For example, Sydney to Melbourne is 860km (534 miles), while Sydney to Perth is 3,942km (2450 miles). [7] X Research source Australia has a great road network. Outside of cities in areas known as the Outback, though, roads may be dirt and there can be long distances in between cities or town or even the next fuel and food stops. The Australian Travel and Tourism Network has several different road maps of Australia you can consult and includes information on toll roads. [8] X Research source
Australians drive on the left hand side of the road. The steering wheel is on the right hand side of the car. Driving in Australia will require you to shift how you drive from turning, exiting highways, and passing other vehicles. You need to be comfortable with this change and can always drive on smaller roads for a couple of hours once you pick up your car to acclimate yourself to the new driving conditions. Australia uses the metric system. Speed and distance signs are in kilometers. Fuel (called petrol) is sold in liters.
If you’re looking for the best value on renting a car and insurance, check the prices of different companies and renting in different locations. It’s often less expensive to rent in a city than at an airport. Major rental car companies have websites that provide information and a portal for making a car rental reservation. Using travel websites such as Kayak or Expedia will allow you to compare prices on one site. [11] X Research source www. kayak. com [12] X Research source www. expedia. com Consult travel reviews if you want more information on companies or their policies. Tripadvisor has the comments of persons who have rented cars in Australia. Their experiences can give you an idea of which companies have the best policies and prices. [13] X Research source
Some companies will not include the price of insurance or fees in their offer, making it appear less expensive. Acquaint yourself with each company’s insurance policies and fee structure. You may be able to get a better rate for insurance through your personal insurance or credit card company. Some companies don’t offer one-way rentals, or picking up a rental car in one city and dropping it off in another city. The company may also charge a fee for a one-way rental. If you want to drive from Sydney to Perth, for example, make sure the company offers one-way rentals as well as for this distance. Not all rental car companies offer unlimited mileage on rentals. If you’re driving long distances, make sure to check that the offer you choose has an unlimited mileage option. Otherwise, you could end up with a car that allows only 300km per day with a high fee for any miles beyond that you drive, which could get very expensive. Make sure to read any fine print on the offer. It’s important to read the entire offer so that you don’t encounter any surprises once you pick up your car. The fine print will give you information on everything from insurance policies, administrative fees, and mileage limits. Additional drivers may cost more money. Many rental companies have an additional daily fee for each extra driver.
Print out your rental car information and confirmation once you’ve booked. If you book over the phone, write down the details including the confirmation number. You can also ask for an email confirmation or one in the post. Having this information will help you once you arrive to pick up your rental car.
Keep a copy of your booking confirmation with you. This will eliminate any questions on items such as the price, dates of rental, or mileage limits. If you rent a car without a reservation, take your personal documents as well. Renting without a reservation can be more expensive than booking early. If you arrive at a rental car company without a reservation, prepare yourself that they may not have any available for when you want.
Ask if the car is automatic or stick shift. If you can’t drive stick shift, make sure to let the rental agent know so they can book you an automatic vehicle. Be aware that many companies outside of the United States charge extra for automatic vehicles. Ask about what kind of fuel the car requires. It may need diesel fuel instead of unleaded gas. Ask the agent if there is a map of fuel stops (called filling stations) in Australia as they may be far apart. BP and Shell both offer fuel finders for Australia. [14] X Research source \ Ask if the car has any known damages. Your rental agreement should have these listed. If they don’t, make sure the rental agent notes them so you do not get charged for damages you didn’t incur. Ask questions about your insurance policy. Make sure you have the minimum Collision Damage Waiver and Theft Insurance. You can then decide if you would like to add policies that cover theft of your personal items, which may be covered by your personal insurance or credit card company. Inquire in advance to learn your different insurance options. Rental companies often have driving maps for clients. If you don’t have a map or forgot to bring one with you, ask your rental agent if the company offers free maps or more detailed road maps you can purchase.
Ensure that there is no damage that isn’t already listed on the rental agreement. If you see anything not listed on the rental agreement, let the rental agent know. This will save you from being charged fees for damages you didn’t incur. Ask any additional questions you might have about driving the car or how it functions.
Taking a little time to practice this new skill is advisable. It can save you from making mistakes that may cost you time or money, or even from causing an automobile accident.
