New South Wales car rentals

Whilst there is a network of public transport options in New South Wales, like buses and trams, they run at a limited service and aren’t as reliable compared with the freedom of a hire vehicle. Hiring a vehicle throughout your stay means that you are faced with no restrictions and can explore everything that New South Wales has to offer, without the delay or unreliability of public transport. Enjoy some of the top attractions, sights and landmarks, such as Sydney Opera House, Bondi Beach, Sydney Harbour Bridge, Taronga Zoo Sydney, Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, Darling Harbour, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney Tower Eye, Port Jackson Bay along with many more.

Driving in New South Wales isn’t too different to driving around the UK, meaning that driving is simple for either those who are new to the driving scene or are experienced. All vehicles have a steering wheel located on the right-hand side, meaning that all drivers must drive on the left-hand side of the road. Driving conditions are suitable for any kind of travel, with their vast open roads and good quality surfaces, but speed limits can differ on certain road types. If you’re in built-up residential areas, then you can generally expect a maximum limit of 50 km/h (31 mph), and there’s usually a limit of 100 km/h (62 mph) in rural areas. A driver must always drive at an appropriate driving speed, even if it is not clearly signposted.

If you are planning on hiring a vehicle during your time in New South Wales, then expect that providers will most likely only have suitable options for those 21 years and above. However, some providers have altered their requirements, so this isn’t always the case. Select providers will allow car hire for those as young as 19 years old. These drivers should expect to pay a sub charge on top of their booking cost, also known as a young driver’s fee. Drivers are expected to have held their licence for a minimum of 12 months and have either a full driver licence (with an English translation if applicable).

Full-size (Kia Carnival or similar) is the most frequently booked rental car type in New South Wales.

Based on ratings and reviews from real users on KAYAK, the best car rental company in New South Wales is Sixt (7.6, 75 reviews).

Take a look at our extensive car rental location map to find the best rental cars near you.

Based on car searches on KAYAK, the most popular cities to rent a car in New South Wales are Sydney (83% of total searches of users looking to rent a car in New South Wales) and Newcastle (17%).