Sydney Transport

Coming and Going

Sydney Airport is 10km (6mi) south of the city centre. The international and domestic terminals are a 4km (2.5mi), bus or train ride apart. Getting to the city from Sydney Airport (or vice versa) is easiest by train or car. To confirm arrival/departure times call airlines directly or log on to the airport website's 'Quick Flight Search' (www.sydneyairport.com.au). Interstate and regional bus travellers arrive at Sydney Coach Terminal outside Central Station. Major bus companies have offices nearby. Sydney's main rail terminus for Countrylink interstate and regional services is Central Station (13 22 32). Call for information, arrival/departure times and bookings.

Train

Interstate and regional trains run from Central station, and will take you to most other capitals, as well as cities and towns throughout NSW. Major roads from Sydney go north to Newcastle, west to the Blue Mountains, south and inland to Melbourne and Canberra, and south down the coast to Wollongong.

Plane

Most visitors to Sydney arrive at Sydney Airport (formerly known as Kingsford Smith) about 10km (6mi) south of the city centre. Airfares to Australia from most other parts of the world are expensive - it's a long way from anywhere and flights are often heavily booked. On the upside, you can get to Australia from just about anywhere. Australia's domestic airlines offer discount flight passes which can be used once you're in the country - if you've only got a short time here, it's worth flying, because Australia's a mighty big place. Airport Link trains run from city train stations to domestic and international terminals. Buses run to Central Station, Circular Quay and Kings Cross, between the airport and central city hotels and to Manly.

Bus

All the major bus lines run services to and from Sydney. Most lines offer discounts for students, and Greyhound has a good bus-pass deal. There are also a number of specialised bus tours running out of Sydney.

Getting About

The buses and ferries of Sydney offer some of the cheapest and most rewarding sightseeing in Australia. A ferry trip to Manly passes the stunning harbour sites and heads onto the ocean past Sydney's famous North Shore beaches, and a bus trip to Vaucluse offers some of the best views of the harbour and surrounds.

Public transport in Sydney is an integrated system and one ticket can get you travelling by bus, ferry or train to almost any part of the city.

Train

There are some gaps in the Sydney train network, notably the coast on the south shore and all of the north shore east of the Harbour Bridge. Heading west, the rail network is extensive. Sydney's underground city centre train loop is the fastest way of getting around, but not exactly the most scenic.

Taxi

Confusing one-way streets and hellish parking make driving a nightmare in central Sydney - take a taxi instead. They're plentiful and easily flagged down.

Monorail

The monorail is an elevated toy train that shuttles between the city and Darling Harbour. Sydneysiders either love its sub-Bladerunner futurism or think it's a godawful eyesore, depending on their aesthetic bent.

Ferry

The most pleasant way to get around is by ferry; a trip on the Manly ferry is the best way to experience the harbour if you can't charm someone into taking you sailing.

Bus

The bus network is extensive, but can be slow. There are plenty of fare deals and several hop-on, hop-off buses specifically designed for visitors who hate walking or for those who have no sense of direction.