Europcar Car Rental in Melbourne

Car Hire in Melbourne, Australia

 

Discover locations in Melbourne

Rent a car in Melbourne with Europcar

Melbourne is the state capital of Victoria, located in the south-eastern part of mainland Australia. Known as the Australian capital of culture, it is famed for its great art galleries, hipster bars and generally laidback way of life from its creative, exciting city center to its lively neighborhood hubs. Whether you love sport and the great outdoors, or eating world-class cuisine, Melbourne is a city that is well worth exploring. 

Car rental in Melbourne is a great option for discovering all that the city has to offer, as well as exploring further afield in the state of Victoria. 

The Europcar car rental experience in Melbourne

There are numerous Europcar stations to collect your Melbourne car hire from. If you are arriving via plane, branches at Tullamarine Off Airport or Melbourne Airport allow you to be on the road as soon as you land. There is also a pick-up point at Melbourne Southern Cross train station, plus several others in the heart of the city.

From compact two-seaters to trucks and 4x4s, we have the vehicle to suit your journey. The Nissan Micra or Hyundai Accent are perfect to get small groups from A to B comfortably, whereas the Toyota Camry or Mercedes B200 are great options for families or larger groups. We also have vans, and utes – half car, half pickup. 

Whenever and however you want to travel, Europcar offers the flexibility to pick up and drop off your vehicle at different stations, and rent for short or long periods. 

Driving in Melbourne

To rent a car in Australia, all you need is a valid US driver’s license.

The Australian speed limit differs from one state to another. In Victoria, the limit on freeways is 110 km/h, on single carriageways it is 100 km/h, in built-up areas it is 50 km/h and near schools it is 40 km/h.

Melbourne has the third largest streetcar network in the world, with the cars running on the inside of each driving lane. Be aware that they stop regularly to drop off and pick up passengers; you can overtake, but only when there is enough room to pass safely and the doors are not opening. 

There are several hook turns in Melbourne. These are a way of turning right at an intersection from the left lane, and you are alerted by the traffic lights when you can turn. 

The center of Melbourne is very busy, with traffic peaking during the weekday rush hours of 7am to 9am and 5pm to 7pm.

Most downtown parking spots are limited to one hour, increasing to two hours after 6.30pm. Outside of this zone, parking is available for longer, and some off-street parking lots allow long-stay and overnight parking. You can pay for parking with a credit/debit card or cash at the meter. Payment can also be made via phone with PayStay, but you will need to open an account beforehand.

Australia has many toll roads. Most of these use an electronic system, meaning you have to buy an e-tag pass in advance, or you have three days to pay the charge online once you have passed through the tollgate.

If you plan to travel outside of cities, be aware that road surfaces will be variable, journeys will take longer and there will be fewer gas stations. Be prepared before you set off, and make use of the rest stops every 50 to 60 miles. Check the weather before you travel, as this can dramatically affect driving conditions. 

Discover Melbourne and the surrounding area by car 

Melbourne’s city center is a little over two square miles in area, but its suburbs span nearly 4,000 square miles. Renting a car is the most flexible way to travel around, whether inside the city or further afield. 

If you feel inclined to explore outside of Melbourne, head to the town of Bendigo, 95 miles away. A great hub for those seeking culture and food all year round, this is a popular destination when the weather is not great for exploring the coast. 

Further away, there is the Great Otway National Park, 130 miles south of Melbourne. This is a spectacular area of natural beauty where you can see koalas, birds, and diverse other wildlife. 

The region boasts many great driving routes, including the Great Ocean Road and the Melbourne to Sydney Coastal Drive (via Canberra).

Around 25 minutes by car from Melbourne, the Heide Museum of Modern Art is a charming non-profit gallery and sculpture park. Permanent collections include international and local painters and sculptors such as Anish Kapoor and Albert Tucker. The gardens are a great place for the kids to enjoy and interact with the art, and you can bring a picnic to eat beside the Yarra River, which runs through the grounds. There are various guided and self-guided tours within the gallery. 

Around 55 minutes by car from the center of Melbourne, Australian Garden is an outpost of the famous Melbourne Botanic Garden. While not as historic as its big sister, Australian Garden has a healthy catalog of around 170,000 species of flora and fauna. The beautifully manicured gardens make a perfect day out, and with a picnic from the café in the visitor center you can enjoy lunch in the sublime surroundings.

Things to see in Melbourne

With green spaces, myriad art galleries and sporting activities, hipster bars and cafés, and the breathtaking Victoria national parks and forests, it is not hard to see why Melbourne has been voted the most liveable city in the world seven years in a row. 

Diversity abounds, from chic neighborhoods like South Yarra and Fitzroy to the more traditional architectural styles seen in the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Flinders Street Station, Remembrance Shrine and Royal Exhibition Building. And cuisines from all around the world can be found on Victoria Street.

Don’t miss Melbourne Zoo, the oldest in the country, and the Botanic Garden’s 94 acres of stunning Victorian landscaping. 

We are proud to be European leaders in car rental. To find out more about the Europcar car hire experience, be sure to visit our car rental page!

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Good to know

Car hire at Melbourne is made easy with Europcar.

Friendly service, new cars and low prices are part of our every day offer. Whether you are hiring a car for business or pleasure, or you need a car or van, Europcar has the right hire car at Melbourne for you.

Europcar is looking forward to serving you at its car hire branch: Melbourne. Remember to always bring your driving license, valid credit card and additional proof of identity (such as a passport if you are hiring abroad).

Europcar’s Green Programme: At Europcar, we understand the environmental impact of car hire. That’s why we have wholeheartedly embraced a sustainable development programme and are proud to be the first car hire company at Melbourne with certified commitments.