The 5 best car rentals in Sydney for a smooth, unforgettable trip
Are you planning an adventure in Sydney without the hassle of bringing your own car? Well, we suggest you consider getting a car rental service in the city!
After all, sometimes, you just need a different set of wheels – maybe a bigger SUV for your family or even a luxury model to roll up in style while on a road trip.
It’s as easy as booking a car online, and after that, you’re all set for a scenic drive to the Blue Mountains or a fun day at Bondi Beach – wherever you want.
To help you pick the right car rental company in Sydney, here’s a list you can consider before you plan your trip to the city.
How much do car rentals cost in Sydney?
Car rentals typically cost between $20 to $120 per day, depending on factors like the type of vehicle and rental duration. Economy cars are more comfortable, while larger or luxury cars can be more expensive. If you want to secure better rates, book in advance or choose an off-peak season for your trip.
1. Hertz
Address: Punt Rd, South Yarra
Phone: +613 9821 5455
Business hours:
- Monday to Friday – 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM
- Saturday and Sunday – 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
We spoke to Hertz’s customers, and most praised their easy online booking system. One of their clients told our team that he secured a car in under five minutes, with a confirmation email arriving shortly.
Hertz offers several options in their fleet. When you rent a car with them, you can choose from luxury sedans and SUVs, sports cars, 4x4s, and zero-emissions electric vehicles.
Many of their clients described the vehicles as clean, fresh-smelling, and relatively new.
Additionally, Hertz provides loyalty programs for their customers. Members can earn points with every rental they make.
As they continue renting, they can progress to higher loyalty status, such as Hertz Five Star and President’s Circle, which offer additional benefits. Some of these include free one-car class upgrades and access to a wider selection of vehicles.
However, some customers struggled to reach an agent when they needed assistance, particularly with billing disputes. Another downside is that last-minute rentals can be difficult to secure during peak seasons, like summer or spring, due to the large volume of inquiries.
Amazing experience and outstanding service
“I had an amazing experience renting a car at Hertz South Yarra, all thanks to William! From the very first greeting, he was so friendly and approachable. As a first-time renter, I was a bit nervous, but William made everything super easy to understand. He walked me through all the details of the rental process and the car itself, explaining everything clearly and answering all my questions. His excellent customer service made the entire experience smooth and stress-free. I highly recommend him and will definitely return to this location for future rentals.
thanks to William’s outstanding service! Highly recommend!”
– Julie C., Google Reviews
Relaxing atmosphere, very friendly service
“First, my favorite part is that all the staff provided very friendly service and created a relaxed atmosphere, which I value the most. Second, William was very helpful in securing a reasonable rental price for us. At the time, we had already booked a car on Trip.com, but the third-party platform hadn’t confirmed it yet. Even so, William helped us get the ideal car. Although the overall experience wasn’t exactly as expected, we decided at the last minute to extend the rental by two more days. When I called the store, they readily agreed, handled it immediately, and honored the original negotiated price, which made the process worry-free. Our family had no trouble exploring Melbourne. They also shared unexpected details and provided great support.”
– Grace L., Google Review
2. SIXT
Address: Domain Car Park, John Young Cres
Phone: +61 13 74 98
Business hours:
- Monday to Friday – 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM
- Saturday and Sunday: 7:30 AM to 11:30 AM
SIXT Australia offers a wide range of vehicles–from compact cars to premium brands like BMW, Mercedes, Peugeot, and Tesla. With over 160 locations worldwide, including major airports, it’s a convenient option for travelers.
In fact, some of their clients appreciate the seamless booking process and the flexibility to modify or cancel reservations. Even first-time renters mentioned that their experience with SIXT was exceptional.
SIXT is also known for its commitment to sustainability as it offers a growing selection of electric and hybrid vehicles. If you’re an eco-conscious driver, you can ask their team for an electric vehicle.
However, some renters reported receiving older cars with higher mileage, while others faced unexpected charges for alleged damages. One client also mentioned that he ran into an issue with the RFID card provided by the company.
If you return a vehicle outside of their office hours, they will typically inspect it within four hours of the location reopening or as soon as the airport staff are available.
Fantastic experience with SIXT car rental
“I had a fantastic experience with Sixt car rental during my recent trip to Sydney. From start to finish, their service exceeded my expectations.The car itself was in excellent condition, clean, and well-maintained and super low mileage. It performed flawlessly throughout my journey, providing a comfortable and reliable ride…..”
– Monique C., Google Review
Staff was very friendly and approachable
“The process wasn’t complicated and the staff who responded was very friendly. He explained things clearly and slowly, so I had no trouble understanding even though my English skills were not very good. I was worried about what I would get because I chose the mystery car, but it was a Toyota hybrid car, so it was nice to get to Wollongong without much fuel consumption. The car was in very clean condition and performed well.”
– Sumin K., Google Review
3. Sydney Wide Car Rentals
Address: 14 Guernsey St, Guildord NSW
Phone: 1300 136 349
Business hours:
- Monday to Friday – 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Saturday – 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Sydney Wide Rentals is a local car hire company that provides unlimited kilometers–which means no distance restrictions–and no deposit on all vehicle hires.
What we liked most about them are the more affordable rates compared to similar services in the city, along with an efficient booking process. In fact, rentals start at $49 per day, and if you want to add more days, you can easily contact them through their phone number.
Additionally, they provide an after-hours vehicle drop-off and free additional drivers. If you’re looking for a budget car rental, we recommend Sydney Wide Rentals for your next trip.
However, as with many budget-friendly services, the lower price might come with trade-offs. Some customers have noted that while the rates are attractive, the service and vehicles might not always be up to the same standard as premium rental companies.
We interviewed one of their customers, who expressed their frustration after renting a minibus in poor condition. The main issue was that the heater in the back of the vehicle was not working.
When the customer raised this concern, the company only did a quick check without confirming if the heater was functioning. Upon their return, the staff responded that they were unaware of the problem.
Excellent service for first timers
“Laila/Leila was very helpful & polite. First time booking with them and it won’t be the last! Wife needed to rent a vehicle to visit family & we wanted to book the Kluger 7 seater but they gave us an 8 seater as the Kluger was not available & it was so good we got to rent the newest kia model van & it was cheaper priced then the 7 seater. I highly recommend SWR to anyone needing fast/easy service. Thank you again guys. Hope to book from you guys soon”
– Tevita T., Google Review
Good, reliable, and clean vehicle
“I want to thank Laila from Sydney Wide Rentals for being there in our time of need. They treat me and my family like there own when it comes to needing a vehicle for our trips we do every second week. All vehicles that they supply are clean and ready to go. I am giving a 5 star rating because I have never ever had any issue with this company. If your reading this review and want a good, reliable and clean vehicle, than Sydney Wide Rentals is who you need to see. Thanks again Laila and the Team.”
– S.L., Google Reviews
4. VroomVroomVroom
Address: 349 Coronation Dr, Milton
Phone: +61 7 3062 6879
Business hours: Monday to Friday – 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
VroomVroomVroom not only offers rental car services but also one of the best rental deals you can find on the internet. It facilitates hundreds of thousands of car rental bookings per year with many satisfied customers.
Our team spoke to their clients. Unsurprisingly, many of them appreciate the rental deals offered by the company.
One customer mentioned that the user-friendly interface of their website made searching and booking a vehicle quick and stress-free.
Unlike other companies, VroomVroomVroom allows customers to compare features, prices, and availability from some car hire brands.
However, some renters reported issues with last-minute availability changes and discrepancies between the price quoted on their website and what the rental company actually charges.
Sometimes, there are inconsistencies in their data, so you should still need to double-check it.
Fast and reliable chat service
“I Recently booked a car rental for a USA trip, Vroom offered a great price and when I contacted them a couple days later to ask a question about my booking using their Live Chat Service, Reina addressed this immediately and said she would follow this up with the car rental company in America, I then received an email within 24 hours with my question answered. Thanks for the great service provided.”
– Daryl B., Google Reviews
Easy and convenient experience
“As a minimalist who does not own a car. Would have have to say using VroomVroomVroom makes it easy and convenient to get a hire car without the hassle of shopping around to get the best price. Use this service when ever I need to hire a car , love them so much that I am always recommending friends to use this service.”
– Katey S., Google Review
5. No Birds
Address: 180 William St, NSW
Phone: +61 2 9360 3622
Business hours: Sunday to Saturday – 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM
No Birds, also known as Bayswater Car Rental, has been a trusted name in the Australian car hire industry. All of their vehicles come with 24-hour NRMA roadside assistance, with 4- to 5-star safety ratings.
Additionally, they offer affordable rates, making them a popular choice among budget-conscious travelers.
Through our research, we found that their company provides customer-centric options, such as unlimited mileage and a fuel trip calculator. They also avoid charging their clients hidden fees.
Another thing is that No Birds offers a wide range of high-quality boosters, baby seats, and child seats. This feature helps you keep your toddler safe while on the road.
They also offer vehicles with a new model GPS at a very reasonable price. So, if you’re lost on unfamiliar roads, you can just access the latest maps and go straight to your destination.
However, the downside here is that pets are not allowed in their cars. If you plan to bring your pets with you, consider other rental services on the list.
Excellent car
“Great, great value; excellent car. Take the very reasonably-priced full insurance for peace of mind ($0 liability) and only $200 bond (to cover any upside incidentals, should there be any – fair enough; refunded promptly). Cars are new or near-new (depending on the option you choose) and in top condition. Windscreen glass and rear window could be a little cleaner. Full out / full in fuel policy. Staff matter of fact and quick (if you want to have a conversation, go to a nearby cafe).”
– Alan W., Google Review
Car was in great condition, strongly recommended
“Hired a car for 3 weeks (long term) rental. The car was in great condition & had done under 10000kms. The hire process was quite seamless (needed c.card and drivers licence) at the time of renting. I would strongly recommend taking up the extra insurance which drops the excess down to $0.00 incase of accident / damage.”
– Karan M., Google Review