Getting Around Sydney
How to Purchase an Opal Card
The Opal Card is a smartcard that can be used for transportation on Sydney’s trains, buses, ferries, and light rail. Visitors can purchase an Opal card from some metro stations as well a variety of newsstands, supermarkets, convenience stores, and pharmacies around the greater Sydney Area. There is no cost to purchase an Opal Card although there is a minimum deposit of A$10.
It is important to note that there are some serious benefits of using an Opal Card. These benefits include weekly and daily caps as well as a cheaper fare compared to purchasing a single ticket.
For example, an adult fare for a journey under 10 kilometers costs A$3.61 with an Opal Card and A$4.50 without.
There is a daily cap of $16.10 per day for adults and $8.00 per child. On Sundays, the daily cap is $2.80 for the entire day. The daily cap means that once the total fares charged have surpassed the daily cap all additional rides will be free. Please note that airport transportation cannot be applied towards the daily cap.
Visitors arriving at Sydney International Airport can purchase their Opal Card at the Newslink or WH Smith bookshops located in either terminal as well as the ticket office located near the airport rail station.
I purchased my Opal Card and initially deposited A$40.
Getting Around Sydney - Table of Contents
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How to Get from Sydney Airport to the City Centre
For visitors not renting a car, there are two main options to get to and from Sydney International Airport. The first option is to take a taxi or use a rideshare service. To get from the airport to the City Centre it will cost around A$40 to A$60 each way.
A more economical method is to take the Airport Link train from the airport to Sydney Central Station. The cost of a one-way ticket is A$18.39 for adults and A$15.41 for children. The train stops at various stations, including Central Station, making it easy to connect to anywhere in the greater Sydney Area.
To get to my hotel, I was able to take the Airport Train directly to the Circular Quay Train Station.
How to Use the Sydney Rail Network
The Sydney Rail Network is made up of nine train lines (T1 through T9) and one metro line (M.) All parts of the rail network accept the Opal Card, and adult fares vary from A$3.79 to A$11.20 depending on distance traveled. These fares do not include the fare to and from Sydney International Airport.
A full map of the Sydney Rail Network can be accessed by clicking HERE.
During my visit, I took various trains to get around Sydney, although most of my routes stayed within the Sydney City Centre. My lone journey outside of the city centre was on the Western Line (T1) to Blacktown. From Blacktown, I took a bus to get to the Featherdale Wildlife Park.
In my opinion, the Sydney Rail Network was easy to follow. At every station, clear signs were pointing to each route and electronic signs that showed when trains would arrive and where they would stop.
When using the Sydney Rail Network, it is extremely important to scan your Opal Card before entering the train. My Opal Card was checked numerous times on the train, and fines are A$400 if you are caught without a valid ticket or Opal Card.
How to Ride the Sydney Ferry Network
The Sydney Ferry Network is made up of eight ferry lines (F1 through F8.) All ferry lines accept the Opal Card, and adult fares vary from A$6.43 to A$9.70, depending on distance traveled.
A map of the Sydney Ferry Network can be accessed by clicking HERE.
The Sydney Ferry network is not only a great way to get around but also see the sights of the various Harbours. I found myself taking the ferry more than the train because I loved being able to get pictures from the water.
Most of the ferries depart from the various wharfs every 30 minutes, and all of them take the Opal Card. As with the train, it is extremely important to remember to tap on and tap off. Fines start at A$400 for being caught without a valid ticket or Opal Card.
There are different types of ferries that serve the various wharfs. The public ferries are easily identifiable by their tan and green coloring. These ferries have inside and outside seating, and their fares apply to the Opal Card daily cap.
Private ferries, such as Captain Cook Cruises do not always offer outside seating and despite taking Opal, their fares do not apply to the daily cap.
When I had the option, I preferred the ferry over the train. The ferry was the perfect way to capture stunning pictures of Sydney from the water. Some of my favorite pictures are below.
How to Get Around Sydney by Bus
Sydney has an extensive bus network that offers connections from the train stations, and ferry terminals, to destinations around the city. I found that the busses were clean and almost always on-time.
A map of the Sydney Bus Network can be accessed by clicking HERE.
I only had two experiences with busses in Sydney. To get to the Featherdale Wildlife Park, I took the Western Line (T1) to Blacktown and then transferred to bus #729. To get to Bondi Beach, I took the Cross Harbour Ferry (F4) from Circular Quay to Watson’s Bay and then transferred to the #380 bus.
If you have an iPhone, the Google Maps App has the bus routes linked to their app. There are also schedules posted at every bus stop.
Other Methods of Getting Around Sydney
There are other methods of getting around Sydney as well. I spent a lot of my time walking around Sydney, including over an hour walking the paths of the Royal Botanical Gardens.
Other methods of transportation that I did not use include taxi, ride-sharing apps, car hire, and floatplane.
Transportation Packages and Tours
Below are some non-public transportation options that require a reservation. I have linked a few packages and tours that caught my eye. As an affiliate member of Viator, I receive a small commission if you book one of these packages through my links. The commission is at no additional charge to you. If any of these interest you, I would appreciate it if you would book using my link.
Prices are accurate as of June 2023.
 Sydney Harbour Dinner Cruise - $95.55 Book a table for a Sydney Harbour dinner cruise aboard the our flagship vessel MV Sydney 2000. The choice is yours whether you embark at Circular Quay or King Street Wharf on your 2-hour Sydney dinner cruise. Take your seat as you float past the floodlit Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge, while a team of international chefs prepare a four-course dinner, including canapés, for you to enjoy. |
 Sydney Harbour Top Deck Lunch Cruise - $65.31 Cruise aboard Sydney Harbour on Sydney's flagship MV Sydney 2000. Enjoy stunning views of Sydney Harbour from the upper deck with optional guranteed window seating, superb dining and attentive service. |
 Vivid 90-Minute Sydney Harbour Catamaran Cruise with BYO Drinks - $33.68 Experience the Vivid Sydney Festival from a prime location on a boat cruising Sydney Harbour. See the spectacular sights and sounds and enjoy the scenic views of Sydney’s enlightened buildings and landmarks from an intimate catamaran, with the option to BYO beverages. |
 Private Catamaran Hire on Sydney Harbour - $1,131.64 Providing the perfect vessel for private charters for up to 30 guests to celebrate any occasion or to have a relaxing day out on Sydney Harbour. Gather a group of friends, family or work colleagues and enjoy the benefits of chartering a boat privately and tailoring your time on the water to your preferences. |
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