Car Hire Cairns Domestic Airport
We’re all about you.
For after-hours pick-up, call or email our Cairns Domestic Airport team to arrange plans.
For after-hours returns, follow the signs to the Domestic Airport car park and park in the designated Redspot bay. Head to our nearby car park office and drop your keys into the secure drop box, located on the exterior of the building, left of the door.
Please note that after-hours returns cannot be made at our kiosk inside the terminal.
Airport Information
Cairns Domestic Terminal is the main hub area of Cairns Airport. You can find a manned Redspot kiosk inside the terminal and our rental car park lot right outside. Just pop over to our friendly Cairns team and we’ll get you red-y to roll in no time!
Quick and easy car rental
Looking for a quick and easy car hire in Cairns Domestic Airport? Our fleet at Redspot is revved up and ready to roll! Thanks to our awesome value packages and helpful services, it’s easy to find your perfect rental companion for the road.
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 rental car park, then follow signs to Redspot 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!
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 two packages for damage and liability coverage and extra services!
Package prices will be calculated based on your vehicle selected and rental period. Proceed to the car rental booking page for a quote.
All-Inclusive 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
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!
- Standard 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
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.
**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.
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.
Redspot Driver Facts
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.
Maximum age is no barrier
With Redspot, age is just a number! There is no maximum age to hit the road.
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 have held your provisional driver’s licence for a minimum of 1 year.
- Your full driver’s licence must be valid for a minimum of 12 months from the date of rental collection.
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
Credit Card Condition
Cover your back and ours. All rental cars require a credit card at pick-up for a pre-authorisation.
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!
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.
Toll-road Tricks
Buy peace-of-mind with a Redspot toll road waiver and say goodbye to unexpected charges.
Fuel Flexibility
Pre-pay, post-pay or refuel your rental car yourself. Redspot make it easy to keep a full tank for an Australian adventure.
Don’t sweat the paperwork
All you need to bring for collection is your valid driver’s licence and credit card. We will take care of the rest!
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.
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..
Escape to 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
Barron Gorge
Cairns Aquarium
Green Island
Red-hot Cairns Domestic Airport tips from our local staff
“If you don’t have time to visit the reef or prefer staying on land, the Cairns Aquarium offers an immersive experience where you can learn about the reef’s marine life. It’s a family-friendly attraction showcasing a wide variety of fish, coral, and marine creatures from the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest.” – David, Branch Manager Cairns Airport
“About a two-hour drive from Cairns, the Daintree Rainforest is the world’s oldest living rainforest and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Take a guided tour to explore the rainforest’s unique biodiversity, swim in freshwater creeks, and spot wildlife. Don’t miss the Daintree River Cruise, where you can look for crocodiles and exotic birds.” – Shaun, Customer Supervisor, Cairns Airport
“The Cairns Esplanade is a popular spot for both locals and tourists. The Esplanade Lagoon is perfect for swimming (especially since the ocean is off-limits during jellyfish season), and there are plenty of picnic spots, walking trails, and BBQ facilities along the waterfront. Keep an eye out for free fitness classes and community events.” – Nick, Branch Manager Cairns City
Meet Our Fleet at Cairns Airport
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.
