Having a reliable way to travel around Perth during your holiday is a must. You’re in an unfamiliar place trying to see and do as many things as possible, which can be stressful — a car you can rely on to get you from point A to point B is a lifesaver.
A little-known upside: budget car rental Perth options can also save you money in the long run. Here are 9 ways hiring a car can be the more cost-effective choice for your holiday.
1. Covered by Insurance and Excess Cover
All rental cars are covered by insurance, with excess cover available. Excess coverage helps cover the fees you may face if the hire car is damaged or you’re involved in an accident.
Although you pay a little extra upfront, it means you’re not out of pocket if bad luck strikes. It can save you a lot of money in the long run.
At Ace Rent A Car, you can add excess reduction to your booking, which lowers your Loss Damage Liability per incident.
It may be tempting to skip excess cover altogether and just commit to driving extra carefully. Unfortunately, careful driving doesn’t guarantee you won’t have an accident — you can’t control how other people drive, the road, or the weather. It’s usually worth paying extra for that safety net.
2. Split the Cost of a Rental Car
If you’re travelling with another person or a group, you can split the cost of renting a car. Just make sure every driver’s name is added to the Rental Agreement, since only listed drivers are allowed to drive the car.
3. No Expensive Tours
There are plenty of tour options for Perth’s tourist attractions and hotspots. While a great experience, tours can be pricey — especially for a group — and you’re usually limited to a set time at each stop, which may not be enough.
With a rental car, you can spend as long as you like at each attraction, without paying for a tour guide or transport on top.
4. No Damage or Added KMs on Your Own Car
Leaving your own car at home and hiring a rental keeps your vehicle safe from potential damage, and keeps its kilometres down — helping it last longer.
5. Keep Your Personal Belongings Safe
On a guided tour, people usually leave their belongings on the bus while they visit local attractions. While rare, this sometimes leads to items being stolen or misplaced. With a rental car, you can keep your belongings safely locked inside while you explore.
6. Enough Room for Everyone
If you have a 5-seater car but you’re travelling as a group of seven or eight, it makes far more sense to hire a van or minibus big enough for everyone, rather than taking multiple cars and increasing the overall cost of your trip.
7. Compare Against Public Transport Costs
Budget car rental Perth means you’re not relying on public transport to get around, which saves you the hassle of working out routes and connections. As of January 2026, Transperth overhauled its fare structure: the DayRider and FamilyRider fares dropped to a flat $7, and travel is free network-wide on Sundays for SmartRider and contactless users — so public transport is genuinely good value for getting around central Perth these days.
Where a hire car still wins is flexibility and reach: public transport won’t get you to the Swan Valley, the Pinnacles, or a day trip down south, and a FamilyRider only covers the Transperth network, not regional buses or trains. If your Perth holiday includes day trips outside the metro area, a rental car remains the simpler and often cheaper option once you factor in taxi or rideshare fares to fill the gaps.
8. Multiple Cars to Choose From
More rental companies are offering a wider range of vehicles to suit different needs and budgets. Depending on your trip, you might want a small, economical car for city driving, or something larger for a family holiday or road trip — see our guide on which hire car suits your Perth trip if you’re not sure which to pick.
9. No Flights or Luggage Costs
Flying may be faster, but it’s also more expensive than hiring a car once you factor in the cost of checked luggage — especially if you’re travelling with a group and a lot of gear.
Ready to Book Budget Car Rental Perth?
Ace Rent A Car has more than 30 years of experience in Perth, with branches at Redcliffe (near the airport), Victoria Park and Mandurah.We pride ourselves on offering great value budget car rental Perth for our customers, and we look forward to helping you get the most out of your trip.
Call 08 9472 4222 or get a quote online today.