We’ve shown you the best tips for hiring a car in Melbourne. Now we’re on to Australia’s largest city. A holiday in Sydney is a colourful cocktail of glitz, glamour and beachside fun. When you want to make the most of your time in Australia’s ‘harbour city’, a set of wheels gives you the freedom to do as you please. In terms of car rental, Sydney offers a wide array of options for everyone, from sedans for families to zippy small cars perfect for parking.
Here’s how to hire a car in Sydney.
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Use KAYAK to search hundreds of travel sites at once
There’s no need to waste precious time researching multiple sites to find the right car hire deal for you. KAYAK puts all the information you need in the one spot, so you can search hundreds of travel sites at the same time. Enter your dates for travel and, just like magic, you’ll find prices, reviews and maps to organise your trip.
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Choose locations, dates and times that suit you
It’s possible to save time and money by putting some careful consideration into planning your hire car pick-up and drop-off locations, If your itinerary is packed full of exciting attractions to visit in and around Sydney, look at companies that allow pick-up and drop-off from different locations, so you don’t have to waste time driving back to where you started.
To save money, our data suggests that when you pick up and drop off your car at the same location, such as the airport or at a major town, you can save money on your deal. Be aware that some companies require that you provide them with exact times of arrival and return, so read through the fine print if you want flexibility.
Companies that allow pick-ups from Sydney airport include:
Another handy tip is to use KAYAK’s map to easily pinpoint car hire Sydney companies in your preferred areas.
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Read reviews of Sydney car hire agencies
There’s a lot of information to go through when it comes to hiring a car in Sydney. However, one of the best ways to start your research is to read reviews from travellers who’ve done it before you. KAYAK gives you easy access to reviews, so you can check each company as you go. Look out for feedback on customer service, hidden fees and extras, vehicle reliability and insurance policies.
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Tips for Driving in Sydney
Depending on the traffic, it only takes about 20 minutes to reach the Sydney CBD from the airport. The central city area is compact and easily walkable, however driving in peak hour traffic with one-way streets to navigate isn’t for the faint of heart. Therefore, it’s best to park your hire car at your hotel and walk or use buses and trains in the CBD.
For the outer suburbs and surrounding regions, here are our top tips for driving in Sydney.
Toll Roads
Sydney’s motorway network operates toll roads, including the Harbour Bridge, Cross City Tunnel, Eastern Distributor, the M5 East Freeway and Lane Cove Tunnel. All toll roads are cashless and you have a couple of options to pay. Buy a Sydney Pass before your trip, so toll roads are automatically covered and you won’t need to worry about fines. You can also pay for trips within three days of travel.
Parking
If you do need to park in the CBD, you’ll find most spaces on the street are metred and have strict time limits. Rates vary depending on the time of day and location. A better option includes longer-term car parks, such as Kings Cross Car Park, with rates of $25 for up to three hours, and Goulburn Street Car Park with nightly rates from 5 pm at $10. While you’ll find metred spaces in outer suburbs and regions, they tend to be cheaper and with longer time limits. Many shopping centres also offer free car parks.
Traffic
Like all major global cities, Sydney is notorious for traffic jams. Avoid driving at peak times on roads leading in and out of the city, from 8:00 am to 10:00 am and 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm. To avoid fines, carefully take note of changing speed limits, as speed cameras are common. The CBD and school zones have 40 km per hour limits and urban areas are generally limited at 50 km per hour.
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Best Road Trips Around Sydney
We’ve shown you plenty of road trips around Australia, but here are some of the best trips you can take outside of Sydney. A holiday in Sydney puts you on the doorstep of incredible, scenic drives to enjoy in your hire car. These top picks are all located under two hour’s drive from the city, so they’re perfect for day trips or overnight stays.
>>Also read: 5 Most Epic Aussie Road Trips To Just Get Away
The Blue Mountains
In just over an hour along the M4 motorway, you’ll arrive at a natural playground that’s worlds away from the bustling city. The one-million-hectare Blue Mountains region is World Heritage-listed, with cascading waterfalls, stunning mountain peaks and quaint towns to explore. Don’t miss out on seeing the charming town of Leura, taking a happy snap with the iconic Three Sisters and riding on Australia’s highest cable car, the Scenic Skyway.
Grand Pacific Drive
For epic ocean panoramas, head out on a journey along Grand Pacific Drive. It starts at the Royal National Park and winds through rainforest to the spectacular coastlines of Wollongong and Shellharbour. Along the way, stop at Bald Hill Lookout at Stanwell Tops for views and to watch hang gliders drift through the air.
Northern Beaches
When you hire a car in Sydney, the shimmering Northern Beaches are just a short drive from the CBD. Start at Manly to enjoy famous restaurants, surfing and boutique shopping. Follow the coastal route as it extends north towards Freshwater, Dee Why, Whale Beach and Narrabeen, with endless sandy stretches to discover.
*Note: These rates are based on search queries made on KAYAK.com.au on 13 June 2018. The prices are quoted in AUD. Flight prices are based on results for a return economy flight search. Hotel prices are for double occupancy and include taxes and fees. Prices are subject to change, may vary, or no longer be available.
