CHEAP CAR HIRE SYDNEY AIRPORT

A taxi from Sydney Airport to the city centre will cost between $40 and $50 one-way. And this doesn't always include the airport taxi rank fee added to your fare. So this begs the question, why not travel under your own steam and book a rental vehicle instead?

There are over 15 rental car brands at Sydney Airport competing for your business. If you're after the best deal that's a lot of websites to check out...

To make things easy, our car rental comparison search engine hunts down the very best offers available from all car rental suppliers and lists them side-by-side for you. This lets you instantly compare and find the best deals.

Avis, Budget, Hertz, Europcar, Redspot and Thrifty all have desks located in the arrivals level at both the international and domestic terminals and their vehicles are parked close to the front entrance, next to the drop off zone.

Other rental operators, such as Alpha, Firefly, Enterprise and East Coast Car Rentals, are located close to the airport and will transfer you between the terminal and their depot. Although this isn't as convenient, it is often the cheaper way to rent a car from the airport.

Before you go to the desk to pick up your vehicle, make sure you have your booking confirmation voucher, a valid driver's license for each of the drivers, a credit card or cash for the bond and suitable ID.

On your way back to the airport, plan ahead of time and make sure you return your rental car with a full tank of petrol to avoid the higher price that will be charged by the rental company. There are petrol stations close to the airport, including BP Connect Runway which is situated at Butler Road and General Holmes Drive. Click here to find petrol stations close to the airport.

If you're returning your car after hours you can drop the keys off in the drop-off boxes situated on the rental car counters.

Be aware that a number of roads around Sydney, such as the M2, M4, M5 and M7, are toll roads which means you must pay to drive on them. By pre-planning your route you can avoid toll roads if you wish. All toll roads are cashless, so you have to pay with an electronic tag or pass. An E-toll Pass is recommended. When picking up your hire car check with the rental company how you will pay for toll charges. Car hire firms will add an administration fee for any unpaid toll notices they receive from your use of the rental car. This fee is additional to the unpaid tolls and administration charges levied by the toll operator. So unpaid tolls can become very expensive! For details about toll tags and passes check this page on the Sydney Motorways website.

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Sydney Attractions

A rental car gives you the freedom and flexibility to make the most of your time exploring the Sydney and surrounding areas, including the beautiful Blue Mountains, Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge. The capital of New South Wales definitely has a lot going for it! Below are some of our favourite attractions that we know you will love. For more ideas, check out the Sydney Tourism website.

Taronga Zoo

Just a 20 minute drive across the bridge from Sydney's CBD, Taronga Zoo is a popular family destination, with a team of knowledgeable vets and animal specialists who care for 4,000 animals from over 350 species.

With a breeding programme, animal hospital and conservation programme, Taronga Zoo was founded in 2000, to give visitors the chance to become involved and help support animal conservation and research.

From the wild-ropes challenge adventure course to the variety of animal encounters and tours, Taronga Zoo includes a variety of fun activities for everyone to enjoy and even offers visitors the opportunity to take part in the 'Roar and Snore' - Sydney's ultimate sleepover camp, which takes place in safari-style tents, overlooking the famous Sydney Opera House and surrounded by a symphony of animal sounds.

Travel across the harbour bridge and continue along the Warringah Freeway, before you take the Military Road exit and turn right. Follow Military Road to Spit Junction and turn right. At the roundabout, take the second exit to Bradleys Head Road and follow the signs to Taronga Zoo.

Make sure you bring comfortable clothes and shoes to wear as the zoo is very big and there will be a lot of walking to do. During the summer month, in particular, you will want to bring a sun hat and sunscreen as well as a camera, to capture the wonderful memories you are sure to make.

The Blue Mountains

One of the most breathtaking natural views in Sydney would have to be the Blue Mountains, which borders Sydney and forms part of the Great Dividing Range.

Although it was originally named Carmarthen and Landsdown Hills, the name 'Blue Mountains' comes from the hue that the range takes on when viewed from a distance. For whatever reason, the original name for the region did not stay popular for very long and the range is now officially known as The Blue Mountains.

The Greater Blue Mountains area was listed as a World Heritage Area by UNESCO in 2000 and became the fourth area in the state to be listed. It includes over 400 different types of animals including Koalas, Dingoes, Kangaroos and a variety of lesser-known birds and fauna including the Spotted Tail Quoll and Blue Mountain Water Skink.

Not only is the Blue Mountains a region of environmental importance, it is also home to a wide variety of fun and exciting experiences including the Katoomba Scenic Railway which is the steepest cable-driven funicular railway in the world. The Railway is part of Katoomba Scenic World which also includes a walkway, skyway and roller-coaster, which is known as the Orphan Rocker.

You might also enjoy abseiling down the rocks of Katoomba or cycling or taking a segway along some of the walkways throughout the mountains.

There are also a variety of activities for the younger generation, including the Trees Adventure, where families and friends are given the opportunity to take on challenging rope climbs and courses through the trees, or the Featherdale Wildlife Park, where you can feed a kangaroo or pat a friendly koala.

The easiest way to get to the Blue Mountains is by car. When you leave Sydney's CBD, just follow the signs to Parramatta and take the M4 Motorway at Strathfield, which will take you through to Lapstone in the Blue Mountains.

Bondi Beach

Loosely translated as 'water breaking over rocks' - Bondi is the home of surf, sun and the best nightlife!

Just a seven kilometre (four mile) drive from Sydney centre, Bondi is one of the most visited sites in Australia and includes a kilometre (.62 mile) sandy beach that borders the Pacific Ocean.

From learning to surf at one of the local surf schools to spending time at the Bondi Farmers Market, you are spoiled for choice throughout the day and will be entertained all night, with a variety of night clubs and entertainment options available.

Begin the day with an ice-cream at one of the many cafes, then enjoy a lunch or pick up a picnic from one of the supermarkets and enjoy it on the beach. Finish your day with a cocktail or beer at one of the many pubs and restaurants scattered along the waterfront and keep your eyes peeled for celebrities, because Bondi is a home to many of Australia's famous people.

Pods of whales and dolphins have been sighted from Bondi on regular occasions and fairy penguins are sometimes seen swimming close to shore. Sharks have also been seen around the area, however there is a stretch of shark-nets which protect swimmers and paddlers.

Although Bondi is a nice day-trip from Sydney, there is also a variety of accommodation options available in the area, but it is important to book ahead of time as the summer months can become very popular.

Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park

Only half an hour's drive from Sydney airport, Ku-ring-gai includes 14,977 hectares (37,010 acres) of park-land, forestry and beaches.

The park is beautiful any time of year and if you arrive in spring, you will be welcomed by a beautiful wildflower display along the blooming heath-lands throughout the park.

If you like the idea of a spot of whale-watching, you will enjoy a trip to Barrenjoey Head or Cape Solander, which are perfect vantage points in which to view migrating whales passing by.

Step back in time and enjoy the Aboriginal Heritage walk which includes rock carvings, drawings, paintings, stencils and axe grooves by the Garrigal and Terramerragal people, which date back over 600 years.

If you're a fan of soap operas, drive back down on to the Mona Valley Road and make your way a little bit further up the coast where you will visit the beach which is commonly known (on television) as 'Summer Bay', on Home and Away.

For the die-hard fans, the 'Flamin' Gallah Home and Away tour' will give you the opportunity to re-live your favourite scenes and enjoy visiting the Summer Bay Surf Club, Alf's Bait Shop and the Braxton House. You might even be lucky enough to watch some filming, depending on when you arrive at the beach.

Whatever you choose to do, the region of Ku-ring-gai is sure to entertain, but it is important to book accommodation in advance, if you choose to stay longer than a day.