Sydney is such a beautiful city with ideal weather that it is best seen on foot, combined with the use of public transportation. Buses and trains will take you within "easy walking distance" of attractions in the city. They also provide excellent service to the suburbs and outlying areas. Passenger ferries provide a fast and scenic means of travel between the city and the harbourside suburbs, and a taxi will take you to just about anywhere for a good price.

Travelling by Bus

            State Transit's Sydney Buses provide a clean and punctual service that links up with the city's rail and ferry systems. As well as covering city and suburban areas, there are two Airport Express services and two excellent sightseeing buses- the Sydney Explorer and the Bondi & Bay Explorer. Route numbers and journey destinations are displayed on the front, back and left side of all State Transit buses. An "X" in front of the number means that it is an express bus. You can purchase single-trip tickets on board, and the driver takes the money. Please have the coins ready, or else you will get some nasty stares from the people behind you.

Travelling by Train

            CityRail has double-decker trains that are usually on time and can take you anywhere between the city and the suburbs and beyond. Trains run from 4.30am to around midnight. Use caution at night, as some stations attract crime and petty theft. Stand in the "Nightsafe" areas, which are clearly marked on the platforms, and only travel in cars near the conductor, marked by a blue light. Usually you have no choice... only certain cars will open to passengers at night because "Nightsafe" has been so successful.

Tickets can be bought from newsagents, machines or booths at stations. To find the platform you need to be on, follow the signs with the same colour code as the line you need and the name of the line's final station. On the platform, display signs show all the stations the line travels through. Stations at which the next train will stop are lit up and are announced as the train arrives at the station.

Travelling by Ferry

             Travelling by ferry is both a beautiful and efficient way to travel between Sydney's harbour suburbs. They operate daily between 6am and 10pm, and service most of Sydney Harbour and several stops along the Parramatta River. Frequent services run to and from Darling Harbour, Manly, Parramatta, Taronga Zoo, and Mosman, with numerous stops en route.

              All ferry trips start at Circular Quay Ferry Terminal. Destination boards at the entrance to each dock indicate the dock from which your ferry will leave, and will also give departure times and all stops made en route. You can buy your tickets from the Sydney Ferries Information office, and the ticket machines on each dock. At Manly and Circular Quay, tickets are checked through a turnstile. When boarding a ferry at any other point, you are usually able to purchase a ticket from a ticket seller on board, or from the machines when you arrive a Circular Quay.

Travelling by Taxi

              Taxis are plentiful in Sydney, and you will have little difficulty in hailing one in both the city and the suburbs. Sydney taxis are the cleanest and most comfortable that I have been in, especially when you compare them to New York or London. The taxi company name and phone number are displayed on the front doors, and the taxi driver's photo license must be on clear display inside the taxi. When the orange light is lit, it shows the taxi is available. If you are at a night club, or other type venue late at night, it is best to call for a taxi at least 15 minutes before you will need it, or else you will stand in queue waiting for one. And believe me, it can be a long wait. Tips are not normally expected, but it is customary to round the fare up to the next dollar.