I will be in Sydney for five days in January. I read somewhere about a pass for all the city transit systems. (bus, subway and ferries) Are these passes the best way to get around or is it better to pay as you go? Where do you get the passes?

YES, pass is great, you can buy it when you get there, ask your hotel.

Hi Don,<BR>I think I bought mine in the airport, but know that I saw other places in which to purchase the Sydney Pass. Circular Quay area was another place to get it, but I bet you could purchase it anywhere mass transit tickets are sold.<BR><BR>Enjoy your holiday!<BR>Debbie

There are literally about 50 kinds of passes, all described on ozzie govt web pages (beware some are out of date). You probably refer to one of the extremely expensive tourist passes but also look into local commuter passes and... FEET.<BR><BR>Most of Sydney is best on foot, especially along the harbors. Ferries and airport transport are the only must's, and are expensive on individual tickets.<BR><BR>There are several passes for the ferries, but it isn't much extra to throw in the bus, etc. Best deal is the green weekly travelpass even if you are there less than a week - incredibly cheap yet comprehensive (but no airport). Buy at ferry or downtown bus kiosk.<BR><BR>You could take in even more comprehensive version of tourist pass for 3 day period. Due to extreme expense I doubt it would be worthwhile for the 5 day since you could do walkable things the other days. They have a nice feature where you can take return airport bus outside the 3 day window. Can't remember if it includes outbound airport bus; if so try to buy it in lower level of airport. Try to include blue bus authority on this pass, which is a gem.

Hi, Don!<BR>Since Sydney is so easily explored by foot, you will probably find that you would only use a pass for two or three days, so before you buy one, think of these two alternatives: (1)a single-day DayTripper (previously called DayRover) pass costs $AUD13.40, and will take you on ALL trains, ALL ferries, and all government buses. If you do even three ferry rides in a day (which is easy, and a great way to see Sydney) it has more than paid for itself. Buy at any railway station. (2) If you are travelling only a short time in any day, remember that at 9 a.m. train fares come down to around half price for returns (no change in the single-journey price), as this is off-peak. People planning a day to the Blue Mountains should remember this, as the train leaves Sydney terminal at 9:02, and the off-peak savings by not taking the earlier one are considerable.<BR>

The 'blue' weekly is the cheapest of the weekly passes as far as I'm aware which includes ferries &amp; buses &amp; may be the best option if you are here for 5 days. Its inner city only: that is, you can't use it to get to Manly or to &amp; from the airport or on the trains. Its $27 a week which is a great deal. You can get mroe info at the following links (prices at the 2nd one).<BR>http://www.sydneybuses.nsw.gov.au/sb.travelpass.html<BR>http://www.cityrail.nsw.gov.au/fares/fare_3.jsp<BR><BR>

Greetings Don!<BR><BR>I second the vote to simply walk around Sydney. We were there for 6 days, and did purchase a 3 day pass which was great for Ferries and one day of just touring the outer areas. But to get around town, we walked every where. We were in great shape at the end of our vacation. There is so much to see. The city is easy to navigate. And there are so many little shops and street cafe's!!<BR><BR>Cheers

PLEASE take my advice and just either walk or take a cab. Its hot in january and you are only there for five days. Most trips in a cab to anywhere in downown sydney cos $5-7 US so you have to clock up a lot of trips before you break even on a pass, espeically if there are two of you. We were in Sydney for 6 days last jan, and like you, researched the different passes - I am so glad i didn't bother, honestly using a cab was by far the best choice for a stress free felxible time -it was one of my big lessons learned for city holidays in hot countries - treat yourselves to cabs!! (this is assuming of course that your hotel is in the down town area and not miles away!!)