AVIS and Budget Car Rentals

Flights landing after 6pm line up best with AVIS and Budget

Regional flights into Albany Airport (ALH) often miss the limited local buses and leave you watching the taxi queue, which is why AVIS and Budget inside the terminal are the default for anyone planning days of driving around the Great Southern region. Both desks sit in the arrivals area at ALH, a short walk from baggage claim, so you go from carousel to keys in under 10 minutes on a quiet day.

AVIS and Budget price in the middle of the pack for regional WA, roughly in the /5 cost band for this guide, but that usually beats relying on multiple taxi fares to places like Denmark or Two Peoples Bay. You’ll see small hatchbacks, mid-size SUVs, and the odd ute in the lot directly in front of the terminal, with most vehicles under five years old according to recent rental listings for ALH.

Because buses to Albany city centre don’t match every arrival time, the /9 frequency score here reflects how often you can land and still pick up a car, not how many shuttles run. AVIS and Budget staff are normally on duty for the main QantasLink waves, and they often hold for late flights by 15–30 minutes, but that depends on the day and season, so always add your flight number to the booking.

Figure the /8 journey time rating as driving flexibility, not one fixed trip: it’s about 12 km from ALH to Albany CBD (roughly 15 minutes), 55 km to Denmark (about 40–45 minutes), and just under 80 km to Bluff Knoll in Stirling Range National Park (around 1 hour, 15 minutes) if you’re heading inland. Fuel stations sit on Albany Highway and South Coast Highway within 10–15 minutes of the airport turnoff.

• Step 1: Land at ALH and follow the “Car Rental” signs in arrivals.
• Step 2: Head to the AVIS or Budget counter opposite baggage claim with your licence and booking reference.
• Step 3: Sign the contract, confirm kilometre limits and insurance, and ask about gravel-road restrictions common in regional WA.
• Step 4: Walk outside to the signed AVIS and Budget bays in the main car park directly in front of the terminal.
• Step 5: Do a quick photo walk-around of the car, checking tyres and windscreen before leaving the lot.
• Step 6: Set your first stop in maps while still in the car park, since mobile coverage can dip on stretches towards West Cape Howe or Stirling Range.
• Step 7: On your return day, refuel at a servo on Albany Highway or in town, keeping the receipt with the time stamp.
• Step 8: Park back in the AVIS or Budget return bays at ALH, lock the car, and drop keys at the counter or after-hours box if your flight leaves early.

One tip: December to March and school holiday weekends sell out fast around ALH, so lock in AVIS or Budget as soon as your QantasLink ticket is confirmed rather than waiting until the week of travel.