Originally Posted by
iahphx
It looks like my family will have a one-day layover in SYD next year. We'd like to take the kids on a quick tour of the sights. I'd much prefer to just take the Airport Link into town. But even if I get a discount on the kids, the train is expensive. In contrast, I can pick up a rental car at the airport for basically nothing using my Hertz points. Would I regret doing so? And I recall there are some "cashless" tolls I might run into along the way. Would that be a hassle/expense to deal with?
Pretty much all rentals come with an e-tag now, the tolls will just be added to your final bill. There are plenty of choices for refilling the tank prior to drop-off, and it will be full when you pickup the car.
Sydney is a ..... to get around via any mode of transport, but if you want to go anywhere other than the CBD you're really better off with a car. Getting a taxi FROM The airport is no problem, getting one back (depending on the time and location) can be a right pain in the arse, I've waited over an hour for a cab at a 5* hotel in Sydney, with the hotel staff doing their utmost for me and the dozen or so others waiting to no avail.
Prebook a car with a GPS and you'll be fine.