SYDNEY: GETTING THERE AND AROUND
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Sydney has an extensive transport network comprised of buses, trains, ferries, monorail and a tram. It is pretty easy to get around the city on public transport although it's an expensive system if you don't have a weekly TravelPass.

-AIR: TO/FROM THE AIRPORT
-BUS
-TRAIN
-TRAM
-MONORAIL
-FERRY
-CAR AND MOTORCYCLE
-BICYCLES AND OTHER MEANS
-TAXI
-TICKETS
-HITCHING

TO / FROM THE AIRPORT
The largest international airport in Australia is Sydney and there are good connections with domestic locations around Australia. Sydney Airport (tel: (02) 9667 9111) is 8km south of the city centre. The domestic and international terminals are several kilometres apart. They can both be reached by train from Central Station in 10 minutes on the new Airport train line. Trains also leave from other stations on the City Circle line. The one-way fare from the Domestic Terminal to Central Station or Kings Cross is $10; one-way fares from the International Terminal are $10.40 to Central Station and $10.60 to Kings Cross. If you have up to four people togther buy a group fare from the airport to the centre. Alternatively take the yellow Airport Express bus (routes 300 & 350). Route 300 leaves from the city and stops at Circular Quay and Town Hall. Route 350 leaves from Kings Cross with a stop at Taylor Square. Both go via Central Station departing every 10-15 minutes. It costs $7 one-way. Route 400 runs between the airport and Bondi Junction station.

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BUS
Sydney is well connected to the rest of Australia by bus. Most depart from Eddy Avenue near Central Station. The local buses (tel 13 15 00) provide good access to places not covered by the train network including the beach suburbs and the inner west like Balmain and Glebe. Fares are calculated by distance and range from $1.50-$4.70 per ticket. Most routes cost $2.60. Try and avoid companies that offer sightseeing tours of Sydney by bus, you can get a day TravelPass and see it all much cheaper.

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TRAINS
Long-distance train services depart from Central Station upstairs from the bus station near the tram stop. Countrylink  (tel: 13 22 32) and Cityrail (tel: 13 15 00) offer intercity train services. The CityRail's network is more limited outside Sydney extending only to Goulburn and Nowra in the south, west to the Blue Mountains and north to Newcastle and Scone. Countrylink runs further afield in NSW and also interstate. The long-distance train journeys are operated by Great Southern Railway and include the Indian Pacific to Perth (via Broken Hill and Adelaide) and the Ghan to Alice Springs (also via Broken Hill and Adelaide).

CityRail covers the western suburbs and the city centre. The most used lines include the Airport, City Circle and Eastern Suburbs lines which cover major destinations. The best option for train travel is the TravelPass (below) otherwise it costs about $2.20 per ride in the city centre or up to $4 to the airport.

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TRAM
The tram route also known as the Sydney Light Rail (SLR) was designed to complement the monorail. The route starts at Central Station and covers Chinatown, Darling Harbour, Pyrmont, Glebe and Rozelle Bay to Lilyfield. The Glebe and Jubilee Park stops are handy for hostels. It is more expensive than the bus costing $2.60-$3.60. Day passes are $8, weekly passes $19. It is not included in any TravelPass ticket.

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MONORAIL
The monorail runs right through the city centre but not much use in getting around. It runs in a circular route in one direction to Pitt St, Chinatown and Darling Harbour. It's good for a joy ride but the $4 fare makes it a bit expensive. It is not included in any TravelPass ticket.

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FERRY
Sydney's ferries are a much better option than the tourist cruises. They terminate at Circular Quay and depart frequently (usually half-hourly) to destinations around the harbour. Fares start at $4.30 for short journeys, the JetCat to Manly costs $6.70. The normal Manly ferry costs $5.40 each way.

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CAR / MOTORCYCLE
It is generally considered better to get public transport or a taxi than trying to drive around the cities one-way streets and finding parking.

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BICYCLES
Inner city Sydney may not be the best place to ride but along beach areas and outer suburbs it can be a good way to get around.

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TAXIS
Taxi's are plentiful in Sydney. Simply hail one down.

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TICKETS
If you are staying in Sydney for any length of time consider getting a travel pass. Multiple trip tickets include TravelTen pass for ten bus trips or Day Passes (Day Tripper or Sydney Pass). The TravelPass ticket are available for bus only, bus&ferry&train, bus&ferry. The monorail and SLR tram are not included. For detailed information click here.

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HITCHING
Hitching is best done out of the city centre. Motorways leave Sydney to the north, south and west. Try the spots right before the motorway entrances but have a sign because some also carry local traffic. The Sydney-Newcastle freeway goes to Newcastle and continues further north towards Queensland. Get a train to Wahroonga (North Shore line), walk down Coonanbarra Road and cross the Pacific Highway by footbridge to the Abbotsleigh school. To head towards Melbourne head to the Hume Highway by train to Beverley Hills, walk up King Georges Road to the South Western Motorway. The coastal route via Wollongong is longer but more scenic. To get there take the train to Heathcote or Waterfall (Illawarra line) and try the Princes Highway before the motorway. Alternatively bypass Wollongong and train further south to Berry. To head west take the train to Strathfield and walk up Mosely Street. Otherwise Parramatta Road before the start of the Western Motorway is an option.

BUG Ride is a web-based ride sharing service, it allows travellers to both offer lifts and search for rides throughout Australia.

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