Jump behind the wheel to explore Sydney’s coastline and national parks for as little as $34 per day.
On one of these these beautiful road trips from Sydney you can drive along picturesque coastal roads, through stunning natural scenery and to some of the area’s most popular beaches.
Our rental guide can help you score the best price for a hire car in Sydney using our comparison tool. We also provide an idea of how much to budget for, a list of road driving tips and details of what you need to know when booking a rental car in Australia.
Hire a car for your Sydney trip
Compare hire cars and prices in Sydney
We searched and compared rental cars using our car rental search engine to determine prices for a two-day rental from Sydney Airport for a driver who is 25+, booking one month in advance.
Small economy car
- Car: 2-door Kia Rio
- Seats: 4
- Luggage: 1 large bag and 1 small bag
- Rental company: Enterprise
- Cost: $66.79 for 2 days or $33.40 per day
Medium car
- Car: Hyundai i20
- Seats: 5
- Luggage: 1 large bag and 1 small bag
- Rental company: Enterprise
- Cost: $68.43 for 2 days or $34.22 per day
Large car
- Car: Kia Cerato
- Seats: 5
- Luggage: 2 large and 1 small
- Rental company: Enterprise
- Cost: $147.71 for 2 days or $73.86
SUV/Estate car
- Car: Mitsubishi ASX
- Seats: 5
- Luggage: 3 large bags
- Rental company: Enterprise
- Cost: $89.45 for 2 days or $44.73
Prices mentioned above were retrieved on 3 October 2018 and change constantly. Get the latest prices for your car hire today.
Car hire locations in Sydney
Car rental companies in Sydney include Avis, Hertz, Europcar, Jucy and more. These companies are available at Sydney Airport and throughout the CBD. Popular locations include:
- Sydney International Airport
- Sydney Domestic Airport
- North Sydney
- Sydney City, including Arden, Victoria and Pitt Streets and Parramatta Road
- Western Sydney, including Parramatta and Sydney Olympic Park
3 popular driving routes in Sydney
Hunter Valley food and wine trail (Sydney to Hunter Valley/Pokolbin)
- How long is the drive? 332km return
- How long do I need? 3 hours to drive from Sydney and back (without stopping) but it’s worth spending 2 days in the region to explore.
- Must-sees along the way: Wineries, hot air balloon ride
The famous wine region of the Hunter Valley is just a short trip from Sydney. It's a relaxing place where visitors spend weekends soaking in the natural scenery, getting cozy in local accommodation and tasting the region’s wine and food. For more inspiration, see our Things to Do in the Hunter Valley guide.
Grand Pacific Drive (Royal National Park to Shoalhaven, return via Southern Highlands)
- How long is the drive? 260km (round trip from Royal National Park to Southern Highlands) or 430km (round trip, if driving from Sydney CBD).
- How long do I need? 1 day
- Must-sees along the way: Jervis Bay, Hyams Beach, Royal National Park, Sea Cliff Bridge
This road trip is ideal if you only have a day to spare. It takes you along coastal shorelines, through stunning Royal National Park, and down to some of the world’s whitest sand at Hyams Beach. The classic drive starts in the Royal National Park and passes through Wollongong, Shellharbour, Kiama, the Shoalhaven area and the Southern Highlands. You can skip Shoalhaven if you're running short on time.
Blue Mountains (Sydney to Blue Mountains National Park)
- How long is the drive? 100km one-way to Katoomba, which is the main town of the upper Blue Mountains.
- How long do I need? 1 to 2 days
- Must-sees along the way: Three Sisters, Wentworth Falls waterfall and Leura Village
Katoomba is one of the most popular destinations in Blue Mountains National Park and is an easy 100km, 1.5-hour drive, from Sydney. The drive itself takes you through beautiful views of the regions mountains and passes Wentworth Falls and Leura Village. From here you can continue into the Blue Mountains or along one of its 18 driving routes which can take you to the Southern Highlands, Lithgow, Wisemans Ferry and even as far north as Muswellbrook. Another popular destination is the Jenolan Caves, which is an hour from Katoomba.
I'm ready to book my car hire!
Driving tips and frequently asked questions
- Drive on the left. Throughout Australia, driving is on the left-hand side of the road. On a multi-lane road with a speed limit of more than 80kph, you must stay in the left lane unless passing another vehicle.
- Look out for one-way streets. Sydney CBD has many one-way streets, even on major roads. Keep an eye out for signs directing which way the traffic runs.
- Watch out for turning rules. Keep your eyes peeled for signs at intersections that guide you as to which way you can turn, as there are many exceptions to the general rule. You will often see notices instructing you not to turn in certain directions, and even signs that allow you to turn left when the lights are red.
- Toll roads. There are a number of toll roads in Sydney, including the Sydney Harbour Bridge, that are cashless. Most rental cars are equipped with an electronic system that allows you to pay for any tolls after the hire period.
- GPS blackouts. In parts of Sydney GPS systems may cut out because of high-rise buildings. Check your trip before you leave to avoid taking a longer route or getting lost.
- Keep an eye out for wildlife. This isn’t a worry in the city, but when driving longer distances, and especially in national parks, keep your eyes open for wildlife, both for the animal’s and your own safety.
- Provisional licence holders may not be able to rent and drive cars. Most of the best-known car hire companies will not lend a car to a driver who has a provisional licence. Redspot is one exception.
- All rental cars come with a basic level of insurance. Check the excess in your policy as numbers can be high. You can always pay the rental company more to reduce the excess. Alternatively, you can organise your own car hire rental excess insurance, which may save you money.
Car hire deals in Sydney
DriveNow
Hire a car and get your fourth day free
Hire a car with Budget Car Hire through DriveNow for a minimum of four consecutive days and get your fourth day free of base rate charges. Available for pick ups at the airport in Cairns, Gold Coast, Sydney and Melbourne (Tullamarine). Valid on select vehicles including family, full-size and SUVs.
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What is next?
- READ MORE: Our Sydney destination guide details what to do, where to stay and what to eat in Sydney.
- READ MORE: Travelling further? Why not consider renting a motorhome instead?
- READ MORE: Consider travel insurance to cover accidents, theft and even prepaid activities.
