Buyback vs car Hire for an Australian Road trip?
Is there anything more exciting than planning your Australian road trip? We know that there’s a lot of questions around planning and sorting everything out especially whether it makes more sense to hire a vehicle or buy one with a buyback guarantee. While hiring can seem like the easier option at first, the total costs can add up quickly, especially on longer trips. That’s why we’ve put together a simple comparison to help make the decision easier.
For backpackers and travellers planning to explore Australia, we’ve looked at the things that matter most: total trip costs, reliability checks, insurance, flexibility, and which option makes the most sense depending on your travel plans. Whether you’re doing a quick East Coast adventure or a long lap around Australia, this guide will help you decide which option gives you the best value.
Example total costs for a 3-month Australian road trip
Buying a road trip car with buyback
Our buyback guarantee gives travellers the opportunity to get back up to 60% of the purchase price at the end of their trip, making long-term travel much more affordable.
Vehicle purchase: AUD - $12,000
Buyback return (60%): AUD - $7,200
Registration / transfer fees: AUD - $300
Insurance (6 months): AUD $500 - 800
Fuel (approx. 15,000 km): AUD $2,500 - 3,100
Maintenance buffer: AUD $300 - 600
Estimated total cost: AUD $8,100 - 9,800
Hiring a standard road trip car
A cheaper option upfront, but costs can climb fast once insurance and longer rental periods are added.
Car hire ( 6 months): AUD $7,500 - 10,000
Insurance cover: AUD $1,800 - 3,500
Fuel: AUD $2,500 - 3,100
Camping gear hire (if needed): AUD $500 - 1,200
Estimated total cost: AUD $12,300 - $17,800
