Page 232 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Sydney

230  SUR VIV AL GUIDE

Getting Around Sydney retailers, the Circular Quay
Transport Information Centre,
In general, the best way to see Sydney’s many sights and post offices, newsagents and
attractions is on foot, coupled with use of the public transport convenience stores. Alternatively,
system, made easy by the integrated Opal ticketing system. Opal single-trip tickets can be
Buses, trains and the Sydney Light Rail system (modern trams) bought from the ticket
machines at selected stations
will take visitors to within easy walking distance of anywhere and wharves. Opal single-trip
in the inner city. They also serve the suburbs and outlying bus tickets can be purchased
areas. A new Light Rail line to the eastern suburbs will open in on-board from the driver except
2019. Buses have been removed from the major thoroughfare on PrePay bus services, which
of George Street and routes changed to accommodate its includes all city centre buses.
Opal cards are a convenient
construction. An excellent trip planner that will show you all way to use all public transport
options and travel times to get to any destination by public options – bus, train, Light Rail and
transport is available on the Transport NSW website. ferry, including Sydney Trains
services to the Blue Mountains,
Newcastle and Southern
Walking Highlands. Opal cannot be used
Take care when walking around for NSW TrainLink and regional
the city. Vehicles are driven on coaches, and for private and
the left and often move quickly. Fast Ferry services (such as
It is wise to use pedestrian those offering sightseeing, tours
crossings; there are two types. and travel to Fort Denison).
Push-button crossings are Customers pre-load value
found at traffic lights. Wait for onto an Opal card, with a
the green man signal and do starting balance of A$10 for
not cross at lights if the red adults and A$5 for children.
warning sign is on or flashing. There is no charge for the card
Zebra crossings are marked by itself. You can register your Opal
yellow-and-black signs and card online to check the balance,
Traffic crossing Johnstons Bay on Sydney’s white striped road markings. top up, and block its use in the
Anzac Bridge Police occasionally issue event that it is lost or stolen. Top-
on-the-spot fines for jaywaling. ups can also be made wherever
Finding Your Way the cards are sold or at machines
Around Sydney at stations and wharves.
Guided Tours
Sydney is a sprawling metro polis, To use an Opal card, riders
however, the Central Business Tours and excursions range “tap on” by placing the card
District (CBD) is quite small. The from bus tours for food-lovers on the Opal touchpad as they
city centre lies on the south side to jaunts on the back of a Harley board, and “tap off” in the same
of the harbour; the Sydney Davidson, guided nature or way when they disembark. The
Harbour Bridge connects it with history walks, cruises on replica fare is calculated based on
the north. The main shopping tall ships, guided bicycle tours distance travelled. The touchpad
area is an easy walk south from and aerial adven tures by hot-air will also show the remaining
the harbour’s edge. Darling balloon, seaplane or helicopter. balance on the card. After eight
Harbour is on the city’s western A good introduction to journeys in a week, the remaining
edge; the closest beaches, Sydney’s attractions is the hop- journeys for the week are at half-
including Bondi, are about 9 km on-hop-off tour in an open-top price. Daily and weekly fare caps
(6 miles) to the east of the city double decker bus run by are in place (A$15 and A$60 for
and Manly is 11 km (7 miles) Sydney and Bondi Explorer. adults and A$7.50 and A$30 for
northeast (and over the Bridge). Visitors can use commuter ferries children, respectively); once the
Circular colour-coded signs (see pp234–5) as a less costly alter- cap is reached, travel is free for
show the locations of major bus native to commer cial harbour the rest of the day or the week.
(blue with a capital B), train cruises, of which there are many. There is a A$2.50 fare cap on
(orange with a capital T), Light Sundays, after which travel is free.
Rail (red with a capital L) and Tickets and Travel Passes
ferry (green with a capital F)
stops, stations and wharves. Passengers wanting to use Driving in Sydney
The Transport NSW website multiple public transport options If you are planning to use a
gives the latest information on all across Sydney’s integrated car to drive around Greater
forms of transport. The TripView network should obtain a pre- Sydney, you will need an in-car
app has maps, routes, timetables paid chip-based Opal card. Opal Global Positioning System (GPS),
and live data for buses, trains and cards are available from airport which is usually offered as an
ferries. The Lite version is free. train stations, airport terminal option when you hire a car.

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