What you should know before hiring a car in Sydney
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Distance from Sydney city centre |
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Practical information
Where to rent a car in Sydney?
Located on Australia's east coast, Sydney is the capital of New South Wales and one of Australia's largest and most visited cities. Its principle international airport is Sydney Airport, from which travelers can choose to take a train, shuttle bus, taxi, rideshare bus, or rental car into the city center. From the airport, car rental is available from companies such as Hertz, Avis, Alamo, Budget and Enterprise. Sydney's principle rail station is Sydney Central Station, at which car rental services can also be found from companies such as Europcar.
Driving in Sydney: parking and other tips
Sydney boasts an efficient network of roads, which can be easily navigated by rental car. Australian road rules apply when driving in Sydney – drive on the left, and stick to the speed limit, which is usually 50 km per hour. Sydney is home to a number of toll roads, which are all cashless. Different car rental companies have different policies when it comes to toll road payments, so check ahead and plan your journey around avoiding toll roads where possible. When it comes to parking in Sydney, there are a number of options. Parking lots are available, as is on-street parking; drivers will likely find it easier to park outside central Sydney. The City of Sydney website provides information on the locations of car parks around the city, as well as information on how to pay.
Road trips from Sydney
Whether you're looking for a week-long adventure or a shorter trip outside of Sydney, opting to travel by rental car opens up a whole host of opportunities for great road trips. With Sydney as your starting point, eastern Australia is just waiting to be explored.
The Grand Pacific Drive
Encompassing sweeping ocean views and interesting stops along the way, the Grand Pacific Drive is one of Australia's many beautiful road trips. Once you've explored the sights of Sydney (don't miss the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge), it's time to head south. The Grand Pacific Drive begins a short drive from Sydney itself, and takes travelers past sights such as the Royal National Park and the Sea Cliff Bridge before ending in the city of Wollongong.
A road trip to the Blue Mountains
A short drive from Sydney, the Blue Mountains offer a stunning retreat into natural surroundings. Boasting World Heritage status, the area offers hiking, viewpoints and tours. The town of Katoomba is a must-visit, while the Echo Point viewpoint is popular for its unrivaled views of the Three Sisters rock formation.
The legendary Pacific coast
One of Australia's most iconic drives takes travelers from Sydney to Brisbane, along breathtaking coastal roads. It's a longer route, spanning over 560 miles, so it's worth taking a few days to make the most of the stops along the way. These include the city of Newcastle, the Myall Lakes National Park, Coffs Harbour and Byron Bay.
