Hello! Welcome to Alpha Car Hire!

Australia's Own Car Rental. Trusted By 500,000+ Travellers.

Enjoy flexible, transparent, and affordable vehicle rentals across Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney and the Gold Coast. Trusted by 500,000+ travellers and locals.

Joe Le Mouton

2 weeks ago

I booked a Mitsubishi Outlander family SUV through American Express, expecting a vehicle suitable for my family of five and our suitcases. Upon arrival, after providing the $1,000 hold, I was offered an MG intermediate SUV instead. This was not the vehicle I had booked, and I was concerned it would not adequately meet our family’s needs. When I raised my concerns, the experience became extremely uncomfortable. The staff I dealt with came across as intimidating, and the manager was unhelpful and made little effort to resolve the situation professionally. As a customer who had booked in good faith, I expected to be treated with respect and offered a reasonable solution. The communication before arrival was also very disappointing. The booking information indicated that the rental office was located at the airport, but it was not. I received no email explaining where the office was or how to get there from the airport. This is important information that should be clearly communicated before customers arrive, particularly when travelling with a family and luggage. Fortunately, I went next door to Hertz, where the staff were welcoming, professional and genuinely helpful. They mentioned that they regularly assist customers who are unhappy with their experiences at Alpha Rental. Although this was their observation, it added to my disappointment with the service I had just received. To be fair, Alpha Rental did release the $1,000 hold, and I acknowledge that. However, that does not change the overall experience or address my concerns about the vehicle offered, the way I was treated, and the lack of clear information about the rental location. When booking a family vehicle, customers should be able to trust that the vehicle advertised and booked will be available, or that any changes will be clearly explained and handled professionally. Unfortunately, my experience fell well short of those expectations. I would urge anyone considering Alpha Rental to carefully confirm the exact vehicle, the rental office location and the airport transfer arrangements before booking. Based on my experience, I would not feel confident recommending Alpha Rental to other families.

Jason Mark McCutcheon

2 weeks ago

Edit....I have received an email response now. Hoping tomorrow will be a better experience I endured a 1.5 hour wait from my first call for the shuttle bus. Noting during that wait I looked and saw that the advertised info on website is FREE shuttle bus in a continuous loop every 30 minutes. Not 1.5 hours between pickups. Also It actually wasn't free at all as the check in clerk added an extra 7 dollars at the check in, quoting it as a third party cost? There was no clear apology for the long delay I had standing on the B1 bustop spot. So clearly it seems the website is a bit of a porkypie lie. I subsequently asked for the site manager to call me, but they didn't. I rang back and had a child like person insisting I speak to him first about my concerns and not the manager, and wouldn't aquiess to my request. As the desk staff person I delt with seemed polite enough on pickup, another staff member, a young lady, was talking over myself and her co-worker about unrelated personal info. They clearly need better training in customer service. If the manager cant call when a request is made, then I guess we have identified at least part of the issue. I am needing to drop my car back and am giving them a second chance to perform better with the drop off and Shuttle process. I will post again to advise if this is smoother or not.

Lizz dalgety

4 weeks ago

Very disappointing experience with Alpha Car Hire Brisbane I was extremely disappointed with our recent experience hiring a vehicle through Alpha Car Hire in Brisbane. We hired an LDV 7-seater for our family of five, along with our luggage. From the moment we arrived at Brisbane Airport, what should have been a straightforward process became unnecessarily stressful. Firstly, we were unsure where to catch the shuttle to the rental location. We tried calling Alpha multiple times for assistance, but nobody answered the phone. When the shuttle finally arrived, there wasn’t enough room for our family and luggage, meaning we had to split up. My husband went to collect the vehicle while I stayed behind at the airport with two of our children. Not exactly the stress-free start to our family holiday we’d hoped for! The next disappointment was the insurance. We had already prepaid for insurance through Booking.com, but when my husband arrived at Alpha, he was told that the insurance we’d purchased was a “scam” and that he needed to purchase their insurance instead. What I don’t understand is how we could legitimately book and pay for the rental vehicle through Booking.com, yet apparently the insurance offered and purchased through that very same booking platform was a “scam”? If Alpha accepts bookings through Booking.com, why is the insurance sold alongside those bookings supposedly not legitimate? This made absolutely no sense to us, and we were left feeling extremely misled and frustrated. As a result, we ended up paying approximately $1,000 on insurance alone, despite having already purchased cover before arriving. This was an incredibly disappointing and unexpected expense, particularly when we thought we’d organised and paid for everything in advance. Towards the end of our holiday, we again tried calling Alpha several times before finally getting through. We needed to confirm whether a shuttle would be available to take us to Brisbane Airport in the early hours of the morning. We were advised that no shuttle operated at that time, which was completely understandable. However, we then discovered we would also be charged an additional $25 just to receive the lockbox code to return our keys! After already paying twice for insurance, dealing with a shuttle that couldn’t accommodate our family, and having to arrange and pay for an Uber from Alpha to the airport, being charged yet another fee simply to return the keys was extremely disappointing. All up, I believe we spent over $3,000 for a seven-day vehicle hire. For that amount of money, I would have expected a much smoother experience, better communication, greater transparency around additional charges and a lot more consideration for customers travelling with children. What should have been a simple, stress-free part of our family holiday ended up causing unnecessary frustration, stress and expense. Unfortunately, based on our experience, I would be very hesitant to hire through Alpha again and certainly wouldn’t recommend them to other families without warning them about our experience.

Tony & Mary Grant

1 month ago

We just returned a hire car to Alpha that we had for 2 weeks. It was an older car that had a lots of kms on the clock, but their prices were reasonable, the car was clean and very reliable. I was really impressed by the excellent and courteous service that we got from the shuttle drivers to the airport. A different one each way but these guys were great. They gave us a great great first and last experience with Alpha.

Delyce Colin

2 months ago

Quick and affordable, will book again

shane crawford

2 months ago

Great service quick and efficient great vehicle hired.

Brisbane Translation

2 months ago

Santos Tautuhi

2 months ago

Excellent service thanks alpha car hire

Thomas Huizer

3 months ago

The cars are clean, have been good quality and always been very good value. Quick and easy pick up and drop off. The shuttle to and from the airport goes often and the drivers are very helpful with the bags. This is our go to car rental whenever we visit Queensland.

Nushi Nazil

5 months ago

Incredible flexible rental service. Provided a very smooth experience when renting and the staff were great. Would highly recommend them and would definitely come back. Thank you for making our trip easier

Maïté Wendt

6 months ago

Great experience with Alpha Car Hire! The online booking and payment process was smooth and easy. The car was clean, modern, and in perfect condition. The only downside was the waiting time for the shuttle and the difficulty reaching someone by phone upon arrival. I’m from New Caledonia, and this was my first time using a local rental company. I especially recommend Alpha Car Hire to fellow New Caledonians and French travellers — they are excellent. Overall, excellent value for money and very good customer service. No hidden fees and a very user-friendly website.

Neil R

8 months ago

I booked a car (through a third party service provider) with Alpha car rental, Brisbane Airport. The customer service (both pickup and return) process of Billy was great. He is friendly and efficient. I had the vehicle almost for a month. It was a very reliable and comfortable vehicle. The office of Alpha car rental is a modern, clean and a pleasant place.

Book Direct & Save - Use DIRECT5 for 5% Off for All Rentals ●
Book Direct & Save - Use DIRECT5 for 5% Off for All Rentals ●
Book Direct & Save - Use DIRECT5 for 5% Off for All Rentals●
Book Direct & Save - Use DIRECT5 for 5% Off for All Rentals ●
Book Direct & Save - Use DIRECT5 for 5% Off for All Rentals ●
Book Direct & Save - Use DIRECT5 for 5% Off for All Rentals ●

Explore Australia Your Way – Locally Owned Car Hire Since 2006

Economy Car

MG3 or similar

Compact Car

Hyundai i30 or similar

Family SUV

Mitsubishi Outlander or similar

Our Locations

Brisbane Airport Car Hire

Phone: +61 7 3062 7439

985 Kingsford Smith Drive, Eagle Farm, QLD 4009

Melbourne Airport Car Hire

Phone: +61 3 8592 6377

157 Mickleham Road, Tullamarine, VIC 3043

Gold Coast Airport Car Hire

Phone: +61 2 8355 1933

19B Ourimbah Rd, Tweed Heads NSW 2485

Sydney Airport
Car Hire

Phone: +61 2 8355 1933

Park on King, Level 4/338 King St,  Mascot NSW 2020

Logan Brisbane Car Hire

Phone: +61 7 3667 9539

3373 Pacific Hwy,
Slacks Creek QLD 4127

Wherever you’re flying into or coming from, we have a location best-suited to cater to your transport needs. Whether you’re arriving at Brisbane Airport, Sydney Airport, Melbourne Airport, or Gold Coast Airport, or exploring the vibrant cities of Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, and the Gold Coast, we’ve got you covered. Our branches, strategically located near these major transportation hubs, make it easy to pick up your rental car without the hassle of searching for a “car rental near me.” And to make your journey even smoother, we offer free airport transfers from your terminal to our depot.

Why Choose Alpha Car Hire?

Here’s what makes Alpha Car Hire your perfect hire choice:

Unbeatable Prices

We guarantee you won’t find a lower rate on comparable car rentals anywhere in Australia.

Massive Selection

Choose from economy car rentals, SUV hire, van hire, ute rental and truck hire.

Friendly & Professional

Our friendly staff instantly put you at ease with clear, simple explanations of our terms and a personable touch.

Convenient Locations

Pick up your car at major airports or in cities across Australia, allowing you to hit the road straightaway.

Top-Rated Customer Service

Our friendly team is here to answer your questions and ensure a smooth car rental experience.

Frequently Asked Questions:

How can I find the best car rental deals?

Alpha Car Hire strives to provide affordable car rental options in Australia, offering competitive rates and transparent pricing with no hidden fees. Prices can vary based on location, season, and vehicle availability. To secure the best rate, we recommend booking directly through our website or contacting our reservations team. Our “Book Direct, Save More” initiative is designed to offer excellent value, though prices may differ depending on various factors.

What are the advantages of booking directly?

When you book directly, you gain access to our lowest rates, special offers, and flexible booking options, as well as direct communication with our team for any inquiries or requests.

What's included in the car rental price?

Our rates usually include Standard insurance, unlimited kilometres, and roadside assistance—everything you need for a smooth journey. Plus, you can easily upgrade your coverage during booking for extra peace of mind.

How will I know my reservation is confirmed?

Once you complete your reservation, you’ll see a “Reservation Confirmation” page with your reservation number highlighted. You will also receive a confirmation email with your booking details and collection instructions.

Can I extend the car rental duration?

You can extend your rental duration either when you pick up the vehicle or during your rental period. To do so, please contact us on 1300 227 473 or visit the nearest location. Extensions are subject to vehicle availability and additional charges.

Can I cancel or modify my reservation?

Yes, you can modify or cancel your reservation by contacting our reservations team at 1300 227 473 or NZ 0800 445 492.

Are there any cancellation fees?

Bookings canceled more than 48 hours before pickup are fully refundable, with no cancellation fees. However, cancellations made within 48 hours of pickup will incur a fixed $75 fee.

Can I use someone else's credit card to pay for my car rental?

Yes, you can use another person’s credit card, but the cardholder must be listed as the main driver on the rental contract and have a valid driving licence in English.

What happens if I return the vehicle late?

If you return the vehicle more than 1 hour after the drop-off time, you will be charged an additional full day’s fee. For example, if your rental is from 8:00 AM to 8:00 AM the next day, and you return it at 9:01 AM, the extra charge will apply. If you have any questions, please contact our customer service team.

In the event of an accident, what am I liable to pay?

In the event of an accident, your liability depends on the coverage option you selected. Here’s a quick summary:

Standard Cover: You are liable for up to $5,000.
$500 Damage Liability: Liability is reduced to $500.
$0 Damage Liability: Liability is reduced to $0.

Please note, liability may also vary based on the circumstances of the accident. For full details, please review our Car Hire Terms and Conditions.

Is car hire excess insurance worth it?

Excess insurance can significantly reduce your liability in the case of damage, potentially down to $500 or even $0, depending on the coverage you choose. If minimising out-of-pocket expenses is important to you, excess insurance might be worth considering.

How old do I need to be to hire a car in Australia?

To hire a car in Australia with Alpha Car Hire, you must be at least 21 years old. Drivers aged 21-24 have limited vehicle options (including Mystery Car, Economy Car, Compact Car, Compact SUV, Compact Hybrid SUV, Intermediate Car, and Ute) and are subject to an age surcharge.

Can I hire a car if I am over 70 years of age?

Yes, Alpha Car Hire allows customers over 70 years of age to hire a car, as long as they hold a valid driving licence.

Can you hire a car with a paper driver license?

Alpha Car Hire only accepts full, valid driving licences—paper licences, learner permits, and provisional licences are not accepted. We do accept digital driving licences from QLD, NSW, and SA, provided we can verify their validity. If verification is not possible, a physical licence will be required.

Where are the Alpha Car Hire locations in Australia?

Alpha Car Hire has several convenient locations across Australia, including both airport and non-airport options:

Airport Locations: