If you’re coming to Australia from a foreign country and want to drive, it’s important to know what the differences are. Although Australia has lots of similar cultural aspects to the Western world and is very open to other cultures, there are also many differences in the road rules and road etiquette. Below are some of the main differences you need to know before driving on an Aussie road.

1. Driving on the left
   In Australia, everyone drives on the left hand side of the road. When on a highway, stick to the left lane unless overtaking. There are also trams in Adelaide, Sydney and Melbourne and these have right of way to cars. Buses also have right of way when they are leaving a bus stop.
2. Safety belts and child restraints
   Wearing a seat belt is compulsory in Australia. It is also the law to have the right child seats and restraints. When hiring a car, find somewhere that offers baby seats and booster seats if necessary. Most have them for a small fee on top of your hire car costs.
3. Speed limits
   The maximum speed limit on highways in most states is 100kph. Local urban limits range between 50kph and 80kph, with clearly marked signs. All states also have speed detection systems in place as well as red light cameras. When driving in Australia in a hire car make sure to follow all road rules as not only will you take on the cost of the fine but also a processing fee from the car rental company.
4. Driving license
   It is legal for international visitors to drive a car as long as you have a valid overseas drivers license that covers the matching vehicle class. It is important to keep the license with you at all times for both driving and getting into 18+ events. It is a must to carry a translation if the license is not in English otherwise you will not be able to hire a car in Australia.

For more information about the differences in Australia, or you’re looking for cheap car hire in Brisbane, Melbourne or Sydney, check out Alpha Car Hire’s options and tips. Alpha pride themselves on honesty, good value and friendly customer service. Take a look online or give them a call now.

Sydney is Australia’s unofficial capital city. It is home to buildings like the Sydney Opera House and Luna Park and places like Bondi Beach and the Blue Mountains, all hot spots for tourists, travellers and locals alike. With so much to do and see, it may seem hard to get everywhere and fit everything in. Taxis and public transport fees add up and following timetables can waste a lot of time. However, if you were to get car hire in Sydney, a lot of your problems would be solved.

Car hire in Sydney is one of the best options for getting around this expansive and exciting city. A hire car costs a lot less than a taxi ride and you don’t have to wait around at bus stops or train stations. A hire car allows you to go where you want, when you want. It offers you the freedom to get up at any time and get going wherever you please. You can take as much time as you want and you can visit every nook and cranny of Sydney, not just the places that buses and trains stop.

Sydney offers up some of the best in Australia. Whether you want to cruise around the CBD or head a little further away, a hire car can come in handy. Further east is Bondi Beach, to the north is Taronga Zoo and Luna Park, south contains two national parks and to the west lays the Olympic park and the Windsor Heritage Walk. Each area shows a different side to Sydney and although most of it is accessible via public transport or taxi, a car can make this journey faster and easier, allowing you to stop whenever you see something on the way.

So, don’t let public transport timetables and taxi costs ruin your holiday, get car hire in Sydney and get going sooner. One company that offers car hire from Brisbane down to Sydney and back, is affordable vehicle hire company, Alpha Car Hire. Their Sydney office is still being established, but give them a call on 1300 22 74 73 to see if they can help.

Have you ever been on a holiday – a quick visit to another city to catch up with old friends, deciding you’ll “save a bit of money” and rely on the local public transport system? How often has that worked out just as you planned? Sitting around at one of the stations in Brisbane only to find out the drivers have gone on strike or the train is currently at Fortitude Valley station – when you’re at Murarrie (that’s a 30 minute delay!!!). Or you’re in Sydney’s CBD having a little too much fun, the time goes past quickly – no more public transport until the next day’s service, the taxi ride alone cost two days worth of car hire in Sydney! This is without mentioning the canned sardine feeling of peak hour services. By the end of the trip the only thing you could think about was which car hire company you were going to use for your next trip. Fortunately, finding cheap car hire in Brisbane is a much more pleasant task than being crammed against loud, smelly school kids on the 3:30pm bus back to your hotel.

From as little as $31 a day, you can have the comfort of your own form of personal transport while giving you the freedom to explore and enjoy the new city as much or as little as you like. Are you in Brisbane and feel like a trip to Australia Zoo on the Sunshine Coast? Grab the keys (and your 10% Alpha Car Hire entry discount) and head on up. Weather is beautiful and you’re feeling a day out on your boogie? Head on down to the Gold Coast. No lengthy bus or train transfers to get to the beach here. Take advantage of Alpha Car Hire’s free hotel pickup and various discounts ranging from attractions and Sunday/Monday pickup.

For more information on how you can enjoy the perks of car hire visit www.alphacarhire.com.au. Alpha Car Hire is the premier car hire company for all your travel needs, whether you’re looking for car rental in Melbourne, car hire in Sydney or cheap car hire in Brisbane.

Hiring a car while on holidays is a great way to save time and money. It allows you to travel all over your holiday spot without the restrictions of timetables, bus routes or expensive taxi fees. This is a great advantage with car hire in Brisbane as public transport is limited and taxis are quite expensive all over Australia. However, what should you do when you have to send the car back?

One thing that many people question is whether the car should be refuelled. Most don’t want to pay for fuel they aren’t going to use and many think that giving a car back empty is cheap and won’t have any repercussions. However, most companies will charge for refuelling if the car is given back empty and this is often a lot more expensive than if you filled it up yourself. So, fill up your car on your way to the company so you don’t have any looming bills in the mail when you get home.

Another thing to do before returning the car is to make sure the vehicle is in the same condition as it was when you hired it out. If there is a new apparent defect that was not listed when you hired the vehicle, it is important to inform the car hire company for joint examination. This saves you getting having to pay a large sum for something that may not be your fault or may not be difficult to repair.

Other things to do before returning your hire car is to make sure the car is clean and everything is back in place. This means removing any dirt or sand that may have come from dirty feet, putting cup holders and seats in their rightful place and generally neatening things up. You can do this yourself just with a small brush and pan or by going to a car wash and using their vacuuming and cleaning facilities.

If you’re looking for cheap vehicle rental on your next holiday in Queensland, one company that does car hire in Brisbane is Alpha Car Hire. They can give you advice on what to do when hiring a car, from making a reservation to returning the vehicle. For more information, take a look at their FAQ’s page online or give them a call in Australia on 1300 22 74 73.

Are you going away for that long awaited family vacation? How about the annual business trip to the overseas office? How often have you taken a taxi in, only to be gypped when it comes time to pay? And how about on your arrival back home, lining up with all the other passengers waiting for a taxi – the approximate average length of time waiting for a taxi upon arrival is 30 minutes. That’s 30 minutes standing around waiting for your turn to hop in and head on home. If only you’d used Alpha Airport Parking you’d be home by now.

Alpha’s airport parking is available at both Brisbane and Melbourne airports. They have secure open air, secure undercover and indoor motorcycle parking available at both airports. If you’re looking for a bit of luxury then opt for the Super Wash and Polish service while you’re away – it’ll have your car looking and feeling like new upon your return (car wash services are only available at the Brisbane airport parking).

Finalise arrangements, in particular: notify all the relevant authorities of your new address, make sure all gas cylinders are empty and valves are open, sort through the garden shed and start using all food in the fridge and freezer. Don’t forget to return all books and DVDs to their relevant locations.

If, on the other hand, you’re in the need of Brisbane airport car hire, then you’re in luck. Whether it’s for a family holiday or a business trip, Alpha Car Hire has the vehicle to suit your needs. Small cars, sedans, SUVs, 8 seaters and trucks – whatever your need, Alpha has it covered. Both airport parking and Brisbane airport car hire services include shuttle services to and from the airport terminals to keep waiting times to an absolute minimum.

The next time you’re planning a vacation away, forget about those expensive and inconvenient taxis and keep in mind Alpha Airport Parking and Alpha Car Hire. For more information on Melbourne and Brisbane airport car hire call 1300 22 74 73 or visit them online at www.alphaairportparking.com.au.

Hire A Truck!

Moving houses can be a long, stressful, and expensive task. Whether moving into a new rental home or a brand new house, the basics are the same – plan ahead and keep it simple. In this article we’ll cover a quick checklist of moving tips and take a look at the advantages of truck rental in Brisbane when planning your next move.

As mentioned earlier – plan ahead and keep it simple. How exactly can you accomplish this? With 2 things in mind: pack early and finalise all arrangements. Boxes are a great way to sort your belongings as well as provide an extra level of protection if done well. The biggest plus to this though is it’ll give you an estimate of exactly how much room your belongings will take up during the moving process.

Finalise arrangements, in particular: notify all the relevant authorities of your new address, make sure all gas cylinders are empty and valves are open, sort through the garden shed and start using all food in the fridge and freezer. Don’t forget to return all books and DVDs to their relevant locations.

Once this is done, you’ll have to start thinking about how you’re going to transport your belongings. If you’re using a removalist you’ll need to book around five weeks out. Although seemingly convenient, removalists have the reputation of being overpriced and at times a little careless. As the saying goes – if you want the job done right, do it yourself. How do you do it yourself? Through Alpha Car Hire’s truck rental in Brisbane.

Truck rental in Brisbane is available for a mere $75 a day – plenty of time to move all of your belongings from one house to another. With a Mitsubishi Canter you’ll have all the tools of the trade such as: Hydraulic lift (for those heavy items), a 4 cylinder engine, air-con, CD player, manual gearing and power steering. Of course, for a truck of this size you’ll need to be at least 25 years or older to hire. If you are under 25 and hold a heavy vehicles license, you can still hire a truck with Alpha.

For more information on cheap car hire in Brisbane and truck rental in Brisbane, visit www.alphacarhire.com.au or call 1300 22 74 73.

If you’re visiting Brisbane on your next holiday, one of the best ways to get around is a hire car. Although there is an extensive public transport system and a number of taxi companies in the South East Queensland city, it isn’t always reliable and can cost a lot of money. Hiring a car in Brisbane with a good rental company gives you the freedom to go where you want, when you want, without too much strain on your wallet.

Brisbane is a beautiful place to visit and is central to amazing destinations. South of the city is the Gold Coast and it boasts golden beaches, a great nightlife and a number of theme parks like the famous DreamWorld, Movie World and Wet’n’Wild, just to name a few. The city is known for its beautiful architecture and great shopping, with plenty of spots for afternoon tea or something more substantial to get you through the night. Further north of Brisbane city, to the Sunshine Coast, lies some of the best beaches Australia has to offer. It also boasts great camping areas and the world renowned Australia Zoo.

Although there is a lot to do in the city, if you want to see all South East Queensland has to offer, a hire car is the way to go. Getting from the city to the Sunshine Coast takes over an hour and two different trains, whereas by car this could take up to 20 minutes less, with the opportunity to stop when you please. The same can be said for going south. If you want to get the most out of your trip, a hire car can help.

Hiring a car is also a great idea if you have a bigger family. It can be hard to organise so many people and taxi, train or bus fares can add up quickly. Brisbane based company, Alpha Car Hire, offers a great range of cars at great prices. For car hire in Brisbane, they are the company to go to. Take a look at car hire in Brisbane through their locations tab or call 1300 22 74 73 in Australia for more information.

Hiring a car can be the cheapest and easiest option when you travel overseas or interstate. Public transport and taking taxis can add up, costing you money, time and patience. A hire car allows you to travel where you want and when you want for a minimal fee. However, it is important to note what you are covered for when it comes to any damage to the car and in particular, in relation to single vehicle accidents.

But what are single vehicle accidents? A single vehicle accident applies to incidents where no other motor vehicle is involved, like collisions with animals, trees or pedestrians or when another motor vehicle is involved, but the other vehicle or its driver has not been identified. This can be a very expensive event that is more common than you may think, particularly when driving in a foreign country with unusual road rules.

The thing to note is that many companies do not cover for single vehicle accidents. Although you may assume this is just included, it is essential to read all the terms and conditions and ask if there is anything that you are not covered for while hiring and driving the vehicle. You may think you are getting a bargain but you could be missing out on essentials that could cost more money for you in the long run.

National car hire company, Alpha Car Hire, are one of the few companies that offer an all-inclusive price with cover for single vehicle accidents. They have no hidden fees and strive to be transparent and helpful in every way possible to make your holiday memorable for the right reasons. For more information on other pitfalls to look out for when hiring a car, take a look at this article.

Alpha Car Hire is a car hire company in Brisbane, Gold Coast and Melbourne that works hard to give you high quality at low prices so you can get around your holiday destination easier. When you rent with Alpha Car Hire, you also get a variety of discounts and offers on attractions, activities and more. Below are just some of the deals offered at Alpha Car Hire in Brisbane.

• XXXX Brewery Tour
  
  Experience how Australia’s iconic beer is made with a XXXX Brewery Tour. Get educated in how it is made and even have a bit of a taste! Alpha Car Hire’s discount offer gives you a second Adult Classic Brewery Tour ticket when you buy one at full-price.

• Underwater World
  
  Underwater World features sea creatures great and small in a beautiful underwater tunnel, surrounding guests with thousands of marine and freshwater animals. They also have shows, food and games so you can stay all day. When you arrive with an Alpha Car Hire key ring, you can get 20% off general admission. Take a walk with the fishes and check out Mooloolaba’s award winning attraction on your next holiday.

For more deals or offers Alpha Car Hire offers in other states, take a look at the Specials section online. Hire a car in Brisbane on your next holiday and enjoy the best of what Queensland has to offer at a fraction of the price now.

When you travel overseas or interstate, renting a car can be the easiest way to get around. Airports are often a little far away from your hotel or destination and a lot of places don’t have public transport available in the right areas or it’s too expensive. Renting a car gives you the freedom to go wherever you want, whenever you want, at a reasonable price. But finding a car rental company that is decently priced and reliable can be hard. Below are some tips on what to look out for.

1. What tier are they in?
   Car hire companies come in three tiers. The first tier is the highest one – they are the companies situated at the airport and hire out fairly new and regularly serviced cars but are more expensive. Second tier is similar to first in that they offer the same vehicle and customer service standards, but are further away from the airport and a little cheaper. The final tier should be avoided, as they often use old cars that aren’t serviced regularly. However, they are also the cheapest option.
2. How close are they?
   Companies near the airport are obviously the closest option, but are often a lot more expensive. The best option here is to find a car hire company that is easily accessible, or offers free pickup or delivery to the airport or local areas.
3. How expensive are they?
   Price is of course a big factor. Renting a car is convenient but make sure to compare companies and aim for one that suits your budget.  But remember price isn’t everything! It’s important that the company meets your other needs such as kilometre allowance, bond cost and excess waivers.  Best practice is to ask as many questions as possible before committing to a rental, if you don’t feel comfortable don’t book.  Don’t forget to ask for a better price, you might be surprised!
4. Know what you’re paying for
   Although what you ultimately want is a car, you also want to make sure you feel safe and don’t have to spend anything extra. Check what the price covers – does it include a certain amount of kilometres? Does it cover excess for single vehicle accidents? Does it include ALL the compulsory fees such as GST? Does the bond stay the same even if you don’t choose to reduce your excess? Where can you take the car? The more you know the better.
5. What kinds of cars are available
   A good car hire company will have a variety of vehicles available from small passenger cars to larger utes and trucks for commercial use. They should have cars small enough for four and big enough for eight, as well as decent boot space, so no matter who you’re travelling with, there’s a car to suit.  It is always best to go for a new car as ‘near new’ or older vehicles tend to be anywhere between 5 and 20 years old. Five years doesn’t sound old when it’s your own car that you have treated like gold. However a rental car that has been on the road 90% of the year for 5 years straight and has been driven by people who don’t know how to drive it, is a completely different vehicle.  It can clock up well over 200,000 kilometres in just 5 years.

One company that you can count on for competitive prices and great service is Alpha Car Hire. They do car hire from Brisbanedown to Melbourne and has grown to be one of the best car hire companies in Australia. Take a look online now.