Car Hire at Gold Coast Airport (OOL)

Part of our guide to car hire on the Gold Coast.

How to Find Your Car Hire Desk at Gold Coast Airport (OOL)

• Book through eCarBookers first: Your booking confirmation from eCarBookers locks in your price and your vehicle class before you arrive. You pay the balance at the desk on collection, and the terms confirmed at booking are the terms you receive. Always confirm your hire in advance to guarantee your price from the moment you collect the keys.
• One terminal: Gold Coast Airport, at Eastern Avenue in Bilinga, has a single terminal for domestic and international flights. Domestic arrivals are in the centre and international arrivals are at the southern end, so there is no transfer between terminals to plan for.
• Where the desk is: Green Motion's listing for Gold Coast Airport does not state whether the pick-up is a counter in the terminal or a depot reached by shuttle. Some suppliers have desks on the ground floor of the terminal, roughly opposite domestic arrivals, and others operate from depots in Tugun and Tweed Heads with a free shuttle. The exact meeting point for your hire is shown on your booking voucher, which is the definitive source, so check it before you travel and follow it on arrival.
• If your pick-up is off the airport: Shuttles run from the airport and take a few minutes, but they do not always leave on demand, and a late-evening shuttle may not run at all. Call the supplier when you land, using the number on your confirmation, and allow extra time.
• Opening hours: No opening hours are published for this branch. Choose a flight that lands at a sensible hour, and confirm the hours for your date in your booking confirmation.
• Delayed flights: If your flight is significantly delayed, call the supplier on the number in your confirmation so they know when to expect you.
• What to bring: The main driver should carry a valid driving licence, a passport, and a credit card in their own name with a limit high enough to cover the excess hold. If your licence is not in English, bring an International Driving Permit or an official English translation.

Pick-Up, Drop-Off, and Refuelling at Gold Coast Airport (OOL)

• Returning the car: Return the car at the time and place shown in your booking confirmation. For an on-airport return, follow the signs to the Rental Returns car park on the right-hand side of Terminal Drive, and hand the keys to the staff at the office. Allow at least 30 minutes, and extra time during weekday peaks of roughly 7:30 to 9:30 am and 4:30 to 6:00 pm.
• Off-airport returns: If the car goes back to a depot, allow about 30 minutes for the return plus about 15 minutes for the shuttle, or around 45 minutes in total before you need to be at the terminal.
• Out-of-hours returns: Some suppliers at Gold Coast Airport offer key drop facilities, but extra fees may apply and availability varies. A key drop has not been confirmed for this service, so arrange any late or early return with the supplier before you travel.
• Nearest petrol station: A Caltex stands on the Gold Coast Highway at Tugun, listed at 496 Gold Coast Highway, and a Hope Energy is listed at Airport Central, 1 Eastern Avenue. Confirm the fuel type on your booking confirmation before you refuel.
• Fuel policy: Most suppliers use a full-to-full policy, so refuel before returning the car unless you have prepaid for fuel, and keep the receipt as proof. Ask at collection which policy applies to your hire.
• Before you drive away: Photograph the vehicle thoroughly at collection and again at return, including all four sides, the wheels, the windscreen and the interior. Dated photographs give you a clear record of the condition you received.
• Tolls: The Gold Coast has no toll roads. Driving north to Brisbane by the Gateway Motorway includes a toll, and all Australian toll roads are electronic, so ask your supplier at collection how tolls on your hire car are charged and billed.
• Driving on the left: Australia drives on the left. If you normally drive on the right, take the first few minutes slowly, and give way to traffic already on the roundabout.

Top Car Hire Agencies at Gold Coast Airport (OOL)

Car hire at Gold Coast Airport (OOL) is available through Green Motion.

Every booking through eCarBookers shows the excess amount and full price before you confirm, and the balance is paid on arrival at the desk. Optional extras — such as additional drivers, supplemental tyre and glass cover, child seats, or out-of-hours fees — may be available from the supplier if required.

Getting from Gold Coast Airport (OOL) to Key Destinations

• Surfers Paradise — about 22 to 25 km north, in roughly 25 to 35 minutes, by the M1 or the Gold Coast Highway. Parking in Surfers Paradise is metered and can be difficult at peak times.
• Byron Bay — about 65 to 68 km south in New South Wales, in roughly 45 to 50 minutes, by the M1 and the Pacific Highway. Confirm with your supplier that interstate travel is permitted under your hire terms.
• Springbrook National Park — about 43 km inland, in roughly 40 minutes. The road is winding, and works on the plateau can close facilities, so check the park alerts before you go.
• Mount Tamborine — about 50 km inland, in roughly 45 minutes. Tamborine National Park is Queensland's oldest national park, with walking tracks and Cedar Creek Falls.
• Brisbane — about 100 km north, in roughly 1 hour 10 minutes, by the M1. The route uses the Gateway Motorway toll section, and weekday peaks can add considerably to the journey.

How Payment Works for Car Hire at Gold Coast Airport (OOL)

Payment is made in two steps. A rental prepayment confirms your booking online, with Instant Confirmation from the supplier. You then pay the balance directly to the supplier on arrival, when you collect the car.

The price and vehicle class shown at booking are the terms you receive at the desk. Because the full rental amount is not charged at the time of booking, you keep flexibility if your plans change, and cancellation is free.

The supplier may place an excess hold on the main driver's credit card at collection, so check that the card in the driver's name has enough available limit. The amount is shown in your booking confirmation.