There are different ways to go sightseeing in Sydney. You could explore the city centre on foot or use public transport. But if you also want to see the stunning sites in the surroundings, we recommend you to hire a car. Renting a car in Sydney gives you the freedom to visit the surroundings without any restrictions in time or distance. That’s why there are many car rental companies with a wide range of services that vary in price. Here is what you need to know on renting a car in Sydney!
Requirements to rent and drive a car in Australia
There are several conditions that must be met in order to be able to rent and drive a car in Australia:
- Be at least 21 years old
- Hold an open license
- Have a valid credit card for payment and deposit.
NB: If you are under 25 you may incur a young driver surcharge and some car companies have a maximum age restriction of 75 years.
Cheap car rental – Price comparison
To hire a car in Sydney or in any other Australian town, it is best to use a car rental comparison tool. You can compare all vehicle types and immediately book the most competitive vehicle (with NO extra cost). If you had to look at every car rental business website individually and compare them yourself, you would spend hours on it. Furthermore, price comparison sites often offer discounts that you normally wouldn’t get!
What are the best car rental companies?
The most popular car rental companies in Sydney are the ones you find all over Australia (Avis and Budget). These companies usually offer the same type of quality at similar prices.
The most popular car rental companies
- Avis
- Hertz
- Europcar
- Thrifty
- Budget
Where are the car rental companies located in Sydney?
You can easily find them close together in the Sydney CBD, in the main streets around Hyde Park or William St. They also have offices at the airport.
Rental prices
In Sydney, prices start at 30-35 AUD a day. You pay less per day if you rent a car for several days. A standard car costs around 25 AUD a day on average if you rent the car for a week.
6 tips for renting a cheap car in Sydney
- Book in advance
- Use a car rental comparison tool
- Choose the agencies situated at the airport (prices in the city are often more expensive)
- Usually prices per day decrease if you hire the vehicle for a longer period of time
- Travel in a group to share costs
- Compare additional costs per kilometre. A vehicle that costs more per day, sometimes turns out to be cheaper if the cost per kilometre is lower.
Visiting Sydney & its surroundings
Sydney
It’s recommended to visit the centre of Sydney on foot or using the public transport. Just like in all big cities, it’s complicated to drive around in the CBD. The price for parking is also extremely high and it’s often very hard to find a free spot.
More information on visiting Sydney:
– 48 hours in Sydney: what to do ?
– 5 secret beaches to discover around Sydney
Things to do around Sydney by car
Less than 30 minutes from Sydney:
– Ku-ring-gai Chase National ParkThe Ku-ring Chase National Park is situated approximately 30 minutes north of Sydney at the Hawkesbury river mouth. The park is an interesting mix of aboriginal history and beautiful scenery.
– Royal National Park
Located 30 minutes south of Sydney, the Royal National Park is a magnificent natural park on the coast. Among other things, you can admire the famous Figure Eight Pools if the tide permits it.
– Featherdale Wildlife park
Situated approximately 30 minutes from Sydney, Featherdale Wildlife Park has the biggest collection of Australian animals in the world. Smaller than the Taronga Zoo, it offers a closer encounter with the animals.
1 to 2 hours from Sydney:
– Southern HighlandsThe Southern Highlands are situated about 1,5 hours south of Sydney. There are many great places to see. Vineyards, caves, national parks, and even a ghost town! The small town of Joadja, an old mining town, has been deserted since the beginning of the 20th century.
– Blue Mountains
Situated approximately 1,5 hours west of Sydney, the Blue Mountains are a must do in the area. They get their name from the blue haze coming from Eucalyptus trees. The surface of the park is 1,436km² so you won’t get bored!
– Jenolan caves
Situated in the Blue Mountains, they are some of the world’s most spectacular cave formations.
– Morrisset Park
The park is situated 2 hours from Sydney. It’s famous for its abundance of kangaroos!
– Hunter Valley
The oldest wine region of Australia, the Hunter Valley is situated a mere 2 hours from Sydney. The region offers more than 150 wine cellars.
– Port StephensPort Stephens is a large bay situated approximately 2 hours north of Sydney.
More than 2 hours from Sydney
– Canberra
Less known than Sydney or Melbourne, Canberra is the capital of Australia. It’s situated 3 hours from Sydney.
– Jervis Bay
With its turquoise waters and fine white sand, Jervis Bay is one of Australia’s most beautiful beaches. On the border of the bay, there’s the Booderee National Park. You can walk around here or head down to Hyams Beach, officially the whitest sand beach in the world!
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