Help with Sydney Public Transportation
Aug 8th, 2013, 01:49 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Help with Sydney Public Transportation
We will be in Sydney for 5 days next month. We are staying at The Radisson Blu on O'Connell Street. We plan to spend these days in central Sydney with perhaps trips to Manly. I do not attend to travel to the outskirts. My question is what kind of transportation package should I purchase. I have researched the web and can't find prices or can I understand which each package pays for. There are MyZone tickets with MyMulti tickets that are numbered 1,2,and 3. Can anyone help me? I thank you.
Aug 8th, 2013, 02:24 PM
#2
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 854
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Try this link: http://www.131500.com.au/tickets/fares
I'm no expert having been to Sydney only once but I think this is the gist of it:
MyMulti pass allows travel on busses, ferries, light rail and trains. If you are only using one type of transit then you can get a pass for just one mode.
The zones basically determine how far afield you can travel. If you are not going far from your home base, probably one zone will do. If you want to take the train to the Blue Mountains, you'll need MyMulti 3. You will have to locate your accommodation of the map and work it out from there.
Since you are only visiting for 5 days and not intending a lot of travelling about, you may want to just get day passes. Personally I prefer the convenience of a pass for the duration of my stay and once it is purchased don't worry about whether I'm paying a little more or a little less than single fares. At $61 for a week of unlimited travel is a darn good deal, in my mind.
We found the public transit a great way to get around with the only problem an extremely slow and crowded bus ride at afternoon rush hour. Great people watching, though.
Do be aware however if you take the train to the airport there is an extra "gate" fee which is $12 if I recall correctly.
I'm no expert having been to Sydney only once but I think this is the gist of it:
MyMulti pass allows travel on busses, ferries, light rail and trains. If you are only using one type of transit then you can get a pass for just one mode.
The zones basically determine how far afield you can travel. If you are not going far from your home base, probably one zone will do. If you want to take the train to the Blue Mountains, you'll need MyMulti 3. You will have to locate your accommodation of the map and work it out from there.
Since you are only visiting for 5 days and not intending a lot of travelling about, you may want to just get day passes. Personally I prefer the convenience of a pass for the duration of my stay and once it is purchased don't worry about whether I'm paying a little more or a little less than single fares. At $61 for a week of unlimited travel is a darn good deal, in my mind.
We found the public transit a great way to get around with the only problem an extremely slow and crowded bus ride at afternoon rush hour. Great people watching, though.
Do be aware however if you take the train to the airport there is an extra "gate" fee which is $12 if I recall correctly.
Aug 9th, 2013, 03:01 AM
#4
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 1,062
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi Kintzing
For where you're staying the last thing you need is a car!
If you happen to be 60 years or over, you can use all public transport all day for $2.50 - this is available to all local residents, plus some visitors seem to be able to use it as well.
If you purchase your ticket at a vendor not located in a rail station or bus stop, you generally don't have to show your senior card (provided you look to be in the right age bracket).
Take a look at the website indicated by eliztravels2 above - it's the best guide for all Sydney & outer metro area travel advice. Di
For where you're staying the last thing you need is a car!
If you happen to be 60 years or over, you can use all public transport all day for $2.50 - this is available to all local residents, plus some visitors seem to be able to use it as well.
If you purchase your ticket at a vendor not located in a rail station or bus stop, you generally don't have to show your senior card (provided you look to be in the right age bracket).
Take a look at the website indicated by eliztravels2 above - it's the best guide for all Sydney & outer metro area travel advice. Di
Aug 9th, 2013, 09:10 AM
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thank you all, I had thought that the my multi might do it. I also wondered about the senior idea. We are certainly seniors and look it too. I might try that also. If not I will just buy the my multi and see where I can go.
Aug 9th, 2013, 07:01 PM
#7
Reb23, stop flogging Herrz! Hiring a car for the OP's visit is ludicrous and if you knew the first thing about Sydney, you would know that!
Kintzing, the Seniors 60 & over pass is only available to Australian taxpayers ( one of the few perks we get). Some vendors will sell Seniors tickets to you without sighting the required card, but there are stiff fines if an inspector happens to ask you to show one. Not to mention the embarrassment, I would imagine.
Still, never hurts to ask at the ticket booth, there may be excursion passes or special deals.
Hope you have a great trip.
Kintzing, the Seniors 60 & over pass is only available to Australian taxpayers ( one of the few perks we get). Some vendors will sell Seniors tickets to you without sighting the required card, but there are stiff fines if an inspector happens to ask you to show one. Not to mention the embarrassment, I would imagine.
Still, never hurts to ask at the ticket booth, there may be excursion passes or special deals.
Hope you have a great trip.
Aug 10th, 2013, 12:06 PM
#8
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,963
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
What you want is a MyMulti 3 for A$61.- You can get the MyMulti 3 at any train station or at bus-ticket vending offices, possibly also elsewhere.
If you want to pay extra for your Manly trip, then a MyMulti 2 will suffice, but the nine dollars difference will be eaten up, so get the MyMulti 3.
Here’s why it is the pass for you - if you have the patience to read on... If not, just take my word for it.
As of Sep. 1 the rules are changing. Up until then the cheapest of the three MyMulti weekly passes, the MyMulti 1, covers all the ferry trips. After Sep. 1, no more.
Quoting the website: “From 1 September, if you travel on a ferry for a distance of less than 9km, you will need to purchase a MyMulti 2, and if you travel on a ferry for a distance of more than 9km, you will need to purchase a MyMulti 3.
For example, ferry customers travelling between Circular Quay and stops to Cabarita (including Bayview Park) and any stops on services from Darling Harbour/Balmain East, Woolwich/Balmain, Neutral Bay, Mosman Bay, Taronga Zoo or Eastern Suburbs, who also catch buses, light rail and trains will need to purchase a MyMulti 2.
Ferry customers travelling to and from Kissing Point, Meadowbank, Sydney Olympic Park, Rydalmere, Parramatta or Manly and also wanting to catch trains, buses and light rail will need to purchase a MyMulti 3.: (End of quote.)
Since it is great fun to hop on a ferry in good weather, even “just because” as you’ll quickly find out, you definitely want to get a MyMulti 2. For the one trip to Manly you can simply buy a ticket, or buy a MyMulti 3 and have that be covered also.
Look here for the ferry map: www.131500.com.au/maps/ferry and here for the buses and trains with their zones:
http://www.131500.com.au/tickets/upl...ember-2013.pdf
The MyMulti passes cover all trains and buses in the inner area you’re likely to want to remain in (Greater Sydney is a huge sprawl, rivalling Greater Los Angeles!). With a MyMulti 3 you won’t have to worry about getting caught “out of bounds” even when you go to Manly, or take the train from Circular Quay to, say, Central (although the ferry to Darling Harbour and the walk through Chinatown is more fun) or beyond.
So get the MyMulti3, it’s valid for a week from the day of first use, and it costs A$61
The Airport line isn’t fully covered by a MyMulti - even if you manage to buy a MyMulti right at the airport you still have to pay the supplement called “Gate Fee” - see www.131500.com.au/tickets/fares/airport-line
If you want to pay extra for your Manly trip, then a MyMulti 2 will suffice, but the nine dollars difference will be eaten up, so get the MyMulti 3.
Here’s why it is the pass for you - if you have the patience to read on... If not, just take my word for it.
As of Sep. 1 the rules are changing. Up until then the cheapest of the three MyMulti weekly passes, the MyMulti 1, covers all the ferry trips. After Sep. 1, no more.
Quoting the website: “From 1 September, if you travel on a ferry for a distance of less than 9km, you will need to purchase a MyMulti 2, and if you travel on a ferry for a distance of more than 9km, you will need to purchase a MyMulti 3.
For example, ferry customers travelling between Circular Quay and stops to Cabarita (including Bayview Park) and any stops on services from Darling Harbour/Balmain East, Woolwich/Balmain, Neutral Bay, Mosman Bay, Taronga Zoo or Eastern Suburbs, who also catch buses, light rail and trains will need to purchase a MyMulti 2.
Ferry customers travelling to and from Kissing Point, Meadowbank, Sydney Olympic Park, Rydalmere, Parramatta or Manly and also wanting to catch trains, buses and light rail will need to purchase a MyMulti 3.: (End of quote.)
Since it is great fun to hop on a ferry in good weather, even “just because” as you’ll quickly find out, you definitely want to get a MyMulti 2. For the one trip to Manly you can simply buy a ticket, or buy a MyMulti 3 and have that be covered also.
Look here for the ferry map: www.131500.com.au/maps/ferry and here for the buses and trains with their zones:
http://www.131500.com.au/tickets/upl...ember-2013.pdf
The MyMulti passes cover all trains and buses in the inner area you’re likely to want to remain in (Greater Sydney is a huge sprawl, rivalling Greater Los Angeles!). With a MyMulti 3 you won’t have to worry about getting caught “out of bounds” even when you go to Manly, or take the train from Circular Quay to, say, Central (although the ferry to Darling Harbour and the walk through Chinatown is more fun) or beyond.
So get the MyMulti3, it’s valid for a week from the day of first use, and it costs A$61
The Airport line isn’t fully covered by a MyMulti - even if you manage to buy a MyMulti right at the airport you still have to pay the supplement called “Gate Fee” - see www.131500.com.au/tickets/fares/airport-line
Aug 11th, 2013, 05:17 PM
#10
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,963
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
How many of you? How much luggage? What is your definition of "best"?
To some, "best" is a limo - maybe 20 minutes or less, depending on traffic, probably a bit quicker from the International rather than the Domestic terminal (they are a long way apart). Or a taxi.
If you have a manageable amount of luggage, you can take the train, but you won't save much if any, and since you have to switch trains, you may not consider it "best" at all.
For the Rocks you take the train to Central and switch to the (City Loop) train to Circular Quay.
For Darling Harbour take the train to Town Hall and walk down.
To some, "best" is a limo - maybe 20 minutes or less, depending on traffic, probably a bit quicker from the International rather than the Domestic terminal (they are a long way apart). Or a taxi.
If you have a manageable amount of luggage, you can take the train, but you won't save much if any, and since you have to switch trains, you may not consider it "best" at all.
For the Rocks you take the train to Central and switch to the (City Loop) train to Circular Quay.
For Darling Harbour take the train to Town Hall and walk down.
Aug 11th, 2013, 05:41 PM
#12
Take a taxi. Cost is line ball with 2 train tickets & it's unlikely your accommodation will be right at a railway station, so you would have to walk, or get a taxi from there.
A taxi will take you door to door without any fuss. That's what I would want after a long flight to a strange place.
If you are going to Darling Harbour, ask the driver to go via Botany Road instead of the Eastern Distributor. If you're going to Circular Quay or The Rocks, I'd take the ED.
Don't even think about "airport shuttles".
A taxi will take you door to door without any fuss. That's what I would want after a long flight to a strange place.
If you are going to Darling Harbour, ask the driver to go via Botany Road instead of the Eastern Distributor. If you're going to Circular Quay or The Rocks, I'd take the ED.
Don't even think about "airport shuttles".
Aug 12th, 2013, 02:54 PM
#14
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,963
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
What's not good? You wait, you share, you don't go straight to your target, you don't save significant money - can't beat a taxi, or - for more pax plus more luggage - a limo.
Kingsford-Smith is close enough to the CBD and Eastern Suburbs to make a taxi viable. Now if it's Penrith, then all bets are off...
Kingsford-Smith is close enough to the CBD and Eastern Suburbs to make a taxi viable. Now if it's Penrith, then all bets are off...
Aug 14th, 2013, 04:19 AM
#17
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,032
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Nope. I rarely take shuttles anyway but was just wondering why your initial warning was so strong. My hotel should be about a block from that Circular Quay station and from there it looks mostly like walking.
Incidentally, how is "Quay" pronounced there?
Incidentally, how is "Quay" pronounced there?
Aug 14th, 2013, 05:29 AM
#18
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thank all of you for your detailed and informative replies. I am going to buy the My Multi 3 and not attempt to pass as an Australian citizen to get the reduced senior rates. Thank you
Aug 14th, 2013, 07:32 AM
#20
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,963
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
"..an Australian citizen to get the reduced senior rates..."
No worries, you couldn't anyway, you need local resident's paperwork for that. The MyMulti 3 at A$61 is a fair deal as you'll quickly find out when you fall in love with taking the ferry "just for the heck of it" - those moments on the harbour might become the most lasting of all your memories!
No worries, you couldn't anyway, you need local resident's paperwork for that. The MyMulti 3 at A$61 is a fair deal as you'll quickly find out when you fall in love with taking the ferry "just for the heck of it" - those moments on the harbour might become the most lasting of all your memories!
