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Getting Around
Public Transport
Sydney's mass transit system, incorporating bus, ferry and various rail services, is well developed, efficient and cheap. The State Transit Infoline (tel: 131 500, Australia only) provides route, timetable and fare information for all buses, ferries and trains.
State Transit (website: www.sydneybuses.nsw.gov.au) operates the buses and the ferries. Bus tickets start at A$1.40 for inner-city journeys and can be purchased from the driver. The commuter ferry network that crisscrosses Sydney Harbour is one of the best ways to see the harbour. Ferries ply between Circular Quay and almost 30 destinations (0600-2330). Fares start at A$4.
CityRail (website: www.cityrail.nsw.gov.au) operates the network of trains designed primarily for rapid transit between the suburbs and the city. The stops are not necessarily very convenient for tourists within the city centre. Trains generally operate 0430-2400 and fares start at A$2.40.
Sydney Metro (tel: (02) 8584 5288; website: www.metrolightrail.com.au) operates the monorail and light rail services. The monorail shuttles only between the city centre, Darling Harbour and the Chinatown areas - fares are A$3.50. The light rail operates between Central Station and Lilyfield and fares start at A$2.20.
Numerous money-saving passes are available including the SydneyPass, a three-, five- or seven-day pass (cost: A$90, A$120 and A$140), which allows unlimited travel on public buses, harbour ferries, the Airport Express bus, the Sydney Explorer and the Bondi & Bay Explorer buses, as well as the three sightseeing cruises operated by the State Transit authority. Passes can be purchased from the New South Wales Travel Centre at the international airport and from the Sydney Visitor Centre. The colour-coded TravelPass, valid for one week or more, allows unlimited travel on public transport within a designated area. A weekly blue bus and ferry TravelPass, for example, costs A$25. A Travelten bus pass is valid for ten bus journeys and starts at A$10.40. A FerryTen ticket is valid for ten ferry trips and starts at A$25.30.
All tickets and passes can be purchased from the railway and bus stations and from newspaper stands on bus routes.
Taxis
Taxi ranks can be found outside most bus and railway stations as well as the larger hotels. The initial charge is A$2.35 and a three-kilometre (1.9-mile) trip costs about A$11. Fares are subject to surcharges for baggage, telephone bookings, crossing the Harbour Bridge and using certain parts of the Eastern Distributor, where toll systems operate. Taxi drivers do not expect a tip, but fares are generally rounded up to the next dollar. Operators include Taxis Combined Services (tel: (02) 8332 8888) and Premier Cabs (tel: 131 017, Australia only).
Limousines
Chauffeur-driven limousines are available for trips around Sydney with an optional commentary. Operators include First National Limousines (tel: (02) 9822 8007), Premier Limousines (tel: (02) 9313 4277) and Astra Chauffeured Limousines of Australia (tel: 132 121, Australia only). Collection from the airport to the city costs from A$66.
Driving in the City
Driving around Sydney was, until recently, a trying experience. The construction of a new road network for the 2000 Olympics has left many routes vastly improved. The new Eastern Distributor tunnel, for instance, has made driving to the Airport a breeze. However, Sydney drivers are renowned for speed and intolerance and parking is invariably difficult and/or expensive. Parking restrictions are clearly signposted and usually specify an hour or two of metered parking during business hours. There are clearway zones that apply at certain times of day and vehicles will be towed away and impounded if they are found parked there during those times. It is probably easiest to park in one of the car parks around the city centre and take public transport from there.
Car Hire
A national driving licence is required for driving in Sydney, although an International Driving Permit is preferred by some hire firms. Minimum third-party insurance is required. Hire rates for a small car start from about A$66 per day.
Major operators include: Avis (tel: 136 333, Australia only; website: www.avis.com.au); Budget (tel: 132 727, Australia only; website: www.budget.com.au); Hertz (tel: 133 039, Australia only; website: www.hertz.com.au) and Thrifty (tel: (1300) 367 277; website: www.thrifty.com.au).
Bicycle Hire
Sydney's many steep hills do not make for a leisurely ride and there are limited, often dangerous, designated cycle lanes. Manly has better paths for cycling, but best of all is the popular Centennial Park. Major hire companies include Bicycles-in-the-City, 722 George Street (tel: (02) 9281 6977); Woolys Wheels, 82 Oxford Street, Paddington (tel: (02) 9331 8190) and Inner City Cycles, 151 Glebe Point Road (tel: (02) 9660 6605). Hire rates start from about A$20 for 24 hours.
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General
