Sydney isn’t the easiest city to get around, but its public transport network is reliable, reasonably priced and easy to drive. But by far, the best way to enjoy getting around Sydney is to take a ferry or water taxi whenever possible.
Sydney’s transport network is as complex as its road system, which grows organically by marrying the various settlements around the harbour. The Sydney Harbor Bridge connects the North Shore to the city, with buses, cars and trains. – Along with pedestrians and cyclists – Across it, and the Harbor Tunnel is an alternative vehicular crossing.
In the summer months, you’ll also find much of it air-conditioned, although there’s nothing better than standing on the deck of a ferry crossing Sydney Harbour.
Entering the city of Sydney from the airport
If you are not renting a car, you have three options. Airport: Train, shuttle or taxi.
Trains depart from the terminal below, which is well signposted, but fares are quite high for short journeys into the city, considering you’ll have to travel further to your destination. Airport shuttle buses cost about $22 per person and will drop you off at your hotel in the city. If you are in a group, it may be cheaper to take a taxi. Fares from the airport to the city center and neighboring suburbs are around $50, which isn’t bad when split between passengers.
Get yourself an Opal Card on arrival.
Sydney’s public transport network operates on a ticketing system called opal stone. You tap in with your Opal card when you start your trip and then tap out when you’re done. The system calculates and deducts the correct fare. Fares are based on the distance you travel and the mode of transport (ferry, bus, train, light rail). Electronic readers are located at train and metro station gates, inside bus doors, light rail platforms and ferry crossings.
Opal cards can be ordered online or purchased in person from a number of Sydney newsagents and convenience stores. They must be loaded with credit ($20 minimum/$10 adult/child; $35 at the airport station, to cover fees in the city).
Note: You can only get a refund on unused credit in an Australian bank account, so it’s best to keep an eye on your balance and only top up when you need to towards the end of your stay.
Daily (and weekly) rental charges are limited; Look up the current fare cap online, but in 2023 it’s $17.80 for weekdays and $50 for weekends. On weekends, the maximum daily fare is half the regular daily fee, making weekends a great time to venture further afield, such as Palm Beach or the Blue Mountains.
Other ways to pay for public transport
You can use your contactless credit card or smartphone at electronic readers, but you may incur additional international bank fees for the transaction.
If you are traveling one-way, you can choose to buy single-trip opal tickets from bus drivers and from ticket offices at Circular Quay or major train stations. Unfortunately, you need to buy a new ticket if you change to a new mode of transport, so it’s almost always easier to get a rechargeable Opel card.
The joy of catching a ferry to Sydney
Most Transport NSW ferries operate between 6am and midnight and also use the Opal ticketing system. Most run twice an hour. You check again. Time table online. Standard adult one-way fares are just over $6 for most port destinations, but ferries to further destinations such as Manly, Sydney Olympic Park and Parramatta are close to $8.
There are also private ferry operators operating in Sydney, such as the Manly Fast Ferry, which travels from Circular Quay to Manly in 18 minutes. Captain Cook Cruises is another private organization that offers services around the harbor and to Lane Cove with several stops.
How about zipping around Sydney in a water taxi?
Water taxis are a quick way to get around the harbor (eg from Circular Quay to Watsons Bay in 15 minutes). Companies will quote at any pick-up point within the harbor and river, including private jetties, islands and other boats. All have a quote generator on their websites; You can add additional cruise time for short excursions. This is often a good value for groups.
Look for similar companies H2O Maxi Taxi. And Water taxis shared.
Sydney’s buses are reliable – and air-conditioned.
Transport NSW Operates an extensive bus network, operating from approximately 4:30am to midnight, when less frequent NightRide services begin.
Bus routes beginning with M or E indicate express routes. Those with L have similarly limited stops. All are slightly faster than regular bus lines.
There are several bus hubs in the city centre: Wynyard Park via Wynyard train station; Railway Square by Central Station; QVB near Town Hall Station; and Circular Quay via the ferry, train and light rail stops of the same name.
You tap it when you get on, and remember to tap when you get off the bus, or you’ll be charged the maximum fare. Have your card ready when the bus starts and gets off.
The trains are good, but they don’t reach the beaches of Sydney.
Sydney has a large suburban railway web with relatively frequent services, although there are no lines to the north or east coasts (ie, Manly or Bondi).
Trains run from 5 am to midnight. You will need to find one. Night Ride Bus in the small hours. These mostly originate from around Town Hall Station and pass through Railway Square at Central Station.
Note that trains are significantly more expensive during peak hours, which are Monday to Friday 7am to 9am and 4pm to 6:30pm. If you can travel outside of peak hours, you will also be more comfortable.
Sydney’s light rail trams are a plus.
Light Rail Tram The services are relatively new to Sydney. Well, that’s not quite true. Sydney had an extensive tram network from the 1870s until 1961, when it was discontinued because the trams slowed down cars and caused congestion on the roads.
Today there are two integrated paths. One runs between Central Station and Dulwich Hill, stopping at Chinatown, Darling Harbour, Star Casino, Sydney Fish Market, Glebe and Lechhard along the way.
The second runs from Circular Quay through the city center to Central Station, then heads east through Surrey Hills, past the Sydney Cricket Ground and on to Kingsford, with a branch to Randwick. Pedestrians should look out for these light rail trams when crossing the tracks, as they are fast and fairly quiet.
Driving in Sydney has its drawbacks.
Sydney’s geography really cuts across different parts of the city. Between the harbour, narrow streets and winding mountain roads, no car journey is quick or easy. Traffic can be a real problem. App along with Google Maps Live Traffic NSW Provides the latest news on events and situations affecting travel in Sydney.
Parking is expensive on the street and in private parking lots. Most machines take cards as well as coins. The cheapest way to park in the city center is to pre-book online. Wilson Parking has particularly attractive rates. Parkopedia It is very helpful to find the cheapest rates around where you want to park.
There is Tolls on most of Sydney’s motorways and major links (Including Harbor Bridge, Harbor Tunnel, Cross City Tunnel, West Connex and Eastern Distributor). The tolling system is electronic, meaning it is up to you to manage an electronic tag (e-tag) or guest pass. See the Transport NSW website for different e-tag options. Most car rental companies provide e-tags, but they may try to upsell you. Read the fine print.
Sydney is navigable without a car.
The only reason to hire a car in Sydney is to take it for a day trip out of the city. The public transport system takes you anywhere – even to the Blue Mountains – and catching the ferry across the harbor to Manly Beach is one of those must-see Sydney experiences. The northern beaches are less accessible without a car, but it can be done. Similarly, Bondi is a track accessible by train and bus. But did we mention traffic? You’re almost always better off on public transport anyway.
In other road news, Sydney announced that as part of its long-term goal of doubling the number of koalas in New South Wales by 2050, one of its main roads outside the city, Appin Road, which runs south-west leads to, adding a dedicated koala crossing with
Cycling in Sydney is not for beginners.
Cycling conditions are improving, but Sydney isn’t the most bike-friendly city, and it’s not just because of the hills!
Dubbed “the city that hates bikes” in 2010 – partly due to aggression from car drivers and partly due to a lack of safe cycling infrastructure – cycle your way around for leisurely cycling. More likely to rent. Olympic Park or Centennial Park Use one to get from A to B at this stage of Sydney’s development.
Traveling to Sydney with a baby
Sydney is reasonably accessible for traveling with a pram or stroller, with most transport, including ferries, offering lifts and ramps for boarding. Look for the wheel chair symbol to find exits and routes associated with buildings such as the Queen Victoria Building.
You can choose “Accessible Travel” to plan your trip. Transport NSW website. Children three and under travel free on Sydney Public Transit. From four to 15 years, you will need to get a separate Child Opal Card for them.
For an extra cost, car hire companies will provide and fit child safety seats (these are compulsory for children under seven in Australia).
These are the best tours in Sydney by public transport.
- Bus 389 Interesting bus route from Darling Harbor to Bondi Junction.
- Bus B1 Express bus from Vineyard to North Shore.
- City Circle It does a loop of the city’s train stations, making it convenient to most attractions in the centre.
- T1 There is a northbound train line that crosses the Harbor Bridge.
- F1 There is the Manly Ferry, a wonderful half-hour cruise from Circular Quay.
- F4 There is a scenic ferry ride that takes you from Circular Quay to Watsons Bay via Rose Bay.
The best smartphone apps for using Sydney’s transport network
There are several apps available for Sydney Transport with up-to-date information. TripView is an app offered by Transport NSW. In addition, you may want to try:
- City Mapper
- AnyTrip
- Moovit
- Next there
- TripGo
This article was first published on July 31, 2021 and was updated on November 5, 2023.