Sydney: Getting there & around

Orientation

Sydney wasn't a planned city and its layout is further complicated by its hills and the numerous inlets of the harbour, its focal point. The centre of Sydney is on the south shore of the harbour, about 7km (4mi) inland from the harbour heads. Skyscrapers in the Central Business District (CBD) vie for dominance and harbour views, but the city's relentlessness is softened by shady Hyde Park and The Domain parkland to the east, Darling Harbour to the west and the main harbour to the north. The Sydney Harbour Bridge and the harbour tunnel link the city centre with the satellite CBD of North Sydney and the suburbs of the North Shore. Sydney Airport is about 10km (6mi) south of the city centre. Central station, Sydney's main train station, is in the south of the city centre, and the main bus terminal is located outside it.

Getting There

• bus

  All the major bus lines run services to and from Sydney. Most lines offer discounts for students, and Greyhound has a good bus-pass deal. There are also a number of specialised bus tours running out of Sydney.

• train

  Interstate and regional trains run from Central station, and will take you to most other capitals, as well as cities and towns throughout NSW. Major roads from Sydney go north to Newcastle, west to the Blue Mountains, south and inland to Melbourne and Canberra, and south down the coast to Wollongong.

• plane

  Most visitors to Sydney arrive at Sydney Airport (formerly known as Kingsford Smith) about 10km (6mi) south of the city centre. Airfares to Australia from most other parts of the world are expensive - it's a long way from anywhere and flights are often heavily booked. On the upside, you can get to Australia from just about anywhere. Australia's domestic airlines offer discount flight passes which can be used once you're in the country - if you've only got a short time here, it's worth flying, because Australia's a mighty big place. Airport Link trains run from city train stations to domestic and international terminals. Buses run to Central Station, Circular Quay and Kings Cross, between the airport and central city hotels and to Manly.

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Getting Around

• bus

  The bus network is extensive, but can be slow. There are plenty of fare deals and several hop-on, hop-off buses specifically designed for visitors who hate walking or for those who have no sense of direction.

• taxi

  Confusing one-way streets and hellish parking make driving a nightmare in central Sydney - take a taxi instead. They're plentiful and easily flagged down.

• ferry

  The most pleasant way to get around is by ferry; a trip on the Manly ferry is the best way to experience the harbour if you can't charm someone into taking you sailing.

• train

  There are some gaps in the Sydney train network, notably the coast on the south shore and all of the north shore east of the Harbour Bridge. Heading west, the rail network is extensive. Sydney's underground city centre train loop is the fastest way of getting around, but not exactly the most scenic.

• monorail

  The monorail is an elevated toy train that shuttles between the city and Darling Harbour. Sydneysiders either love its sub- Bladerunner futurism or think it's a godawful eyesore, depending on their aesthetic bent.

• Disabled Travellers

  Sydney is getting there in terms of disabled access for its citizens and visitors. Most of Sydney's attractions are accessible by wheelchair, and all new or renovated buildings must, by law, include wheelchair access. Older buildings can pose some problems and some restaurants and entertainment venues aren't quite up to scratch.

  A number of taxis accommodate wheelchairs - advise the operator when making a telephone booking. Sydney has lots of parking spaces reserved for disabled drivers. International drivers should contact the RTA (www.rta.nsw.gov.au) as a temporary parking permit is needed.

  Most of Sydney's major attractions offer hearing loops and sign-language interpreters for hearing-impaired travellers. It's best to check in advance though. Many new buildings incorporate architectural features helpful to the vision impaired, such as textured floor details at the top and bottom of stairs. Sydney's pedestrian crossings feature sound cues.

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