Transportation in Sydney
Defined by its harbour, Sydney is a place of nooks and crannies. Explore its inner suburbs on foot or by pedal-power to a get a feel for their idiosyncrasies.Circular Quay is where the inner city meets the harbour. Late 18th-century precinct The Rocks is a mere hop, skip and a jump away, as is the central business district and its adjoining Chinatown neighbourhood. Sparkling Darling Harbour and the emerging Woolloomooloo overlook the harbour waters.Further afield, between the centre and the sea, and linked by an extensive bus network, are photogenic Paddington, Darlinghurst and Surry Hills, as well as sun-bronzed Bondi. West and south-west of the city are Glebe and Newtown. Slide over to the north shore for establishment Sydney. Coastal Manly is best reached by ferry.
Read more about transport from and to the airport
Bus
Explore Sydney's eastern suburbs by bus, as there is only one train line in the area linking the city centre and Bondi Junction. Tickets are sold by sections. If you're unsure, opt for the DayTripper and BusTripper tickets.
Ferry
Catching a ferry is not a tourist rarity in Sydney but an everyday part of getting around. The ferry system is extensive and radiates from Circular Quay. A ferry ride to Manly is a must and, at peak periods, it is served by high-speed catamaran. Special passes for ferries to Taronga Zoo and the Aquarium are available. Tickets are based on zones travelled.
Taxi
Hail one of Sydney's abundant taxis off the street or at taxi ranks at Circular Quay, Wynyard Station and Central Station. Prices are fixed and signposted and cabs can be booked ahead by phone.
Monorail and Light Rail
A monorail line links central Sydney with Darling Harbour every three to five minutes until late at night. Trams run along the new metro light-rail line 24 hours a day, linking Central Station with Pyrmont, the Fish Market, Glebe and Rozelle Bay via Chinatown, Darling Harbour and the casino.
Train
Visit parts of Sydney further afield by train. Many suburban lines do a loop of the central business district (CBD), although there are also dedicated lines connecting suburbs. The main city train stations are Circular Quay beside the harbour and Central Station at the bottom end of the CBD.
Rent your car
In Sydney traffic travels on the left and most cars are therefore right-hand drive. Sydney Harbour Bridge is a cashless toll bridge, so visitors need to buy a toll pass beforehand (see www.rta.nsw.gov.au). Most parking meters take coin, credit card and even mobile-phone payments, and rates vary according to time and location.
Transportation Tips
Opt for the DayTripper and BusTripper tickets, which provide unlimited travel for a day. The DayTripper ticket covers all regular Sydney bus and ferry services as well as all suburban City Rail services. More expensive, but packed with extra features, are three-, five- and seven-day SydneyPass, Sydney Explorer and Bondi Explorer tickets.
