Transport and getting around Sydney

Photo mertie.

We know that finding the best way around Sydney can be a daunting task. So we recommend, wherever possible, using Sydney’s excellent, convenient and economical public transport system to get around the whole of Greater Sydney.

Public transport across Sydney and in NSW

Sydney Trains Train services around Sydney suburbs and the CBD

NSW TrainLink Intercity and regional services including Blue Mountains, Central Coast, Newcastle, Southern Highlands, South Coast and beyond.

Buses Cover hundreds of routes in the cities, suburbs and beyond.

Sydney Ferries For travel on Sydney harbour and waterways.

Light Rail Services from Central Station to Paddy’s Market, Darling Harbour, The Star, Fish Markets and the inner western suburbs.

Sydney Trains provide services around the CBD and across metropolitan Sydney with connections to regional and interstate service provided by NSW TrainLink

Sydney Trains provide a very handy brochure which you can get from any Sydney railway station. The brochure has maps, details of phone apps, how to plan your trip, ticketing and information about public transport in NSW.

Planning your trip – train, bus, ferry and light rail

Go to www.transportnsw.info

This has a very handy trip planner with door-to-door walking and driving directions to help with your train, bus, ferry and light rail trip.

The site has maps, ticket and fare information, transport status alerts as well as information for accessible travel.

You can also call 131 500 to ask about timetables, trip advice and anything you would like to know about using public transport in Sydney. They are very helpful and the service is fantastic.

Sydney Trains Information Centres

Central Station
Grand Concourse, next to platform 4. Open 6.15am to 9.30pm, 7 days.
Circular Quay
Opposite Wharf 5, Alfred Street. Open 9am to 5pm, 7 days.
Town Hall Station
Main concourse, near exit to Queen Victoria Building (QVB). Open 9am to 5pm, 7 days.
Kings Cross Station
Main concourse near the ticket office. Open 8am to 12 noon then 2pm to 6pm, 7 days.

Phone Apps

To find and review the latest apps go to the LINK

Here is a selection mentioned in the Sydney Trains brochure:
TripGo Shows door to door transport options across metro Sydney.
Triptastic Shows you where you can go from your current location and has information about the next available service.
TripView Lets you view the next time for your bus, train or ferry trip and has an offline timetable viewer.
Arrivo Sydney Lets you view where you train or bus is, where nearby bus ticket sellers are and you will alert you when you are getting close to your stop.
TransitTimes+ A trip planner with offline timetables, service alerts and wheelchair accessibility info. As well as Sydney timetables are available for over 70 cities across Australia, New Zealand, the United States and Canada.

Accessible services

Trains All new station and trains are wheelchair accessible. However, some older stations may not have what you need so check first by going to www.transportnsw.info All stations have platform to train boarding ramps however it is best to let the station staff know beforehand.

General Many of Sydney’s attractions are easy to visit if you have a disability or need assistance. To avoid disappointment it is best to plan ahead and you can find out more by going to www.sydneyforall.com

Sydney Trains Ticketing

There are three general ticketing options as well as specials for family travel on Sundays and for pensioner and senior excursions.

Options are the Opal card (see below), MyTrain tickets available for single, return and off-peak train services etc. and My Multi for when you travel on more than one mode of public transport. For example a train and then a ferry, or bus then a train.

Where to buy tickets

You can purchase Opal cards online on the phone (see below).

MyTrain tickets are available from the station ticket office or a ticket vending machine. (All tickets are being phased out)

MyMulti are station ticket offices, Sydney Ferry ticket offices, ticket outlets and Transport Shops (at major bus interchanges). (All tickets are being phased out)

Opal Cards

This is the electronic ticketing system for use on all forms of public transport in Sydney, Blue Mountains, Central Coast, the Hunter, Illawarra and Southern Highlands and are replacing all tickets.

It’s like a debit card. You load it with funds and use it whenever you travel.

Tap your Opal card at the start of your trip on the Opal card readers at train stations, ferry wharves, on buses and at light rail stops. At the end of your trip tap off on a reader and the system automatically deducts the correct fare from the balance of your card. tap on and off at the Opal Card readers.

Tip: Make sure you tap off or you could use up all your funds.

We think Opal Card is the easiest way to pay for fares and to travel around Sydney.

There are 3 general cards coloured bronze and blue for adults, green for child/youth and silver for concession. Plus the seniors and pensioners card is gold.

To purchase or top up Opal cards and to find out more phone 13 67 25 or go to www.opal.com.au 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can also go to one of the 1,650 Opal card retailers and a full list is at www.retailers.opal.com.au

Airport Station Access Fee

There is station access fee of $13 (concession $11.60) on top of your normal fare, each time you use the Domestic and International Airport stations. For example, you will need to add $26 for a return trip to your normal fare.

Please note trains that go to the airport stations do not have any special facilities for passengers with luggage so you may have difficulties during busy times.

Flying into Sydney

Sydney Airport – Photo claytonjayscott.com

All domestic and international flights into Sydney arrive at Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport at Mascot in Eastern Sydney.
The fastest way to get to and from Sydney Airport and the Sydney CBD is by Airport Link train and then connect by rail, bus or ferry to the whole of Sydney. www.airportlink.com.au
Sydney Airport Flight Information and Parking Tel: (02) 9667 9111 www.sydneyairport.com.au

Taxi Services

Sydney Water Taxi – Photo ellesil

TAXIS NSW recommends you book a taxi through the accredited networks so that if there is any difficulty or you leave property behind, it is much easier to trace your particular cab and driver. Or use a regular taxi rank which are clearly signposted in major centres. To hail a taxi, raise your arm to signal the driver. Online list of taxi networks www.nswtaxi.org.au/passengers/bookATaxi

WATER TAXIS. Most are based at Circular Quay.

Coach Services

Central Station – Photo RaeAllen

SYDNEY COACH TERMINAL. Bay 13, Eddy Ave Central Railway Tel (02) 9281 9366 www.sydneycoachterminal.com.au
Bookings and tickets for intra and interstate coaches, Sydney & Bondi Explorer, baggage storage and passenger facilities incl. free internet. Ticket agents for Forster, Port Stephens, Premier, Firefly, Greyhound Coaches. Tickets also for Sydney Harbour Eco Hopper, Sydney Showboats and Magistic Cruises.

Local Advice – Visitor Information Centres

The Rocks Circular Quay – Photo JoyVanBuhler

For local advice and maps call into a Visitor Information Centre displaying this sign.

Driving around Sydney

Sydney is the Capital City of NSW and, as the home to nearly 5 million people, it is the most populous in Australia.
No wonder that visitors driving into and around Sydney can be daunted by its size and, due to its topography and geography, very complex road network.

RECOMMENDATION: Before you visit Sydney, visit www.sydneymotorways.com for a guide to using Sydney’s Orbital Network of motorways. Calculate the cost of your trip, check traffic conditions via live webcam, view interchange maps and find out about electronic tags and passes.
See our Sydney Toll Roads page

Sydney’s Motorways

OUR ADVICE. Wherever possible stay on the motorways and main arterial roads. Despite the tolls, visitors will find that it is the quickest, easiest, safest and most efficient way of getting into, around or through Sydney.

HOW TO PAY SYDNEY’S MOTORWAY TOLLS.
If you use a toll road without a tag or pass DON’T PANIC! Just get an eMU PASS from a NSW Motor Registry, or from a participating petrol station or convenience stores. Or phone 13 18 65 or go site.
Fines apply for non-payment of tolls. Interstate visitors can use Interstate e-tags on NSW toll roads. It’s a simple way to pay your tolls for up to 30 days without requiring a tag. Applies to RENTAL VEHICLES which are not already equipped for toll travel.

An electronic tag or pass is required to travel Southbound on the SYDNEY HARBOUR BRIDGE AND TUNNEL. Both are cashless and the toll you pay depends on the time of day you cross. Toll is cheapest outside peak hours and on weekends.

TOLL ROAD INFO & MAP 

Roadside Assistance

EMERGENCY ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE NRMA 13 1111 www.mynrma.com.au
You need to be a member or join on the spot when you require roadside assistance. Or use your interstate membership of an affiliated association.

Local Information

For local information and directions call into one of the VISITOR INFORMATION CENTRES

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