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How to book one way car rental in Cairns
How to book one way car rental in Cairns
Posted
on 3 August 2025
If you’re travelling through Queensland and planning to finish your trip somewhere different from where you started, one way car rental is a great option. Whether you're moving house, heading off on an extended road trip, or just making the most of your holiday, having the flexibility of a one way car rental can make your life a lot easier.
At 1300 Meteor Rentals, we make booking a one way car rental simple and straightforward. Our team knows the region well, with locations in Cairns, Townsville, and Mount Isa, so we can help you get where you need to go without the hassle of returning the vehicle to your starting point.
What do we mean by one way car rental
A one way car rental lets you pick up a vehicle in one location and drop it off in another. For example, you might collect your hire car in Cairns and return it in Townsville or Mount Isa. This is perfect if your travel plans don’t involve looping back to your starting city.
We offer this service on a range of one way rental vehicles, from small cars to utes, 4WDs, minibuses, and even trucks for bigger jobs like moving house. If you're flying into Cairns and heading south, or the other way around, a one way car hire saves time and effort.
Why choose one way car rental?
There are many reasons people choose one way car rental:
Moving house: Sometimes you’re relocating to a new city and need to transport your belongings.
Road trips: If you want to explore Queensland’s coastline or outback without backtracking.
Work trips: Travel for work can often mean starting in one city and finishing in another.
Flight availability: You might fly into Cairns but find a cheaper flight home from Townsville.
Instead of hiring a car and having to return it to the original location, one way auto rental means you can finish your journey where it makes the most sense for you.
How to book a one way car rental in Cairns
Booking your one way car rental with 1300 Meteor Rentals is easy. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
Plan your route
Decide where you want to pick up the car and where you plan to drop it off. We have branches in Cairns, Townsville, and Mount Isa, with one way car hire available between these spots.
Check availability
Not all vehicles are available for one way car rental, especially for specific types like trucks or minibuses. It's best to get in touch with our team to check what’s available for your dates.
Get a quote
Once you know your start and end locations, we can provide a quote. A relocation fee usually applies to cover the cost of returning the vehicle to its original location.
Book early
To make sure you get the vehicle you want, book your one way car rental early. Peak travel times can get busy, especially around school holidays or long weekends.
Confirm your booking
For one way rental vehicles, we require a payment of 1/5th of the rental amount at the time of confirmation. This secures your booking.
Enjoy your trip
Hit the road and explore! You’ll have the flexibility to travel at your own pace and stop whenever you like.
Drop off at your destination
Return your vehicle to the agreed drop-off location, whether that’s Townsville or Mount Isa.
Popular one way routes from Cairns
We’ve helped heaps of travellers with one way car hire from Cairns. Some popular routes include:
Cairns to Townsville: A great coastal drive with stops at places like Mission Beach, Hinchinbrook Island, and Paluma Range.
Cairns to Mount Isa: Perfect for those heading inland to explore the outback.
Cairns to Rockhampton: On request, we can sometimes arrange drop-offs further south, but keep in mind extra costs apply.
Our one way rental vehicles are suitable for all kinds of trips, whether you're heading along the coast, into the rainforest, or out to the bush.
Types of vehicles available
We offer a wide range of one way auto rental options:
Small and medium cars: Great for city driving or couples on holiday.
SUVs and 4WDs: Ideal for longer trips or rougher roads.
Utes and vans: Perfect for moving gear or house moves.
Minibuses: For group travel or family holidays.
Trucks and trailers: For bigger loads when moving house or transporting equipment.
Things to know about one way car rental
Relocation fees: A fee applies for one way car rental to help cover the cost of returning the vehicle.
Availability: Not all vehicles can be used for one way car hire, especially for longer distances.
Conditions apply: There are limits on how far you can go with certain vehicle types, especially trucks and heavy vehicles.
Travel within Queensland only: Our one way auto rental is for trips within Queensland. The furthest south we typically allow is Rockhampton.
Benefits of booking with 1300 Meteor Rentals
At 1300 Meteor Rentals, we pride ourselves on making one way car rental simple and affordable. Here’s why people choose us:
We have branches in Cairns, Townsville, and Mount Isa.
A wide range of one way rental vehicles.
Friendly local service and advice.
Competitive rates with clear terms.
Free airport pick-up in selected locations.
We also sometimes have one way car rental specials when we need to relocate vehicles between branches, so it’s worth checking in with us.
Ready to book?
If you’re planning a trip and need the flexibility of a one way car rental, get in touch with 1300 Meteor Rentals today. Our team will help you find the right vehicle and make sure everything is sorted for your trip.
With the right car and the freedom of one way car hire, your Queensland journey can be exactly what you want it to be, flexible and fun.
Whether you're moving, road-tripping, or travelling for work, one way car rental makes getting around easy. No need to backtrack or change your plans to fit a return schedule.
Let 1300 Meteor Rentals help you hit the road with confidence. From Cairns to Townsville, Mount Isa and beyond, our one way rental vehicles are ready when you are.
Book your one way car rental with us today and enjoy the drive!
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 "How to book one way car rental in Cairns")
