Western Australia’s sunny capital, Perth, is nothing short of a blend of gorgeous, varied, and stunningly beautiful urban and suburban landscapes. Whether you’re coming to Perth for business or pleasure—as most people seem to do (or, more often, both)—if you are looking to hire a car in Perth, renting a car and exploring the city and its surrounding areas at your own leisure is, quite simply, the best way to go around it. In this Car Rental Guide, we’ll help you navigate the sea of choices in car hire in Perth and throw in a few choice nuggets regarding this vibrant, very Australian city that can also throw some serious shade.
Advantages of Hiring a Car in Perth
Hiring a car offers two main advantages. One is that it’s really the only viable way to get around if you want to see a good stretch of what’s on offer. Perth attractions aren’t exactly clustered together, and public transportation can be inconvenient if your itinerary packs very many stops into a day. With gas prices low at the moment, too, driving can be as cost-effective an option as taking tours. The other advantage is using the car to get to attractions, but at your own pace, which is something I find challenging when I’m heading on a tour packed with strangers.
Providers of Car Hire
You can choose between international and local providers of car hire in Perth, Australia. Big global firms, such as Avis, National, and Europcar, supply customers with effective service and diverse vehicle selections. Ninety percent of the cars easily available for hire are supplied by these firms mentioned previously. Local agencies, on the other hand, might offer you better deals since they do not have to send profits back across international borders. You can book directly with them, but the real effect of this can be seen on comparison websites like Kayak and TripIt, where packages from different companies are shown side by side.
International Friendliness and License Requirements
Perth’s International Friendliness: Overseas visitors may use valid foreign driving licenses here in Perth, provided the license is in English or has an English translation. If it is not, an international driving permit is required. By the way, those who pay a visit but are armed only with a valid driver’s license or are driving under some above-board pay-to-play scheme are also okay; still, some age restrictions may apply. Premiums are often required of those under and over certain ages.
Before You Drive: Car Examination and Insurance
Examine the Car: Before you go flying down the freeway in your rented minivan, closely inspect it for any preexisting damage that the rental company hasn’t already noted on the vehicle report. Otherwise, when you bring it back, the company might say that you did all that damage and demand that you pay for it. Understand the Insurance: Your basic rental car comes with some insurance; understand what it covers, and consider additional insurance, especially if you’re going to be driving in crazy territories like Mexico. They also have lots of nice clear boxes and lines in the paperwork, where you can check choices and initial your acceptance or rejection.
Fuel Policy and Parking Tips
Fuel Policy: They give it to you full and expect it back full, but check that anyway. The Perth Central Business District affords drivers several parking options, including street and lot parking. However, parking in this nerve center can be expensive. Therefore, drivers may consider parking at a suburban train station and taking public transport into the CBD. Few drivers in Western Australia need to consider toll roads, which facilitate more direct East-West travel.
Must-Visit Destinations by Car
• Kings Park: Among the largest inner-city parks anywhere, it offers spectacular views of Perth’s skyline. It’s very accessible by car and has oodles of car parking spaces.
• Fremantle: A half-hour drive from Perth, it’s packed with maritime history, but also has a vibrant arts scene and markets. It’s mostly an ‘eat, drink, and be merry’ kind of place, with lots of outdoor space to chill or be entertained.
• Swan Valley: Not as old as the rolling lands of California wine country, but it’s the best wine region in Western Australia. Quite close to Perth, too.
• Rottnest Island: Although driving is not allowed on Rottnest Island, it is possible to take a leased car to the ferry terminal and then spend the day enjoying the pristine beaches on the island and visiting the friendly quokkas.
Conclusion
If you take the opportunity to hire a car in Perth, you can customize your trip to much of the urban area’s special cachet of activities. Day-trippers need a car, and weeklong visitors can have a whole lot more, especially if they take advantage of the opportunity to see all that Rottnest Island has to offer—without ever having to climb into or onto a bike. Whether you tour north or south, the opportunities to drive are as limitless as the things to do once you reach your destinations.
