How to Save Money When Hiring a Car in Sydney
By Mairead Foley

Whether you're travelling or touring in Sydney, Australia for business or pleasure the best way to travel around the area is by car. And to help you suss out the best way of bagging a bargain deal we've thrown together the following guidelines on how to save money when you hire a car in Sydney.

Shop Around… The best way to save money when hiring a car in Sydney is to shop around and ensure you know what the hire car includes. Not all Sydney car rental companies include the following:

3rd Party Insurance. Vehicle Damage Cover (sometime called Collision Damage Waiver). Theft Protection. Airport & Location Taxes. Unlimited Mileage. 24-hour Roadside Assistance.

Check Insurance Coverage…

Most car rental companies in the Sydney area will include insurance within their quotations but then when you get to the pick-up desk, you may be offered additional insurance at an additional fee. It's entirely your choice if you wish to avail of any additional insurance that may provide extra coverage. Just make sure you read the small print and satisfy yourself that you're entirely happy with what's being offered to you.

Collection & Drop-Off Times…

When planning your itinerary around the Sydney area you should be aware that if you drop your car back to a location that is different to your pick up location, you might incur an additional charge. The extra fee compensates for the car hire company returning the vehicle back to the original pick-up point.

Within Sydney, the opening hours of each car rental company depot varies from one pick-up location to another. Therefore, if you're collecting your car outside of office hours (referred to as 'out of hours') then you may incur an additional fee for these arrangements.

Choose a Car Type to Suit Your Needs…

As is the case with all car hire and not just in Sydney, the car model you choose affects the overall price of the rental, so the smaller the car the cheaper the hire charge. It's however important you consider the number of passengers and pieces of luggage before you book that car so make sure that your choice of vehicle will definitely meet your requirements.

Be Aware of the Drivers Age…

The minimum age of a driver for car rental in Sydney (and all over Australia) is 21 years.

Additional drivers can incur an additional fee however some companies in Sydney may let the first additional driver go free. Again, please check the terms and conditions of the car rental company before you confirm that booking.

Find Out About Any Extras…

In Sydney, you'll find that extras such as baby seats, ski racks, GPS systems, etc. will incur an additional fee with most car rental companies. Not everything may be clearly outlined when booking your car rental so it's best to read over the car rental terms and conditions as these may affect the overall price of your rental.