Transport

Transport in Sydney

You can travel around Sydney on trains, buses and ferries.

Taxis are also easy to find, although they cost more than trains, buses or ferries.

You can buy tickets for most train, bus and ferry services at the railway station or ferry station.

It is cheaper to pre-purchase a weekly or monthly ticket if you use public transport every day.

Please note: International students are not entitled to concession fares, so you must pay the full adult fare. The pre-paid ticket is a way of saving money.

Get free printed timetables from train stations, bus depots and ferry terminals.


More information Online
Service Website You can find...
Sydney Transport infoLine www.131500.info ...train, bus and ferry timetables, fares and online trip-planning
CityRail www.cityrail.nsw.gov.au ...train timetables, fares and network maps
Sydney Buses www.sydneybuses.info ...bus timetables, fares and network maps
Sydney Ferries www.sydneyferries.info ...ferry timetables, fares and network maps
Whereis www.whereis.com.au ...online street maps
...directions for getting from one place to another

Train

  • Sydney CityRail network operates from Bondi Junction in the east to the Blue Mountains in the west, south to Wollongong and north to Newcastle.
  • Inner-city trains leave from most stations every few minutes. Services to and from regional centres, such as Wollongong and Newcastle, usually leave every 30 minutes.

Bus

  • You can catch a bus to almost anywhere in Sydney.
  • There are more buses at peak hours than at off-peak hours.
  • Some services only operate during peak hours. Check the bus timetable.
  • Bus fares are calculated on the distance travelled.

Ferry

  • Sydney Ferries operates ferry and Jetcat services between Circular Quay and most suburbs on Sydney Harbour and the Parramatta River.

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Transport outside Sydney

Regional Transport

Each regional city or town in NSW has its own transport services.

Go to www.131500.com.au/countrytransport for further information.

Your International Student Coordinator helps you with local transport information when you arrive at your Institute.

Air Transport

  • Three major airlines operate regional and interstate services within Australia.
  • Prices are often competitive with bus services or rail services. Throughout the year, the airlines advertise discounted tickets on the Internet.

More Information Online
Website URL You can...
Qantas www.qantas.com.au ...find route maps, ticket prices, sale fares
...book flights online
Virgin Blue www.virginblue.com.au
JetStar www.jetstar.com.au

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Public Transport Trip Planner for Sydney and New South Wales

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Driving in New South Wales

You are allowed to drive a car in NSW if you hold a valid and current driver's licence from your home country.

When you drive, you must carry with you:

  • Your original valid, current licence from your home country
  • EITHER an International Driving Permit OR a certified English translation of your licence (if your licence is not written in English)
  • Your passport and visa (or a certified copy of these documents)

You can get an International Driving Permit in your home country before you leave for Australia.

Basic NSW Road Rules

Australians drive on the left-hand side of the road.

Strict road rules include:

  • Seatbelts, to be worn by drivers and passengers at all times
  • Speed limit signs
  • All vehicles to be registered with the Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA), and owners must have third-party insurance
  • No driving while under the influence of alcohol
  • Police officers may stop drivers for random breath tests (RBT). The driver blows into a bag to calculate the level of alcohol in your bloodstream.

If you intend to buy a car or other motor vehicle, check the RTA website for motor vehicle registration requirements.


More Information Online
Website URL You can...
Roads & Traffic Authority (RTA) www.rta.nsw.gov.au Find information about NSW road rules, the Guide for International Drivers, and download a copy of the Road User's Handbook

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