Air
You can fly into Sydney from all the usual international points and from all over Australia. Both Qantas (www.qantas.com.au) and Virgin (www.virgin.com) have frequent flights to the world’s capital cities. The flight to Sydney from London is about 22 hours – most people incorporate a stop-over to break up the journey, usually in south-east Asia. From Los Angeles it’s about 15 hours. Qantas has a flight that leaves New York, stops in Los Angeles and then flies non-stop to Sydney. For a useful website with tips about flying to Australia, go to www.sydneyairport.com.au/. Sydney’s airport lies six miles south of the city centre. The Airport Link rail service is a fast and convenient way to reach the centre of Sydney. Trains run approximately every ten minutes and the journey takes only 13 minutes. There are railway stations at both the international and domestic terminals. The fare’s between $AU11 and $AU17 one-way. There are also many bus services that operate to and from the airport. The green and gold Airport Express has a regular service costing $AU7 one-way. Each terminal has its own sheltered taxi rank with supervisors on hand at peak times. The journey in will cost around $AU30-40.
Train
Because Australia is such a vast country, travel between major cities is usually by air. But there are some fabulous, long rail journeys available through the heart of the nation if you have the time and inclination. The Indian Pacific (Perth-Adelaide-Sydney), for example, promises an unforgettable three-night railway adventure with sightseeing stops on the way. See www.gsr.com.au
Road
Avoid driving in central Sydney if you can. The city has an extensive, confusing one-way system, parking is the usual headache, parking inspectors are everywhere and tow-away zones are common. On the other hand, a car is a great way to access the farther reaches of the city and for day trips. Australians drive on the left and the minimum driving age is 18. Overseas visitors can drive in Australia with their domestic driving licences. Seat belts must be worn.
