Sydney’s Public Transport for Travellers: The Easy Way Around
Sydney Public Transport for Travellers: The Easy Way Around
Welcome to Sydney! If you are visiting the city for the first time, using their public transport system may seem daunting. Don't worry, it's actually very easy to use.
This guide will help you get around the city with ease, making your travels worry free.
On another note, Sydney is a very walkable city. Whenever you can, we would highly recommend travelling by foot!
What types of transport are there?
The Sydney Public Transport system includes the following:
- Train
- Light Rail
- Bus
- Ferry
Trains
Sydney has many trains; these can take you both further away (e.g. Melbourne) and within the main city area. They are easy to use, very clean, and busy – although usually a lot of seats are spare (unless you travel at peak times). The main hub is Central Station.
Light Rail
This is essentially like a tram system. There are 3 routes within the inner-city. It is slower than the train; however, it is very smooth and enjoyable to take if you want a break from walking or the weather is no good.
Buses
There are frequent buses running throughout the city, with lots of places scattered between train stations, which is handy. Travelling by bus takes longer than the train but there are more stops and destinations.
Ferries
Commuter ferries run frequently from Circular Quay to many destinations such as Manly. These are reasonably priced and are a great scenic option to see the city. If you are looking to save some money, don’t go on a tour boat, jump on the public one!
What does it cost?
The cost of Sydney public transport varies depending on the type of transport you use, time of day, and distance travelled. In our experience, it was very reasonable.
There are peak and off-peak fares (peak times are currently Monday to Thursday 6:30 – 10am and 3 – 7pm). There are also daily and weekly caps (excluding travelling to/from the airport).
How to pay?
The easiest way to pay for Sydney public transport is with a contactless card. If you have a travel card (e.g. a Wise card) you can either use that physical card or Apple/Android pay.
It will take a $1 deposit and then after a day or two it will come up in your account of what the total cost of that day was. Don’t worry about this, as mentioned before there are daily caps, so it shouldn’t get too high!
What are the timetables like?
Very good, the times are frequent throughout the day. There are also early-morning and late-night services.
We would recommend having a look before catching their transport; however, if you go to a train station there will most likely be one leaving within the next 10 minutes (to inner-city destinations).
Is it easy to get to the City Centre from the Airport?
Yes – the train is very direct, and you can get from the airport to the City Centre in 20 minutes. The trains are also quite big, so there should be plenty of room for your luggage. There are lifts at the airport and at the city stations.
Is it safe?
Like most big cities, Sydney’s public transport is mostly safe, but it’s always important to be aware of your surroundings.
Keep an eye on your belongings at all times. We felt safe using all the above travel options from early morning to late at night.
We always try to use public transport when we travel as it allows you to experience life more like a local. We would definitely recommend using public transport as an affordable way to get around Sydney. Enjoy your travels!
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