The Best Way to Discover Sydney Is With a Car Hire

There are few cities in the world as recognisable as Sydney. Explore the greater Sydney region with an affordable hire car. VroomVroomVroom has partnered with car rental providers in Sydney which include Europcar, Budget, Avis, Thrifty, Hertz, and Enterprise (formerly Redspot). VroomVroomVroom can help you book a car hire, whatever your preference may be.

Start exploring the city and marvel at the view of Sydney Harbour. The harbour is always full of bustling water traffic. Visit the iconic Sydney Opera House, Circular Quay and the magnificent Harbour Bridge. Soak up the culture at Cockle Bay Wharf and the historic Kings Cross. For a taste of history visit the Rocks, or relax in the sunshine at Bondi Beach. Click here for a list of some of the most enjoyable road trips from Sydney.

Location Overview

Sydney is New South Wales’ capital city and is located on the mid-eastern coast of Australia. It is Australia’s most populous city and is known for its excellent beaches and iconic harbour. Attractions within driving distance from the city centre include the Blue Mountains, Hunter Valley and Hyams Beach (AKA the world’s whitest sand beach in the world).

In and around Sydney, some of our favourite things to do year-round are:

Summer (December, January, February): Australian summer and the beach go hand in hand. Explore Sydney’s many beaches including the iconic Bondi Beach as well as hidden gems like Clovelly and Tamarama beaches. If you’re feeling active, the Bondi to Bronte seaside track is a 3-kilometre oceanside walk with beautiful scenery that is worth the hike.

Autumn (March, April, May): For the fitness lovers, the Blue Mountains Ultra Trail run is a must in May. The race is held at Katoomba, a 1.5-hour drive from Sydney and covers up to 100km of rugged trails through the Blue Mountains National Park. If you prefer to stay in Sydney’s city centre and take it easy, the Vivid Sydney Light and Music Festival brings the city landmarks and buildings to life from May to early June each year. Foodies will love the 3-hour drive out to Orange for their annual F.O.O.D (Food of Orange District) festival in to sample the local culinary goodies that is held in April.

Winter (June, July, August): The Hunter Valley is a great winter destination with their annual Hunter Valley Food and Wine Festival in June and Snow Time in the Garden event at the Hunter Valley Gardens for family fun in June and July. The famous wine district is a 3 hour drive from Sydney and makes a great weekend getaway.

Spring (September, October, November): The Tulip Time Festival in late September is a highlight in the Southern Highlands town of Bowral during springtime. Bowral is a 1.5-hour drive from Sydney and is both a nature and foodie hub for a weekend getaway. Racecar enthusiasts head out to Bathurst, a 3-hour drive from Sydney, to enjoy the Bathurst 1000 race in mid-October each year.

Year-Round: The scenic beauty of the Blue Mountains is a little over an hour’s drive from Sydney. The UNESCO World Heritage landmark is full of natural beauty and walking trails including The Three Sisters, Scenic Skyway, Jenolan Caves and Leura cascades picnic area. If you’re looking for a longer drive or weekend adventure with the family, the Dubbo Zoo is well worth the journey. Closer to the city, Sydney’s northern beaches such as Manly and Collaroy are a great day trip.

Where to Find Rental Cars in Sydney

There are many rental car depot locations in both the Sydney CBD and surrounding suburbs to hire a car from in addition to the rental counters at Sydney Airport.

Major car rental companies such as Avis, Budget, Europcar, Enterprise, Hertz and Thrifty all have multiple depot locations in and around the city centre including:

Avis World Square: 395 Pitt Street, Sydney (Open Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm, Saturday and Sunday from 8am to 2pm)

Budget World Square: 395 Pitt Street, Sydney (Open Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm, Saturday and Sunday from 9am to 2pm)

Europcar Sydney City: Pullman Hotel, 26 -36 College Street, Sydney (Open from Monday to Friday from 7.30am to 6pm, Saturday and Sunday from 8am to 5pm)

Enterprise Potts Point: Holiday Inn Hotel, 203 Victoria Street, Potts Point (Open from Monday to Friday from 7.30am to 5.30pm, Saturday and Sunday from 7.30am to 12.30pm)

East Coast Car Rental Sydney City: 5/191 William St, Darlinghurst (Open from Monday to Friday from 8am to 5pm, Saturday and Sunday from 8am to 12 noon.

Hertz Sydney Downtown: 65 William Street, Darlinghurst (Open Monday to Friday from 7.30am to 5.30pm and Saturday and Sundays from 8am to 4pm)

Thrifty Sydney City: Shop 4 191 William Street, Darlinghurst (Open Monday to Friday from 7.30am to 4.15pm and Saturday to Sunday from 7.30am to 11.45am.)

One tip to note is that some non-airport car rental depots are not open 7 days per week or have shorter opening hours during the weekend. It’s best to check your preferred pick-up location’s operating hours when choosing your car to ensure they’ll be open if you are running late with picking up or dropping off your car. You can use our search map feature when booking a rental car to find the depot closest to your location. Some non-airport car rental depots also close for key holidays throughout the year such as Labour Day and Christmas Day.

Customer Reviews and Feedback for Renting in Sydney

The best way to get an idea of renting a car is to read about fellow traveller’s real recent experiences. Our team have reached out to some of our customers who recently rented from Sydney and their experiences are shared below.

Stephen (July 2019): I collected a Mitsubishi ASX from Europcar Australia when I flew into Sydney Airport. We were there for a holiday and found the pickup and drop off process okay. I rate the SUV provided to us a 9/10.

Chrstine C (July 2019): I booked a compact Toyota Corolla through Thrifty at Sydney Airport. I found the car to be in good condition. The pickup process was quick for me. I was also able to return the vehicle easily with no hassles following the signs to return rental cars when arriving at the airport.

More verified customer reviews​

Quick Facts on Hiring a Car in Sydney

Reasons to Book a Car Hire in Sydney with VroomVroomVroom

We are the leading car hire comparison website in Australia. Booking a car hire is quick and easy using our website. Here are some more reasons why you should rent a car with us.

• Convenience - Our trusted car rental suppliers have depots throughout Sydney. There are even car rental counters at the Sydney airport.
• Great rates - We have negotiated with our partners so we can provide the best rates. Read our price promise for more details.
• Wide selection of cars - Finding the perfect vehicle for your next trip to Sydney is easy as we compare rental cars from trusted brands. Whether you need an economy car or an SUV, you can find it here.
• Trusted since 2001 - Book with confidence knowing that you are booking a car rental through a secured website. We have helped more than a million people find the right vehicle for their trip.
• Fantastic customer service - Our booking system is easy to use, but should you have any questions, our highly-trained car rental experts can help you out. Get in touch by phone, email, live chat, or via any of our social media channels.
• Motorhome comparison - Do you think that your road trip may be better-suited for a motorhome? We also offer a comparison service for hiring a campervan in Sydney.

Best Time to Visit Sydney

Sydney boasts events, attractions, and cultural experiences all year around. Its temperate climate means that no season is too uncomfortable.

Every January, the Sydney Festival brings the streets alive. The festival has an exciting program of art, music, dance and a range of free activities. For all things fabulous, don't miss the Mardi Gras parade. The annual Sydney Mardi Gras in February celebrates Australia's LGBTQI culture.

There is no need to get the winter blues in Sydney as Vivid lights up the harbour. The popular festival of light kicks off on May 26. It features an outdoor gallery of illuminated sculptures. There are also visual projections on the Opera House sails. Sydney hosts many events for the holiday season. This culminates in the annual NYE Fireworks display. At any time of year, the Sydney nightlife is exciting. Here are also a few more reasons to visit Sydney in December.

Driving Tips in Sydney

Sydney is a big city with traffic to match. Significant congestion in the CBD at peak times is not uncommon. It is a good idea not to travel during these periods if you can avoid it. Sydney's public transport network includes trains, buses, trams and ferries. Consider leaving your hire car at your hotel while exploring the CBD. Instead, take advantage of public transport.

Sydney has some toll roads, including the Harbour Bridge and tunnel. These tolls use a cashless system and cars from VroomVroomVroom's suppliers have electronic tags that let you pass through them. It is always a good idea to discuss payment options with your provider when you pick up your hire car. For more driving tips and information on toll roads in Sydney, click here​.

VroomVroomVroom Insider Tips

1. For visitors from the UK with children that need booster seats, you’re better to hire one in Australia, as you won’t be able to use British booster seats in Australia. They have to be Australian approved. Worth knowing before you lug the bulky booster seat on that long flight!
2. You can save a lot on fuel by finding the cheapest closest petrol station with this useful fuel price comparison app​, plus it’s free to use.​

Flying from Sydney Airport?

We have gathered some great parking deals and options for the next time you are looking for a car park at Sydney Airport. Check out all the parking suppliers at Sydney Airport so you can easily find a car park that will suit your budget and preference. Book a car park ahead of time so you will have the peace of mind knowing that you have a fully-secured parking space waiting for you upon arrival at the airport.