Arriving at Sydney Airport (SYD) or staying in the city centre? We make it easy to compare cheap car hire in Sydney from major suppliers in one search. Pick up your rental car at Sydney Airport for instant access to the M1 and Parramatta, or pick up in Sydney City Centre if you are staying near Circular Quay and Darling Harbour. All prices include airport fees, local taxes and unlimited mileage.
Driving in Australia is the best way to explore Sydney and beyond, but there are a few important differences to know before you pick up your car hire in Sydney. In Australia you drive on the left hand side of the road, just like in the UK, and the steering wheel is on the right hand side of the car. This makes it much easier for UK drivers renting a car in Sydney, Australia compared to driving in Europe or the USA. Roads are generally in excellent condition, signs are clear and in English, and drivers are usually courteous and relaxed outside of the Sydney city centre rush hour.
Speed limits in Australia are in kilometres per hour, not miles per hour. In built up areas and in Sydney city centre the limit is 50 km/h. On main urban roads it is usually 60 to 80 km/h, and on motorways and highways it is 100 to 110 km/h. Speed cameras are very common in New South Wales, including fixed cameras, mobile cameras and average speed cameras. Fines are high, so always stick to the posted limit if you have a hire car in Sydney.
Seatbelts are compulsory for all passengers, and child seats are required by law. It is illegal to use a hand held mobile phone while driving. The drink drive limit in Australia is 0.05% BAC, which is lower than in the UK, so it is safest not to drink at all if you are driving your Sydney rental car. Random breath testing is very common across Sydney and New South Wales, including during the day.
Sydney has more toll roads than any other city in Australia. Most motorways around Sydney Airport and the city centre are tolled, including the M1, M2, M5, M7, Cross City Tunnel, Lane Cove Tunnel, Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Harbour Tunnel. There are no cash toll booths. All tolls are electronic and you need an eTAG or eToll account.
When you book cheap car hire in Sydney with VPS, most hire cars come with an automatic toll tag fitted. The tolls are then charged back to your credit card by the car hire company, usually with a small admin fee. If your hire car does not have a tag, you have 3 days to pay online via Linkt or E-Toll. Ask at the Sydney Airport car hire desk when you collect your car how tolls are handled. Forgetting to pay a toll can result in a fine, so always check.
Parking in Sydney city centre is expensive and limited, similar to London. Street parking is usually metered and restricted to 1 to 2 hours during weekdays. Parking stations and secure car parks are a better option for your hire car and cost around 25 to 65 AUD per day in the CBD. Many hotels in Sydney offer discounted parking for guests with a car hire. Outside the city centre, in areas like Bondi, Manly, Parramatta and near Sydney Olympic Park, parking is much easier and often free. Always check signs carefully for clearway times, as cars can be towed during peak hours.
Australia is a huge country and distances are much longer than in the UK. Sydney to the Blue Mountains is 1.5 hours, Sydney to Canberra is 3.5 hours, and Sydney to Melbourne is around 9 hours of driving. If you are planning a road trip with your Sydney car hire, always check your fuel level before leaving. In regional New South Wales petrol stations can be far apart. Make sure you have water, and take regular breaks every 2 hours.
Be aware of wildlife, especially at dawn and dusk. Kangaroos and wallabies can jump onto the road in national parks and rural areas. If you are driving outside Sydney at night, reduce your speed and stay alert. In summer, watch for bushfire warnings and road closures on the Live Traffic NSW website.
Book an automatic car if you are not used to driving a manual, as most hire cars in Sydney are automatic. Choose a small car hire in Sydney for easy city parking, or an SUV hire in Sydney if you plan to visit the Blue Mountains or the Hunter Valley. Always carry your UK driving licence with you. You do not need an International Driving Permit for Australia if your licence is in English and has a photo. Check that your car hire in Sydney includes unlimited mileage, so you can explore New South Wales without extra charges.
With your cheap car hire in Sydney, Australia you have total freedom. You can drive from Sydney Airport to Bondi Beach in 20 minutes, to the Blue Mountains in under 2 hours, and to Port Stephens for dolphin watching in just over 2 hours. Book your Sydney hire car today and explore at your own pace.
