What’s best? Buyback or car Hire for an Australian Road trip
Planning an Australian road trip is exciting, but one of the biggest decisions is 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 Australia 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 $8,500
Buyback return (60%): AUD $5,100 back
Registration / transfer fees: AUD $300
Insurance (3 months): AUD $450–700
Fuel (approx. 12,000 km): AUD $2,000–2,600
Maintenance buffer: AUD $300–600
Estimated total cost: AUD $6,450–$7,600
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 (90 days): AUD $5,500–8,500
Insurance cover: AUD $1,800–3,500
Fuel: AUD $1,800–2,500
Camping gear hire (if needed): AUD $500–1,200
Estimated total cost: AUD $9,600–$15,700
Hiring a campervan
Great for convenience, but usually the most expensive option for longer trips.
Campervan hire (90 days): AUD $8,000–14,000
Insurance: AUD $2,000–4,000
Fuel: AUD $2,500–4,000
Extra equipment fees: AUD $200–800
Estimated total cost: AUD $12,700–$22,800
