Getting Around Sydney
Find the best way to access the city from anywhere.
Sydney Airport information
Sydney Airport (SYD) is the main international and domestic gateway, 8km south of the CBD, with fast city access by train, taxi, rideshare, and shuttles—ideal when coordinating delegate arrivals and tight conference schedules. Trains on the T8 Airport Line run about every 10 minutes and take 10–15 minutes to Central/City Circle, while taxis and rideshares take roughly 20 minutes in normal traffic. Opal and contactless payments are accepted system-wide, simplifying ticketing for inbound travelers. Onsite car rentals, bike racks, and multiple transfer providers add flexibility for groups and VIP movements.
How to use it: Walk to the Domestic (T2/T3) or International (T1) station and tap on with an Opal card or a contactless card/phone; trains run about every 10 minutes to the City Circle in ~13 minutes.
Choices and connectivity: Options include Airport Link train, taxis/rideshare (about $45–$55 to CBD), shared shuttles, private cars, and car rentals from major providers in-terminal.
Key details: Purchase or top up Opal at the airport, or simply tap with Amex/Visa/Mastercard; clear terminal signage guides you to rail, taxi ranks, and rideshare pick-up zones.
Event Planner Tip: Use the T8 Airport Line for predictable city transfers during peak periods; reserve shuttles or private cars for VIPs and group arrivals to streamline meet-and-greet logistics.
How to use it: Walk to the Domestic (T2/T3) or International (T1) station and tap on with an Opal card or a contactless card/phone; trains run about every 10 minutes to the City Circle in ~13 minutes.
Choices and connectivity: Options include Airport Link train, taxis/rideshare (about $45–$55 to CBD), shared shuttles, private cars, and car rentals from major providers in-terminal.
Key details: Purchase or top up Opal at the airport, or simply tap with Amex/Visa/Mastercard; clear terminal signage guides you to rail, taxi ranks, and rideshare pick-up zones.
Event Planner Tip: Use the T8 Airport Line for predictable city transfers during peak periods; reserve shuttles or private cars for VIPs and group arrivals to streamline meet-and-greet logistics.
Sydney Train information
Sydney Trains operates the suburban rail network across Greater Sydney with nine lines radiating from Central, including the Airport (T8), Eastern Suburbs & Illawarra (T4), and North Shore & Western (T1) corridors. Frequencies are typically 5–10 minutes in peak at inner/major stations and around 15 minutes off-peak at minor stations, making rail a reliable backbone for daily event flows. The network spans 168 stations, integrates with Opal/contactless ticketing, and connects seamlessly to the City Circle and key hubs like Circular Quay and Parramatta. Intercity responsibilities were expanded to Sydney Trains in 2024, improving continuity across suburban–intercity movements.
How to use it: Tap on/off with Opal or a contactless card/phone; use the City Circle for quick CBD circulation and transfers to ferries at Circular Quay.
Choices and connectivity: Nine suburban lines (T1–T9) reach major districts; after Central, T2/T3/T8 circulate via the City Circle, enabling easy access to venues and hotels across the CBD.
Key details: Peak headways of 5–10 minutes on inner/major stations support high-volume delegate travel; NightRide buses replace trains approx. midnight–4:30am for late events.
Event Planner Tip: Schedule sessions and transfers around peak frequencies, and pick venue clusters near Central, Town Hall, Wynyard, or Circular Quay for effortless multi-modal links.
How to use it: Tap on/off with Opal or a contactless card/phone; use the City Circle for quick CBD circulation and transfers to ferries at Circular Quay.
Choices and connectivity: Nine suburban lines (T1–T9) reach major districts; after Central, T2/T3/T8 circulate via the City Circle, enabling easy access to venues and hotels across the CBD.
Key details: Peak headways of 5–10 minutes on inner/major stations support high-volume delegate travel; NightRide buses replace trains approx. midnight–4:30am for late events.
Event Planner Tip: Schedule sessions and transfers around peak frequencies, and pick venue clusters near Central, Town Hall, Wynyard, or Circular Quay for effortless multi-modal links.
Sydney Bus information
Sydney Transit Bus Service
State Transit operates services seven days a week across the Sydney Metropolitan area. The comprehensive bus network extends to most suburbs with frequent and numerous routes servicing all the major downtown areas. The Sydney Transit Bus Service, along with the Express and Limited Stop services, operates during peak hours and in peak periods. The Metrobuses run seven days a week, with a 10-minute frequency during peak periods.
State Transit operates services seven days a week across the Sydney Metropolitan area. The comprehensive bus network extends to most suburbs with frequent and numerous routes servicing all the major downtown areas. The Sydney Transit Bus Service, along with the Express and Limited Stop services, operates during peak hours and in peak periods. The Metrobuses run seven days a week, with a 10-minute frequency during peak periods.
Sydney Ferry information
Hop on at one of the many wharfs in Sydney and explore the cites from the spectacular Sydney harbour! It’s also one of the easiest ways to travel from the CBD to Manly and the Northern Beaches.
Sydney's iconic ferry service offers an enjoyable way to get around the harbour. All Sydney Ferries are accessible to people using essential mobility aids, but several older-style wharves have steps that prevent access. Ferries generally operate between 6:00 am and midnight, although ferries servicing tourist attractions are open for shorter hours.
Sydney's iconic ferry service offers an enjoyable way to get around the harbour. All Sydney Ferries are accessible to people using essential mobility aids, but several older-style wharves have steps that prevent access. Ferries generally operate between 6:00 am and midnight, although ferries servicing tourist attractions are open for shorter hours.
Sydney Taxi information
In Sydney, travellers have a range of taxi services to choose from. Travellers should note that tolls and other charges that apply to their journey will be added to their fare. Only the return toll will be added for Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Harbour Tunnel journeys.
Sydney Rental car information
Rental car providers Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz, Thrifty, and Redspot have set up their desks in arrivals level at both terminals of Sydney Airport and a number of other locations.
There are also options available for shorter periods with companies such as Go Get and Car Next Door where you can rent by the hour or day.
There are also options available for shorter periods with companies such as Go Get and Car Next Door where you can rent by the hour or day.
Sydney Ground Transport (Buses, Light Rail, Ferries, Metro, Taxis & Rideshare)
Greater Sydney’s ground transport is integrated under Opal/contactless payments across buses, light rail (L1/L2/L3), ferries, and the expanding metro—useful for cost-effective, tap-on mobility across districts and waterfronts. Light rail connects Circular Quay and Central to the eastern suburbs and inner west, while buses offer dense coverage, including 24/7 routes and NightRide overnight rail replacement. Ferries from Circular Quay link harbourside precincts—popular for social programs and scenic transfers—and taxis/rideshare provide flexible point-to-point access citywide. The Tourism NSW guidance emphasizes tapping on/off consistently with the same payment method for accurate daily caps and fares.
How to use it: Get an Opal card at retailers/airport or tap a contactless card/phone; always tap on and off with the same method to ensure correct fares and caps.
Choices and connectivity:
Light Rail: L1 Central–Pyrmont–Dulwich Hill; L2/L3 Circular Quay–Central to the eastern suburbs.
Buses: Extensive CBD and suburban coverage; selected routes run 24/7; NightRide fills the midnight–4:30am gap.
Ferries: Circular Quay hub to harbour destinations—great for event social itineraries.
Key details: Use the Trip Planner to map routes; buses from Wynyard/Circular Quay reach beaches and suburbs; taxi/rideshare ranks and pickup zones are clearly signed across the CBD and attractions.
Event Planner Tip: Combine light rail for CBD shuttling, ferries for memorable group transfers, and buses for last-mile hotel access—keeping costs predictable via Opal/contactless caps.
How to use it: Get an Opal card at retailers/airport or tap a contactless card/phone; always tap on and off with the same method to ensure correct fares and caps.
Choices and connectivity:
Light Rail: L1 Central–Pyrmont–Dulwich Hill; L2/L3 Circular Quay–Central to the eastern suburbs.
Buses: Extensive CBD and suburban coverage; selected routes run 24/7; NightRide fills the midnight–4:30am gap.
Ferries: Circular Quay hub to harbour destinations—great for event social itineraries.
Key details: Use the Trip Planner to map routes; buses from Wynyard/Circular Quay reach beaches and suburbs; taxi/rideshare ranks and pickup zones are clearly signed across the CBD and attractions.
Event Planner Tip: Combine light rail for CBD shuttling, ferries for memorable group transfers, and buses for last-mile hotel access—keeping costs predictable via Opal/contactless caps.
