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City Guide - Sydney - Getting Around | ||
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Getting Around Public Transport Sydney's mass transit system, incorporating bus, ferry, rail and monorail services, is well developed, efficient and cheap. The State Transit Infoline (tel: 131 500, Australia only; fax: (02) 92 04 68 31) provides route, timetable and fare information for all buses, ferries and trains. Online bus and ferry information is available from State Transit (web site: www.sydneybuses.nsw.gov.au/index.html) and train information is provided by CityRail (web site: www.cityrail.nsw.gov.au/index.htm). Sydney's CityRail network is designed primarily for rapid transit between the suburbs and the city and, as a result, stops are not necessarily very convenient for tourists within the city centre. Trains generally operate 0430-2400, and fares start at A$2.40. The City Circle railway loops around the centre while the monorail shuttles only between the city centre, Darling Harbour and the Chinatown areas. Numerous money-saving passes are available including the SydneyPass, a three-, five- or seven-day pass (cost: A$85, A$115 and A$135), which allows unlimited travel on public buses, harbour ferries, the Airport Express bus, the Sydney Explorer and the Bondi & Bay Explorer buses, as well as the three sightseeing cruises operated by the State Transit authority. Passes can be purchased from the New South Wales Travel Centre at the international airport and from the Sydney Visitor Centre. The colour-coded TravelPass, valid for a week or more, allows unlimited travel on public transport within a designated area. A weekly blue bus and ferry TravelPass, for instance, costs A$23. Tickets are available from railway and bus stations and from newspaper stands on bus routes. Bus tickets start at A$1.30 for inner-city journeys and can be purchased from the driver. A Travelten pass, valid for ten journeys, starts at A$9.50 and can be purchased at bus stations and most newspaper stands. The commuter ferry network that criss-crosses Sydney Harbour is one of the best ways to see the harbour. Ferries ply between Circular Quay and almost 30 destinations (0600-2330). Fares start at A$3.70, and ferry/entrance fee passes are available from the ticket office for attractions including Taronga Zoo and Sydney Aquarium. A FerryTen ticket, valid for ten journeys, starts at A$23. Taxis Taxi ranks can be found outside most bus and railway stations as well as the larger hotels. The initial charge is A$2.20 and a three-kilometre (1.9-mile) trip costs about A$10. Fares are subject to surcharges for baggage, telephone bookings and crossing the Harbour Bridge, where a toll system operates. Taxi drivers do not expect a tip, but fares are generally rounded up to the next dollar. Operators on the south side of the harbour include Taxis Combined Services (tel: (02) 90 20 20 00) and, north of the bridge, Premier Cabs (tel: 131 017, Australia only). Limousines Chauffeur-driven limousines are available for trips around Sydney with an optional commentary. Operators include City Limousines (tel: (02) 97 16 55 55), Premier Limousines (tel: (02) 93 13 42 77) and Astra Chauffeured Limousines of Australia (tel: 132 121). Collection from the airport to the city costs from A$50. Driving in the City Driving around Sydney can be a trying experience. The construction of a new road network in preparation for the 2000 Olympics in September has left many routes congested, however, the road system should have vastly improved upon its completion. Sydney drivers are renowned for speed and intolerance and parking is invariably difficult and/or expensive. Parking restrictions are clearly signposted and usually specify an hour or two of metred parking during business hours. There are clearway zones that apply at certain times of day, and vehicles will be towed away and impounded if they are found parked there during those times. It is probably easiest to park in one of the car parks around the city centre and take public transport from there. Car Hire A national driving licence is required for driving in Sydney, although an International Driving Permit is preferred by some hire firms. Minimum third-party insurance is required. Hire rates for a small car start from about A$60 per day, plus 1.5% tax. Major operators include: Avis (tel: (1800) 225 533); Budget (tel: 132 727, Australia only); Hertz (tel: (02) 93 60 66 21) and Thrifty (tel: (02) 96 69 66 77). Bicycle Hire Sydney's many steep hills do not make for a leisurely ride, and there are limited, often dangerous, designated cycle lanes. Manly has better paths for cycling, but best of all is the popular Centennial Park. Major hire companies include Bicycles-in-the-City, 722 George Street (tel: (02) 93 80 29 39); Woolys Wheels, 82 Oxford Street, Paddington (tel: (02) 93 31 26 71) and Inner City Cycles, 31 Glebe Point Road (tel: (02) 96 60 66 05). Hire rates start from about A$30 for 24 hours. |