Review Topic:  Practical Information

You've arrived in Sydney, now how do you get out of the airport and into the city? Well as of 21 May a new rail link has been added to the Sydney rail network that connects both the international and domestic terminals to the city.

Trains

The Airport Line is fully integrated into the existing CityRail network with fast regular services to the two airport stations and three new stations at Green Square, Mascot and Wolli Creek.

There are eight trains an hour each way during peak periods, six trains an hour outside the peaks and four trains an hour at weekends. CityRail does shutdown between midnight and 4:00am, with the last train to the city leaving just after 12:30am and the first train just after 5:30am.

The citybound trains pull into Central station — where you'll need to interchange for other lines, both city and country — on platforms 20 and 21. Then continue around the City Circle via Museum, St James, Circular Quay — bail out here if you want to see the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House — Wynyard, Town Hall and back to Central again. Airport trains depart from Central from platforms 22 and 23.

The Airport Line is privately run and is a little more expensive than the rest of the CityRail network.

Adult: A$10.00 Single A$15.00 Return A$13.00 Off-Peak Return
Child: A$7.00 Single A$10.60 Return A$10.40 Off-Peak Return

If you need to get to Kings Cross, change at Central and head downstairs to platforms 24 and 25 for the Eastern Suburbs line.

The Sydney train network is large and it is easy to get on the wrong train. If you get confused — which is very easy unless you're a regular commuter — ask for help. We're a friendly bunch and most people are only too happy to help.

There is a Tram service that runs from Central station through Chinatown, Darling Harbour, Star City Casino and ending at the Sydney Fish Markets (a great place for a feed)

Buses: Airport Express

Route 300 — Sydney City via Central Railway Station
Route 350 — Kings Cross via Central Railway Station
Route 352 — Darling Harbour and Glebe via Central Railway Station

Departures are every 10 minutes to and from Central Railway Station, and every 20 minutes to and from Sydney City and Kings Cross. These schedules are for weekdays between 7:00am and 6:30pm, times will be a little longer outside of these hours.

You can get Airport Express tickets from the driver on board the bus, Airport Express staff at the Airport or from Sydney Buses' ticket kiosks at the regular stops.

Adult:
A$7.00 One Way
A$2.50 One Way Inter-Terminal
A$12.00 Return
Child:
A$4.50 One Way
A$1.50 One Way Inter-Terminal
A$6.00 Return
Family:
A$18.50 One Way
A$6.50 One Way Inter-Terminal
A$30.00 Return
AirportTen: (ten one-way airport to city or vice versa trips)
A$55.00

The return half of your ticket is valid for two months from when you buy it and there is no charge for baggage.

You can't miss these buses, they are have tacky yellow and green colour scheme and are covered in huge "Airport Express" logos. So they do stand out from the rest of the buses cruising around the city.

Taxis

Or you can always hail a cab. There are taxi stands out the front of both the international and domestic terminals. You'll be looking at a fare of
A$20-30, depending on traffic, to get into the city.

Notes

I use the rail system as a commuter, not an occasional tourist. It gets me where I want to go and it's generally on time. With the recent opening of the Airport line it has thrown my line into havoc (personal gripe really). But over all it beats driving to work. My train trip takes 30 minutes compared to over an hour of battling peak hour traffic, so even with the odd delay the trains win out every time.

If you plan to use the Sydney rail system over an extended period of time, it's worth being aware of sporting and other events that are held at Olympic Park. During peak hour trains are seconded from other lines to transport people out to the events, so you may find your regular train has vanished for the day. Check the CityRail site for details of upcoming events.

Longer regular events, such as the Sydney Royal Easter Show that is held over two weeks, aren't as disruptive as the one day events. I've actually found the dedicated event bus service to be faster and more efficient, and I don't have to change trains later.

If you plan to be out here over the Olympics, be prepared for train delays over the rest of the system.

For newcomers, one of the biggest confusions would probably be the difference between Central and Sydney Terminal. Essentially it is the same railway station. Central is the name assigned to platforms 16 through 25 that are part of the city railway system. And Sydney Terminal covers the termination lines on platforms 1 through 15. If you've seen the opening to Dead Calm, you'll have seen Sydney Terminal; a beautiful Victorian building with a huge vaulted ceiling.

Sydney's public buses are great and reasonably priced for getting around the Eastern Suburbs, North Shore and Inner West of Sydney. Rather than getting a ticket each trip I grab a TravelTen (Blue TravelTen is A$10.40) that gives me ten trips at a substantial cost saving.

As you get further afield, the private bus companies take over. Service varies from one operator to the next, but prices are a lot higher that the public buses.

I've never used the Airport Express service, but as they share some of the stops my buses do, I can attest to their frequent running.

I only use taxis on occasion, but over all they are fast and efficient, if a more expensive option for the single traveller. If you plan on travelling to the outer suburbs from the Airport it may be worth considering the train service and a taxi at the other end. I live about 40km from the CBD and a taxi fare from the airport will set me back A$40-60. Until recently I didn't have a choice, next time I'm catching the train.

As with all places, you will cop the occasionally stroppy cab driver (I've only ever had one) If you're unfortunate enough to run into one, report them, the details are displayed in the front of all taxis.

Cityrail
http://www.cityrail.nsw.gov.au/
Airport Express
http://www.sydneybuses.nsw.gov.au/sb.express.html

© 2000 Red Wolf — All rights reserved



Recommended: Yes