Sydney car rental guide
Top 10 Car Rental Companies in Sydney
The best car rental companies in Sydney are Hertz, Avis, Enterprise. Prices start from AUD 55/day for an economy car, the minimum age is 21, and airport pickup adds about 10%.
โ Free cancellation optionsโ No booking feeโ Full-to-full suppliersโ You book direct
Ranked comparison
Top 10 rental companies in Sydney
Ranked by customer rating, price transparency and pickup convenience. Each opens a pre-filled search.
#1
Hertz
Editor's pickFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from AUD 500Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
FromAUD 58/day
all-in estimate
View Hertz deal
#2
Avis
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from AUD 500Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
FromAUD 55/day
all-in estimate
View Avis deal
#3
Enterprise
Top ratedFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from AUD 500Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
FromAUD 57/day
all-in estimate
View Enterprise deal
#4
Budget
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from AUD 500Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
FromAUD 53/day
all-in estimate
View Budget deal
#5
Europcar
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from AUD 500Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
FromAUD 56/day
all-in estimate
View Europcar deal
#6
Thrifty
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from AUD 500Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
FromAUD 52/day
base rate
View Thrifty deal
#7
Alamo
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from AUD 500Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
FromAUD 54/day
all-in estimate
View Alamo deal
#8
Sixt
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from AUD 500Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
FromAUD 60/day
all-in estimate
View Sixt deal
#9
Dollar
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from AUD 500Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
FromAUD 51/day
base rate
View Dollar deal
#10
National
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from AUD 500Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
FromAUD 59/day
all-in estimate
View National deal
Prices are indicative market estimates ยท Last checked 2026-07-05 ยท 2 public sources (DiscoverCars + market data)
Price guide
Prices by car type in Sydney
| Car type | From / day | Example | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | AUD 55 | Toyota Yaris | 5 |
| Compact | AUD 65 | Toyota Corolla | 5 |
| SUV | AUD 95 | Toyota RAV4 | 5 |
| Minivan (7-seat) | AUD 130 | Toyota Tarago | 7 |
| Luxury | AUD 175 | Mercedes E-Class | 5 |
Pickup locations
Where to pick up a car in Sydney
Airport โ Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport (SYD)
All major rental companies are located in the multi-storey car park directly accessible from both domestic (T2/T3) and international (T1) terminals. An airport access fee applies.
Downtown โ Sydney CBD / Darling Harbour
Pick-up points in the CBD and near Darling Harbour from major suppliers. Avoid driving in the CBD on weekdays if possible โ traffic and tolls are heavy.
Fees
Fees at a glance
| Fee | Typical amount | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Airport access fee | AUD 20โ35 | Applicable to all airport rental pickups at SYD |
| Young-driver fee (21โ24) | AUD 22โ30/day | Drivers under 25; under-21 not permitted by most suppliers |
| Additional driver | AUD 8โ15/day | Per extra driver |
| Sydney Harbour Tunnel / M2 / Lane Cove tolls | AUD 2โ8 per crossing | Most Sydney motorways and tunnels are tolled (e-tag system) |
| One-way fee | AUD 50โ200 | Different drop-off within NSW |
| GPS/nav device | AUD 10โ15/day | Optional; most smartphones handle navigation well |
Local intelligence
Things to know before renting in Sydney
- Australia drives on the left โ steering wheel is on the right. This catches out many overseas visitors especially on right-hand turns.
- NSW has extensive electronic tolling (E-Toll system). Most Sydney motorways and tunnels charge tolls; the rental company's e-tag covers these automatically (rental rate charged back to you).
- Minimum age is usually 21 in Australia; young-driver surcharges apply under 25. NSW also has a P-plate (provisional licence) age limit โ check if your licence is equivalent.
- Roadside speed cameras are widespread and heavily enforced in NSW. Demerit points apply to the registered driver (rental company). Fines are passed on by the agency.
- The Pacific Coast Drive north to Port Macquarie and Byron Bay is one of Australia's best road trips โ about 8 hours to Byron.
- Australian roads outside cities can have long stretches with wildlife hazard (kangaroos at dawn and dusk). Drive with care especially on rural roads at night.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about renting a car in Sydney
What is the minimum age to rent a car in Sydney?
Most suppliers require 21. Drivers 21โ24 pay a young-driver surcharge of AUD 22โ30/day. Some budget suppliers may allow 18+ with a higher surcharge.
Do I need an International Driving Permit in Australia?
If your licence is in English you generally do not need an IDP in Australia. If it is in another language, an IDP or certified translation is required. IDP holders still need their original licence with them.
How do Sydney tolls work in a rental?
The rental company provides an e-tag linked to their account. Toll charges are tracked automatically and billed to your credit card at the end of the rental (usually plus a daily administration fee). You can also pay online via the government toll website.
Can I drive on the left if I am from a right-hand-traffic country?
Australia drives on the left. Take extra care at junctions, on roundabouts, and especially when turning right (left-priority). Automatic cars reduce distraction. Allow a few days to adjust before tackling busy city traffic.
What is the cheapest car type in Sydney?
Economy cars (e.g. Toyota Yaris) start around AUD 55/day. 7-seat people carriers start around AUD 130/day โ a popular choice for families visiting from Asia and Europe.
Nearby trips
