How to Find the Best Uluru Car Hire Deal [2024]

Many visitors to Uluru plan to rent a car in Uluru to enable them to more easily get around and explore the Uluru attractions. This is a great cost effective option, particularly if you are travelling as a group. If you are aged under 25 years old, ensure you carefully check the rental terms and conditions as you may have to pay extra fees to rent a car.

This article will help you better understand the Uluru car hire options and specific limitations and to make your booking. We recommend that you check out the car rental options through DiscoverCars.com. they compare the various providers and help you get the best rental deal.

Join the Uluru Travel Planning Facebook Group!

You are welcome to join the Uluru Travel Planning Facebook Group – it is a great resource to enable you to ask questions about your upcoming trip to Uluru!

Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links. If you book after clicking on one of these links then we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Uluru Travel Planning Resources

Check out our other articles below to help you plan your visit to Uluru, Alice Springs and Kings Canyon

Best Time to Visit Uluru and Alice Springs
What to do in Uluru, Alice Springs and Kings Canyon
How to get to Uluru
How to rent a car in Uluru or Alice Springs
How to rent a campervan in Alice Springs
Half and full day tour options from Uluru
Multi day tour options which start and finish in Uluru
Multi day tour options which start and finish in Alice Springs

Ayers Rock Airport

Ayers Rock Airport is the nearest airport to Uluru. If you are searching for flights to Ayers Rock the airport code is AYQ. Ayers Rock Airport is located 8.1 km / 5 mi north of Yulara, a journey by vehicle of 8 minutes, which is very convenient. After you arrive, you can visit the Ayers Rock Airport car hire vendors to collect your pre-booked rental car to get around Yulara and visit the local attractions.

Hire Car Uluru Airport

At Uluru Airport there are only three major car hire companies – Thrifty, Hertz, Avis. You can choose either return or one way to Alice Springs.

Uluru Car Hire Limitations

Special additional car hire conditions which apply when you are travelling in the Uluru region. Ensure you carefully check your rental car hire agreement to understand the limitations when you collect your pre-booked hire car. Below are typical restrictions to hire cars to travel around the Uluru area which may change from time to time.

2WD and AWD vehicles must stay on sealed roads.
In the Northern Territory (which includes Uluru and Alice Springs), you cannot drive outside any town or city limits from dusk till dawn.
If your vehicle has an encounter with the local wildlife outside of town between dusk and dawn – and gets damaged – then this is not covered by your insurance, except when driving within the Uluru Township and Kata Tjuta National Park area.
4WD vehicles may have specific limitations for roads they are not allowed to travel on.

Car Rental Uluru Inclusions and Add ons

When booking your Uluru Airport car hire through RentalCars.com, the standard hire package includes the following:

When you pick up your car you will need to provide your passport or national ID card, drivers licence and credit card. You must be at least 21 years old to drive a rental car.
Fuel Policy is like for like – when you collect your car the fuel tank will be either full or partly full. To avoid paying for a refuelling charge when you return your vehicle you need to top the fuel tank up to the same level as when you collected it. Fuel is available in Yulara so it should be easy to refuel your vehicle prior to returning it.
Mileage is 400km per rental. The distance from Yulara to the Uluru Sunrise Viewing area is is 25km each way, and the distance from Yulara to Kata-Tjuta is 54km each way. The distance from Yulara to Kings Canyon is 300km each way. The distance from Yulara to Alice Springs direct is 468km. As you can see you will quickly use up the 400km limit when just visiting Uluru and Kata-Tjuta. You will pay an additional $A0.33 for each additional kilometer.
Free cancellation up to 48 hours prior to collection
At car pick up you will leave a refundable security deposit of $500 on your credit card. Cash and debit cards are not accepted. Prepaid, recharge or virtual credit cards are also not accepted.
Unlimited amendments
Theft Protection – if your car is stolen all you will pay is the theft excess of $A5500, not the full value of the vehicle
Collision Damage Waiver – if the car bodywork is damaged, all you will pay is the damage excess of $A5500.
Third Party Liability (TPL). This covers the drivers liability for injuries and property damage which are covered by the policy. It does not cover injuries to the driver or to the rental car. This coverage is only valid if you comply with the terms of the rental agreement.
Emergency Roadside Assistance
A single driver is included (some companies do include additional drivers, check this detail when finalising your booking)
Damage to windows, mirrors, wheels and tyres are not covered.
Some companies off free one way rentals.

Full Protection is available through RentalCars.com when you are completing your booking which includes the following:

Reduces all car excesses to zero
Covers damage to windows, mirrors, wheels and tyres
Covers administration and breakdown charges.

Other available addons are all payable on vehicle collection:

To add additional drivers is a fee of $A5.50 per driver per day.
Baby Seats, Child Booster Seats and Child Seats are an additional $A22 per day
GPS / Satnav is $A20.90 per day

If you choose to book direct with the hire car company, ensure you carefully review the inclusions, exclusions and terms and conditions before booking.

Australia Car Hire FAQs

Renting a car in Australia is very similar to other international destinations. Below is our summary of FAQs for renting a hire car in Australia.

How to rent a car in Australia?

The easiest option to find a car rental for Australia is to check out the options on RentalCars.com. Rentalcars.com will quickly help you to find the best priced car rental option, and then enable you to quickly complete your booking. You pay nothing up front and you can change or cancel your booking without paying any amendment fees.
Click here to compare options and book your Australian Car Hire through RentalCars.com

What side of the road do Australians drive on?

In Australia we drive on the left hand side of the road. If you are coming from a country where you drive on the right hand side, be aware that it takes a few days to get used to the change.

In my personal experience I am usually ok when I am driving with other traffic – when I am most at risk is when I am driving in a car on the other side when there is no other traffic present – let’s just say that I have made a few mistakes and fortunately did not have a traffic accident.

Will my Australian hire car have air conditioning?

Any car rented from a major hire company will have air conditioning as standard

Will my Australian hire car have unlimited kms/mileage?

It depends – some rentals will be unlimited and others will have a kilometer / mile limitation. Ensure you check out this aspect when you make your car hire booking.

What fuel/gas is used in Australia?

In Australia there are several different types of fuel. Most hire cars will use standard unleaded fuel, either with our without ethanol added – depending on the fuel company this can be called Unleaded 91 or E10. There are premium unleaded fuels also available called either Unleaded 95 or 98. You would normally only expect to use premium fuel in premium vehicles. The final fuel is Diesel – many vehicles in Australia use Diesel, including standard cars, 4WD vehicles and trucks. When you go to fill up your car there should be a sticker beside the fuel cap advising which fuel to use. All fuel options are readily available in the more populated parts of Australia.

Do I need an International Drivers Permit to rent a car in Australia?

An International Drivers Permit (IDP) is basically an official document which translates your home country drivers licence into the local language. For renting a car in Australia, I recommend that you purchase an IDP before leaving your home country. You can also check with your selected hire company to confirm whether it is required.

Join the Uluru Travel Planning Facebook Group!

You are welcome to join the Uluru Travel Planning Facebook Group – it is a great resource to enable you to ask questions about your upcoming trip to Uluru!

Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links. If you book after clicking on one of these links then we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Anne Sutherland-Smith

Anne Sutherland-Smith is the creative force behind Pretraveller.com, a travel blog that specializes in offering insightful guidance for exploring Japan, South Korea, Australia, Hong Kong, and Singapore. Her passion for these diverse and dynamic regions shines through in her expert advice, particularly in helping travellers stay connected with the latest in SIM cards, pocket WiFi, and eSIMs.

With an unquenchable thirst for Asian and Oceanian cultures, Anne has carved out a niche as a knowledgeable guide for those venturing into the bustling streets of Tokyo, the historical alleys of Kyoto, the vibrant scenes of Seoul, the scenic landscapes of Australia, the vibrant markets of Hong Kong, or the futuristic cityscape of Singapore. Her articles are full of practical tips and detailed information, ensuring travellers are well-equipped for their journeys.

Anne’s approach is grounded in providing reliable, authoritative travel content that enhances the travel experience. From navigating the complexities of digital connectivity on the go to immersing in the local culture, her advice is designed to make travel both enjoyable and seamless.

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