Glenelg
about 20 minutes by tram from the city
Adelaide's city beach is reachable by tram from the city, so you can leave the car behind for this one.
Car hire in Adelaide city
Four rental companies have depots in the city centre: Hertz on Blyth Street, Budget on Pulteney Street, Avis on North Terrace and Redspot on Frome Street. All four trade on weekends, but on a Sunday only Redspot stays open past 2pm (until 3:30pm), so a later Sunday pickup means going to the airport. A city pickup suits you if you are staying downtown first, since the airport bus runs straight into the CBD.
Updated
Adelaide city at a glance
- Budget Adelaide Downtown
- 230 Pulteney St; cars are 50 m away at 139 Ifould St
- Avis Adelaide Downtown
- 136 North Terrace, on the ground floor; returns to Level 4, 12 Blyth St
- Latest Sunday city pickup
- Redspot, 58 Frome St, open until 3:30pm
- Airport to the city by bus
- J1 and J2 buses run between the airport and the CBD
- Adelaide Parklands Terminal
- Richmond Road, Keswick, 3 km from the city centre
Compare cars at Adelaide city
Prices are shown in Australian dollars. Before you book, open the offer and check where that company's desk or depot is, the bond, and what the agreement says about the roads you plan to drive.
Preparing live car hire search
Picking up in the city
Four companies have a city depot with a confirmed street address and opening hours. Other brands serve Adelaide from the airport or the suburbs, so check the pickup address on your booking before you head out.
| Company | Where | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Hertz | Local depotAdelaide Downtown, 74 Blyth St. Mon to Fri 8am to 6pm, Sat and Sun 8am to 1pm | Adelaide Downtown, 74 Blyth St. Mon to Fri 8am to 6pm, Sat and Sun 8am to 1pm |
| Budget | Local depotCounter at 230 Pulteney St; cars in a car park at 139 Ifould St. Sun 8am to 2pm, Mon to Thu 7:30am to 5pm, Fri 7:30am to 6pm, Sat 8am to 2pm. After-hours returns go to Adelaide Airport | Counter at 230 Pulteney St; cars in a car park at 139 Ifould St. Sun 8am to 2pm, Mon to Thu 7:30am to 5pm, Fri 7:30am to 6pm, Sat 8am to 2pm. After-hours returns go to Adelaide Airport |
| Avis | Local depot136 North Terrace, opposite the InterContinental. Sun 8am to 12pm, Sat 8am to 1pm, Mon to Fri 8am to 5:30pm. After-hours returns available | 136 North Terrace, opposite the InterContinental. Sun 8am to 12pm, Sat 8am to 1pm, Mon to Fri 8am to 5:30pm. After-hours returns available |
| Redspot | Local depot58 Frome St. Open 8am to 3:30pm every day, with a key drop box beside the rental bays behind the office after hours | 58 Frome St. Open 8am to 3:30pm every day, with a key drop box beside the rental bays behind the office after hours |
Collecting the car
- 1
Match your arrival time to the depot hours above. Both depots close early on Saturday and Sunday, and Budget stops at 2pm on both days.
- 2
At Budget, sign at the Pulteney Street counter, then walk about 50 m to the car park on Ifould Street where the cars are kept.
- 3
At Avis, the office is on the ground floor at 136 North Terrace, and the car park used for returns is on Level 4 of 12 Blyth Street.
- 4
If you land at the airport and want a car straight away, collect it there instead: the Adelaide Airport car hire page covers desks and hours.
Returning in the city
- 1
Return inside depot hours where you can. Budget's city depot has no after-hours returns and directs late drop-offs to Adelaide Airport.
- 2
Avis offers after-hours returns at its city location, and cars go to Level 4 of the car park at 12 Blyth Street.
- 3
Budget cars go back to 139 Ifould Street, not to the Pulteney Street counter.
Drives from Adelaide city
Hahndorf
less than 30 minutes from the city
A heritage-listed town in the Adelaide Hills with German-style bakeries, pubs and shops along the main street.
McLaren Vale
about 45 minutes south of Adelaide
A wine region with more than 90 cellar doors.
Barossa Valley
about 1 hour to Tanunda by the direct route
Choose between the direct Northern Expressway run and the slower routes through Lyndoch or Chain of Ponds, which each take about 1.5 hours.
Cape Jervis for the Kangaroo Island ferry
about 1.5 hours from Adelaide
SeaLink's crossing takes about 45 minutes and asks you to arrive 30 minutes before departure.
Guides for trips from Adelaide city
Driving around Adelaide city
Parking in the CBD
The City of Adelaide has about 9,300 free time-limit on-street spaces and 3,000 paid ticket spaces, plus nine UPark council car parks with about 6,000 spaces. Some UPark sites are open 24 hours.
Paying for on-street parking
Ticket machines take Visa or Mastercard by card or digital wallet, and the UPark app can be used by scanning the QR codes. On weekday public holidays, signposted time-limited bays are free with no time limit.
City speed limit
In built-up areas the maximum default limit is 50 km/h unless a sign says otherwise, and it rises to 100 km/h outside them.
Trams
You must give way to trams at level crossings, and stop for pedestrians between the kerb and a stationary tram.
Arriving by interstate train
The Ghan, Indian Pacific, Great Southern and Overland use the Adelaide Parklands Terminal on Richmond Road, Keswick. It is 3 km from the city centre, and its counter opening times change by day of the week, so check before you plan a same-day pickup.
Adelaide city car hire questions
Rental terms differ by company. Where an answer depends on your agreement, we say so.
Is there car hire in the Adelaide CBD?
Yes. Budget's Adelaide Downtown depot is at 230 Pulteney St, and Avis has a depot at 136 North Terrace. Both open on weekends but for shorter hours than on weekdays.
What are the car hire hours in Adelaide city on Sunday?
All four city depots open at 8am on Sunday. Avis on North Terrace closes at 12pm, Hertz on Blyth Street at 1pm, Budget on Pulteney Street at 2pm and Redspot on Frome Street at 3:30pm. Holiday hours differ, so confirm before you go.
How do I get from Adelaide Airport to the city without a car?
The J1 and J2 buses run directly between the airport and the city centre, leaving from Stop 10 on Sir Richard Williams Avenue, a 2 to 5 minute walk from the terminal.
Can I return a hire car after hours in Adelaide?
It depends on the company. Avis offers after-hours returns at its city location and Redspot has a key drop box behind its Frome Street office, while Budget's city depot has none and points to Adelaide Airport instead.
Where can I park a hire car in central Adelaide?
The City of Adelaide runs nine UPark car parks in the city, some open 24 hours, and there are on-street bays with time limits or ticket payment. The rules change on weekday public holidays, when signposted bays are free with no time limit.
Can I hire a car in Adelaide if I am under 21?
Avis's minimum driving age is 21. Other companies set their own limits, so check the terms of yours before booking.
Nearby and often combined
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Compare Adelaide city car hire
Search live prices in Australian dollars, then check the pickup point and conditions on the offer.