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On one of 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.
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. Prices were retrieved on 12 August 2019 for a hire starting 12 September 2019.
Small economy car
Car: Suzuki Swift
Seats: 5
Luggage: 1 large bag and 1 small bag
Rental company: East Coast Rentals
Cost: $69.07 for 2 days or $34.53 per day
Medium car
Car: Hyundai Accent
Seats: 5
Luggage: 1 large bag and 1 small bag
Rental company: East Coast Rental
Cost: $66.60 for 2 days or $33.3 per day
Large car
Car: Toyota Corolla
Seats: 5
Luggage: 1 large and 1 small
Rental company: East Coast Rentals
Cost: $99.27 for 2 days or $49.64 per day
SUV/Estate car
Car: Holden Commodore Estate
Seats: 5
Luggage: 3 large bags and 3 small bags
Rental company: Aerodrive Car Rental
Cost: $203.07 for 2 days or $101.54 per day
Prices mentioned above were retrieved on 12 August 2019 and change constantly. Get the latest prices for your car hire today.
Who offers car hire from Sydney Airport?
Car rental is available at both the T1 International and T2 and T3 Domestic arrival terminal of Sydney Airport with the following companies:
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.
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.
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.
Get $5 off each of your first four rides in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Geelong, Perth and Newcastle. Valid on all dates for new users. T&Cs apply.
Available on 6+ day rentals from 15 July - 15 September 2021. Destinations include Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Cairns, Perth, Adelaide and Hobart. T&Cs apply.
Available on 3+ days rentals, including a Saturday night from 22 April - 21 June 2021. Destinations include Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Cairns, Perth, Adelaide and Hobart. T&Cs apply.
Available on rentals until 31 July 2021 when you spend a minimum of $240. Destinations include Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Cairns, Sydney and more. T&Cs apply.
Available on 2+ days rentals until 11 December 2021 when you book 21 days in advance. Destinations include Canberra, Perth, Adelaide, Sydney, Melbourne, Gold Coast, Brisbane, Auckland and more. T&Cs apply.
Available on Sunday, Monday or Tuesday pick up dates until 11 December 2021. Destinations include Sydney, Melbourne, Gold Coast, Brisbane, Auckland and more. T&Cs apply.
15% off Australia car rentals + free cancellations
Available on all dates when you spend a minimum of $100. Discount capped at $60. Destinations include Melbourne, Sydney, Gold Coast, Cairns, Perth, Darwin, Brisbane, Canberra and more. T&Cs apply.
Available on rentals until 31 March 2021 across Australia including Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Darwin, Cairns, Broome and more. Minimum of 180 days advance booking. T&Cs apply.
Available on rentals until 11 December 2021 across Australia and New Zealand including Sydney, Gold Coast, Adelaide, Auckland and more. Minimum of 5 days rental required. T&Cs apply.
Available on select rental dates. Destinations include Sydney, Newcastle, Melbourne, Byron Bay and more. Sample rate is for a 2-seater campervan in Woolloongabba. T&Cs apply.
Available on select rental dates. Destinations include Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Newcastle and more. Sample rate is for a Flexi Delish in Baldivis, WA. T&Cs apply.
Receive an exclusive $200 accommodation credit voucher when you book an intermediate class or higher vehicles for 3+ nights. Destinations include Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Adelaide, Auckland and more. T&Cs apply.
Stephanie Yip is the travel editor at Finder and has been writing about travel and lifestyle for over a decade. She has written for Travel Weekly, Escape, Showpo, The Nibbler and Hostelworld. She was also the editor of kids magazine DMAG. Stephanie has a Bachelor of Communications from the University of Technology Sydney and has visited 55 countries (and counting).
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