Cheapest car rental at Hobart Airport: How to actually get the best deal in 2025

In December–January, the cheapest car rental at Hobart Airport most often comes from off-airport value brands like Bargain Car Rentals and East Coast Car Rentals found via Rentalcars.com. Expect base daily rates roughly from about $70–100 for small cars in peak season, with SUVs, people movers and EVs higher. These are base prices before add-ons. I recommend reducing excess to zero to avoid nasty surprises (I explain the risks on Tasmania’s roads in my Tasmania car rental guide). Compare live deals on Rentalcars.com.

I live here in Tasmania and every summer my inbox fills with versions of the same question: who’s cheapest at Hobart Airport right now, and how do I find a cheap car rental in Hobart? The truth is that car rentals in Tasmania are typically not cheap. So you have to scratch around to compare prices. Peak season is busy, cars sell out, and “from $70/day” can balloon at the counter if you haven’t looked at the full picture. But don’t worry, I got you. Because below is the straight, local view so you can book with confidence and get travelling.

What to look for in a rental car for Tasmania

My best advice in Tasmania is to pick the car for the trip, not the photo. The roads here are winding, slippery, often ice covered, and can be gravel in many tourist locations. Especially if you’re off the beaten track! Here’s what that means for your Tasmania car rental:

• Compact – Great for two people sticking to sealed highways and city parking. Road kill can be a problem if the car has low clearance.
• SUV – Worth it for longer road days, gravel access to national parks like Bruny Island and Freycinet beaches or the west coast. Also a comfier ride with luggage.
• People mover – Only book if you truly need the seats. They cost more and go fast over school holidays.
• EV – Lovely to drive and cheaper to “fuel”, but plan your charge stops and accommodation with chargers. Check out my EV charger map in my full Tasmania car rental guide 👇🏽

I go deeper on car types, road conditions, and seasonal gotchas in my Tasmania Car Rental Guide.

Hobart Airport car rental companies compared

First, lets look at the range of Hobart car rental companies. There’s three basic types:

1. Big international brands (on-airport)

• Avis, Budget, Hertz, Europcar, SIXT, Thrifty, Alamo/Enterprise/Dollar/National.
• Counters are inside the terminal — the most convenient option.
• Fleets are large and varied, but you’ll usually pay more for that convenience.

2. Australia-wide value brands (off-airport, shuttle pick-up)

• Bargain Car Rentals, East Coast Car Rentals, Apex.
• Not inside the terminal — you take a free shuttle bus to their depots.
• Often cheapest in December–January if you book early on Rentalcars.com.

3. Local Tasmanian operators (city or near-airport depots)

• Lo-Cost Auto Rent, Drive Car Hire, A Total Car Rentals, Redspot, Alice Car Rental, SafeDrive.
• Smaller fleets and more personal service.
• Sometimes sharper on price, but you may need to pick up in Hobart city or arrange a shuttle.

Here’s the full list with their position in the local market.

Who actually has the cheapest car rental at Hobart Airport?

When you compare Hobart Airport car rentals, the names that most often surface as cheapest in December–January are Bargain Car Rentals and East Coast Car Rentals. They run off-airport depots with a quick shuttle, which is why their base pricing is sharper than the on-terminal majors. Apex sometimes comes close.

The big desks inside the terminal (Avis, Budget, Hertz, Europcar, SIXT, Thrifty) win on convenience but rarely on price in peak season – December to February.

🔑 Tip from a local: that five-minute shuttle is usually the difference between paying “ouch” and feeling smug about the rate.

Here’s how you can find the Hobart Airport car rental shuttle bus stop at Hobart Airport:

1. After you collect your luggage head outside the terminal building.
2. Turn left and walk along the footpath in front of the terminal.
3. Keep walking until you reach the Shuttle and Ride Share Pick-up Zone. This is a designated area where airport transfer and shuttle services stop.
4. That’s where the rental company’s complimentary shuttle bus will collect you.

From there, the shuttle takes you directly the off-airport car rental depot a few minutes away, where you complete the paperwork and pick up your rental car.

Cheapest car rental at Hobart Airport: real-world price examples

These examples are for peak-summer planning purposes. They’re base daily rates before insurance/excess reduction and extras. Prices move with demand; use them as a guide then run your dates through rentalcars.com, which is where we find the best deals are when friends and family are booking their Tasmania Car rentals. Here’s a guide for peak season travel:

Small cars (economy/compact: i20, Rio, Corolla hatch) – From about $70–100 per day in peak. Small cars sell fastest because they’re the cheapest headline price.

SUVs (ASX, RAV4, Outlander) – From about $120–180 per day in peak. More space and comfort on Tassie’s windy roads, which is why families jump on them first.

People movers (Kia Carnival/12-seater) – Commonly $220–350 per day in peak and stock is limited. If you need 7–12 seats over Christmas/New Year, book early or expect to compromise on dates.

EVs (MG ZS EV, Tesla Model 3 when available) Roughly $130–200 per day in peak. Availability is still patchy, so compare and plan charging.

🔑 December is the most expensive month for Hobart Airport car hire, with average prices spiking well above off-peak months—so “from” rates you see mid-year won’t reflect Christmas.

Total Trip Costs in Peak Season

Day rates only tell part of the story. Here’s how those numbers scale for different trip lengths in December and January:

• 3-Day Economy Rental: $210–$300 (base)
• 7-Day SUV Rental: $840–$1,200 (base)
• 14-Day People Mover Rental: $3,000+ (base) – when it comes to multiple week stays it’s a good idea to compare the cost of renting a car in Tasmania with the cost of bringing your own car over on the Tasmania Ferry from Geelong. Luckily, I’ve already done the comparisons for you.

Remember — these are base rates only. Once you add excess reduction, extra drivers, and baby seats, the real price climbs.

The December–January price surge, explained

Summer holidays, school break, and events drive demand through the roof. Fleets are finite, and once the small cars go, you’re shopping in higher-priced categories. The data backs it: December sits at the top end for Hobart pricing each year. Book early, lock a cancellable rate, and re-check a week out in case a better deal appears.

Bring your excess to zero (here’s why)

Here’s the thing most travellers don’t realise: the “cheap” rates you see are base costs only. They don’t include the insurance you’ll almost certainly need.

In Tasmania, excess (your liability if you damage the car) can run to $4,000–$6,000. Wildlife collisions, gravel roads, and even a rogue stone can leave you on the hook. That’s why I always recommend reducing excess to zero.

Yes, it adds to the daily price, but it saves you sleepless nights.

How to actually get the cheapest car rental at Hobart Airport

Start on Rentalcars.com and sort by lowest price. Shortlist the off-airport brands first, then compare what’s included. Check pick-up instructions so you know where the shuttle departs. East Coast’s HBA page shows the flow; others are similar.

My step-by-step

1. Search your real dates at Hobart Airport on Rentalcars.com:
2. Sort by price. Check economy/compact first, then SUVs.
3. Open the inclusions tab for each short-listed deal and note fuel policy, mileage, driver age rules, and what the excess is before and after add-ons.
4. Add excess reduction to zero, then compare the total, not the headline day rate.
5. If you need a people mover over Christmas, book it now. Stock is truly limited.
6. Lock in a free-cancellation rate, then check again a week out in case something sharper pops up.

The fine print that can blow your budget

Fuel policy
Full-to-full is standard. Top up near the airport or the refill fee will sting.

After-hours fees
Late arrivals and returns can carry charges. If your flight shifts, tell the rental company early

Age and licence
Most categories require 21+ with a full licence, some premium classes are 25+. International visitors: bring an IDP if your licence isn’t in English. I cover the detail in my guide.

One-way drops
Returning to Launceston or elsewhere often adds a fee. Price it in before you fall in love with a route.

Extras
Baby seats, additional drivers, snow gear for the highlands—add them to your comparison so you’re not surprised at pick-up.

Cheapest car rental at Hobart Airport: my value picks

If price is king and you’re happy to hop on a shuttle, start with Bargain Car Rentals and East Coast on Rentalcars.com. If you value pure convenience above all, pay the premium for an on-terminal major and walk straight to the car. Either way, compare the total cost with excess at zero, then book the one that suits your trip.

Compare live Hobart Airport deals here,

Still deciding on your rental car type or insurance?

I’ve put all the Tasmania-specific car rental advice in one place. It covers vehicle choices, gravel and snow notes, insurance and excess traps, age/licence rules, EV planning, and more. Read the full guide before you book.

Where to Go Once You’ve Got the Keys

Once you’ve locked in your Hobart Airport rental, the real adventure begins. My top road trip picks:

• Port Arthur & the Tasman Peninsula – dramatic cliffs and convict history.
• Bruny Island – foodie heaven a short ferry ride away.
• Cradle Mountain – alpine hikes and wombats galore.
• The East Coast – Wineglass Bay, Bicheno, Bay of Fires.

For detailed itineraries, check my Tasmania Trails guides — they’ll help you turn that set of keys into an unforgettable trip.

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