Cheap Car Hire Sydney Dom Airport (Metro)

Important Information: Changes at Sydney Domestic Airport

Due to remedial works at the Sydney Airport (Domestic T2 and T3) P1 carpark, all domestic car rental pick-ups and drop-offs, including Budget, will take place at facilities on the corner of Ross Smith Avenue and Butler Road, Mascot in the south-east sector (see map below).

Please note, this relates to Sydney Domestic T2 and T3 terminals only and does not affect car rental operations at the International Terminal (T1).

Vehicle Return (Operating Hours: 5am – 11pm Daily) (Domestic Only)

• All vehicle returns will take place at the Budget facility on the corner of Ross Smith Avenue and Butler Road and not at the P1 carpark (see map above).
• If you’re returning a vehicle from south Sydney or via the M5 motorway, please turn left into Butler Road from General Holmes Drive (at the BP Service Station) and then turn left into the Budget location.
• If you’re returning from Sydney CBD, the northern or eastern suburbs, please turn right into General Holmes Drive from Southern Cross Drive. Turn left into Ross Smith Avenue and follow Ross Smith Avenue past the Blu Emu parking facility. Turn left at the roundabout into Butler Avenue and right into the Budget location.

Vehicle Pick Up (Operating Hours: 6am – 11pm Daily) (Domestic Only)

• The Budget car rental counters are located in the T2 and T3 arrivals area, opposite the baggage carousels.
• All non-Budget Fastbreak customers are required to proceed to the in-terminal Budget counters, to complete their rental agreement, prior to being transported to the location on a free shuttle bus.
• Staff will direct customers to the shuttle bus located at two kerbside pickup areas at T2 and T3 terminals.
• Please have your rental documents readily available when arriving at the shuttle pick-up point as well as the Budget location, as this will expedite your vehicle collection.

Free Shuttle Bus Transfers

• Returning your car - A free shuttle bus will be provided to transport customers between the new Budget location and T2 and T3 Domestic Terminals by Sydney Airport.
• Collecting your car - Please complete your rental agreement at the in-terminal Budget counters, before proceeding to the dedicated kerbside shuttle pickup points.

Key Points

• A free car rental shuttle service will be provided by Sydney Airport to transfer Budget customers from dedicated kerbside stops outside the T2 and T3 Terminals.
• Before boarding the free shuttle: all customers (including Budget Fastbreak members) are required to check-in at the Budget counter inside the terminal.
• Only customers with an existing car rental booking, will be able to access the shuttle bus service to the Budget location.
• Customers without a booking must arrange a car rental at the Budget counter inside the terminals, prior to accessing the shuttle bus service to the location.
• Please allow additional time when picking up and returning of your vehicle to make your flight
• To allow enough time to shuttle to or from the Avis car rental pick up point and the domestic terminals, Sydney Airport is advising all customers to allow for an additional 30 minutes or more transit time.

For Budget Fastbreak Customers

• All Budget Fastbreak customers can bypass the counter and head straight to the free shuttle bus to be taken to their vehicle. 
• All standard customers are required to proceed to the in-terminal Budget counters to complete their rental agreement prior to being transported to the location on a free shuttle bus.

These remedial works are affecting all car rental companies with operations in the P1 carpark at Sydney Domestic Airport.

At Avis Budget Group, we’re endeavouring to make your journey as seamless as possible and apologise for any inconvenience this disruption may cause.

We’re committed to continuing to provide you with excellent customer service and will keep you abreast of any further changes from Sydney Airport.

FAQs

Where do I pick up my rental vehicle at Sydney airport?

Please proceed directly to the Budget counters inside the Terminal after disembarking your flight. 

Your vehicle rental must be processed at the Budget counters before transportation by shuttle bus from the dedicated kerbside stops outside the T2 and T3 Terminals.

Please allow approximately 30 minutes for the expected travel time for a one-way shuttle trip from T2 and T3 to the Budget vehicle collection point.

Once you have arrived at the Budget collection point, please proceed directly to the Bay numbered on your paperwork to collect your vehicle. The keys will already be in the vehicle so all you need to do is drive out of the carpark.

Where do I catch the bus to the new Avis and Budget location to pick up my rental vehicle?

Firstly, please complete your booking at the Budget rental counters in the terminals before proceeding to the dedicated kerbside pickup in T2 and T3 for the Free Shuttle Bus service. Staff will be available to direct you to the dedicated pick up areas.

Is there an Avis and Budget booth at the Sydney domestic airport?

Yes, there are dedicated Budget counters at both the T2 and T3 terminals near the baggage carousels. Please ensure you complete your booking at the counters before catching the Free Shuttle Bus to the location.

What hours are the transfer shuttle bus operating?

The free shuttle bus will be operating daily from 5am to 11.00pm.

Where do I drop off my rental vehicle at Sydney domestic airport?

• All vehicle returns will take place in the South-East Sector on the corner of Ross Smith Avenue and Butler Road (see map) and not at the P1 carpark
• If you are returning a vehicle from Sydney south or via the M5 motorway, please turn left into Butler Road from General Holmes Drive (BP Service Station) and then turn left into the Budget location.
• If you are returning from Sydney CBD, North or Eastern suburbs please turn right into General Holmes Drive from Southern Cross Drive. Turn left into Ross Smith Avenue and follow Ross Smith Avenue. Turn left at the roundabout and right into the Budget location.

Will I get transportation back to the domestic terminal after drop off?

Yes, you will be collected from the Budget location in a designated pick up area to be returned to Sydney Domestic Airport terminals.

Updated: 17 January 2024

Rent a car from Sydney Airport

Sydney is one of the biggest tourism hubs in Australia, if not the world! Every year, 10 million tourists visit the NSW capital from across the country, while 4 million come here from destinations across the world. Many of these tourists need cheap car hire in Sydney, and this is where we come in.

Looking for our cheap car hire desks at Sydney Airport? You'll find our car hire desks at both domestic and international terminals.

Sydney Airport Terminal 1 handles most international flights and also some Qantas domestic flights. At Terminal 1, simply head to the arrivals hall, and you'll see our Budget car hire desks there.

The other two terminals are mainly for domestic flights. At Terminal 2 or 3, head to the arrivals hall and look for our Budget car hire signs — you will be directed to the desks.

Once you've collected the keys, your car will be waiting for you on the ground floor of P7 in the multi-storey carpark area.

Our Car Hire Fleet

Cars

At our cheap car rental location in Sydney Airport, you'll find a wide range of different vehicles waiting for you. Our car fleet includes:

• Economy manual cars
  
• Eco-friendly cars
  
• Compact cars
  
• Intermediate-size cars
  
• Standard-size cars
  
• Full-size cars
  
• Compact SUVs
  
• Intermediate SUV car hire options
  
• Full-size 4WDs
  
• Full-size vans
  

You can even choose our Mystery Car option — the make, model and category of the car will be determined at our Budget car hire desk.

Looking for something a bit bigger or something more specific? Try our commercial vehicle hire services.

Commercial Vehicle Hire – Truck/Van/4WD/Ute/Bus

When you need something a bit bigger than a standard car hire option from our Sydney Airport team, try out our truck, van, 4WD, ute and bus hire. These commercial vehicles are perfectly suited to helping you carry out a range of different tasks. 

Contact us and make a booking — that way, as soon as you hit our mini-van, truck, or bus hire desks at Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport, you're good to go. 

Here's what we have in-store:

• A range of 4WDs, including large wagon and dual cab
  
• Utility vehicles
  
• Commercial vans
  
• Moving vans
  
• A range of tray sizes
  
• Buses with a range of seating options
  
• Refrigerated vans in a range of sizes
  
• And much more

Our Car Renting Deals & Offers

We are always looking for ways to help our customers get more when they search for cheap car rentals at Sydney Airport. With this in mind, we provide a range of car hire deals and offers, ensuring you can find the vehicle you need — without compromise and without breaking the bank. Take a look at what to expect.

Long term car rental

Perhaps you need to hire your car for a bit longer. Maybe you have a substantial trip in mind and are looking for car rental options that meet your requirements. Our long-term car rental options provide what you need.

One-Way Car Hire

It's not always convenient to bring the car back to us here at Sydney Airport. Instead, choose one-way car hire, and leave the vehicle at one of our many pick-up/drop-off locations.

Weekly Car Hire

Looking for a car rental agreement that covers your week-long stay in Sydney? A weekly car hire option from the international terminal at Sydney Airport could be the ideal choice.

Weekend Car Hire

You may only need your car or another vehicle for a weekend getaway in Sydney. View our deals for weekend car hire and find the rental agreement that best suits you.

Budget Fastbreak Service

Fastbreak Pick up: Proceed to the Budget Fastbreak line or Budget rental counter. Present your drivers licence and receive your rental agreement and keys.

Fastbreak Return: Park the vehicle and lock it. If a return agent is not available in the rental car park, proceed to the rental counter/office with your vehicle keys, mileage and fuel level. You can access your receipt online within 72 hours of returning your vehicle.

FAQs 

Booking

How much to hire a car from Sydney airport?

As one of the busiest airports in the world, car hire costs at Sydney Airport vary from day-to-day. To provide you with an estimate, we need to know more about your hire period, the car you want, and how long you need it for. When you choose one of the rentals at Avis.com.au, you’ll save money no matter which option you choose.

What cars can I choose to rent from Sydney Airport?

Budget offers a range of modern and well equipped cars from Sydney Airport. Choices include the small zippy Suzuki Swift or similar, the roomy Corolla Sedan or similar or the larger Toyota Camry sedan. If you’re travelling with the kids, consider the Nissan X-Trail or similar or with a larger group the Kia Carnival 8 seater or similar.

How much is it to hire a car for a day in Sydney?

Simply tell us how long you need to hire the car and which car you want, if you need additional drivers, and then we'll be able to provide you with an estimate. Use our handy calculator here.

Is it cheaper to hire a car from the airport?

We aim to provide you with the most convenient experience at the best price. Using Budget helps you to find a car right at the airport while keeping costs low.

Is it cheaper to pre-book a rental car?

We always recommend that you pre-book a car online using a debit or credit card. Rental rates are subject to change at any time. What's more, supply and demand can impact these rates and may affect availability too. So make sure you book as early as you can and avoid disappointment when hiring a car.

Is it better to hire a car online or at the airport?

Booking online is generally the best option. This gives you the chance to secure your vehicle and lock in your quoted price. However, rental rates are subject to change, and we can't guarantee that your chosen vehicle will be available at any given time. Therefore, it's always better to book in advance in order to avoid disappointment.

How old do you have to be to hire a car?

The minimum age to drive a vehicle with Budget is 21 years of age. All drivers must hold a current, full and valid drivers licence, that has been valid for a minimum of 12 consecutive months. A young driver surcharge may apply.

Do I need an Australian driving license to rent a car at Sydney Airport?

The Driver must (i) hold a full, current and valid driving licence (not being a learners licence or provisional licence), (ii) have an International Driving Permit (IDP) or official translation (if licence is not in Roman alphabet), (iii) have held their licence for minimum 12 consecutive months immediately prior to signing the Rental Agreement.

An International Driving Permit is not a stand-alone document and this must be carried with your valid domestic driving licence for it to be valid.

Digital drivers licences are only accepted in the issuing state. If you're travelling interstate you must present a physical (plastic) drivers licence.

Do I need a credit card?

Budget generally accepted credit and debit cards include; Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Diners Club. However, some locations may not accept all card types.

At commencement of rental, Budget does not accept a prepaid or reloadable stored value card, a travel money card or an EFTPOS card. Budget also does not accept cards presented on phones/watches and doesn't allow contactless payment methods such as pay-wave. A physical credit or debit card must be presented at the start of rental. At the end of the rental, some Budget locations will accept a prepaid or reloadable stored value card as a final form of payment.

Please Note: Rentals paid for by a valid credit/debit card will be subject to a card transaction fee of 1.29% (including GST) at time of pick-up.

Pay Now: If the names on the credit card do not match the credit card used at Reservation, it may be deemed as a non-permissible change to your Pay Now reservation. You may be required to cancel and re-book at the current rates (including any reasonable and applicable cancellation fees).

Budget Australia may require a customer renting a vehicle to complete a Rental Qualification Form and provide additional identification as it deems necessary or appropriate or in accordance with applicable law. Please see Rental Qualification Policy

What are the cancellation policies for renting a car?

You may cancel your booking at any time by calling reservations or managing your booking online.

For Pay Now reservations, depending on when you cancel, you may be charged a cancellation or no-show fee.

• If you need to cancel at least 24 hours prior to your scheduled pick-up time, you will be refunded the pre-paid amount less a cancellation fee of up to $82.50 AUD.

• If you need to cancel within 24 hours prior to the scheduled pick-up time, you will be refunded the pre-paid amount less a cancellation fee of up to $165.00 AUD.

• If the value of the reservation is less than the cancellation fee, you will not be charged any further amount and will not be entitled to any refund.

• If you fail to cancel your reservation prior to the pick-up time and do not collect the vehicle on the pick-up date, a no show fee of the entire prepaid amount will be forfeited.

• Amounts indicated above are inclusive of GST.

Driving 

How does toll work with rental car?

When you rent a car, you are responsible for any extra charge from tolls you encounter while you drive. However, paying the tolls is easy, thanks to Linkt. When you pass a toll, you won't have to do anything. The toll — plus a $3.30 service fee — will be charged to your Budget rental account.

Returning

What are you supposed to do before you return a rental car?

Please be sure to take all of your personal belongings out of the car before you bring it back to us. Please also make sure you return the vehicle to us with a full tank of petrol, and of course, keep the car clean and tidy while you use it.

Can I collect a car from Sydney Airport and return somewhere else?

You sure can! One way rentals are possible from Sydney Airport to locations all over Australia. Popular one way rentals include Sydney to Newcastle, Wollongong or even Melbourne. Enter your details in the search form for further information and to get a quote.

Can I return a car to the location after business hours?

There are select Budget locations that allow returns outside of business hours. Please contact the return location directly or contact the Budget Reservations team to check if this is possible on 1300 362 848.

Do I get a refund if I return my rental car early?

If you return the vehicle before the original return date (early return), you will not be refunded any portion of your payment. This does not detract from your rights as a consumer under applicable consumer protection legislation, including the Australian Consumer Law.

Can I return my rental car to a different location?

Yes. You can enjoy the added flexibility of returning your vehicle to a different location, additional fees and charges may apply.

Occasionally we have relocation deals for selected locations, so be sure to check out our latest offers or ask at the time of booking.

Can I earn Qantas Points when I rent with Budget?

Budget is a proud partner of the Qantas Frequent Flyer Program. If you’re a Qantas Frequent Flyer member, you can earn 4 points per dollar on eligible rentals when you rent with Budget in Australia and 700 points per rental overseas at any Budget worldwide location (excluding Alaska).

How to reach the Budget Car Hire desk from Sydney Airport

If you’re landing into Terminal 1, make your way to the arrivals hall, and you’ll see the car hire desks. After collecting your keys, go to the ground floor of the multi-storey P7 carpark. If you’re landing into Terminal 2 or 3, head to the arrivals hall and follow the signs for the Sydney Airport car hire desks.

Other locations in Sydney for Car Hire

We are the car hire company of choice for you in Sydney — this means we have plenty of other locations, not just the cheap car rental desks at Sydney Airport's international and domestic terminals! Take a look at our Sydney car hire page and find the closest pick-up/drop-off point to you.

Nearby Facilities

There are four petrol stations within a few kilometres of Sydney-Kingsford Airport. Two of these petrol stations are less than two kilometres from the pick-up/drop-off point.

Sydney Airport has good transport connections. This includes a rail link and bus terminal, joining the airport to downtown Sydney and the surrounding area.

Rent a car and explore Sydney

Sydney is blessed with plenty of incredible sights, landmarks and things to do. Take a look at our list of local attractions to check out in your hire car.

• Sydney Opera House
• Sydney Harbour Bridge
• Manly Beach
• Watsons Bay
• Circular Quay
• Balmain
• Mosman Bay
• Neutral Bay
• Double Bay
• Taronga Zoo
• Cockatoo Island
• Darling Harbour
• Sea Life Sydney Aquarium
• Madame Tussauds
•  The Powerhouse
• The National Maritime Museum
• The Blue Mountains

You'll have plenty of options to keep you occupied during your visit to Sydney and the rest of New South Wales. If you find yourself at a loss, just wandering around downtown will surely provide you with memorable moments.