Australia, New Zealand & the South Pacific - Do we need a rental car in Sydney?

There will be 5 of us visiting Australia and we will probably be spending about a week in Sydney. Do we need to rent a car during our stay in Sydney? It seems that Sydney has a very decent public transport & ferry system. We plan on purchasing the transit pass that allows us to use all the public transport. Also, I'd hate to spend the $$ renting the car just to have the car sitting in the hotel parking lot and then also paying $$ for hotel parking if we really don't need one.

Is it possible to get to the hotels (probably staying at the Sheraton) via public transport or shared van/bus type of transfer?

I guess if we really needed a car for a day's excursions outside the reach of public transport, hopefully our hotel would have a rental car agency nearby? The Sheraton website says that there is a "car rental service" available but I don't know what that means. Is there a car rental agency in the lobby or just that they can put us in touch with a car rental agency nearby?

Usually when we travel we try not to rent a car if at all possible.

Thanks,

Onedog

I just happen to have mentioned the close proximity of the SOTP to a subway station on your other thread. :) The SOTP is also on a major road with many buses that will take you to the eastern suburbs, e.g., Bondi.

SOTP is along Hyde Park, on the other side of it is William St, where many car rental companies are. I don't recall seeing a rental agency in SOTP.

I'd consider renting a car if you're going to the Hunter Valley or the Blue Mountains; otherwise walking and public transport will be more than sufficient.

Sydney CBD parking is pretty expensive so I would be renting a car for day trips and handing it straight back.
Plenty of car rental agencys on William st with Bayswater being the cheapest.

Sydney city does indeed have good public transport options. Particularly if staying at the Sheraton on the Park, you could take the airport train to St James station, just across the street. The New South Wales Government transport information website (www.131500.info) can give you an idea if you can get to where you want to go using public transport.
Enjoy your visit!

Sydney city rail maps here (http://www.cityrail.info/networkmaps/index.jsp) & here (http://www.railpage.org.au/railmaps/sydney.htm). If staying in the central city area you don't need a car.

Sydney city rail maps here (http://www.cityrail.info/networkmaps/index.jsp) & here (http://www.railpage.org.au/railmaps/sydney.htm). If staying in the central city area you don't need a car.

Thanks for the link. The 2nd map is fantastic. Can we actually access the rail network from the airport terminal (international arrivals in our case) similar to accessing the Underground at LHR, or do we have to leave the airport via shuttle bus to the rail stop like the convoluted situation here at LAX.

Since there will be 5 of us, it looks like the Family Pass is our best option (with paying adult, 1st kid is 50% and the 2nd kid is free).

Thanks,

Onedog

Can we actually access the rail network from the airport terminal (international arrivals in our case) similar to accessing the Underground at LHR, or do we have to leave the airport via shuttle bus to the rail stop like the convoluted situation here at LAX.Direct access to rail from the terminal. No shuttle bus or other transfer needed. However with 5 of you worth checking the cost of a taxi.

I would argue that Sydney public transport is adequate, although not fantastic. The other problem with having a rental car is that there are many toll roads, traffic at (and around) peak times can be frustratingly jammed in the city and parking at your destination (say the beach) can also be problematic and another cost.

Taking a taxi to destinations may be a little more expensive than public transport, but with kids, it may be a viable alternative for you occassionally. A taxi from the Airport to your hotel may be only a little more expensive than the train - someone else might be able to confirm this. The train is about $40. A taxi would be less than $50?

I think you may need a rental car. You need one for things off the beaten path and for things outside the city. If you aren't going to any of those places, then you don't need a car.

I see that you are from Los Angeles. The situation may be similar to New York. If you are visiting the Empire State Building and Lincoln Center, a car is not helpful. If you want to visit something in New Jersey, that's a different story.

We got a rental car in Sydney, and we wound up returning it the afternoon of our first day there. We found driving and parking to be very difficult, and we did just fine with public transit.

And have you driven a right hand drive car ? The steering wheel on our cars is on the right hand side (like England). If you are not familiar with driving right hand drive tackling Sydney traffic may be a challenge.

I would argue that Sydney public transport is adequate, although not fantastic. The other problem with having a rental car is that there are many toll roads, traffic at (and around) peak times can be frustratingly jammed in the city and parking at your destination (say the beach) can also be problematic and another cost.

Taking a taxi to destinations may be a little more expensive than public transport, but with kids, it may be a viable alternative for you occassionally. A taxi from the Airport to your hotel may be only a little more expensive than the train - someone else might be able to confirm this. The train is about $40. A taxi would be less than $50?

I would definately say take a taxi. It will probably work out cheaper than the train. Assuming the OP is 3 children 2 adults then the train to St James (closest to the Sheraton) will cost 3*$10 and 2*$14.80 = $59.60

The trains aren't that expensive in Sydney it's only the airport train.

I would definately say take a taxi. It will probably work out cheaper than the train. Assuming the OP is 3 children 2 adults then the train to St James (closest to the Sheraton) will cost 3*$10 and 2*$14.80 = $59.60 In Sydney, you only pay for the FIRST child (when travelling with parents or grandparents) so two of the children will be free. This will bring the cost down to $39.60. (See CityRail website (http://www.cityrail.info/fares/day_tickets.jsp) and scroll down to Family Fares).

Also, as far as cabs go, you won't find a five-seater taxi, so you will have to request a maxi-taxi. With maxi-taxis, the standard fare is charged with five or less people UNLESS YOU SPECIFICALLY REQUEST a maxi-taxi. So unless you are prepared to stand at the rank at the airport and wait for a maxi-taxi to come along, you will be looking at two cabs, so two cab fares.

Dave

Also, as far as cabs go, you won't find a five-seater taxi, so you will have to request a maxi-taxi. With maxi-taxis, the standard fare is charged with five or less people UNLESS YOU SPECIFICALLY REQUEST a maxi-taxi. So unless you are prepared to stand at the rank at the airport and wait for a maxi-taxi to come along, you will be looking at two cabs, so two cab fares.

Dave

IME there is normally next to no wait, they just stick you on the other side and one is pulled out of the waiting area.

And have you driven a right hand drive car ? The steering wheel on our cars is on the right hand side (like England). If you are not familiar with driving right hand drive tackling Sydney traffic may be a challenge.

This in one thing I am not looking forward to tackling. I have driven right hand drive before, but not with two young kids fooling around and making all sorts of distracting racket in the back seat.

I would definately say take a taxi. It will probably work out cheaper than the train. Assuming the OP is 3 children 2 adults then the train to St James (closest to the Sheraton) will cost 3*$10 and 2*$14.80 = $59.60

The trains aren't that expensive in Sydney it's only the airport train.

Three adults and two kids, with luggage for 17 days in June (so we will have to actually bring a couple of sweaters and long pants).

Onedog

In Sydney, you only pay for the FIRST child (when travelling with parents or grandparents) so two of the children will be free. This will bring the cost down to $39.60. (See CityRail website (http://www.cityrail.info/fares/day_tickets.jsp) and scroll down to Family Fares).

Also, as far as cabs go, you won't find a five-seater taxi, so you will have to request a maxi-taxi. With maxi-taxis, the standard fare is charged with five or less people UNLESS YOU SPECIFICALLY REQUEST a maxi-taxi. So unless you are prepared to stand at the rank at the airport and wait for a maxi-taxi to come along, you will be looking at two cabs, so two cab fares.

Dave

Is a Maxi-Taxi similar to a mini-van or wagon? If we were to specifically request a maxi-taxi, what is the additional cost (I am assuming some type of surcharge?)?

If we just get in the taxi line and indicate 5 passengers, are maxi-taxis readily available? When we arrive home to LAX and need a taxi to get home, when we get close to the front of the taxi line I give the taxi attendant a heads up that there are 5 of us and we need a mini-van. We usually have to wait a couple to ten extra minutes for a minivan to show up from the waiting lot, but there isn't an extra charge.

Thanks,

Onedog

I think you may need a rental car. You need one for things off the beaten path and for things outside the city. If you aren't going to any of those places, then you don't need a car.

I see that you are from Los Angeles. The situation may be similar to New York. If you are visiting the Empire State Building and Lincoln Center, a car is not helpful. If you want to visit something in New Jersey, that's a different story.


We are leaning towards renting a car on a daily basis for the odd trip outside of Sydney proper that in not reasonably reachable by public transport. Such a waste to pay $$ for daily rental fees & parking charges if we are not going to be using the car every day.

We did this in Hawaii the last time we were there. I walked down the street to Avis & Hertz and rented a car on a daily basis. No need to pay the $$ for nightly parking, and I got FF miles for every rental!!

Thanks,

Onedog

Is a Maxi-Taxi similar to a mini-van or wagon? If we were to specifically request a maxi-taxi, what is the additional cost (I am assuming some type of surcharge?)?

If we just get in the taxi line and indicate 5 passengers, are maxi-taxis readily available? When we arrive home to LAX and need a taxi to get home, when we get close to the front of the taxi line I give the taxi attendant a heads up that there are 5 of us and we need a mini-van. We usually have to wait a couple to ten extra minutes for a minivan to show up from the waiting lot, but there isn't an extra charge.

Thanks,

Onedog

Yes, a maxi-taxi is similar to a minivan. There are also taxi stationwagons that carry five passengers and are the normal taxi fare. There is a reasonable chance that one of these will be around.

Renting a car for the day (or two) probably sounds like a good compromise for you. Once you get to Sydney and work out where you want to go and look at your options, it will become clearer. A Toyota, Holden or Ford family sedan comes standard with air-con and automatic so are very comfortable and easy to drive. You will just want to make sure you get the sat-nav option (if it isn't standard) as it will make your travel much easier (many one-way streets in Sydney city).

Good Luck.

Yes, a maxi-taxi is similar to a minivan. There are also taxi stationwagons that carry five passengers and are the normal taxi fare. There is a reasonable chance that one of these will be around. No there aren't - in NSW, metropolitan taxis cannot be any older than 6.5 years from the date on the compliance plate. Under Australian Design Rules (ADR's), ALL seatbelts have to be lap-sash (as opposed to lap only). These ADR's have been inforce for over 6.5 years.

Since it is not possible to have a lap-sash seatbelt with a bench seat in the front, it is therefore not possible to have a sedan/station wagon capable of carrying five passengers which is less than 6.5 years old.

So a maxi-taxi is the only option (in NSW) for carrying five (or more) passengers.

Dave

Another option for getting between the Airport and your hotel is the airport shuttle bus by KST.

http://www.kst.com.au/airport.php

Another option for getting between the Airport and your hotel is the airport shuttle bus by KST.

http://www.kst.com.au/airport.php


Thanks Stockycub1973. This is very interesting. We have taken these types of "public" transportation in many cities and have been generally very pleased. Usually cheaper and more comfortable than a taxi.

I have sent them an email asking for a price quote for 5 travelers (thier website mentioned group rate for 5 travelers). Return transportation for A$22 (before group discount) for door to door service may be something that the Mrs. is more comfortable with and is reasonably price competitive to a taxi.

I'm still trying to research the trains from the airport.

Thanks,

Onedog

No there aren't - in NSW, metropolitan taxis cannot be any older than 6.5 years
Dave

I stand corrected.

The Sydney Airport website has :
"Kerbside supervisors can also organise taxis with baby capsules, wheelchair access, 5 seaters, station wagons for lots of baggage, and maxi taxis for groups."

If it were me, I would be taking a taxi. A few extra dollars is a lot of less hassle. (Although, I will make no guarantees to how well maintained the taxi is and how knowledgeable the driver is. Sometimes it can be a bit hit-and-miss.)

Another option for getting between the Airport and your hotel is the airport shuttle bus by KST.

http://www.kst.com.au/airport.php Avoid that lot like the plague - they will take your money and THEN tell you that they need a full load before they can leave. People have been known to wait in excess of 30 minutes.

Dave

Avoid that lot like the plague - they will take your money and THEN tell you that they need a full load before they can leave. People have been known to wait in excess of 30 minutes.

Dave

Ouch! :mad:

THe shared ride vans here at LAX use to be like that. They would take your $$ and load you into the van, and then tell you that they needed to fill the van before they could leave the airport. So they would circle around and around and around until they had enough people to make the drive out to their destination (San Fernando Valley, Korea Town, Long Beach, etc.) worthwhile. People would get sooooo mad.

I think now the shared ride vans at LAX can only circle the airport 3x before they must leave for thier destination.

I guess we won't be using these guys.

Thanks for the heads up,

Onedog

No no no no no!

Usually I am a big fan of car rentals, but it absolutely not necessary in Sydney. As tourists with a toddler we had no problems taking public transit (or cheap taxis) everywhere including bondi beach. Sydney is very walkable, and many of the sights are relatively close.

However, if you have 5 people incoming from SYD, why would you not simply take a taxi? I think it cost us about $20-25 Aus, very cheap by US standards. Remember you are on vacation, time is money.