The 5 Shops with the Best Car Rentals in Gold Coast
As a retired cheapskate, I remembered renting a car once that landed me my first routine traffic stop. The car was one broken taillight away from retirement, but it was the cheapest one I could find, so I bit into it.
One ticket and almost an arrest later, I’ve finally learned to be pickier about car rentals. And guess what? I can still end up with a decent car even if I were on a budget.
And if I’m feeling a little fancy, of course, I splurge a little by renting the latest models. That’s the beauty of knowing the best car rental services in Gold Coast.
If you want to spare yourself from making the same mistake as I did, then you’d better take these suggestions to heart.
How much do car rental services cost in Gold Coast?
The cost of car rental services in Gold Coast ranges from $25 to $150 per day, depending on the car model, provider, and duration.
1. QLD Luxury Rentals
Address: 1 Ashmore Rd, Surfers Paradise
Phone: +61 1300 462 119
Business hours: 24 hours
If you mean to impress people with a flashy, luxury car, QLD Luxury Rental’s offerings won’t surely let you down.
When we visited their showroom, we were greeted by a blinding array of supercars, including Lamborghinis and Porsches. Visually, we could tell that their fleet is meticulously maintained.
The attending staff told us that their clients are mostly coming from the business and corporate field, who frequently go on business trips. Commonly, business owners would arrange pick-ups from hotels, airports, or event venues.
I mean, who wouldn’t want to make a strong impression? In fact, they also told us that we can take it up a notch and include a driver/chauffeur.
But even if you’re not a business owner, anyone who’s 25+ can rent most of their vehicles. And I said “most” because the staff informed us that some cars are only available for the VIP members.
These VIP members are entitled to some benefits, like a full-day rental or longer.
Coming from an ordinary person’s perspective, I found their rental prices to be more than I can afford. But if you’re someone who has the means to splurge a little, then have a go at it!
Highly recommended
“Hired a few cars for a corporate drive day, safe to say it was a blast! Absolutely nothing but a great experience from the team QLCR. The process was super easy to book and the team made the day amazing. I’ve hired cars in the past from other companies and they have so many rules it makes you really feel like you can’t enjoy yourself. QLCR has it down pat! You can drive the car while being sensible and still having fun!”
- Daniel Martinez, Google Reviews
100% recommend hiring through QLCR.
“Recently hired what can only be described as the breathtaking 911 GT3 RS for my daughter’s formal. Bran and Cameron are exceptional and made the experience seamless and enjoyable. Down to earth, no pretence, and took the anxiety out of receiving an $890k car!”
- Case Australia, Google Reviews
2. East Coast Car Rentals
Address: 3 Karana St, Tugun
Phone: +61 1800 028 881
Business hours:
- Monday to Friday, 7 AM–6:30 PM
- Saturday and Sunday, 7:30 AM–6 PM
If you’re flying in Gold Coast and need a quick pick-up and drop-off from the airport, East Coast is one of the easiest rental services you can call.
East Coast’s office and depot are located close to the airport. Some past clients shared that upon arrival at the airport, they provided a free shuttle bus that dropped the clients off at the nearby depot to pick up the car.
Clients mentioned that it was such a hassle-free experience. We were told that the team provided instructions about where to meet the shuttle, and picking up the rental car was easy since everything is processed online beforehand.
What the clients love the most is the East Coast team’s patience and understanding. They said that in some cases of flight delays, the team will wait patiently for the clients to arrive, even if it reaches past office hours.
When you rent a car from East Coast, just make sure to take good care of the unit. While their service is indeed great, one common concern among past customers is that the excess for damage is quite expensive.
The whole process from beginning to end was so easy!
“We had never used a rental car company off-site from the airport before and were hesitant, but for the price difference between other well-known companies, we decided to give East Coast Car Rentals Gold Coast a go and we are so glad that we did. The car was clean, the staff were lovely and the courtesy shuttle to and from the airport was faultless. We will definitely use East Coast Car Rentals again on our next holiday.”
- Christen Cooper, Google Reviews
Love hiring East Coast.
“This time round, I felt it was a very personal service. The team was very accommodating, and our driver, Paul, was very friendly. Our return was out of hours and were prepared to Uber back to the airport but Paul happened to be there and was more than happy to take us and he hadn’t even started his shift yet. I highly recommend it as the hiring conditions are very straightforward with no hidden cost and that’s what keeps me coming. See u next time, team.”
- Julie Romeo, Google Reviews
3. Network Rentals Gold Coast
Address: 141 Ferny Ave, Surfers Paradise
Phone: +61755382344
Business hours:
- Monday to Friday, 7:30 AM–4 PM
- Saturday, 7:30 AM–1 PM
- Sunday, 8 AM–12 PM
Network Rentals’ affordable rates and high-quality vehicles attract a lot of tourists who want to tour the city.
They offer a fast, paperless system that many clients appreciate, since we all know how much of a hassle paperwork can be. All you need to do is fill out the online form and everything’s all set.
This also makes the pick-up process easier. Some clients even told us that it only took less than five minutes to endorse the rental car, and then they’re off.
Moving to the fleet, we found it appealing that the cars are well-maintained and relatively new. Not to mention, they have a wide variety of cars and trucks for hire.
Unlike other car rental services, which require renters to be 25+ and charge an “age excess” fee for renters under 24, Network Rentals’ minimum rental age is 21. Young drivers also appreciate not having to pay an age-based fee.
However, there were reports of extra charges that some past customers were unaware of, such as cleaning and fuel fees. So, we would suggest talking thoroughly to the team regarding these terms.
ABSOLUTE LEGENDS!
“The team has outdone themselves! I was urgently looking for a car to rent, and the team was able to arrange one for me within a few minutes! I was extremely impressed by the car itself, as it was in pristine condition and had barely done 10K kms, so I pretty much got a brand new car to use. Also appreciated the $0 excess option for insurance + that they explain everything in detail should you have any questions. Will definitely be using their services again if I’m in the area. 5 stars all the way!”
- Aryan Dingankar, Google Reviews
Beautiful
“They sent a beautiful car to achieve a perfect holiday for us at a reasonable price, much appreciated! You are the best car rental company in the surfer paradise!”
- Free Scott, Google Reviews
4. Cut Price Car Rentals
Address: 101 Golden Four Dr, Bilinga
Phone: +61 1800 241 622
Business hours:
- Monday to Saturday, 7 AM–7 PM
- Sunday, 7 AM–6 PM
Many locals and tourists find Cut Price to be one of the budget-friendly car rental services in Gold Coast. It’s located close to the airport, which is really convenient for anyone to access via a short walk or using the free shuttle.
What’s really impressive is the 24/7 service. The office itself closes at 6–7 PM, but the drop-off service can go until after hours.
We asked some past customers about this, and they said that if you’re returning the car after office hours, you just need to park it and leave the key in a secure drop-off box. This is very convenient for those with flights to catch at odd hours.
Families also shared that the Cut Price team is very accommodating with special requests. For example, you can ask for booster seats or baby seats in case you’re travelling with your children.
Overall, as a budget-friendly and highly accessible car rental provider, Cut Price can be a decent choice. There were some noticeable signs of wear on some units, but clients stressed that it’s not really a major concern since the vehicles are in good condition and work perfectly fine.
Impressive
“I recently used Cut Price Car Rentals when travelling to the Gold Coast and was impressed by how effortless the whole process was. Booking was straightforward, and the team was incredibly helpful, ensuring everything was clear and simple. The entire experience was completely stress-free and allowed me to start my holiday in the best way possible. I even received a nice complimentary coffee before picking up the car, which was a thoughtful touch. Highly recommend for smooth and reliable service.”
- Alex Salter, Google Reviews
Highly recommended
“They provided me a competitive price compared to other car rentals, as they beat the price. The service they provided was quick and easy, and pick-up and drop-off services were fantastic. I will use them again, and I highly recommend them to anyone.”
- Madhura Weerashinghe, Google Reviews
5. Family Car Rentals
Address: 1 Wheeler Crescent, Cnr, Villiers Dr, Currumbin Waters
Phone: +61 1300 301 002
Business hours:
- Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM–4:30 PM
- Saturday, 8:30 AM–4 PM
- Sunday, 9 AM–12 PM
The company has been around since 2001. Many families have been with them for years because of their excellent service, stress-free processing, and family-friendly perks.
Families noted that the company not only provides car rental services but also offers family trip packages, such as beach getaways and sightseeing tours.
What really impressed us was the competitive pricing. We were told that if you’re comparing prices from different car rental services, show the other quotes to the team, and they will reduce their offer by at most double the difference.
Even if you found someone cheaper than them, they’ll try to reduce their offer even more! You don’t get that from everyone, and it’s no wonder that they have a lot of returning customers over the years.
Overall, the majority of their clients have had great experiences with the team. From the booking to the cars themselves, everything is smooth and stress-free.
However, there are some reported issues with how some of the cars look old and worn out. If this is an issue, it’s best to communicate with the team regarding their car models.
We had another fantastic experience with this family car rental company!
“The customer service was excellent – everyone was so friendly and helpful from start to finish. The online booking process was simple, and all our queries were answered quickly. Every request we made was handled without any issues or complications. We highly recommend this company and will definitely be using them again, as we have in the past. Thank you for making our holiday travel so easy and stress-free.”
- Mary Nicolaci, Google Reviews
Always been great
“Have been using Gold Coast Family Car Rentals for over 10 years. Have always been impressed with their service, quality, and cleanliness of cars available, and price. Darryl and staff are lovely to deal with and always make the process very easy. I personally would not use any other car hire company when visiting the Gold Coast. You will arrive as a customer and leave as a friend.”
- Alan Hookham, Google Reviews