You can hire a car for a family holiday from a local car rental company, and in Melbourne that includes Turbofleet, which rents family friendly vehicles from depots in Craigieburn and Ravenhall. The best places to hire give you a choice of larger cars, such as SUVs, seven seaters, and eight seater people movers, along with child seats, unlimited kilometres on most trips, and pickup close to home or near the airport. Booking direct with a rental company is usually cheaper and simpler than going through a third party website.
Where to hire a family holiday car in Melbourne
You have three main options, and the right one depends on where your holiday starts.
A local rental depot is the easiest choice if you are driving from home. Turbofleet has two Melbourne depots, Craigieburn in the north and Ravenhall in the west, both covering the surrounding suburbs. You collect the car close to home, load the family and luggage in your own driveway, and set off without a detour. Local depots are also often cheaper than airport rental desks, which add location fees.
An airport pickup suits families flying in before the holiday. If you land at Melbourne Airport, an off airport depot nearby can still be a cheaper way to collect a car, and our guide to car hire at Melbourne Airport explains how to save time and money on arrival.
Booking online direct with the rental company ties it together. You reserve the exact vehicle, add child seats, and lock in the dates before you travel, which matters in school holidays when family cars book out first.
Which car is best for a family holiday?
The right vehicle comes down to how many people and how much luggage you are taking. Here is a simple guide:
| Family size | Best vehicle | Why it works |
| Up to 5 people | SUV or 7 seat SUV | Boot room for luggage and a higher, comfortable ride |
| 6 to 7 people | 7 seater | Three rows without moving up to a van |
| 8 people | 8 seater people mover | Seats everyone with real luggage space behind the back row |
| Up to 12 people | 12 seater minibus | Keeps an extended family or two families in one vehicle |
For most families, a 7 seat SUV in Melbourne hits the sweet spot of space and easy driving. Larger families do better in an 8 seater people mover, which starts from around $130 a day and keeps everyone together with room for prams and suitcases. If you are travelling with grandparents or another family, a 12 seater minibus means one car instead of two, and it still drives on a standard car licence.
What to look for when you hire for a family holiday
A family holiday car needs more than enough seats. Before you book, check the things that make the trip smoother:
- Boot space for suitcases, a pram, and holiday gear, not just the passenger count
- Child and booster seats you can add to the booking, fitted to the right ages
- Unlimited kilometres, which matters for a road trip so you are not watching a distance limit
- Insurance and the damage excess, so you know what you would pay if something happens
- An additional driver added to the booking, so both parents can share the driving
- Automatic transmission and air conditioning for long drives with kids
Turbofleet includes an additional driver at no extra charge and lets you add infant, convertible, or booster seats when you book, which takes two common family worries off the list.
Booking a family holiday car, step by step
Getting it right is straightforward when you work through it in order:
- Pick your travel dates and the depot closest to where the holiday starts.
- Choose the vehicle that fits your family size using the guide above.
- Add child seats and a second driver to the booking.
- Check the kilometre allowance and the insurance excess.
- Book direct with the rental company and keep your confirmation for pickup.
Doing this a few weeks ahead is the single best way to get the family car you want at a good rate, especially over school holidays and long weekends. For more ways to keep the cost down, our guide to finding genuinely cheap car rentals in Melbourne applies to family hires too.
Where to pick up around Melbourne
Turbofleet hires family vehicles from Craigieburn in the north and Ravenhall in the west, both close to the Hume and Western freeways, so you are on the road quickly whether you are heading up the coast or out to the country. Both depots cover the surrounding suburbs, which makes collecting a car near home simple on the morning you leave.
Once you have the car, a family holiday car is perfect for a road trip out of Melbourne, from the Great Ocean Road to the Yarra Valley, with everyone and the luggage in one comfortable vehicle. You can see the full range and dates on the Craigieburn fleet page.
Hiring for an interstate or one way family trip
If your holiday ends in a different city, ask the rental company about a one way hire, which lets you drop the car at another location rather than driving all the way back. Not every vehicle or route allows it, and a one way fee usually applies, so confirm it when you book. For long interstate drives, unlimited kilometres and an additional driver matter even more, because you cover more ground and will want to share the wheel with your partner. If your holiday stays closer to home, a straightforward return hire from your nearest depot is the simplest and lowest cost option, since you pick the car up and bring it back to the same place.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the cheapest place to hire a family car?
Booking direct with a local rental company is usually cheaper than an airport desk or a third party site. Off airport depots like Turbofleet’s Craigieburn and Ravenhall branches avoid airport location fees.
What size car do I need for a family of five?
An SUV or a 7 seat SUV suits a family of five, giving you boot space for luggage on top of the seats. A 7 seater adds a spare row if you are travelling with extra bags or a friend.
Can I add child seats to a hire car?
Yes. You can add infant, convertible, or booster seats to a Turbofleet booking, matched to your children’s ages. Add them when you book so they are fitted and ready at pickup.
Do family hire cars have unlimited kilometres?
Most passenger vehicles come with unlimited kilometres, which is ideal for a road trip. Confirm this when you book, since it lets you travel without watching a distance limit.
Can I pick up a family car near Melbourne Airport?
Yes. If you are flying in, an off airport depot near Melbourne Airport is often a cheaper way to collect a family car than the airport rental desks.
Planning your trip? See the family vehicles on the Craigieburn fleet page or contact the Turbofleet team to book the right car for your family holiday.
