Public transport
Getting around town
Sydney's public transport system features a comprehensive network of bus, train and ferry services. Privately-operated light rail lines, airport links, sightseeing buses and taxi services complement the network.
The NSW Government's Transport Info site can help you plan your trip, even if it involves changing modes of public transport. Use the site to calculate the best way to get from A to B when travelling to or around the City of Sydney. It also lists fare and timetable information.
Trains
Our train system features a large metropolitan network that serves the greater Sydney region and a regional service for intrastate and interstate travel.
Metropolitan trains
Train stations in Central Sydney include Central, Museum, St James, Town Hall, Wynyard, Circular Quay, Martin Place and Kings Cross. They are easy to travel between or to hook up with services going to the north, south and western suburbs. Trains to the eastern suburbs (including Bondi Junction, en route to the famous Bondi Beach) leave from Martin Place Station.
Sydney's vast metropolitan train network, operated by CityRail, not only links the wider region with the city, it also travels to nearby major cities and attractions like Newcastle and the Hunter Valley region to the north, Wollongong to the south and the Blue Mountains to the west.
Services run from 4am to around midnight on most train lines. Information kiosks can be found at Central and Circular Quay Stations. All stations on the network have 24 hour ticket vending machines.
Intrastate and interstate trains
CountryLink operates rail services to and from NSW regional centres and holiday destinations such as Port Macquarie, the Snowy Mountains, Dubbo, Tamworth and Broken Hill. Central Station is the main terminal for country services. Trains to Canberra, Brisbane and Melbourne also leave from Central.
Airport Link trains
The airport line operates from all City Circle stations to the domestic (T2 and T3) and international terminals (T1) every 10 minutes or so. The trip will take between 10 and 20 minutes, depending on where you get on and where you are going. The line runs from around 5am until midnight, 7 days per week. Station access fees are payable if you use either domestic or international train stations.
Light rail
Metro Light Rail trams run from Central Station through Chinatown, Darling Harbour , The Star, the Sydney Fish Markets and Wentworth Park 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Buses
Sydney Buses travel through the city and beyond almost 24 hours a day. Most of the bus routes within the City of Sydney area are "prepaid only" to reduce delays, so you'll need to buy a ticket before you get on board. There are ticket outlets all over the city and you can usually find one near bus stops.
The main bus stops in the City Centre are at Circular Quay, Wynyard and Central Stations and the Queen Victoria Building (a major landmark) and information kiosks are located here too.
Free city shuttle bus
A free Sydney CBD shuttle bus (Route 555) operates every 10 minutes on a circuit from Central Station to Circular Quay, along George and Elizabeth Streets. If you're working in the city, it is the perfect way to travel to meetings across town or to run an errand. Visitors will find it handy when travelling between Sydney's attractions. The service operates from 9.30am to 3.30pm on weekdays (with a late finish at 9pm on Thursday evenings) and from 9.30am to 6pm on weekends.
Sightseeing bus tour
The international 'hop on, hop off' bus tour departs from Alfred Street on Circular Quay. Bondi tour departs from Eddy Avenue (near Central Station). Call 02 9567 8400.
Ferries
Ferry services across Sydney's world-renowned harbour leave from the terminal at Circular Quay and travel to an array of destinations including Taronga Zoo and suburbs such as Balmain, Kirribilli, Neutral Bay, Mosman and Rose Bay.
Services also travel to the northern reaches of the harbour at Manly and west along the Parramatta River. Information kiosks are located at Circular Quay and Manly.
Taxis
Taxis in Sydney can be hailed from the kerb on the street or engaged at one of several designated taxi ranks throughout the city centre. Taxis can also be booked directly with one of numerous private taxi companies operating across Sydney.
Taxis NSW is the peak body for taxis, which has a contact listing of taxi companies across the state on its website. See the download section on this page for city centre taxi rank maps.
MyMulti Day Pass
Using this all-in-one ticket is a great way to explore the City of Sydney as it gives you unlimited travel on CityRail train services, government and private bus services, Sydney and Newcastle Ferries and Metro Light Rail services.
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| Taxi ranks and secure ranks in the city | PDF 517.3 KB | Download |
| Taxi ranks stopping zones | PDF 538.3 KB | Download |
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Last updated: Friday, 24 May 2013
