Rental cars in Pakenham, VIC
Rent a car in Pakenham
Considering car rental in Pakenham? Situated 53km from Melbourne's CBD, Pakenham is your gateway to some of the best attractions in Victoria. Whether you're looking to explore Gippsland, venture to the Mornington Peninsula or navigate the Dandenong Ranges, hiring a car in Pakenham ensures you can curate your perfect road trip itinerary.
Nestled in the Cardinia Shire in Melbourne's southeast, Pakenham is located at the end of Melbourne's rail network. Luckily, the suburb is serviced by a number of major roads (including the Princes Highway and Princes Freeway), meaning a car is the ideal mode of transport. Whether you're looking for long term car rental or a unique car type, booking a vehicle in Pakenham ensures you can explore this suburb and its nearby locations with ease.
Car rental Pakenham: How it works
Curious about how car hire in Pakenham works? Browse from a wide range of car types, select your preferred travel dates and customise your pick up date and location. With the ability to explore greater Melbourne at your own pace, renting a car from a local Turo host comes with stacks of perks (including the ability to add on extras like baby seats, GPS navigation systems and bike racks).
Find your car:
Enter a date and location in Pakenham (or beyond) and browse thousands of cars shared by local hosts.
Book with Turo:
Book on the Turo app or online, choose a protection plan, and say hi to your host! Cancel for free up to 24 hours before your trip, and get discounts if you book early or for a longer duration!
Hit the roads of Melbourne:
Have the car delivered or pick it up from your host. Check-in with the app, grab the keys, and hit the roads of Melbourne!
Top hosts in Pakenham, VIC
Jay B.
Jay B.’s vehicles
Theo G.
Rent a car and explore Pakenham, VIC
Things to do and places to see in Pakenham, VIC
Looking for the best things to do and sights to see around Pakenham? This outer ring suburb of Melbourne is brimming with natural beauty, cultural events and even top-notch markets. Plus, you're just a short drive from a range of iconic sights and attractions in Victoria.
Book the perfect carLakeside Market Pakenham
Held on the third Sunday of the month from October to April is Lakeside Markets. Situated on the Lakeside Lake in front of the Cardinia Cultural Centre, expect a range of gourmet delights, artisanal goods, arts and crafts, and so much more. Road tripping with your furry friend? Good news: the Lakeside Market is dog-friendly!
Explore the wineries
Foodies, don't miss a chance to explore the wineries located within a short drive of Pakenham. Bring a designated driver and head to the family-run vineyard of D'Angelo Estate (a short 14-minute drive away in Officer). Explore 10 acres of vines, with cool climate wines (like their award-winning Lady Chardonnay) in abundance, best enjoyed alongside a gourmet pizza. Other nearby wineries to consider include Cannibal Creek Winery (West Gippsland) and Brandy Creek Estate.
Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne
Take a short 35-minute drive to Cranbourne Gardens, an incredible award-winning botanic garden near Pakenham. Discover over 100,000 plants, celebrating the diversity of Australia's flora. With over 10km of walking tracks to explore and 450 indigenous plant species to meet, this bushland escape is a must-see.
Why hire a car on Turo?
More bang for your buck
Find deals on all kinds of drives in Pakenham and throughout Australia - from the everyday to the extraordinary - complete with a better, more convenient experience versus Pakenham car rental companies. Find the perfect vehicle for your budget.
Free cancellation
Cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before your Pakenham trip starts. Because life happens and it helps to be flexible when it does.
Convenient pickup options, wherever you are in Pakenham
Get your car delivered right to you or wherever you’re going. Many hosts offer delivery to custom locations or popular points of interest in and around Pakenham, like airports, train stations, and hotels.
Top tips for hiring a car in Pakenham
Before you hire a car in Pakenham, it's important to understand a few important road rules and handy tips. Whether you're sticking to the inner city or venturing beyond the rolling hills of greater Melbourne, these are the top tips you need to know before hiring a car in Pakenham.
Melbourne road rules and driving conditions
The road rules in Melbourne match the rest of Australia. Australians drive on the left side of the road and speed limits vary depending on the type of road and area. Residential zones usually have lower speed limits, while major roads and highways have higher limits.
The legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit for fully licensed drivers in Victoria is 0.05 (the same as the rest of the country), and you aren’t allowed to use your phone while you’re driving. Not to mention, be sure to keep left unless overtaking on all multi-lane roads with a speed limit above 80km/h.
Hook turns:
While exploring Melbourne City, the concept of a hook turn might seem a little bizarre. It's essentially a right-hand turn at an intersection. But, instead of using the right lane to turn, when you see a hook turn sign, you stay in the left lane and signal your intention to turn right.
Pakenham's rush hour and busiest roads
Across Pakenham, you'll find construction taking place to reduce congestion and improve road safety. A big project currently underway is removing level crossings at McGregor Road, Main Street, and Racecourse Road. The Victorian Government are also building new train stations at Pakenham and Pakenham east, which are predicted to be completed in 2024.
While these upgrades are still underway, it's best to avoid these roads (along with the Princes Freeway) during peak hours, running from 7 am to 9.30 am and 4 pm to 7 pm on weekdays.
Are there toll roads around Pakenham?
While there are no toll roads within Pakenham, you are likely to encounter toll roads if you're driving to and from Melbourne.
The CityLink toll road connects the Tullamarine Freeway, West Gate Freeway and Monash Freeway, while Eastlink connects the Eastern Freeway, Monash Freeway, Frankston Freeway and Peninsula Link Freeway.
Parking in Pakenham
There are a range of places to park in Pakenham's CBD. You'll find unrestricted parking at the Henry St Car Park (120 spaces) along with 279 untimed spaces at Pakenham Place.
Plus, there are timed car parks located at John St, James St, Market Place and Drake Place.
Petrol stations and EV chargers in Pakenham
Need to refuel? You'll find petrol stations located throughout the city centre and surrounding suburbs, including:
Liberty Pakenham East (1365 Princes Highway, open 24/7)
EG Ampol Pakenham (49-53 Maint Street)
BP (Unit 1, Lot 1 Princes Highway, open 24/7)
If you're driving an electric car, head to EVUp Charging Station at Toomuc Valley Road to top up or recharge.
Do I need to hire a car in Pakenham?
The best way to explore Pakenham, Melbourne and greater Victoria is by car. This gives you the freedom and flexibility to drive your own itinerary and get off the beaten track without worrying about public transport timetables or the high costs of taxis.
Dandenong hire car types
Wondering what car hire types and brand names you secure in Pakenham? From a sleek Hyundai i30 to a flash Mercedes-Benz, you can search and secure your dream car from a local Turo host. The best bit? The car you book is the car you get.
On type, you can find the right wheels to suit your itinerary, including:
SUVs
Electric cars
People movers
Ute hire
Minivan rentals
Small cars
Large cars
Van hire
Car hire pickup locations in Pakenham and throughout Melbourne
Wondering where you can collect your hire car in Pakenham? With Turo, you can call the shots over where to begin your adventure. Unlike traditional car hire suppliers, our local hosts are able to deliver your ride to anywhere across Melbourne, including Pakenham, Melbourne's CBD, Melbourne Airport, Avalon Airport, and Geelong.
Unlike traditional rental companies, you can nominate your collection spots from a range of car hire locations in Pakenham to get your trip on the road sooner.
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Frequently asked questions about Pakenham car hire
Pakenham car hire for any occasion
Pakenham car hire for any occasion
No matter what occasion you're hiring a car in Pakenham for, you'll find an ideal car type to suit your itinerary.
Holiday car hire:
Need a car rental for your next holiday to Melbourne? From luxury cars to spacious SUVs, hit the roads of Pakenham in style.Long term car hire:
Need a car an extended period of time? From multiple days to multiple weeks, secure a vehicle for any length of time on Turo.Formal car hire:
A special occasion deserves a top-notch ride. From exotic cars to classic vehicles, make an entrance to remember.Wedding car hire:
Turn the journey into an unforgettable part of your special day with a luxurious prestige car, available for hire on Turo.Melbourne day trips: Explore VIC
Melbourne day trips: Explore VIC
Keep your road trip going! Explore beyond Melbourne and throughout the rest of Victoria with these top day trip ideas:
Great Ocean Road:
Ready to experience one of VIC's most scenic coastal roads? While the entire road might be a three-day trip, you can easily fit a trip to and from Apollo Bay as a day trip.The Grampians:
Head inland and explore the stunning mountain ranges of The Grampians. This is perfect for traveller who love bush walks and getting out in nature!Phillip Island:
Visit Victoria's largest coastal island, brimming with an adorable penguin parade and epic coastal national parks.What documents do I need to rent a car in Pakenham on Turo?
What documents do I need to rent a car in Pakenham on Turo?
To book a car on Turo in Pakenham, you must create a Turo account, be 21 years old or older, have a valid driver’s licence, and get approved to drive on Turo. When you’re booking your first trip, you’ll go through a quick approval process by entering your driver’s licence and some other information. In most cases, you’ll get approved immediately, and you’ll be set for every future road trip, business trip, and family holiday!
Do I need my own insurance?
Do I need my own insurance?
No, you don’t need personal insurance coverage to rent a car on Turo.
What protection plan options are available on Turo in Pakenham?
What protection plan options are available on Turo in Pakenham?
When booking a car in Australia, you’ll choose between the Premier (if available), Standard, and Minimum protection plans. Each plan includes varying limits on financial responsibility for damage to a host’s vehicle. All trips include up to $20,000,000 (per event) in legal liability protection. Legal liability protection protects against damage to other people’s property and death or bodily injury (where the legal liability is not covered or capable of being covered by any statutory or compulsory scheme) as a result of an accident involving the vehicle. All protection is provided by Turo Travels Mutual.*
How do I get discounts on hire cars in Pakenham?
How do I get discounts on hire cars in Pakenham?
On your Account page, make sure you’ve checked the box to receive email notifications, and enable push notifications from the Turo app in your phone settings — we’ll send you occasional promotions, discounts, and deals on car hire in Pakenham!
Additionally, frequent travellers on Turo can get rewarded with the loyalty bonus — earn a promo code for one bonus day when you take trips totalling 10 days in a 90-day period!**
Are there discounts on weekly or monthly trips?
Are there discounts on weekly or monthly trips?
Yes, many Turo hosts offer discounted prices when you book trips lasting 3+, 7+, or 30+ days, so you can get the best deals and lowest rates possible by booking longer trips.
See more about promotions & discountsHow can I get unlimited kilometre car hire during my trip from Pakenham?
How can I get unlimited kilometre car hire during my trip from Pakenham?
Some hosts offer car hire with unlimited KMs; others set a daily distance limit. On the vehicle pages, you’ll see the total kilometres you’re allowed to drive under the heading “Distance included.” You can find cars offering unlimited mileage with every trip by using the “Unlimited distance” filter.
What is the cancellation policy for guests on Turo?
What is the cancellation policy for guests on Turo?
You can cancel and get a full refund up to 24 hours before your trip starts, unless you opt to receive a non-refundable trip discount when you book. If you book a trip with less than 24 hours’ notice, you have one hour after booking to cancel free of charge. If you cancel after the free cancellation period ends, you will be charged a cancellation fee.
In the rare event a host cancels, you’ll be notified immediately so you can book another car, or we’ll help you find one. Your refund can be temporarily held to expedite rebooking, or the funds can be returned to your bank account — your choice.
What are the cleaning and safety policies on Turo?
What are the cleaning and safety policies on Turo?
Under the enhanced cleaning policy, hosts are required to clean and disinfect their vehicles thoroughly before every trip, so you can feel safe and comfortable behind the wheel. Turo hosts have access to training materials on enhanced safety measures and cleaning practices to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 or other viruses.
Is Turo a rental car company?
Is Turo a rental car company?
No. Unlike rental car companies, Turo is a peer-to-peer car sharing marketplace where you can book directly from trusted local car owners in the US, UK, Canada, and Australia. Turo does not own any vehicles — Turo hosts share their own personal cars and set their own prices, discounts, vehicle availability, and delivery options.
Is there a fee to add additional drivers to my trip?
Is there a fee to add additional drivers to my trip?
There is no fee or additional charge for adding a driver to your trip on Turo. Only the guest who booked the trip can request to add drivers; Turo hosts cannot do it for you. We encourage you to request to add any additional drivers before your trip starts, though guests in the US, Canada, and Australia can request to add a driver while a trip is in progress.
To speed up the process, have your additional driver create a Turo account and get approved to drive before you request to add them. All drivers must have a valid driver’s licence and meet the age requirements for the car you’ve booked. You can request to add drivers via the “Trips” tab in the Turo app without additional driver charges or extra costs.
How much does it cost to hire a car in Pakenham?
How much does it cost to hire a car in Pakenham?
The cost of getting a car hire in Pakenham or Melbourne (whether it is from the CBD, the airport or a custom location) can vary depending on your travel duration (for example, one week or one month), the type of car you choose, and more. On Turo, you have the option of getting a cheap car hire with a standard car, a luxury car, and anywhere in between.
Can I book a long term car rental in Pakenham?
Can I book a long term car rental in Pakenham?
Absolutely. Many hosts offer long term car hire bookings of multiple weeks or months, with the opportunity to secure a discount on bookings of a month or more.
Can you hire a car on your Ps in Melbourne?
Can you hire a car on your Ps in Melbourne?
No, you can't hire a car on your Ps in Melbourne. To hire a car on Turo, you must have a valid full licence - no provisional or conditional licences are accepted.
Do I need to be a certain age to hire a car in Melbourne?
Do I need to be a certain age to hire a car in Melbourne?
The minimum age to rent a car in Melbourne on Turo is 21 years of age, with all drivers under 25 years old being subjected to an extra cost of $15/day (a.k.a the Young Driver Surcharge). Plus, if you're looking to hire certain vehicle classes, you must be 25 or older to book a Deluxe Class vehicle, and 30 or older to book a Super Deluxe Class vehicle.
* The guest protection plans offer discretionary protection (protection) issued by Turo Travels Mutual Limited (the Mutual). The plans are offered and distributed on behalf of the Mutual by Turo Australia Pty Ltd and Turo Inc., who are both authorised representatives of Picnic Licensing Pty Ltd (AFSL No 532540). Discretionary risk protection is not insurance. Relevantly, the Board of the Mutual has absolute discretion to accept or reject a member’s claim.
Review the Guest Product Disclosure Statement for more information.
The Board’s discretion will be exercised fairly and consistently, and with all due consideration to the merits and circumstances of each claim and the terms and conditions set out in the Guest PDS.