Cheap Sydney Airport Car Hire: The Best Companies

Visitors arriving at Sydney Airport in Australia will find six car hire companies to choose from. One of the country’s largest cities, and over 100km from the nearest urban conurbation, it is little wonder that large numbers of those who come to Sydney decide to pick up a car for their stay. Buses and trains are pretty reliable here, but to travel in a cost-effective way there’s no doubt that using your own vehicle is your best bet. And that’s to say nothing of the sheer convenience of being able to go where you want, when you want.

An Airbus A380 taking off at Sydney Airport (Photo: Adam Serena via Flickr)

All six rental companies at Sydney Airport are located at the arrivals level at both terminals. Queues at the desks can get pretty busy during peak times, so you might want to prepare yourself for a wait. However, you can do your best to speed up the process by having your passport, driver’s licence and a form of identification to hand.

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Ask someone to tell you what they’re looking for from a car hire and they’re likely to tell you that their number one priority is cost. But you’d be foolish not to take into account a company’s reputation for customer service, otherwise you may risk ending up as the protagonist in one of the horror stories you occasionally read about online. Luckily, all of the companies based at Sydney Airport come with good reputations, but to help make sure you pick the right one for you, the team at TravelMag.com have done some research so you don’t need to. Based on our findings, here are the three companies we most highly recommend.

Best value: Thrifty

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Thrifty’s fleet of vehicles includes a number of cheap car hire options that provide great value for money. Among the affordable models available are the Hyundai i30, the Subaru Liberty, Toyota Yaris and the Corolla, all of which will cost you around £200 for a week’s rental. These cars tend to have space for 5 passengers and 2 pieces of luggage in the boot. Other benefits of using Thrifty include guaranteed savings to Auto Club members and Velocity points for Virgin members. They also promise seamless pick up and speedy drop off do you can maximise your time in Sydney.

Best for families: Hertz

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Express returns and after hours drop-offs are just some of the notable perks offered by Hertz at Sydney Airport. But it is their family-friendly cars that most caught the eye during our research, including the Hyundai Elantra and the Toyota Camry, both of which offer the kind of space and comfort that parents travelling with kids desire. For something even bigger, the Holden SV6 can accommodate up to three large bags in its sizeable boot. One downside is that Hertz rentals paid for by a valid credit, Visa/Mastercard debit or charge card will be subject to a surcharge of 1.35% Hertz’s rental desk at Sydney Airport is open from 7am to 11.30pm every day.

Best for luxury cars: Europcar

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Europcar have an excellent choice of high-end cars available for hire at Sydney Airport. From luxury car hire sedans to durable SUVs to convertible sports cars, there’s something for every taste. Some stand-out models include the Toyota Kluger SUV and the Mercedes E Class Cabrio soft top, all of which allow you to cruise through Sydney in a real head-turning vehicle. Meanwhile eco-conscious drivers will enjoy the fact that Europcar has wholeheartedly embraced a sustainable development program, and are proud to be the first car hire company at Sydney Airport with certified commitments. Their rental desk is open from 6am to 11pm daily.