Hire car in SYD or public transport for same day trip?

[QF WP]

I have a trip on Thursday 13th to SYD - arrive at 8.05am and depart at 9pm.

This is the first time I have considered renting from Sydney Airport - normally I catch a train into appointments that are mostly in CBD and North Sydney, but my appointments this trip start at Macquarie Park (9.30am), then Nth Sydney, CBD and finally Fairfield East in the afternoon, before heading back to SYD for my 9pm departure.

When considering the train timetables, cost and time; I was considering whether it is going to be better to hire a car - but I haven't driven in SYD for a long time and given that I am traversing the city, it makes me a little unsure of my abilities. I will have my own GPS (Navman), so that gives me some comfort - I'll just have to accept where it takes me . I suppose I also need to consider tolls as well

Then I checked the Hertz prices and now understand why I don't hire a car in SYD - give me ADL prices any day

What is the consensus. Do I buy separate train tickets or hire a car?

 

[QF WP]

These are Pres Circke prices



If I'm going to hire, I might as well spend the extra $15 and get the BMW

Then I have to consider finding parking (and the cost) in Macquarie Park (less of an issue, client works for large company with parking) and in North Sydney.

 

[QF WP]

Public transport looks like a Multi Pass @ $23 + Gate Pass return @ $25 (total $48). Then to try and get from appointments on time using the timetables

If I use the train, what is the best App to download?

 

[Princess Fiona]

It's $68 to hire a group A car via Avis.co.uk

 

[markis10]

Its probably too late to join now but at $60 a day plus the cost of transport to the city pickup the 247 is a good alternative

Hertz 24/7 - Australia - Join for FREE!

 

[QF WP]

It's $68 to hire a group A car via Avis.co.uk

Nice one Princess Fiona - clever little trick. Similar via .au site was $110.84

Best price £41.30 per rental​

 

[Princess Fiona]

Nice one Princess Fiona - clever little trick. Similar via .au site was $110.84

Best price £41.30 per rental​

Doesn't always work but when it does it's a good deal

Also, I've always been charged the quoted amount and never a cent more.

 

[QF WP]

Its probably too late to join now but at $60 a day plus the cost of transport to the city pickup the 247 is a good alternative

Hertz 24/7 - Australia - Join for FREE!

I'll have to research this for future trips - do you use it markis10.??

 

[markis10]

I'll have to research this for future trips - do you use it markis10.??

I have not yet as I dont have a need to go to Sydney or OOL, Flexicar in Melbourne might be something I will be using soon though.

 

[QF WP]

Avis prices ex-Aus Avis App:



Ah no thanks, I'd rather book through .uk instead


But interestingly the iPhone search using the .uk website shows the .au prices, but on laptop it's much cheaper - I'll have that thanks



The QF site simply grabs the same details that Hertz, Avis, Budget & Thrifty - starting at $100.82 (Budget).

 

[markis10]

If you ever have a need for two days rental, always look at the four day pricing, its often cheaper!

 

[suze2000]

Completely OT but I recently drove a Camry from Alice Springs to Sydney for the grand price of $260 (7 days hire). In that context, your $100/day seems a lot. :shock:

A combination of public transport and taxis might turn out to be cheaper than a car and parking in the CBD for any length of time.

 

[QF WP]

suze2000, after some changes in appointments yesterday (time wise), I'm now spending more time in the CBD than previously, so those costs now outweigh the cheaper car hire through hertz.co.uk + petrol.

Now to search for the App

 

[erkpod]

For an app, look at TripView. There's a free version & a paid version. I swear by it.

 

[SeatBackForward]

If you do go with Hertz, make sure you get the $9.95/day tolls options from them, this covers ALL tolls for each day of hire, which if you travel as per your plans on the motorways in Sydney will cost you significantly more than $10. I would also suggest that parking in Nth Sydney and the CBD is not only a PITA but very $$$ during daytime hours.

The train might be a good option,as the line out to MacQ park is well serviced, and you only need to change once at Central. You could also train it out to Fairfield, or if time is rushed then a taxi perhaps? (although a taxi would be the same as the hire car cost probably). One good aspect is that from Fairfield to the airport you will be against traffic in the afternoon.

ETA: just noted the change in plans, increased time in CBD = increased parking $$, train it, or if you have to, consider picking up a hire car from CBD and returning to airport.

 

[erkpod]

For CBD/North Sydney only, there's no question about my answer - train.

 

[QF WP]

SeatBackForward, yes one client changed from CBD to their North Sydney office and earlier; the other one I am waiting to hear whether CBD or Paddington. Either way, max of 4.5hrs parking in CBD hit this option out of the park.

Normally I would travel to Fairfield with clients daughter (who is also my friend + translator) - she works at Nth Syd. We just arrange which train and carriage by SMS, if I can't get meet her at Nth Syd station.

 

[markis10]

SeatBackForward, yes one client changes from CBD to their North Sydney office and earlier; the other one I am waiting to hear whether CBD or Paddington. Either way, max of 4.5hrs parking in CBD hit this option out of the park.

Normally I would travel to Fairfield with clients daughter (who is also my friend + translator) - she works at Nth Syd. We just arrange which train and carriage by SMS, if I can't get meet her at Nth Syd station.

Would have made 247 very viable, I would sign up for the next trip.

 

[SeatBackForward]

A Taxi to Mcq Park from the Airport is going to cost about $75 + Tolls
CBD/Nth Sydney Parking in business hours can be about $20/hr
IMO, the only thing working in your favour for the hire car option is that you are generally avoiding peak traffic.

If you've got the time to be able to use public transport, I'd recommend it.

 

[QF WP]

What a long day, which is why I don't do day trips often.

Up at 3:45 for the 5:30 flight and ATC delayed us both on the ground in BNE and mid-air.

Add that to a long line to get my train tickets, I made the first appt 30 mins late (exactly the delay time). But I would not have felt as relaxed driving a car, so glad I made the choice.

The rest of the day went to plan and even had 2 hours post-lunch meeting to get some meeting notes finished.

Back at the QC enjoying a G&T, so here's to you



Many thanks to those that gave suggestions and I have certainly taken away knowledge for the future.

Will be in bed by 10:15 and enjoying done shut eye