire a car in Perth?
Travellers planning to rent a car in Perth will need to present a valid driving licence printed in English. If their licence is printed in another language, then they will need to present an International Driving Permit (IDP) along with the licence they normally use in their country of residence. An IDP is a translation only and will not be valid if it is not presented with the original driving licence. Most Australian states and territories (the exception being the Northern Territory) allow visiting drivers to drive indefinitely on their overseas licence as long as it is current.
Can I drive my car in Perth on unsealed roads and beaches?
No. Generally speaking, this is something that is not permitted and drivers are will be expected to take full responsibility in the event of any damage being done to the vehicle when driving on unsealed roads or those exposed to water of any kind. Some car categories are allowed to drive on unsealed roads (such as 4x4 vehicles, for instance), but any intention to do so must be authorised by the supplier and will usually incur an additional fee with full written consent required departing from the pick-up point.
Perth Travel Guide
Despite being one of the most isolated cities in the world, Perth is an economical and cultural hub of Western Australia. Jakarta is closer than any other major Australian city, with Sydney being 2,045 miles away from Perth. Make the most of your stay in this fascinating place with a car rental in Perth from Auto Europe. Explore the city and Western Australia and save on your travels with our great car rental deals.
Best day trips with my car rental in Perth
With a car hire in Perth you'll have the best of both worlds, combining several days' city sightseeing with the chance to explore one of the world's most enchanting coastal regions. With its prime seaside location in the heart of Western Australia, Perth is the perfect base from which to discover some of the area's many unique attractions, most notably Rottnest Island and Pinnacles Desert. Why not go further with one of our one-way car hire offers, plus you can share the driving with one of Auto Europe's special Free Additional Driver promotions running throughout the year.
Rottnest Island
One of the most popular day trips for people exploring the area with a car rental in Perth is Rottnest Island, a paradise tourist destination a few kilometres off the city's coast in the Indian Ocean. The island is famous for its quokkas, a large population of friendly, herbivorous marsupials about the size of a domestic cat. Other attractions include numerous white sandy beaches blessed with clear aquamarine waters where visitors can snorkel the day away amongst the most dazzling marine life imaginable. History also abounds in Rottnest Island’s excellent museum which illustrates the island’s former role as a prison colony over the centuries. If you are visiting between September and early December, look out for the humpback whale migration which takes place every year without fail in the local waters.
Swan Valley
Fertile and very scenic, Swan Valley is Western Australia’s oldest wine region and easily reached by car from the centre of Perth. Conveniently laid out along a 20-mile road that loops around the countryside, its many excellent wineries, cheese factories and chocolate shops are make this a day-trip to remember at any time of the year. Look out for the sensational chenin blanc and shiraz wines that can sampled before buying at most of the region's vineyards.
Pinnacles Desert
One of Western Australia's most striking features is Pinnacles Desert which is north of Perth and an excellent choice for a day trip out of city. Situated within the boundaries of Nambung National Park, the area contains thousands of weathered limestone pillars, some of which reach heights of more than 3.5 metres above their bright yellow sand base. Another highlight for visitors is the spectacular celestial display which is totally free of light pollution and features the Milky Way like you've never seen it before and a number of the brighter southern constellations rarely seen by amateur astronomers.
Hillarys Boat Harbour
Located a short drive north-west of Perth's city centre, the vibrant Hillarys Boat Harbour district is the perfect place for a fun-filled day trip for all the family. Besides the many waterside restaurants, shops and attractions on offer, a major draw is the Aquarium of Western Australia where visitors can You can stroll through a glass underwater tunnel and observe more than 200 species of marine animals, including stingrays, sharks, manta rays and dolphins. Hillarys Boat Harbour has a number of other attractions, including cycling paths, walkways, parks and sheltered beaches safe for kids, as well as the popular Leisurezone amusement arcade.
What to do in Perth
As Western Australia's top tourist destination, visitors can expect a feast of tourist attractions with all the added appeal of year-round sunshine and some of the best beaches in the Southern Hemisphere. There are so many things simply cannot be missed, such as Kings Park and Botanic Garden, the Art Gallery of Western Australia and Perth Mint, home to the world's largest gold coin.
- Kings Park and Botanic Garden: Affording sweeping views of Swan River, the sprawling Kings Park area is comprises almost 1,000 acres of green space and is Western Australia’s most-visited tourist attraction. Overlooking Perth city centre, it also functions as a war memorial, natural bushland and botanical garden where visitors can see over 300 indigenous plant species and more than 200 types of fungi. Another of the park's highlights is the chance to wander through the treetops on the Lotterywest Federation Walkway which is suspended in a canopy of eucalyptus trees and stretches for 620 metres through the Botanic Garden.
- Art Gallery of Western Australia: Founded in 1859, the superb Art Gallery of Western Australia houses one of the country's finest collections of Australian and international art from 1829 to the present day. Part of the Perth Cultural Centre complex, it features many traditional and contemporary indigenous pieces of art as well as rare works by some of the world's most renowned artists, including Frederick McCubbin and Hans Heysen. Another on-site attraction is the WA Museum Boola Bardip which showcases some of Western Australia’s most famous people, places, culture and historic events with a strong focus on the region's Aboriginal and multicultural influences.
- Perth Mint: The Perth Mint offers a fascinating glimpse into the history of gold in Western Australia, including its star exhibit - the world's largest coin which weighs in at a ton. There are many other attractions worth seeing, such as the largest collection of gold nuggets in the Southern Hemisphere. Try to catch the guided talks which provide a insight into the discovery of gold in Western Australia, after which you can visit the museum's gift shop to see the world-famous Argyle pink diamonds before enjoying a well-earned cup of Devonshire tea!
- Perth Zoo: Easily reachable by car (3 kilometres) from the heart of the city centre, Perth Zoo has been operating since 1898 and is still one of Western Australia's top animals attractions. Don't miss the chance to see the unique wildlife in the Australian Bushwalk and Wetlands sections where kangaroos, koalas, wallabies, wombats and Tasmanian devils roam freely. Visitors will also have the chance to feed giraffes in the African Savannah section, see orangutans in the Asian Rainforest section, watch a wonderful elephant show and set eyes on a rare pygmy marmoset in the South American primate section.
- Bell Tower: One of the world's largest musical instruments, the impressive Bell Tower in Barrack Square is houses the original 14th-century bells from Saint Martin in the Fields Church close to London's Buckingham Palace. Part of the visit includes the chance to see an interactive demonstration of the ancient art of bell-ringing, in addition to the incredible 360-degree views of the city and Swan River from the open-air observation deck situated on the Bell Tower's 6th floor.