Car Hire in Sydney
✓ No Hidden Costs ✓ 24/7 Support ✓ Free Cancellation
500+ Trusted Suppliers:
Cheapest Car Hire Rates
Sydney Airport Car Hire
Intermediate
Kia Cerato
or comparable
£ 21.11
/ per day
Sydney Airport Car Hire
Full-size SUV
MG HS
or comparable
£ 24.50
/ per day
City Centre Car Hire
Special
Mystery Car
or comparable
£ 26.21
/ per day
Sydney Airport Car Hire
Compact
Toyota Corolla
or comparable
£ 27.42
/ per day
Most Popular Car Hire Deals
Sydney Airport Car Hire
Economy Elite
Toyota Corolla
or comparable
£ 32.29
/ per day
Sydney Airport Car Hire
Standard SUV
MG HS
or comparable
£ 32.52
/ per day
Sydney Alexandria Car Hire
Economy
Suzuki Swift
or comparable
£ 36.93
/ per day
Sydney Airport Car Hire
Intermediate Elite SUV
Audi Q3
or comparable
£ 58.61
/ per day
These prices are approximate and depend on the dates of the booking, hire length and type of car. This information was last updated at 12:27 on 2023-12-04.
Travel Information
Languages
English
Currency
AUD
Drive on
Left-hand side
Dialing code
+61
Average car hire price
£ 32 per day
Average car hire length
8 days
Speed limit within city centre
50 km/h or 31 mph
Speed limit out of city centre
100 - 130 km/h or 62 - 81 mph
Acceptable limit of BAC
0.05%
Average gasoline price
£ 1.11 per litre or £ 4.22 / 1 gallon
Lowest gasoline price
£ 0.94 per litre or £ 3.57 / 1 gallon
Highest gasoline price
£ 1.31 per litre or £ 4.95 / 1 gallon
Why hire a car in Sydney?
Sydney is a great place to experience by car. You’ll have the freedom to see this huge and sprawling city in all its diversity, traveling from inland neighborhoods to coastal parts, as well as to see the rest of the huge and hugely interesting New South Wales.
One-way Car Hire in Sydney
The most popular one-way car hire options for pick up in Sydney and drop off in another city include:
- From Sydney to Brisbane - 67 offers from £ 39.18 per day
- From Sydney to Cairns - 50 offers from £ 57.60 per day
- From Sydney to Melbourne - 34 offers from £ 60.53 per day
- From Sydney to Gold Coast - 50 offers from £ 41.34 per day
- From Sydney to Canberra - 33 offers from £ 45.32 per day
Top ways to enter Sydney
- Sydney Airport: The busiest in Australia, Sydney Airport hosts flights to and from all of the other continents of the world.
- Newcastle Airport: This small airports only hosts domestic flights, but as it is only two hours drive north, flying to Newcastle can be another good way to reach Sydney if you’re already in Australia.
- Canberra Airport (236 km / 147 mi): The capital city’s airport hosts a number of domestic flights, as well as routes to and from such large international hubs as Qatar and Singapore. It is about three hours drive southwest of Sydney.
City facts
- Sydney has a humid subtropical climate with very warm summers and mild winters. Inland city districts are generally much warmer than the ones that are by the ocean and can experience extreme heat during the summer months.
- Although not the capital, Sydney is the largest city in Australia. More than 5 million people, or roughly every fifth Australian, live here.
Top destinations and activities
- Sydney Harbour. Once the location of the first European settlement in the area, Sydney Harbour’s Circular Quay is now perhaps the most picturesque and the best known part of town. It is home of the world-famous as Sydney Opera, as well as to a number of other landmarks and attractions.
- SS Ayrfield. Once an old coal and oil ship and then a written-off wreck, SS Ayrfield has impossibly turned into a floating forest of mangroves. The unique sight can be observed from the nearby shore of the Homebush Bay area where you can also find four other shipwrecks, as well as nature areas like Bicentennial Park, a system of parklands and mangrove wetlands.
- The Sydney Tower Eye. The highest point in Sydney and thus offering the best 360 views from its top, the Tower Eye offers a great impression of both how immense is Sydney and how sparsely populated the rest of the state is to this day.
- Art Gallery of New South Wales. One of the most important museums in Australia, Sydney’s main gallery is home to a wealth of fascinating paintings, sculptures, photographs, and other types of art. The gallery hosts the works of virtually all of the most notable Australian artists, as well as pieces by world-famous masters like van Gogh, Monet, and Rubens. There are also exhibitions dedicated to Indigenous Australian Art and Asian Art. Located in The Domain, a heritage area with plenty to see and do, the gallery can be easily reached from anywhere in the city centre.
Traffic and parking
- One of the largest road hazards in Australia are the wildlife. Take extra caution when driving in bad weather or after dark as this is when most of the collisions with wildlife take place.
- Mobile coverage is very rarely available outside of major highways and population centers, so take extra caution when traveling in nature areas.
- Another great risk when traveling outside of main highways is the heat. The temperatures can reach extremes very easily, especially during the summer months and in inland areas. Always stay properly hydrated and set out your route in advance to be able to supplement your water supplies.
- Driving under influence laws differ from territory to territory in Australia. In New South Wales, the legal alcohol limit is 0.05% for experienced drivers and 0.00% for novice drivers and drivers with provisional licences. Exceeding the limit can lead to large fines and a driver licence ban.
- The insurance and car documentation needs to be in the car whenever you’re driving.
- If you’re the driver, you need to have your passport or ID card with you at all times.
- The primary, nationwide emergency number in Australia is 000. The New South Wales Poisons Information Centre number is 131 126.
Toll roads
There are a number of toll roads in Australia, mainly in the states of New South Wales, Victoria, and Queensland. In New South Wales, there are nine currently active toll roads, which is more than in the rest of the country combined.
Most toll roads in Australia use an “open roll system” with mainline barrier toll points. All toll roads in Australia use cashless payment system. You can purchase a prepaid pass for most toll roads. Some rental cars in Australia are equipped with an electronic toll responder the price of which is usually included in the rental price. Ask your car rental provider about it in advance.
Different toll roads are operated by different companies, so there is no nation-wide fee system in place.
For more information about the toll roads in Sydney, visit the Sydney Visitor Guide.
Ideas for day trips
- Garigal. A protected national park located in the North Shore region that is technically still part of the city, Garigal is a great place to see the local flora and fauna, as well as to learn about the local aboriginal culture through the ancient cave paintings and rock engravings that you can find throughout the site. Located just 23 km (14 miles) from the centre of Sydney, Garigal can be reached in about 30 minutes.
- Manly Beach. The most beloved beach area of local Sydneysiders that’s located just a short ride from the harbour area, Manly Beach is famous for its beaches, watersport opportunities, and relaxed way of life. For many travelers, this is perhaps the most Australian part in the whole of Australia. Situated northeast of the city centre, Manly Beach is just 17 km (10.5 miles) away and takes 25 minutes to travel to.
- Blue Mountains. Located just west of Sydney, the Blue Mountains region is a unique and relaxing place not only because of its majestic scenery, but also for fun towns like Katoomba and Blackheath, two national parks, and the stunning Jenolan caves. Even if you won’t get to see a wild kangaroo or swamp wallaby, you’ll still come back happy and relaxed. Keep in mind that despite their higher elevation, the Blue Mountains can still experience extreme heat during Australian summer, so it’s good to set out your travel routes in advance and to always stay properly hydrated. About 100 km (60 miles) from Sydney, the Blue Mountains can be reached in 90 minutes by car.
Most popular cars
The most hired car type in Australia is economy, followed by standard and compact. The most popular cars are the Hyundai i20, the Kia Rio, and the Toyota Corolla.
Further destinations
- Hunter Valley. About three hours drive north of Sydney, Hunter Valley offers the impossible combination of being a paradise for both foodies and hikers. Its cheeses, oils, and restaurants that serve produce grown in the valley are famous far and wide, but they’ll taste even better after a full day of walking through eucalyptus fields and learning about local kangaroo and other wildlife populations. Some 240 km (150 miles) north of Sydney, the Hunter region can be traveled to in 3 hours and 20 minutes.
- Canberra. Although not located on the ocean and perhaps less spectacular than the huge cities of Australia, the capital can still be a fun place to visit thanks to its historical heritage, interesting museums, and vast outdoor areas.
- Melbourne. Sydney’s friendly rival is about nine hours drive south, but it’s still well worth doing the distance to experience another spectacular big city with its unique history, culture, and atmosphere. If the distance between these two still feels too big, take a break at the Kosciuszcko National Park or the Alpine National Park that’ll be on your way. The neighboring Namadgi National Park just south of the city is also worth a visit. Located some 280 km (174 miles) southwest of Sydney, Canberra can be traveled to in 3 hours and 20 minutes.
Car Hire Prices in Sydney
- Station wagons - starting at £ 52 per day
- Large cars - starting at £ 21 per day
- Medium cars - starting at £ 27 per day
- People Carriers - starting at £ 28 per day
- Premium cars - starting at £ 36 per day
- Small cars - starting at £ 26 per day
- SUVs - starting at £ 24 per day
Money-saving tips
These are the things you can do to get a great car hire deal in Sydney:
- Compare rates of different car providers
- Book your car well in advance
- Plan your route before you go
- Know your fuel and mileage requirements
- Visit on the month when the prices are the cheapest. According to our data, visiting Sydney is the cheapest in October when hiring a car is about 59% cheaper than the yearly average.
Top 20 Cities near Sydney
-
Newcastle Car Hire starting at £ 23.19 per day141.3 km / 87.8 miles away
-
Canberra Car Hire starting at £ 36.46 per day236.5 km / 147.0 miles away
-
Tamworth Car Hire starting at £ 28.50 per day319.0 km / 198.2 miles away
-
Wagga Wagga Car Hire starting at £ 36.52 per day366.1 km / 227.5 miles away
-
Bendigo Car Hire starting at £ 26.86 per day699.1 km / 434.4 miles away
-
Melbourne Car Hire starting at £ 20.60 per day705.7 km / 438.5 miles away
-
Ipswich Car Hire starting at £ 58.84 per day718.7 km / 446.6 miles away
-
Brisbane Car Hire starting at £ 18.09 per day752.2 km / 467.4 miles away
-
825.9 km / 513.2 miles away
-
Devonport Car Hire starting at £ 36.26 per day905.8 km / 562.8 miles away
-
Launceston Car Hire starting at £ 25.30 per day914.3 km / 568.1 miles away
-
Hervey Bay Car Hire starting at £ 31.66 per day972.6 km / 604.3 miles away
-
Adelaide Car Hire starting at £ 22.08 per day1164.1 km / 723.3 miles away
-
Rockhampton Car Hire starting at £ 26.40 per day1176.2 km / 730.9 miles away
-
Cairns Car Hire starting at £ 25.24 per day1972.0 km / 1225.3 miles away
-
Alice Springs Car Hire starting at £ 29.13 per day2019.7 km / 1255.0 miles away
-
Port Douglas Car Hire starting at £ 46.84 per day2023.1 km / 1257.1 miles away
-
Kalgoorlie Car Hire starting at £ 46.23 per day2802.8 km / 1741.6 miles away
-
Darwin Car Hire starting at £ 18.06 per day3154.0 km / 1959.8 miles away
-
Perth Car Hire starting at £ 36.46 per day3277.1 km / 2036.3 miles away
Top 17 Destinations around Sydney
-
Sydney Airport Car Hire starting at £ 21.11 per day
-
Sydney Artarmon Car Hire starting at £ 31.48 per day14.0 km / 8.7 miles away
-
Sydney Parramatta Car Hire starting at £ 27.36 per day19.7 km / 12.2 miles away
-
Sydney Castle Hill Car Hire starting at £ 27.36 per day27.8 km / 17.3 miles away
-
41.4 km / 25.7 miles away
-
Sydney Penrith Car Hire starting at £ 27.36 per day49.1 km / 30.5 miles away
-
Canberra Airport Car Hire starting at £ 41.65 per day236.5 km / 147.0 miles away
-
Melbourne Airport Car Hire starting at £ 20.60 per day705.7 km / 438.5 miles away
-
City Centre Car Hire starting at £ 22.82 per day705.9 km / 438.6 miles away
-
Melbourne Hoppers Crossing Car Hire starting at £ 39.04 per day727.3 km / 451.9 miles away
-
Brisbane Archerfield Car Hire starting at £ 59.22 per day730.1 km / 453.7 miles away
-
Brisbane Tingalpa Car Hire starting at £ 27.96 per day738.9 km / 459.1 miles away
-
Adelaide Airport Car Hire starting at £ 22.08 per day1164.1 km / 723.3 miles away
-
Alice Springs Airport Car Hire starting at £ 29.13 per day2019.7 km / 1255.0 miles away
-
Darwin Airport Car Hire starting at £ 18.06 per day3154.0 km / 1959.8 miles away
-
Perth Fremantle Car Hire starting at £ 42.24 per day3292.8 km / 2046.1 miles away
-
Melbourne Clayton Car Hire starting at £ 28.72 per day8015.1 km / 4980.4 miles away
Map of Car Hire Destinations
In which month is car hire in Sydney the most affordable?
According to our data, prices for hiring a car in Sydney fluctuate depending on the time of year. This graph displays the average hire prices in each month in order to help you find the best bargain.
Average price for hiring a car per day in Sydney
The best month to hire a car in Sydney is November (when the average price is £ 32.36 per day). This is 23% less than the yearly average and 40% less than hiring in December (when the average price is £ 53.58).
This information can help you determine the low season. But note that these prices are only averages. The cost of your hire is determined by the type of car you select, the length of time you hire it for and how much in advance you book. Simply type in your dates in the form at the top of the page in order to find out the exact prices.
This information can help you determine the low season. But note that these prices are only averages. The cost of your hire is determined by the type of car you select, the length of time you hire it for and how much in advance you book. Simply type in your dates in the form at the top of the page in order to find out the exact prices.
What is the usual period for which people keep their hire cars, on average, in Sydney?
Car hire lengths vary by month: in December, average hirers keep their car for 11, and in December, for 7 days.
Average number of hire days in Sydney
What is the most favoured month for hiring a car in Sydney?
Given the number of searches made by our customers, the most popular month for car hire in Sydney is November, and the least popular is June.
Popularity of Car Hire in Sydney by Monthly Searches
Car Hire Information
| Car hire locations | 26 |
| Airport locations | 1 |
| Popular suppliers | SIXT, NoBirds, EastCoast Car Rentals, Thrifty, Jucy |
| Popular car categories | SUVs, Medium cars, Large cars, Small cars |
| Lowest price | £ 21 per day |
| Cheapest supplier | Alpha car hire |
Most Popular Car Hire Models
| Hire Agency | Model | Doors | Luggage | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NoBirds | Toyota Corolla | 5 | 1 | Medium cars |
| NoBirds | Mitsubishi ASX | 4 | 2 | SUVs |
| SIXT | Toyota Yaris | 5 | 0 | Small cars |
| NoBirds | Toyota Corolla | 4 | 2 | Large cars |
| Jucy | Hyundai Accent | 5 | 2 | Medium cars |
| SIXT | Kia Carnival | 5 | 3 | People Carriers |
| SIXT | Kia Rio | 4 | 2 | Medium cars |
| SIXT | MG HS Aut. | 5 | 3 | SUVs |
| Bargain Car Rentals | Hyundai Accent | 4 | 2 | Medium cars |
| EastCoast Car Rentals | MG HS | 5 | 2 | SUVs |
Our Customers' Reviews
Because we want to make sure each review listed here is left by a real customer, we don’t have an option to post a review here. Instead, we ask each and every customer to leave a review after they return their rental car. This way, you know that all reviews are authentic, verified, and trustworthy.
JC
United Kingdom
Mystery Car
13 November 2023
We drove along the grand pacific drive, beach days . Blue pools in Bermagui and arriving into Melbourne.
IY
United Kingdom
Toyota Corolla
23 May 2023
Drove up to Pokolbin from Sydney, then all around the Blue Mountains.
JD
United Kingdom
Mitsubishi Outlander
1 May 2023
Bush walking, kayaking, exploring Sydney harbour, Kangaroo Valley, Fitzroy Falls, Central Coast, North Haven, Port Macquarie, Dark Corner, Kurrajong and Mosman.
HE
United Kingdom
Toyota Corolla
6 April 2023
Took a trip with my family to Hunter Valley. A great experience playing golf, meeting the Kangaroos and of course wine tasting (when not driving)
IA
United Kingdom
Mitsubishi ASX
2 April 2023
Visiting relatives all over NSW, covered 2000km,
definitely worth visiting Dubbo Zoo
RE
United Kingdom
Toyota Corolla
17 January 2023
Great beaches,scenery and fun at Scenic world in Blue mountains.
RW
Singapore
Toyota Corolla
29 October 2022
Research before setting off - Car park charges are high in Sydney and definitely go for EV or hybrid.
HD
United Kingdom
Toyota Corolla
24 August 2022
I drove from Sydney to Newcastle to visit a friend, the drive was very easy and smooth. Newcastle is a lovely place with the lagoon. From there I drove up to Toowoomba in Queensland which was a small town however stayed on my friends farm for the most of it.
PM
United Kingdom
Toyota Corolla
11 August 2022
Stayed with family in Sydney, visited friends in Canberra and Manly, and attended a variety of events. Blue Mountains were a highlight (photo attached). I tried to upload photos for some time but they were not accepted.
I eventually compressed them to about 200kb and it just uploaded one. Suggest you advise what size files are possible.
CO
United Kingdom
Toyota Corolla
18 June 2022
Great trip up the Pacific Highway (and various diversions off) seeing lots of place between Sydney and Brisbane. The coastline and beaches are beautiful.
Car Hire Statistics
Highest rated company
NoBirds
9.3 / 10
Lowest rated company
Europcar
8.1 / 10
Total number of reviews
70
Total rental companies
22
Average daily price
£ 32.45
Lowest daily price
£ 21.11
Total cars available
593
Top 22 Hire Companies in Sydney in 2023
NoBirds
3 locations
£ 31 - £ 56
Hertz
2 locations
SIXT
17 locations
£ 26 - £ 128
Simba Car Hire
1 location
£ 31 - £ 33
Ace Rent a car
1 location
£ 32 - £ 90
EastCoast Car Rentals
1 location
£ 24 - £ 45
GreenMotion
4 locations
£ 27 - £ 563
Bargain Car Rentals
1 location
Thrifty
17 locations
£ 29 - £ 105
National
1 location
£ 70 - £ 87
Avis
5 locations
£ 46 - £ 322
Alpha car hire
1 location
£ 21 - £ 22
Budget
3 locations
£ 54 - £ 195
Enterprise
4 locations
£ 42 - £ 75
Dollar
3 locations
£ 54 - £ 84
Jucy
1 location
£ 33 - £ 34
Alamo
1 location
£ 59 - £ 74
Keddy
2 locations
£ 31 - £ 84
URDRIVE
2 locations
£ 59 - £ 162
Firefly
1 location
Flexways
2 locations
Europcar
9 locations
£ 32 - £ 207
Why book with us?
Special offers
As a market leader (see SimilarWeb), we get special offers like contactless pick-ups, great prices, and free upgrades.
Award-winning
World's Leading Car Rental Booking Website in the World Travel Tech Awards (3 years in a row).
Highly-rated
A combined rating of 4.5 with 90k total reviews on platforms like Trustpilot, Google, and Review Center.
4M users
Have already booked on one of the fastest-growing car rental booking websites.
Awards
World Travel Tech Awards - World's Best Car Rental Booking Website 2022
World Travel Tech Awards - World's Best Car Rental Booking App 2022
Magellan Awards Gold Winner 2022
Travel & Hospitality Awards 2021
FT 1000: Europes Fastest Growing Companies - Top 300 Companies 2021
FT 1000: Europe's Fastest Growing Companies - Top 100 Companies 2020
Uzakrota Travel Awards - World’s Leading Car Rental Website 2022
Inc. 5000 Europe - Top 500 Companies 2019
Our clients highly recommend us
Download App
Book and manage your booking on the go
