So, you’re planning an Aussie holiday. You’ve locked in the flights, scoped out the beaches, and maybe even bookmarked a few brunch spots. But now comes the big logistical question:
Should you rent a car or rely on rideshare apps like Uber and DiDi?
It’s a fair debate — both have their perks. But when it comes to cost, convenience, and the freedom to explore, the winner isn’t always who you expect. Let’s break down Car Hire vs Rideshare and see which one works best (and cheapest) for your Australian getaway.
Round 1: Upfront Cost Comparison
🚗 Car Hire
Hiring a car does mean paying a flat daily rate — but that rate covers unlimited driving (in most cases), your own schedule, and often works out cheaper if you’re doing more than a couple of trips per day.
Typical Cost:
- Economy car hire: $60–$100/day (depending on season/location)
- Fuel: $10–$25/day (based on ~100km/day average driving)
- Total for a 5-day trip: ~$350–$600 all-in
💡 Redspot Tip: Book early and choose a fuel-efficient vehicle. Unlimited kilometre deals = max value.
🚖 Rideshare (Uber, DiDi, Ola etc.)
No rental contract, no parking drama. Just tap and ride. But those trips can add up — fast.
Typical Cost:
- Short trip (5km): $10–$15
- Airport to CBD: $35–$70
- Day trip (return): $120+
- Total for a 5-day trip: $300–$700+ (depending on how often you travel)
And that’s not even factoring in surge pricing, wait times, or rural availability.
🎯 Verdict:
Car hire wins for multi-stop holidays, day trips, and anything outside city limits.
Round 2: Flexibility & Freedom
🚗 Car Hire = Total Freedom
Want to pull over for a beach selfie? Take a scenic detour? Drive to a national park before sunrise? No problem. Car hire means your time, your rules — no waiting, no app outages, no begging for signal in the outback.
🚖 Rideshare = Point A to B
Convenient in cities, but not great for spontaneous exploring. Need to detour to a servo, change plans on the fly, or hit a location with no drop-off pin? You might be stuck.
🎯 Verdict:
Car hire wins for travellers who want to explore beyond the tourist traps.
Round 3: Where Are You Going?
Here’s the clincher — your location massively affects which option makes more sense.
| Destination | Car Hire | Rideshare |
|---|---|---|
| Gold Coast | ✅ Great for beach-hopping & theme parks | ✅ OK in metro, limited inland |
| Cairns & FNQ | ✅ Perfect for waterfalls, Port Douglas, etc. | ❌ Sparse outside city |
| Melbourne | ✅ Road trip to Great Ocean Road | ✅ Excellent within city |
| Perth | ✅ Needed for beaches, Swan Valley, Fremantle | ❌ Limited late-night availability |
| Tasmania | ✅ Essential for exploring | ❌ Almost no rideshare outside Hobart |
| Sydney | ✅ Good for Blue Mountains & beaches | ✅ Works well in CBD areas |
🎯 Verdict:
If you’re leaving the city, car hire is a no-brainer.
Round 4: Travel Style & Group Size
Solo traveller doing inner-city sightseeing?
Rideshare might make sense.
Couple or family doing beach days, zoo visits, and mountain drives?
Car hire every time.
Here’s a quick breakdown:
| Traveller Type | Best Option |
|---|---|
| Solo in metro | Rideshare (maybe public transport too) |
| Couple on road trip | Car hire |
| Family with kids | Car hire (less hassle, more storage) |
| Backpackers | Car hire if splitting costs |
| Business traveller | Rideshare (if inner-city only) |
🎯 Verdict:
The more people and stops involved, the more car hire wins out.
Hidden Costs to Consider
🚗 Car Hire
- Fuel (unless EV)
- Insurance or damage waiver (worth it for peace of mind)
- Parking fees in cities
🚖 Rideshare
- Surge pricing during peak hours
- Waiting charges
- Inconvenience of carrying luggage or gear around
Pro tip: Car hire costs are predictable. Rideshare isn’t.
Redspot Perks That Tip the Scale
If you’re hiring with Redspot, we make life easier:
- ✅ Drivers 21+ accepted, including provisional licences
- ✅ Unlimited kilometres on most rentals
- ✅ Airport pickup at 50+ locations across Australia
- ✅ Contactless ‘Show & Go’ for business customers
- ✅ Zero cancellation fees (with the right booking option)
Plus, we’re Aussie-owned — no offshore call centres or mystery fees.
The Bottom Line
If you’re sticking to the city and taking a few short trips? Rideshare might be fine.
But if you’re exploring, road tripping, or travelling with others?
Car hire is almost always the better value — and way more fun.
With Redspot, you get the flexibility, the local knowledge, and the support to make your Aussie holiday smooth, affordable, and unforgettable.