Australia’s second biggest city and the surrounding areas are perfect for exploring via road trips, with coastal drives, lush countryside and cosmopolitan towns to discover. In terms of car rentals, Melbourne offers a wealth of options. All you need to keep in mind are these simple tips.
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Use KAYAK to Search Hundreds of Travel Sites at Once
The worst thing about renting a car is the hours it can take researching different companies to find the right one for you. KAYAK takes all the pain out of the process, by allowing you to search hundreds of travel sites at the same time. All you need to do is enter your dates for travel and all the information you need, including prices, reviews and maps, is immediately at your fingertips.
Let’s break the process down to make it even easier.
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Choose Locations, Dates and Times that Suit You
Before starting your search, it pays to carefully consider the pick-up and drop-off locations that best suit your needs. For example, if you’re stretched for time, perhaps picking your car up from the airport, but dropping it off at your final location will benefit your itinerary. Companies that allow pick-ups at Melbourne airport include:
- Hertz
- Europcar
- Thrifty
- East Coast Rentals
- Bargain Car Rentals
- Atlas
- ACE
- Jucy
To save money, our data suggests that pick-up and drop-off at the same location usually keeps the prices down. Keep in mind that some car rental providers require notification of the exact time you’ll arrive, so make sure you read the fine print if you’re looking for a flexible option. Use KAYAK’s map to easily pinpoint Melbourne car rental agencies in your preferred areas.
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Read Reviews of Melbourne Car Rental Companies
One of the best ways to ensure you get the car rental deal you need, while avoiding common pitfalls, is by reading reviews from fellow travellers. KAYAK gives you easy access to reviews while you search. This way, you can check out real-life experiences people have had with providers, including customer service, reliability, hidden fees, vehicle suitability and insurance policies.
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Tips for Driving in Melbourne
The Melbourne CBD is located about 30 minutes from the airport, along the Tullamarine Freeway. Routes into the city and nearby towns are signposted, however use a GPS for ease of travel if it’s your first visit. Once in the city, here are useful tips for driving in Melbourne.
Trams in Melbourne
Trams are a major form of public transport in Melbourne, so be prepared to see them throughout the city. Drivers must give way to trams and you can’t overtake a tram to their left. Make sure you don’t drive in a tram lane, unless you need to avoid an obstacle or turn right, whereby you can drive in the lane for no more than 50 metres.
Hook Turn Intersections
You’ll know you’re at one of Melbourne’s hook turn intersections when you see signs that say, ‘Right Turn From Left Only’. It’s a right turn you make from the left lane, so ensure you have your right indicator on and keep as near as possible to the left of the intersection. It sounds confusing, but once you do it once you’ll get the hang of it.
Toll Roads
Toll roads in Melbourne include Southern Link, Tullamarine Freeway, the M3 and Batman Avenue. To pay tolls, you can pre-purchase a pass online or make a payment within three days of using the road, to avoid fines.
Parking
Most of the parking around the Melbourne CBD is metred and many spots are limited to an hour, with a rate of approximately $5.50. Due to a lack of spaces and city traffic, it’s easier to leave your rental car at the hotel and walk to the restaurants, shops and nightlife in the central area. However, if you need to, try a parking complex such as the Council House car park at 200 Little Collins Street, with rates of about $25 for three hours. In surrounding suburbs and towns you’ll find parking is often free or much cheaper if metred.
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Best Road Trips Around Melbourne
You’re just a short drive away from spectacular natural wonders in Melbourne, along roads that offer scenic panoramas of the sparkling ocean and pristine countryside. Here are our top three picks for the best road trips from the city.
The Great Ocean Road
The dramatic 12 Apostles are just a highlight of one of the world’s most famous coastal drives. Start your trip just 90 minutes from the CBD, in Torquay. As you journey over 243 kilometres, you’ll get up close to native wildlife, visit secluded rainforests and stop for fish and chips at charming seaside towns.
>>Also read: 5 Most Epic Aussie Road Trips To Just Get Away
Mornington Peninsula
Clifftop mansions, picturesque beaches and green hinterlands await on a drive through the Mornington Peninsula. In just over an hour from Melbourne, you’ll drive by the Port Phillip Bay coastline, dotted with arty villages and quiet side roads to take detours through the countryside.
Yarra Valley
You can’t rent a car in Melbourne without discovering the magical Yarra Valley – especially if you love wine. Vineyards covering rolling hills give you the opportunity to pop into cellar doors and there’s plenty of fresh produce to enjoy at country restaurants. Get your camera ready to cruise over the Black Spur Drive from Healesville, with towering mountain ash trees, bright green ferns and the fresh air of the Great Dividing Range.
>>Need more road trip ideas? Check out these 7 epic Outback adventures
*Note: These rates are based on search queries made on kayak.sg on 7 June 2018. The prices are quoted in SGD. Flight prices are based on results for a return economy flight search. Hotel prices are for double occupancy and include taxes and fees. Prices are subject to change, may vary, or no longer be available.
