Rental cars in Pakenham, VIC
Average daily prices for a 3-day trip
Toyota COROLLA
2023
•5.0
(1)
Renault MEGANE
2014
•5.0
(6)
Ford FOCUS
2014
•New listing
Hyundai ELANTRA
2018
•5.0
(14)
Mercedes-Benz E-CLASS
2015
•4.0
(11)
Hyundai i20
2014
•4.91
(11)
Holden CRUZE
2016
•New listing
Toyota CAMRY
2015
•5.0
(6)
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!
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 car
Lakeside 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.
Recent reviews
Carma definitely restored my faith in Tullamarine car rental companies. Hannah was super friendly. Pick and drop off was a breeze. Car got 700kms on one tank. No complaints at all. Thanks team!
Absolutely! Here’s a review you could post: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Perfect Cruise Port Car Rental for Exploring Hilo We rented a car during our cruise stop in Hilo, and the entire experience was incredibly easy. The rental location was just a short walk from the cruise port, conveniently located across from the general store, making pickup and drop-off simple and stress-free. The car was clean, reliable, and perfect for exploring the island. We spent the day driving through the lush scenery of the Big Island and visiting the breathtaking Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Having our own vehicle gave us the freedom to stop whenever we wanted for photos, scenic overlooks, and local attractions. If you’re arriving by cruise ship and want to make the most of your time in Hilo, I highly recommend renting a car here. It was one of the highlights of our trip and allowed us to experience so much more of the island than we could have otherwise. We would definitely rent from them again on our next visit! 🌋🚗 A fantastic way to see the Big Island in just one day!
I will break my car rental experience (November, 2025) into 3 parts: Turo, car provider and vehicle. Turo. First time to use this app. Overall, simple and intuitive to use. It is a good option when compared to the traditional car rental companies. It was really nice not having to wait at the service rental counter. Car provider. Once you finish with the Turo process, you finalize all the details with the car owner. Daniel was exceptional to work with. He was timely and thorough with his responses to all my inquiries. Our flight arrived earlier than scheduled. I contacted Daniel and he had the car immediately available for my use. He was honest and trustworthy. At the end of the trip, I identified what I thought was a new chip in the paint. He reported it was present before the rental and not an issue. There is comfort in knowing there was no hidden agenda. Vehicle, Toyota Corolla, 2015. Don't let the age or size of the car deter you. The car was clean, dependable and satisfied all of my needs for 2 people. Hawaii may be dramatic with its natural wonders, but it is stingy with the parking spaces and roads (think road to Hana and Haleakala Volcano). We were happy to be driving this car instead of the SUVs and Jeeps that populated the parking lots and narrow, twisting roads. Overall, I would recommend Turo and HIGHLY recommend Daniel and his Toyota Corolla for your car rental needs in Maui.
Everything about this trip and this car rental was amazing. It was very easy to pick up the car. The car was very clean and have a full tank of gas. I would absolutely rent a car with turtle again.
Great car rental service with wonderful customer service! Me and my wife got a nice camaro ss , we drove around the island with the top down and had an amazing time. The best customer service ever, got some tips to make our trip easier. Definitely will rent a car for next vacation with them.
David was communicative, pickup and drop off was easy with clear instructions, car drove well, overall very satisfied with our experience. Great cost friendly alternative to bigger car rental companies with a lot more flexibility, but come with the right expectations (i.e. don't expect a squeaky clean car)
Wow. Just wow. If you’re planning to rent a car while in Oahu, this Ford Mustang convertible is absolutely the way to do it. There’s nothing like dropping the top and cruising along the island coastlines with the Hawaiian sun and ocean views around you. It honestly became one of the highlights of our trip. The car itself was spotless, fun to drive, and perfect for exploring the island. But what really made the experience exceptional was Gabriel. From start to finish, he was incredibly responsive, professional, and accommodating. Pick-up and drop-off were seamless, and he went out of his way to make everything easy and stress-free for our family. If you’re considering renting a vehicle in Oahu, do yourself a favor and rent from Gabriel. You won’t regret it!
Everything was perfect!!! Thank you so much to Jensen for a great car rental experience. He was super detailed with pickup and drop-off instructions. He even helped us find an available car when our trip dates changed and the original car wasn’t available. AND he was flexible on our pickup/drop-off times if we needed. Another awesome, hassle-free Turo experience! Mahalo Jensen!
This trip was amazing because of our car rental. It was super clean and drove really well. Great on gas. The host was also very attentive and nice :) 10/10 recommend.
The car was spotless, well maintained, and drove beautifully. Pick up was quick and easy. The car owner was friendly and also offered, and dropped us off to the airport as we had traveled from Melbourne. The car was exactly what I needed comfortable, fuel efficient, and reliable. Would absolutely rent from here again and highly recommend to anyone looking for a hassle-free car rental experience.
Amazing experience with both the car and the host!The vehicle was clean, well maintained, and exactly as described. Everything worked perfectly, and the car made the trip even more enjoyable. The host was very friendly, responsive, and helpful throughout the whole rental process. Communication was easy, pickup and drop-off were smooth, and overall everything felt professional and stress-free. Highly recommend renting from this host — definitely would book again!
Pick up was easy, car was very tidy, car was well maintained. Best car rental so far 🫡
Great service. Car was perfect. So much easier than dealing with rental cars
Perfect car for a quick trip to Oahu. With gas prices on the rise it was a perfect car for cruising around the island. Definitely will rent again.
I enjoyed using this car for my solo trip to Brisbane and back. Easy to use. Has built in navigation and Bluetooth to connect my phone (for music). Host was easy to deal with. Responded promptly. Price also good.
Absolutely amazing experience renting this Mustang through Turo! The car was clean, well-maintained, and an absolute blast to drive. Everything about the rental process was smooth and easy from start to finish. The owner was incredibly friendly, responsive, and made the whole experience stress-free. You can tell they really care about both the vehicle and their guests. I would definitely rent from them again and highly recommend this Mustang to anyone looking for a fun and reliable ride!
Very happy with my car rental. Vehicle worked great for going around the island. the pickup and drop off process was super easy and smooth and the host very reliable. Would rent again.
Turo vs. car rental
Turo
App-based experience
No waiting in line
1,600+ unique makes & models
Get the exact car you choose
Delivery options & thousands of pickup locations
Cars rented out by local small businesses
Vehicles and hosts rated by guests
Car rental
Standard rental counter experience
Waiting in line
Limited car selection
Get one type of car “or similar”
Pickup at retail locations
Cars owned by large corporations
No vehicle ratings
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
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
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?
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?
No, you don’t need personal insurance coverage to rent a car on Turo.
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?
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?
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?
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?
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?
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?
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?
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?
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?
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?
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?
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.