Cheap Car Hire Sydney Airport
Big savings on car Rental at Sydney Airport
Compare the best Sydney Airport car rental deals from over 17 rental brands. Avis, Hertz, Budget, Thrifty, Europcar, Alamo, Enterprise, East Coast, Apex and more.
* Some rental car suppliers may charge a credit card fee for amounts payable on arrival.
Simple and quick. Lowest price I could find.
No problem finding and booking a car.
Easy to use and we got a pretty good deal on a hire car for our Brisbane trip. Will recommend to others.
Car Hire Options at Sydney Airport
A taxi from Sydney Airport to the city centre will cost about $45-$55 for the 20-minute one-way trip. 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 19 rental car brands at Sydney Airport competing for your business. If you’re after the best car hire deals 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.
Sydney Airport Car Rental Tips
“On-airport” car rental companies — including Avis, Budget, Hertz, Dollar, Enterprise, National, Alamo, Europcar, Keddy, SIXT, and Thrifty — have desks located at the arrivals level in Sydney Airport at T1 International and T2/T3 Domestic terminals.
If you have booked your car with any of these companies, simply head to T1 International terminal Arrivals hall and look for the rental car desks. After you have picked up the car keys, head to the ground level of the multi-storey car park P7, opposite the T1 International terminal.
If you’ve booked with any of these companies but arranged to pick up your rental car from the T2/T3 Domestic terminals, follow the signs in the Arrivals hall that direct you to the rental car booking desks.
Other rental operators — Ace, Alpha, Jucy, Apex, No Birds, 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 Sydney Airport.
Before you go to the desk to pick up your vehicle, make sure you have your booking confirmation voucher, a valid driver’s licence for each of the drivers, a credit card or cash for the bond and suitable ID.
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.
On-Airport Rental Brands
"On-Airport" means these rental companies have check-in desks within the Sydney Airport terminal.
The big advantage of this for you is convenience and speed. Once you’ve checked in you can jump in your car and get going. No waiting around for transfer vans.
But it does come at a cost. The fees are higher than off-airport rental companies to offset the costs of being at the airport.
If you’re arriving on an international flight you’ll find rental counters in the T1 International terminal Arrivals hall.
Travellers on domestic flights should simply follow the signs in the Arrivals hall that direct you to the rental car booking desks.
Use our price comparison search tool to find the best prices for these on-airport car hire brands at Sydney Airport:
Off-Airport Rental Brands
“Off-airport” companies don’t have check-in desks within the airport. This means you’ll need to make your way to their car hire depot to check in and collect your car.
Most provide free shuttle services and will collect you from the terminals. This gets arranged when you make your booking and you’ll need to let them know when you’ve arrived.
Some depots are within the Sydney Airport grounds and so only a few minutes drive. Others are off the airport grounds and so take longer to get to.
Off-airport car hire companies aren’t as fast or convenient as using on-airport car rentals. But the big advantage is they are usually much cheaper.
Use our price comparison search tool to find the best prices for these off-airport car hire brands at Sydney Airport:
Maximum Choice. Best Deals.
Sydney Airport Car Hire Tips
Ways to save money on Sydney Airport car hire
Compare prices of on-airport and off-airport brands. If you’re not in a big rush, hiring a vehicle from off-airport car hire depots can result in big savings.
But you will have to take extra time with the shuttle transfer. Transfers are usually free, but limited to opening hours, so check when you book.
Don’t hire a bigger rental car than you require and consider if you really need all the extras you’ll be offered, such as a GPS. Google Maps on your phone will normally do the trick, provided phone data charges aren’t an issue.
With lengthy distances and long travel times between major cities, petrol stops are likely to be frequent. Fuel prices can vary widely from place to the next, so if you want to spend less at the pump use a mobile app like MotorMouth to find the best prices.
Driving in Sydney
If you’re used to driving in big cities, then you know what to expect from Australia’s largest city — peak hour congestion, one-way streets, and impatient motorists. If you’re unfamiliar with Sydney then a GPS will come in handy as you negotiate this vast, sprawling city.
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 (or just follow the no-toll road option if you are using Google Maps or Apple Maps).
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 NSW Government website.
In Australia, you’ll need to drive on the left-hand side — if you’re not already used to it, you might find it difficult to adjust. Unless otherwise signposted, the speed limit in urban and suburban areas is 50km/h, and on highways the default limit is 100km/h. When driving your hire car, all occupants must wear seatbelts or an approved child restraint (a child safety seat or booster seat depending on the child’s size).
Return with a full tank
On your way back to Sydney 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 Runway which is situated at Butler Road and General Holmes Drive. Click here to find petrol stations close to Sydney Airport.
Easy to use and very good prices, was not disappointed
Quick and convenient. Good prices.
Very easy to make a booking using your website
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
Make a day of it at Taronga Zoo in Sydney
Just a 20 minute drive across the bridge from Sydney's CBD, Taronga Zoo Sydney is a popular family destination, with a team of knowledgeable vets and animal specialists who care for 4,000 animals from over 350 species.
A not-for-profit wildlife conservation organisation, Taronga Zoo has an animal hospital, and breeding and conservation programmes. Its aim is 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 has fun activities for everyone to enjoy. For an unusual night out, take part in the ‘Roar and Snore’ night safari. Sydney's ultimate sleepover camp has you staying in comfortable safari-style tents, falling asleep to the sound of the zoo animals. You’ll wake up to a view of the famous Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge.
To get to the zoo, 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 months, in particular, you will want to bring a sun hat and sunscreen — and don’t forget your camera.
The Blue Mountains
For hiking trails and dramatic vistas, don’t miss 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, 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.
While the Blue Mountains is a region of environmental importance, it is also a place for fun and exciting experiences such as the Katoomba Scenic Railway — the steepest cable-driven funicular railway in the world. The railway is part of Katoomba Scenic World which also includes a walkway, skyway and a rollercoaster known as the Orphan Rocker.
You might also enjoy abseiling down the rocks of Katoomba or cycling along some of the walkways throughout the mountains.
There are also a variety of activities for the younger ones, such as the Trees Adventure, where you can take on challenging rope climbs and courses through the trees. Then there’s 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 and on into the Blue Mountains.
Bondi Beach
Add Sydney's iconic Bondi Beach to your must-see list.
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, it is one of the most visited sites in Australia and includes a kilometre (.62 mile) sandy beach.
From learning to surf at one of the local surf schools to spending time at the Bondi Farmers Market, you will find lots to keep you busy throughout the day. And it doesn’t stop there, with a variety of night clubs and entertainment options available at night.
Begin the day with coffee or an ice-cream at one of the many cafes, then enjoy a lunch or pick up a picnic 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, but there is a stretch of shark-nets which protect swimmers and paddlers.
Although Bondi is a just a short trip from inner Sydney, you might want to stay at the beach — we wouldn’t blame you! Make sure, however, that you book well in advance as the summer months can become very popular.
Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park
Walking track, Ku-ring-gai National Park
Only half an hour’s drive from Sydney airport, Ku-ring-gai includes 14,977 hectares (37,010 acres) of parkland, forestry and beaches.
The park is beautiful any time of year. But if you arrive in spring, you will be welcomed by a beautiful wildflower display among the blooming heathlands 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 as they pass by.
Step back in time and enjoy the Aboriginal Heritage walk. It includes rock art and engravings made by the Garrigal and Terramerragal people, and dating 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 the Aussie soap ‘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 it includes a visit to 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 want to stay longer than a day.
