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When people visit, is it worth getting a train and bus pass or just pay as you go with a credit card? We will be there for 5 days, 3 of which will be heavy on trains/possibly buses but I hear buses can take long. We are a family of 4 with 2 teenage kids. Not sure if students get a concession. If there is any advise, would appreciate it.
@S879 – to get the young person concessions you need to get an Opal card which is the Oyster card system Sydney bought and works really well for all the intermodal transport you are likely to use. I’m not sure if you get a discount for older teens without a local student card. Buses in conjunction with ferries actually work really well.
I went in Nov, family member had around $20 left on an Opal card and gave it to me. Metro from airport to the hotel was fine, also managed to get to Bondi beach from hotel on public transport ok. Coming back took a lot longer only because I insisted on the exact bus that meant the least walking. I didn’t have problems but did not use public transport much, ended up getting an uber back to airport because it was hot and did not want to start the 30 ish hour journey back to London sweaty.
Google shows you the estimated cost of public transport so maybe do some maths and see which option is better in terms of cost. I get London public transport daily and i don’t recall finding it massively different.
+1 for Opal card. App is simple to use to top up card. We’ve used it all the time for public transport in and around Sydney (boats, trains, buses) including when we went by train to Katoomba in the Blue Mountains. The Blue Mountains are beautiful and well worth visiting.
I too was there last November. I used the airport train, buses, metro, ferries and the train (to the Blue Mountains).
I just used my credit card (no Opal) to check in and out. I was surprised how cheap it was.I too was there last November. I used the airport train, buses, metro, ferries and the train (to the Blue Mountains).
I just used my credit card (no Opal) to check in and out. I was surprised how cheap it was.A credit/debit card works fine but the OP’s party includes two teenagers who may not have their own cards and, even if they did, would pay adult prices using that method.
When people visit, is it worth getting a train and bus pass or just pay as you go with a credit card? We will be there for 5 days, 3 of which will be heavy on trains/possibly buses but I hear buses can take long. We are a family of 4 with 2 teenage kids. Not sure if students get a concession. If there is any advise, would appreciate it.
There are no passes, PAYG is the only option. There is a daily fare cap and Monday to Sunday fare cap.
Adults should just use bank card or phone. The only reasons to get adult Opal cards are if you want to pay using cash, or to use Park&Ride facilities. The minimum top up is $10 online or $20 in person, and refunds can only be done to Australian accounts (I guess Wise probably works).
Children up to age 15 can use child opals at half price. These cannot be bought at most train stations, instead they are sold at some supermarkets and convenience stores. Older children can only get student concessions if they attend NSW schools. Min top up is $5 online and $10 in person.
Buses are just like buses in any big city, they go where trains don’t, will be slower due to traffic, and are cheaper (but it doesn’t matter if you reach the fare cap). Unlike buses in London, you have to tap off as well.
Taking the train from the airport is a rip-off and Uber is likely to be cheaper for 4 people. For cheapskates without too much luggage, you can also take a public bus from the airport to Mascot or Banksia stations and then pay the regular train fare.
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