Returning your rental car.
Ready to pack up your Cairns adventures? Cairns Airport has two different car parks for customers, one for domestic flights and one for international.
Rental car returns are possible at both airport car parks. However, we recommend heading to the car park that matches your outbound flight. This way, you don’t have to walk to the other terminal with all your luggage! So if you’re flying out from Cairns Domestic Airport, simply follow the signs to the domestic car park and drop your car off in the designated Redspot parking bay.
After hours pick-up.
Landed late but still need to pick up your rental car? Get in touch on 1300 668 810 or email [email protected] for after-hours pick-up options.
After hours drop-off.
Flying from Cairns after-hours? Follow the signs to the Domestic Airport car rental return area and find our Redspot branch office there. After parking, drop your keys in the secure key drop box located on the exterior of our car rental car park office, left of the door. Simple as that!
One-way car hires.
Heading home after an adventure in Cairns? Simply follow the signs to the Domestic Terminal rental car park and drop off your vehicle! Redspot offers one-way car hires depending on availability. Contact our friendly Cairns Domestic Airport team by phone or email to find your ride!
A Track Record of Satisfied Customers in Australia
From quick rides across beaches to beautiful trips to the Daintree Rainforest, Redspot values our customers’ satisfaction. See what our customers have to say about us from over 35 years of experience in the rental industry.
Load up with Redspot’s red-hot value packages!
We’ve got your back with 24/7 roadside assistance so you never have to worry about being stranded. For an even smoother car rental experience, we have designed three packages for damage and liability coverage and extra services!
Package prices will be calculated based on the rental period and the vehicle you select. Proceed to the car rental booking page for a quote.
Standard Package
Need something a little more simple but with all the expert local support? Redspot’s Standard Package might be for you. This includes:
- No hidden costs, we are upfront about the inclusions in this package!
- $5,200 to $6,200 damage liability excess*
- GST-inclusive
- Unlimited km allowance
- Additional drivers fee
- No cancellation fees
- No amendment fees
- Contract fee **
- Premium location fee***
- Registration recovery fee****
- Book now, pay later
Super Package
More cover, less cost. Redspot’s Super Package gives you reduced damage liability and extra perks—perfect if you want more peace of mind without going all-out. This includes:
- No hidden costs, we are upfront about the inclusions in this package!
- $1,950 to $2,750 damage liability excess*
- GST-inclusive
- Unlimited km allowance
- Free additional drivers
- No cancellation fees
- No amendment fees
- Contract fee **
- Premium location fee***
- Registration recovery fee****
- Book now, pay later
Executive Package
This iconic Redspot package stands strong as the first all-inclusive car rental product in Australia! Designed with peace-of-mind built-in, our good value car rental package includes:
- No hidden costs, we are upfront about the inclusions in this package!
- $0 standard liability excess*
- Additional windshield and headlight cover
- GST-inclusive
- Unlimited km allowance
- Free additional drivers
- No cancellation fees
- No amendment fees
- Contract fee **
- Premium location fee***
- Registration recovery fee****
- Book now, pay later
Terminology Key.
Let us break down our package terms so you know exactly what may appear on your invoice:
*Damage liability excess: ‘Amount reduced by’ is dependent on the vehicle type and hire itinerary selected. See our Car Rental Cover page for more information.
**Contract fee: We have a small surcharge to cover our costs to draw up our rental agreement with you.
***Premium location fee: Sometimes a premium airport or downtown location will charge us an additional surcharge for each rental and we are upfront about this cost in your package! The price will depend on the location selected.
****Registration recovery fee: We pay a surcharge to cover our vehicle registration and compulsory third-party insurance costs and we highlight this clearly in your package breakdown.
At Redspot, we believe in straight-up honesty! Just so you’re in the loop, all the nitty-gritty on damage liability and extra charges can be found in our terms and conditions.
The Power of Partnerships.
Redspot are proud to partner with Sunshine Coast Lightning. We share a passion for high performance, community spirit, and supporting women in sport.
Redspot are a trusted supplier of car rental services to NSW Government agencies. We’re proud to support essential services across the state and beyond.
Redspot are proud to sponsor Melbourne Storm. We share a strong devotion to Australian families, grassroots sport, and community values.
Redspot Driver Facts.
Share the ride with additional drivers:
We can easily add additional drivers to your car rental booking. The driver will need to show their full valid driver’s licence in any branch and provide a credit card for a daily surcharge. Too easy!
Rev-Up for Young Drivers:
We are one of the few car rental companies to have a minimum driver age of 21!
Note that drivers under 25 will pay a daily surcharge on their car rental fee. Car hire is limited to small to medium-sized sedans and hatchbacks.
Don’t sweat the paperwork:
If you are a first-time renter, all we need is one (1) document with your address on it. Returning customers, all you need to bring for collection is your valid driver’s licence and credit card. If it’s your first time renting locally, you’ll also need to bring a third form of identification like a current utility bill. We will take care of the rest!
Overseas visitors welcome:
Explore every Aussie hotspot with Redspot! Temporary overseas visitors can hire a car with:
- A full valid driver’s licence and passport
- Licences must have photo identification
- If the licence is not in English then you will need an official translated document from your embassy or road traffic authority in your home country
- Some countries may need to apply for an international driver’s permit
Family-friendly car hire:
Redspot is a family-run business and selects modern SUVs, sedans and people carriers for family comfort. With a range of baby, child and booster seats available to hire, the little ones don’t miss out.
Credit Card Condition:
Cover your back and ours. All rental cars require a credit card at pick-up for a pre-authorisation.
Fuel Flexibility:
Pre-pay, post-pay or refuel your rental car yourself. Redspot makes it easy to keep a full tank for an Australian adventure.
Local P-Platers and Full Licences:
Redspot Car Rentals gives P-platers the green light – one of the few Aussie companies that do! Our safety rules include:
- You must hold a Provisional P2 driver’s licence (green Ps).
- Your full driver’s licence must be valid for a minimum of 12 months from the date of rental collection.
Maximum age is no barrier:
With Redspot, age is just a number! There is no maximum age to hit the road.
Toll-road Tricks:
Buy peace of mind with a Redspot toll road waiver and say goodbye to unexpected charges.
Meet Our Fleet.
Is looking for a good car rental company exhausting you? Our fleet is as versatile as it is reliable. From sturdy four-wheel drives for wild adventures to city-ready leisure cars, come to Redspot to find the perfect rental for you.
Redspot: Where every rental is spot-on.
Fully Aussie-owned and operated
Founded, owned and operated by local Aussie family for over 35 years!
Personalised care
Our small, dedicated teams in over 40 spots around Australia are here to help out wherever the road takes you.
Amazing value
Get the most bang for your buck with our all-inclusive packages and customisable options in between.
No hidden costs
All taxes and GST with no extra fees are included in our rates.
24/7 roadside assistance
All our rental cars are covered by 24-hour mechanical breakdown assistance.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Do you need to hire a car for Cairns?
Cairns has a fantastic public transport system. However, some of the most stunning drives to outstanding destinations like beaches, rainforests and other gems can only be reached with a car. Additionally, you can head out on your own schedule when you hire a car with Redspot!
What is an example of a one way rental?
A one-way rental, or a vehicle relocation, is when you drop off your rental car at a different branch than the one you started in!
As an example: You pick up your hire car in Cairns. You drive it down to Brisbane. You’ll fly from Brisbane to Singapore that night, so you won’t be heading back the way you came. If this happens, you can just drop off your car at Redspot’s Brisbane airport branches!
How much does it cost to hire a car in Cairns?
Depends on a few things! Factors such as how long you’ve booked for, vehicle type, the time of year and more, will affect the car hire cost.
Pop over to our handy Redspot car rental booking tool to see the latest prices. We have a wide range of fully maintained and quality vehicles to choose from. Book with us while your favourite car model is available!
How can I avoid rental car cancellation fees?
Cancellation fees aren’t a problem at Redspot! We know how important flexibility is when you’re on the road.
Keep in mind that this may change if your booking is prepaid. Additionally, if you’ve booked through a third party you’ll need to request any refunds with them. Unfortunately, Redspot cannot refund third-party rentals for you.
Questions? Contact our friendly Cairns Domestic Airport team on (07) 4034 9045 (branch direct) or 1300 668 810 (toll-free) for more information.
Explore Cairns with Redspot
Cairns is right next to some of the most incredible vistas in all of Australia. From the Great Barrier Reef to the Daintree Rainforest, Cairns is full of once-in-a-lifetime destinations suitable for any traveller!
Port Douglas
Looking for a good place to escape from it all? Port Douglas is a charming and relaxed village getaway over a gorgeous hour’s drive away from Cairns. Enjoy beautiful sights, wild beaches and fresh, local cuisine in this Australian paradise!
Barron Gorge
Experience an untouched paradise only 25 minutes drive away from Cairns. Barron Gorge is a World Heritage Sight and one of the most stunning vistas in Queensland. Take some time out for picturesque walks, thrilling mountain bike trails and more!
Cairns Aquarium
Cairns Aquarium is only a 9-minute drive away from Redspot’s Cairns Domestic Airport branch! Cairns Aquarium boasts sealife from the Great Barrier Reef, Cape York, Gulf Savannah and the Wet Tropics region, all in one place. Experience the ocean closer than you’ve ever been before with marine life from over 10 ecosystems.
Green Island
A 45-minute drive away from Cairns, you’ll find this scenic destination perfect for a day trip. Green Island is a gorgeous island rainforest located right inside the Great Barrier Reef. Take in the breathtaking views from the ferry out to Green Island and discover a wide range of activities, from scuba diving to eco walks.
Red-hot Cairns tips from our local staff!
Cairns Domestic Airport – Start Your Adventure
Is a rainforest or reef adventure calling to you? We have the right vehicles for comfortable road trips across rainforests or quick stops on the shore. Redspot has been in the car rental industry for over 35 years. Our family-run business knows exactly what Australians and tourists need when it comes to all things car hires.
We have 41 car rental locations across the nation, so we can help you no matter where you are! With comprehensive All-Inclusive Packages and 24/7 roadside assistance, we are here to make using our services as easy as they can be.
Want to explore but you’re under 25? At Redspot, we say age is just a number! We welcome drivers under 25 to rent with us, and there is no maximum age for customers either.
Explore just how beautiful Queensland can be and get rolling with a Redspot rental!
