Car Hire in Sydney

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Sydney, Australia
Unable to find any location
Driver's country of residence is United States of America (USA) and age is 30-65
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Trustpilot
500+ Trusted Suppliers:

Cheapest Car Hire Rates

Sydney Marrickville
Mini
Mitsubishi Mirage or comparable
Mitsubishi Mirage
  • 5
  • 1
  • 5
  • A/C
  • Auto.
GreenMotion
£ 18.01 / per day
Sydney Airport
Compact
Toyota Corolla or comparable
Toyota Corolla
  • 5
  • 1
  • 5
  • A/C
  • Auto.
NoBirds
£ 18.03 / per day
Sydney Airport
Economy
Kia Picanto or comparable
Kia Picanto
  • 5
  • 1
  • 5
  • A/C
  • Auto.
EastCoast Car Rentals
£ 18.59 / per day
Sydney Airport
Standard
Kia Cerato or comparable
Kia Cerato
  • 5
  • 2
  • 4
  • A/C
  • Auto.
Distinqt Car Hire
£ 22.19 / per day

Most Popular Car Hire Deals

Sydney Airport
Intermediate
Kia Cerato or comparable
Kia Cerato
  • 5
  • 2
  • 4
  • A/C
  • Auto.
Alpha car hire
£ 22.47 / per day
Sydney Airport
Full-size SUV
Hyundai Santa Fe 5+2 or comparable
Hyundai Santa Fe 5+2
  • 7
  • 1
  • 4
  • A/C
  • Auto.
Carwiz
£ 36.05 / per day
City Centre
Premium
Tesla Model 3 or comparable
Tesla Model 3
  • 5
  • 2
  • 5
  • A/C
  • Auto.
SIXT
£ 37.11 / per day
Sydney Airport
Full-size Elite
Cupra Leon or comparable
Cupra Leon
  • 5
  • 2
  • 5
  • A/C
  • Auto.
Europcar
£ 40.93 / 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 21:52 on 2024-04-17.

Travel Information

Languages
English
Currency
AUD
Drive on
Left-hand side
Dialing code
+61
Average car hire price
£ 27 per day
Average car hire length
9 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%
Score
9.3 / 10
Average gasoline price
£ 1.06 per litre or £ 4.03 / 1 gallon
Lowest gasoline price
£ 0.88 per litre or £ 3.34 / 1 gallon
Highest gasoline price
£ 1.29 per litre or £ 4.89 / 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.
Sydney

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 £ 39.09 per day
  • From Sydney to Melbourne - 34 offers from £ 60.39 per day
  • From Sydney to Cairns - 50 offers from £ 57.46 per day
  • From Sydney to Gold Coast - 50 offers from £ 41.24 per day
  • From Sydney to Canberra - 33 offers from £ 45.21 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 £ 42 per day
  • Large cars - starting at £ 20 per day
  • Medium cars - starting at £ 18 per day
  • People Carriers - starting at £ 46 per day
  • Premium cars - starting at £ 37 per day
  • Small cars - starting at £ 18 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.
This information was written, fact-checked, and/or translated by our content creators.

Learn more about our Editorial Policy.

Top 20 Cities near Sydney

  1. Newcastle starting at £ 21.43 per day
    141,3 km / 87,8 miles
  2. Canberra starting at £ 24.38 per day
    236,5 km / 147 miles
  3. Tamworth starting at £ 27.51 per day
    319 km / 198,2 miles
  4. Wagga Wagga starting at £ 44.62 per day
    366,1 km / 227,5 miles
  5. Bendigo starting at £ 37.01 per day
    699,1 km / 434,4 miles
  6. Melbourne starting at £ 20.08 per day
    705,7 km / 438,5 miles
  7. Ipswich starting at £ 58.89 per day
    718,7 km / 446,6 miles
  8. Brisbane starting at £ 20.13 per day
    752,2 km / 467,4 miles
  9. Kingaroy
    825,9 km / 513,2 miles
  10. Devonport starting at £ 14.15 per day
    905,8 km / 562,8 miles
  11. Launceston starting at £ 19.86 per day
    914,3 km / 568,1 miles
  12. Hervey Bay starting at £ 29.79 per day
    972,6 km / 604,3 miles
  13. Adelaide starting at £ 15.62 per day
    1 164,1 km / 723,3 miles
  14. Rockhampton starting at £ 33.21 per day
    1 176,2 km / 730,9 miles
  15. Cairns starting at £ 17.42 per day
    1 972 km / 1 225,3 miles
  16. Alice Springs starting at £ 34.52 per day
    2 019,7 km / 1 255 miles
  17. Port Douglas starting at £ 55.96 per day
    2 023,1 km / 1 257,1 miles
  18. Kalgoorlie starting at £ 33.81 per day
    2 802,8 km / 1 741,6 miles
  19. Darwin starting at £ 16.18 per day
    3 154 km / 1 959,8 miles
  20. Perth starting at £ 26.32 per day
    3 277,1 km / 2 036,3 miles

Top 15 Locations near Sydney

  1. Sydney Airport starting at £ 18.03 per day
  2. Sydney Artarmon starting at £ 18.09 per day
    14 km / 8,7 miles
  3. Sydney Parramatta starting at £ 25.40 per day
    19,7 km / 12,2 miles
  4. Sydney Castle Hill starting at £ 25.63 per day
    27,8 km / 17,3 miles
  5. Sydney St Mary's starting at £ 27.74 per day
    41,4 km / 25,7 miles
  6. Sydney Penrith starting at £ 25.49 per day
    49,1 km / 30,5 miles
  7. Canberra Airport starting at £ 32.80 per day
    236,5 km / 147 miles
  8. Melbourne Clayton starting at £ 25.63 per day
    700,7 km / 435,4 miles
  9. Melbourne Airport starting at £ 20.08 per day
    705,7 km / 438,5 miles
  10. City Centre starting at £ 27.14 per day
    705,9 km / 438,6 miles
  11. Melbourne Hoppers Crossing starting at £ 35.43 per day
    727,3 km / 451,9 miles
  12. Adelaide Airport starting at £ 15.62 per day
    1 164,1 km / 723,3 miles
  13. Alice Springs Airport starting at £ 34.52 per day
    2 019,7 km / 1 255 miles
  14. Darwin Airport starting at £ 19.88 per day
    3 154 km / 1 959,8 miles
  15. Perth Fremantle starting at £ 33.26 per day
    3 292,8 km / 2 046,1 miles

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
£ 29.68
January
£ 26.88
February
£ 28.30
March
£ 31.00
April
£ 38.62
May
£ 40.18
June
£ 43.33
July
£ 39.84
August
£ 35.92
September
£ 32.48
October
£ 32.29
November
£ 39.07
December
The best month to hire a car in Sydney is February (when the average price is £ 26.88 per day). This is 23% less than the yearly average and 38% less than hiring in July (when the average price is £ 43.33).

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?

How long travelers keep their rental cars for varies from month to month: in January, the average renter keeps their car for 11 days, and in May, they keep their car for 7 days.
Average number of hire days in Sydney
11
January
10
February
10
March
9
April
7
May
8
June
9
July
8
August
8
September
8
October
8
November
9
December

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 December, and the least popular is June.
Popularity of Car Hire in Sydney by Monthly Searches
165%
January
119%
February
97%
March
83%
April
62%
May
58%
June
63%
July
64%
August
78%
September
91%
October
116%
November
204%
December

Car Hire Information

Car hire locations 24
Airport locations 1
Popular suppliers NoBirds, SIXT, Bargain Car Rentals, EastCoast Car Rentals, Simba Car Hire
Popular car categories SUVs, Medium cars, Large cars, Small cars
Lowest price £ 18 per day
Cheapest supplier GreenMotion

Most Popular Car Hire Models

Hire Agency Model Doors Luggage Type
NoBirds Toyota Corolla 5 1 Medium cars
Bargain Car Rentals Hyundai Accent 4 2 Medium cars
Jucy Hyundai Accent 5 2 Medium cars
Bargain Car Rentals MG HS 4 2 SUVs
NoBirds Toyota Corolla 4 2 Large cars
NoBirds Mitsubishi ASX 4 2 Large cars
NoBirds Mitsubishi ASX 4 2 SUVs
Bargain Car Rentals Kia Stonic 4 2 SUVs
SIXT Kia Carnival 5 3 People Carriers
SIXT Toyota Yaris 5 0 Small cars

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.

United Kingdom
MG 5
12 April 2024
Road trip from Sydney to Adelaide via Great Ocean Road.
United Kingdom
Hyundai Accent
28 March 2024
I was just visiting friends and family.
United Kingdom
Toyota Corolla
20 March 2024
Sydney was amazing
United Kingdom
Toyota Corolla
8 March 2024
Great walks and wildlife experiences
United Kingdom
Skoda Scala
3 March 2024
Having spent many years visiting Australia our experience this time was equally as good as before especially as we saw two Koala’s in the wild during our trip.
United Kingdom
MG HS
16 February 2024
Amazing trip to the Blue mountains & around the northern beaches area of Sydney.
United Kingdom
Toyota Corolla
9 January 2024
Blue mountains
United Kingdom
Kia Cerato
1 January 2024
Too many to share over 3500km
customer photo customer photo customer photo
United Kingdom
Toyota Yaris Aut.
28 December 2023
Visiting nudist beaches around Sydney.
United Kingdom
Toyota Corolla
23 May 2023
Drove up to Pokolbin from Sydney, then all around the Blue Mountains.
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.
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)
United Kingdom
Mitsubishi ASX
2 April 2023
Visiting relatives all over NSW, covered 2000km, definitely worth visiting Dubbo Zoo
United Kingdom
Toyota Corolla
17 January 2023
Great beaches,scenery and fun at Scenic world in Blue mountains.
Singapore
Toyota Corolla
29 October 2022
Research before setting off - Car park charges are high in Sydney and definitely go for EV or hybrid.
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.
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.
customer photo
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.
× Full Size Image

Car Hire Statistics

Highest rated company
NoBirds
9 / 10
)
Lowest rated company
Europcar
7.1 / 10
)
Total number of reviews
113
Total rental companies
26
Average daily price
£ 26.67
Lowest daily price
£ 18.01
Total cars available
1035

Top 26 Suppliers in Sydney in 2024

NoBirds
NoBirds
Exceptional 9 / 577 reviews
3 locations
£ 18 - £ 41
Simba Car Hire
Simba Car Hire
Exceptional 9 / 86 reviews
1 location
£ 21 - £ 24
EastCoast Car Rentals
EastCoast Car Rentals
Very good 8.9 / 219 reviews
1 location
£ 19 - £ 56
Hertz
Hertz
Very good 8.9 / 41 review
2 locations
£ 60 - £ 178
Bargain Car Rentals
Bargain Car Rentals
Very good 8.8 / 115 reviews
1 location
£ 64 - £ 67
Ace Rent a car
Ace Rent a car
Very good 8.8 / 10 reviews
1 location
£ 28 - £ 65
SIXT
SIXT
Very good 8.7 / 408 reviews
17 locations
£ 24 - £ 134
Budget
Budget
Very good 8.7 / 10 reviews
3 locations
£ 35 - £ 68
GreenMotion
GreenMotion
Very good 8.6 / 68 reviews
4 locations
£ 18 - £ 275
Alpha car hire
Alpha car hire
Very good 8.6 / 39 reviews
1 location
£ 20 - £ 71
Thrifty
Thrifty
Very good 8.4 / 112 reviews
13 locations
£ 33 - £ 155
National
National
Very good 8.4 / 5 reviews
1 location
£ 45 - £ 81
Avis
Avis
Very good 8.3 / 13 reviews
9 locations
£ 37 - £ 131
Enterprise
Enterprise
Very good 8.2 / 10 reviews
4 locations
£ 34 - £ 170
Dollar
Dollar
Very good 8.2 / 7 reviews
2 locations
£ 41 - £ 145
Carwiz
Carwiz
Very good 8.1 / 3 reviews
1 location
£ 22 - £ 37
Alamo
Alamo
Good 7.8 / 50 reviews
1 location
£ 32 - £ 66
Jucy
Jucy
Good 7.7 / 100 reviews
1 location
£ 31 - £ 106
Keddy
Keddy
Good 7.7 / 11 reviews
4 locations
£ 34 - £ 60
URDRIVE
URDRIVE
Good 7.7 / 3 reviews
2 locations
£ 128 - £ 313
Firefly
Firefly
Good 7.7
1 location
Distinqt Car Hire
Distinqt Car Hire
Good 7.6 / 1 review
6 locations
£ 22 - £ 61
Flexways
Flexways
Good 7.6
2 locations
yesaway
yesaway
Good 7.4 / 4 reviews
1 location
£ 29 - £ 446
Routes Car Rental
Routes Car Rental
Good 7.3 / 1 review
9 locations
£ 27 - £ 196
Europcar
Europcar
Good 7.1 / 81 review
9 locations
£ 27 - £ 251
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
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Highly-rated
A combined rating of 4.5 with 150k+ total reviews on platforms like Trustpilot, Google, and Review Center.
4M users
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Sydney

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