train and bus info in Sydney

The Sydney airport terminals, international and domestic are serviced by the same train which does run all the way to Sydney Central and I'd suspect most if not all do the tube loop that goes down to Circular Quay and back to Central, probably return trip to airport line, there being stations between Central and the Quay [you'd need to check actual timetable to confirm all doing the tube loop - www.131500.com.au ]

You'll see on that site there is the Travel Pass you can buy for a week minimum, not bad value for the Green Zone when you compare it with the Sydney Pass [for the visitors supposedly] that you buy for 3, 5 or 7 days but does not provide for as expansive rail use.




You can buy travel passes at the airport that include the train travel in, rail ticket windows before heading into station area and yes, there is an additional charge, called a platform access charge I recall and that is because the platform is owned by a company, the Sydney Airport one most likely whereas the train is part of the NSW public network.

Hello Dale

You are correct - the privately owned rail line that runs exclusively between the airport and the city is very expensive in comparison with the normal lines. Info at www.airportlink.com.au
We have found that it is easier and cheaper to take a cab or airport shuttle vehicle, depending on where you are staying.

See www.sydneyferries.info/tickets-fares/travelpass for info on the travel passes. They are a fare that includes travel on ferries, buses and trains. This site has all the details of cost, where travel is covered etc.

Happy travels, Di

Thank you Di and Bushranger. I noticed that the airporter shuttle is charging just under $20.00 per trip. Do either of you know how much a cab costs to go to the Hyde Park area? With 2 of us it might be cheaper!!

Thanks so much for your help.

If you need info on Victoria B. C. just let me know!!
Dale

Last time I used a shuttle Dale, just on 12 months ago it was $12 from the Domestic T which is city side of the airport whereas interT. is a bit further and so yes it could be close to $20, a taxi probably somewhere about double that and so not a great difference likely for two.

If you stick with a travel or Sydney pass and make use of the train [I think the platform access charge was about $5, but could be wrong] there are tube stops either end of Hyde Park, first St James and at other end Museum.
You would stay on the train right through Central and down to the Quay stop as the Hyde Park stops are on the run back up to Central from the Quay.

Sydney UG is extra simple, just the one loop and nothing like Paris Metro or whatever to get lost on.

Dale - although it is a bit pricy if your hotel is on the city loop trains then the train is the least hassle option and you know your costs up front $14.60 each way from domestic (not sure if Int is different?). Also depending what time you arrive you are not victim to any traffic snarls or accidents.

A cab is about $35-40 to the city centre, there are sometimes quite long queues in the morning as lots of international flights arrive from 6 AM.

The train is a good option, if you are going to Hyde Park then the stations are either St James or Museum.

From International terminus to the city is $15.20, one way, with no concessions.
We (NSW locals) travel to Sydney by train regularly and stay in the Hyde Park area, and find Museum Station convenient and easy for the Marriott in College St.

To make you jealous, we have a wonderful pass available to "seniors" in NSW. Only $2.50, for trains, buses and ferries all day, all the way from Newcastle in the north, to Wollongong in the south and west to the Blue Mountains. Got to be the best value in the world! But it doesn't include the Airport Link.

To make you jealous, we have a wonderful pass available to "seniors" in NSW. Only $2.50, for trains, buses and ferries all day, all the way from Newcastle in the north, to Wollongong in the south and west to the Blue Mountains. Got to be the best value in the world! But it doesn't include the Airport Link."

Any senior or just Aussie citizens?

If you were to use the train without a travel pass it is cheaper in buying a return too, usually about an additional $11 and not sure on how just the access fee both ways is affected with a pass.

Sorry, Joanne , only NSW residents who have a "Seniors Card" or Australian pensioners. Of course, you could just ask for the pension excursion ticket, the $2.50 one, and you may get it, but it would be embarrassing if they checked up on it.

"Sydney UG is extra simple, just the one loop and nothing like Paris Metro or whatever to get lost on."

For the record, this isn't entirely true.

Sydney's underground services do include the City Circle loop (Central-Museum-St James-Circular Quay-Wynyard-Town Hall-Central), and as stated this is where the airport line will take you.

But they also include part of the North Shore route (Central-Town Hall-Wynyard and from there across the Harbour); and part of the Eastern Suburbs line (Central-Town Hall-Martin Place-Kings Cross and from there to Edgecliff and Bondi Junction).

Not having (yet) used the Paris Metro I'll refrain from making comparisons. I've been told it's not at all difficult to navigate, but I don't think Fodors is the place for advice based on second-hand knowledge.