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Home , Circular Quay, City Circle, Darling Harbour, King Street Wharf, NSW TrainLink, Opal card

TRANSPORT IN

The best way to get around Sydney is by public transport. Sydney’s public transport system features a comprehensive network of , bus and services, light rail lines, airport links; hop-on, hop-off sightseeing buses and taxis. Alternatively, visitors may choose to explore Sydney and surrounds by hiring a and travelling independently.

Sydney transport For general information about timetables, fares, tickets and trip planning visit transportnsw.info or contact 131 500 (24 hours, 7 days). Public transport information centres located around the city provide timetable and general transport information. The Transport Customer Service Centre is open 7am to 7pm Monday to Friday and 8.30am to 5pm on weekends. It is located opposite Wharf 5 at on Alfred Street. Transport shops are located at major bus interchanges at Circular Quay, Wynyard, Queen Building and Railway Square and are open Monday to Friday from 7am to 7pm. Information offices are located at Central and Town Hall Stations. Central Station is open from 6.15am to 9.30pm daily and Town Hall is open from Monday to Saturday 9am to 5pm.

Opal card Sydney Harbour aerial Opal is an electronic ticketing system and is an easy, convenient way of paying for your travel on public transport. It is the only card visitors need to use on all public transport including , , buses and light rail. Purchase an once and add value to it by topping up online or at retailers around Sydney. Simply tap on a card reader at the start of each trip and tap off at the end. The Opal system will automatically deduct the correct fare from the card. The adult Opal card is for customers 16 years of age and over. The child/youth Opal card is for children aged 4 to 15 years inclusive. Opal card Image courtesy of Transport NSW Where can visitors get an Opal card?

In Sydney Find the nearest Opal Card retailer go to retailers.opal.com.au or look for the Opal symbol at retail outlets.

Planning a trip to Sydney Order an Opal card online at opal.com.au/ordercard Delivery takes around five to seven working days.

Sightseeing, Wharf

Current as at 1 May 2015 What to do with the Opal card at the end of the stay?

If visitors have credit remaining on their Opal card they can: • keep it until their next visit • give it to friends or family • get a refund on their Opal card.

For more information go to opal.com.au

Sydney Trains operate on a city-loop with stops at Central, Town Hall, Wynyard, Museum, Circular Quay, St James and . The links with services travelling to Sydney’s northern, eastern, southern and western suburbs. All stations on the network have 24-hour ticket vending machines. The Opal card can be used on all trains. Alternatively, a MyTrain ticket is available for point-to-point journeys and is valid for use between the two destinations shown on the ticket. MyTrain tickets can be used on Sydney trains and NSW TrainLink intercity trains and can be purchased as a single or return. Concessions are available to children aged 4 to 15 years, students and pensioners. Children aged 3 years and under travel free. NightRide bus services replace trains between midnight and 4:30am on most Sydney suburban lines, with extra services on weekends. All night buses have radio contact with taxi operators and can request a taxi to meet visitors at their destination for onward travel. Most NightRide bus services depart the city from Town Hall, near the corner of George and Park Streets. Visitors can purchase a single NightRide ticket from the bus driver, or use a valid MyTrain ticket for travel to their destination. The Opal card can also be used on all NightRide services. On Friday and Saturday nights, Route N100 is free to visitors boarding at Kings Cross and travelling to the city. Customers travelling from any other stop on the N100 route (Bondi Junction to Central) will need an Opal card or a valid ticket. For information on route planning, timetables, ticketing and service Central Train and Bus Station, updates for Sydney Train services go to sydneytrains.info

NSW TrainLink Sydney's metropolitan train network links the Greater Sydney region with the city centre and travels to nearby cities (such as Newcastle and ) and popular visitor destinations (such as the Hunter Valley and Blue Mountains). NSW TrainLink operates rail services from Sydney Central Station to regional centres and holiday destinations throughout the State. Intercity trains to , and also operate from Central Station. Cockle Bay Wharf, Visitors planning to travel on regional coaches and trains in NSW must book their seat in advance. For information on regional and intercity train services go to nswtrainlink.info

Current as at 1 May 2015 Light Rail The light rail network links Central Station with popular locations in Sydney’s , including Chinatown, Darling Harbour, The Star entertainment complex, the Sydney Fish Markets, and the suburbs of Glebe, Rozelle, Lilyfield, Leichhardt and Dulwich Hill. To travel on the light rail network, visitors need an Opal card or a light rail ticket (single, return, weekly or day pass). Single, return, day pass and weekly tickets can be purchased from the conductor on board. For further information go to transport.nsw.gov.au/lightrail

Sydney Buses Sydney Buses travel through the city and beyond 24 hours a day. To reduce delays, most Sydney city bus routes require travellers to use an Opal card or prepaid ticket. These can be purchased from vending machines or newsagents located near most bus stops. Bus drivers do not sell Opal cards or tickets on prepay services. The main bus stops in the city centre are at Circular Quay, Wynyard and Central Stations, and the Building (QVB) where visitors will also find transport information kiosks. For information on route planning, timetables, ticketing and service updates for Sydney Bus George Street, Sydney services go to sydneybuses.info

Free Sydney CBD Shuttle Bus Service – Route 555 A free city centre shuttle bus (route 555) operates every 10 minutes on a circuit from Central Station to Circular Quay, along George Street, linking many of Sydney’s attractions. The service operates from 9am to 3.30pm on weekdays (to 9pm on Thursday evenings) and from 9.30am to 6pm on weekends. Visitors can board the shuttle bus at stops displaying the green shuttle logo; no ticket is required.

Similar free shuttle services operate in (route 900) and Wollongong (route 55A and 55C). For more information and maps go to Panorama of The Rocks transportnsw.info/en/tickets/free-shuttles.page

Hop-on, hop-off city sightseeing buses Explore Sydney and from an open-top, red, double-decker bus. Visiting 34 popular Sydney sights and attractions on two different hop-on, hop-off routes, the Sydney Explorer operates daily from 8.30am until approximately 7.30pm. The Sydney city service operates every 20 minutes and the Bondi Tour every 30 minutes. Pre-recorded commentary is available in English as well as a selection of foreign languages. Visitors can hop on and off as frequently and for as long as they wish with tickets valid for a 24-or 48-hour period. Tickets can be bought through a travel agent, on the bus, at Sydney Visitor Centres or online. For further information go to city-sightseeing.com/tours/australia/sydney.htm

AAT Kings also offers a city sightseeing service with five pick-up points around the city; passengers visit Milsons Point, The Rocks, Mrs Harbour Bridge, Sydney Macquarie’s Chair, Sydney Opera House, Darling Harbour and . aatkings.com

A hop-on, hop-off service also operates in the Blue Mountains. Starting at Katoomba Station and visiting 29 local sights and attractions, the Blue Mountains Explorer (represented by Australian Attractions) operates at 30 minute intervals from 9.45am to 5pm daily. Tickets are valid for 48 hours. For further information go to explorerbus.com.au

Current as at 1 May 2015 Ferry services on Sydney Harbour depart from the ferry terminal at Circular Quay and connect the city to many of Sydney’s attractions (such as Taronga Zoo, Cockatoo Island and Luna Park) and popular waterside suburbs such as Darling Harbour, Parramatta, Balmain, Kirribilli, Mosman and Watsons Bay. Information kiosks located at Circular Quay and Manly can provide timetable information and tickets. The Opal card can be used on all ferries. Alternatively, a MyFerry ticket can be purchased for a single or return trip. Sydney Ferry

For further information go to transport.nsw.gov.au/content/sydney-ferries

Sydney Airport Sydney’s international and domestic airport is approximately 10km from the city CBD. Taxis and shuttles service both terminals. There is also a fast train link to the city. The airport line operates from all City Circle train stations to the domestic and international terminals at approximately 10 minute intervals. It’s a 10 minute trip from Central Station to Domestic Airport Station and 13 minutes to International Airport Station. The line runs daily between 5am and midnight. Trains have plenty of room for luggage in the end vestibule areas near the entrance to each carriage. Lifts are available at Domestic Airport and International Airport stations. Lifts are also available at Central, Circular Quay, Town Hall and Wynyard stations.

Directions from to the city City bound trains depart from Platform 1 at both the Sydney Domestic Airport and Sydney International Airport train stations. Direct services run to Central, Museum, St James, Circular Quay, Wynyard and Town Hall, from where visitors can join onward train, bus, ferry or taxi connections. The journey time from the International Airport Sydney Airport station into the city is approximately 15 to 25 minutes depending on the destination.

Directions from the city to Sydney Airport Services to the airport also run directly from the above stations to the Sydney domestic and international terminals at approximately 10 minute intervals between 5am and midnight. For timetables and fares go to airportlink.com.au Sydney Airport’s International and Domestic terminals are located separately. For information about bus, train and taxi links between the two airports go to sydneyairport.com.au/go/terminal-transfer.aspx

Aerial of Sydney Harbour

Current as at 1 May 2015 Cruise Terminals Sydney has two cruise terminals – the Overseas Passenger Terminal (OPT) at Circular Quay and the new White Bay Cruise Terminal.

Overseas Passenger Terminal Buses, ferries, trains and taxis are all within easy walking distance of the OPT with onward connections to most attractions and destinations. Queen Mary 2 cruise ship in Sydney Harbour

White Bay Cruise Terminal There are currently no public transport connections between White Bay Cruise Terminal and the city. However, most cruise lines offer the option of a shuttle service into the city as well as airport transfers. There is a taxi rank at White Bay Cruise terminal.

Getting to top attractions

Bondi Beach Bondi Beach is one of Sydney's most popular destinations, approximately 7km from the CBD. Travel to Bondi Beach by train or bus using the Opal card. The other option is a Bondi Beach Link ticket that includes travel from any city rail network train station to Bondi Junction as well as the Bondi Beach Aerial onward bus journey to Bondi Beach. Bondi Beach Link tickets are available from train ticket offices and vending machines. Buses also operate from Circular Quay directly to Bondi Junction or North Bondi, which is a short walk from the beach.

Taronga Zoo The quickest way to get to Taronga Zoo from the city is by a 12-minute ferry ride from Circular Quay. The ferry departs from Wharf 2, approximately every half hour. A ZooPass, available from Circular Quay, combines ferry, Taronga Zoo entrance and the Sky Safari cable car for convenience and value for money. Alternatively buses also operate between the city and Taronga Zoo.

Manly Getting to the beachside suburb of Manly is one of Sydney’s most scenic transport routes, particularly as the sets over the Harbour Bridge. Koala, Australian animal

Manly ferry services operate from Wharf 3 at Circular Quay approximately every 30 minutes between 6am and midnight, with a journey time of 30 minutes. Buses also connect the city (from Wynyard) and Manly during the day and throughout the night, with onward connections or travel to Sydney’s as far as Palm Beach, Sydney’s most northern beach. A fast ferry service to Manly also operates from Circular Quay Wharf during peak travel times and takes approximately 20 minutes.

Manly Ferry, Manly Wharf

Current as at 1 May 2015 Darling Harbour Darling Harbour is only a short walk from the city centre. If travelling from further afield there are several options to reach the Darling Harbour precinct. Trains Travel to Town Hall Station, then it’s a short walk along Bathurst Street to Darling Quarter, and the Sydney Visitor Centre.

Buses Sydney Aquarium Ferry Wharf Travel through the CBD and alight at the . A short walk down Market Street takes visitors to the end of Darling Harbour, closest for the , Zoo and Cockle Bay Wharf. Alternatively, walk down Druitt Street to arrive at Cockle Bay Wharf and the Sydney Visitor Centre. Ferries Visitors can catch a ferry from Circular Quay and alight at for SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo, Cockle Bay and King Street Wharf or alight at Casino Bay Wharf for the Australian National Maritime Museum and the Harbourside Shopping Centre.

Special events Sydney hosts a busy calendar of international sporting events, concerts, shows and exhibitions. Extra transport services and shuttle buses are scheduled to help visitors get to and from many major events at Moore Park (for sporting and musical events at Allianz Stadium, the , the Hordern Pavilion and the Entertainment Quarter), Royal , Rosehill Racecourse and Sydney Olympic ANZ Stadium, Park (for concerts and sporting events at ANZ Stadium, Allphones Arena and the Sydney Showground).

Taxis Taxis in Sydney can be hailed from the kerb on the street (a taxi is available for hire when the rooftop light is on) or from one of the designated taxi ranks throughout the city centre. Taxi ranks are located at major transport hubs, city hotels and event venues. Taxis can also be booked directly with numerous private taxi companies operating across the city. When catching a taxi visitors are required to pay the metered fare plus any booking fee, tolls or airport charges. The driver can be paid by cash, using a debit card, or credit card. Tipping is not required or expected, but rounding up a taxi fare to the next dollar is common. Every taxi is fitted with a security camera, for the safety of all passengers. Drivers are also required to clearly display a driver authority ID card. Taxi companies in Sydney go to nswtaxi.org.au/book-a-taxi.php Shopping at The Rocks To calculate approximate fares visit taxifare.com.au/rates/australia/sydney/

Current as at 1 May 2015 Water taxis Water taxis are a quick and enjoyable way to get around Sydney Harbour. They can be booked to pick up or drop off at various jetties and harbourside restaurants around Sydney. There are several privately run water taxi companies operating in Sydney.

Driving in Sydney All major car rental operators are based at the Sydney domestic and international airports as well as various Sydney city and suburban locations. Cockle Bay Wharf Remember: • Australians drive on the left hand side of the • All drivers and passengers must wear a seatbelt at all times • It is illegal to use a mobile (cell) phone whilst driving • All drivers must carry a valid driver’s licence at all times when driving. International visitors who intend to drive in Australia for a period of less than three months may use their valid overseas driver’s licence provided it is written in English. If the overseas driver’s licence is not in English, an official English translation or International Driving Permit must be obtained. For further details on licencing requirements for international visitors go to rms.nsw.gov.au/roads/licence/visiting-nsw.html

Most major into and out of the city are tollways and most do not accept cash payment. Most major car hire companies (Avis, Budget, Europcar and Thrifty) will provide an e-toll solution as part of their rental agreement. Alternatively, for visitors who have purchased their own car, short-term e-toll passes can be organised through the Roads and Maritime Service NSW. An eMU (Electronic Motorway User) Pass is a convenient way to travel on Sydney toll roads for a period of up to 30 days. For more information go to rms.nsw.gov.au/emupass

For information on Sydney’s motorways and tollways go to sydneymotorways.com/visitorfastfacts.html

Parking in Sydney Car parking is available in the city centre, at major shopping centres, and on the street with metered parking requiring coin or credit card payment. Street parking is time restricted in most instances. To find parking stations in Sydney and compare prices go to carparking.info A number of good value parking rates are available: • ‘Early bird parking’. Most parking stations will offer significantly reduced rates for all day parking if drivers enter the car park before a certain hour in the morning, and leave after a certain hour in the afternoon • Booking a parking space online in advance can also offer significant savings. Check with the individual car parks for details of the above offers.

Current as at 1 May 2015