Destination guides > Australia > New South Wales > Sydney > Local transport
Sydney
Local transport
Sydney has an extensive transport network comprised of buses, trains, ferries, monorail and a tram. It is pretty easy to get around the city on public transport but it’s an expensive system if you don’t have a weekly TravelPass.
You can get general information at www.131500.com.au or by calling 13 15 00.
TRAIN
CityRail (tel 13 15 00; website www.cityrail.info) is Sydney’s comprehensive suburban Train network, which has a good coverage of the western suburbs and the city centre. Most travellers use the Airport, City Circle and Eastern Suburbs lines, which run mostly underground and connect the city centre to Bondi Junction and the airport.
Four stations on the Airport Line (website www.airportlink.com.au) are not run by CityRail and require either an individual ticket or payment of a GatePass (station access fee). A GatePass costs $11.80 for the Domestic and International airport terminals and $2.60 for Green Square and Mascot stations. It is possible to buy a weekly GatePass or a DayTripper or TravelPass with the GatePass included.
One way train fares cost between $3.80 and $7.80 so it can be an expensive way to get around if you don’t buy a weekly ticket.
| Travel distance | One-way trip | Weekly pass |
|---|---|---|
0-10km |
$3.20 |
$25 |
10-20km |
$4 |
$31 |
20-35km |
$4.60 |
$37 |
35-65km |
$6 |
$47 |
Over 65km |
$7.80 |
$56 |
BUS
Sydney’s buses (Transport Infoline tel 13 15 00; website www.sydneybuses.info) are a handy way to get to all the spots not covered by the train network, which includes most of Sydney’s beaches and some neighbourhoods in the inner west such as Balmain and Glebe. Although traffic can hold buses up, they run frequently and are generally a reliable way to get around.
Bus fares are calculated by distance. The cheapest bus fare is $2 and the most expensive is $4.30. Most of the bus routes popular with travellers cost $3.30.
| Travel distance | One-way trip | Weekly pass |
|---|---|---|
1-2 sections (up to 3km) |
$2 |
$16 |
3-5 sections (up to 8km) |
$3.30 |
$26.40 |
6+ sections |
$4.30 |
$34.40 |
There are also the Bondi and Sydney Explorer buses that are operated specifically for tourists and run a circuit between the main sights. Forget about these, they’re way overpriced at $40 for a day pass – it’s cheaper to buy a weekly MyZone travel pass than spend one day riding this bus.
FERRY
Sydney’s ferries (website www.sydneyferries.info) are the nicest way to get around and a cheaper alternative to the touristy harbour cruises. All ferries terminate at Circular Quay in the city centre with departures to destinations around the harbour. Most ferries depart at half-hourly intervals.
Ferry fares start at $5.30 for a short hop in the inner harbour and increase to $6.60 for longer journies to Manly or Parramatta.
| Travel distance | One-way trip | Weekly pass |
|---|---|---|
Up to 9km |
$5.30 |
$42.20 |
Longer journeys |
$6.60 |
$52.80 |
MONORAIL
The Monorail (website www.metromonorail.com.au) looks cool and runs right through the city centre, but it is almost completely useless as a way to get around. It runs a circular route in only one direction taking in Pitt Street, Chinatown and Darling Harbour. It is good fun to take a joy ride around the city, but the $4.90 fare is overpriced considering you can walk between Pitt Street and Darling Harbour in about 10 minutes.
Monorail travel is not included in any MyZone pass but you can buy a day pass for $9.50.
TRAM (METRO LIGHT RAIL)
Sydney’s light rail is a tram route designed to complement the monorail. It is a bit like a premetro, running through rail tunnels in Glebe and Pyrmont and then on the streets like a tram when it gets into the city centre. It is a much more useful transport option than the monorail as it actually goes somewhere. The route starts right outside Central Station and trams run through Chinatown, Darling Harbour, Pyrmont, Glebe and Rozelle Bay to Lilyfield. The Glebe and Jubilee Park stops are handy for travellers staying at hostels in the Glebe area.
The tram is quite expensive compared to the bus with fares ranging from $3.40 to $4.40. Day passes cost $9 but the $22 weekly pass is better value. Metro Light Rail (MLR) tram travel is not included in any MyZone ticket.
MYZONE MYMULTI PASSES
Sydney's complex public transport fares were overhauled in April 2010 to become slightly less complicated. The new ticketing system is called MyZone and upon its introduction it was heralded as offering cheaper fares, but on closer inspection the lower fares only apply to those commuting unusually long distances. Fares have increased for most travellers staying near the city centre.
The transport network is split into three zones for an integrated transport pass, although bus, ferry and train-only passes still operate according to a different set of zones.
MyMulti Day pass
The MyMulti Day pass is good for unlimited bus, ferry and train travel. It is expensive at $20, but it does let you travel as far afield as the Blue Mountains, Newcastle and Woollongong. You need to pay a GatePass (station access fee) if you want to get off at stations on the Airport line.
MyMulti weekly passes
The MyMulti weekly passes are the best deal for most travellers. They give you unlimited travel in one, two or three zones. A one-zone pass is sufficent for most visitors to Sydney, although a three-zone pass will let you travel as far as the Blue Mountains, the Central Coast, Newcastle and Woollongong. You need to pay a GatePass (station access fee) if you want to get off at stations on the Airport line.
| Zones | weekly pass |
|---|---|
One |
$41 |
Two |
$48 |
Three |
$57 |
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