Getting Around New South Wales

With good roads and integrated public- and private-transport networks, getting around NSW is easy. You’ll find transport options to suit all budgets, from self-driving to trains, planes and coaches. 

 

NSW Public Transport

NSW Trains

Explore 365+ destinations on the NSW TrainLink regional coach and train network. Intercity and regional trains depart from Central Station in Sydney for many regional NSW destinations, including the South Coast, Blue Mountains, Southern Highlands, Central Coast, North Coast, Country NSW and Outback NSW. To find out more and to book, visit Transport NSW or call 13 22 32. 

Friends walking along the platform at Katoomba Railway Station, Katoomba

Katoomba Railway Station, Katoomba

Regional coach services

Private coach companies run daily services along the coast and to the Blue Mountains and some wine regions from Central Station.  The Sydney Coach Terminal Office is on the Grand Concourse inside Central Station. During the ski season there are extra coaches to the Snowy Mountains. 

Firefly Express: 1300 730 740 

Greyhound: 1300 473 946 

Murrays: 13 22 51 

People boarding the Blue Mountains Explorer Bus, Katoomba

Blue Mountains Explorer Bus, Katoomba

Opal Card

Opal Cards or contactless-enabled American Express, Mastercard or Visa credit or debit cards can be used to pay for travel on public transport, including metro, trains, buses, ferries and light rail in Sydney, the Blue Mountains, Central Coast, the Hunter Valley and the Illawarra. In other areas, tickets can be purchased from stations or online.

Students travelling on Sydney Trains, Sydney

Public transport, Sydney

 Wheelchair-accessible transport

All trains and new buses in NSW are wheelchair accessible, providing easy access for mobility devices. You can ask for assistance boarding or leaving public transport. Visit Transport NSW’s accessible travel website for more information. 

Wheelchair accessible tours with Australia In Style, Circular Quay

Australia In Style, Circular Quay

Airports

Sydney Airport

Sydney Airport 

Sydney Airport is Australia’s busiest airport and connects the city to both domestic and international destinations. The airport has three passenger terminals: T1 for international flights and T2 and T3 for domestic flights. You can access the airport by train from the city centre. There are also taxi, shuttle bus and car rental services. 

T1: International 

T2: Domestic: Jetstar, Virgin Australia, Rex, FlyPelican and Link Airways. 

T3: Domestic: Qantas 

 

Read more about getting around Sydney. 
 

NSW regional airports 

The major regional airports across NSW are: 

South Coast

 

North Coast

 

Country NSW

 

Outback NSW

Plane on the tarmac at Wagga Wagga Airport, Wagga Wagga

Wagga Wagga Airport, Wagga Wagga

Car hire & road trips

Australians drive on the left-hand side of the road. If you’re travelling from overseas, you are able to drive in Australia with your foreign driver's licence for three months, as long as that licence is in English. If your licence is not in English, you will need to attain an International Drivers Permit (IDP) to use in Australia.  

Seat belts are compulsory in Australia, with the driver responsible for ensuring all passengers are wearing them. Using hand-held mobile phones is prohibited. The blood alcohol limit is 0.05% throughout Australia and is enforced with random breath tests. Pay attention to speed limits – speed cameras are used across Sydney and NSW.  

The scenic coastal drive along Sea Cliff Bridge in Clifton, Wollongong

Coastal drive along Sea Cliff Bridge

Car rentals 

Car rental options are available in major regional towns and at major regional airports. You can also hire 4WDs, campervan and classic cars. 

Electric Vehicle Charging Points 

Electric vehicle charging points can be found across Sydney and much of regional NSW. Make sure you check their locations before setting out on your journey. You can find a full list on the Electric Vehicle Council website. 

Road trips

Discover fantastic road trips across NSW. From the Tablelands food and wine trail to the Greater Blue Mountains Drive, you will discover spectacular scenery and gourmet delights.

Scenic drive into Warrumbungle National Park with views through to Belougery Split Rock.

Warrumbungle National Park, Coonabarabran

Ride-sharing services

Ride-sharing services such as Uber are available in some major regional cities. Uber is available in Sydney, Newcastle, Byron Bay and Wollongong; Bolt, Lyft, Didi and Ola are also available in Sydney. Please check your smartphone app for services. 

Toll roads  

Sydney and greater NSW have a number of toll roads and tunnels, including the Harbour Bridge, Harbour Tunnel, Cross City Tunnel and Eastern Distributor. This is charged via an electronic system. If you have a rental car, it will most likely have an e-tag installed and you will be billed at a later date. If you don’t have an e-tag, you can obtain one from the following websites:  

roam.com.au  

linkt.com.au  

myetoll.com.au  

If you pass through a toll road without a tag, ensure you call the number advertised to pay the toll, otherwise, you may incur a fine.  

View of Wollumbin Mount Warning, Northern Rivers

 Wollumbin Mount Warning, Nothern Rivers

NSW cruise terminals  

There are two cruise ship terminals in Sydney Harbour. The main Overseas Passenger Terminal is on Circular Quay’s western side in the historic Rocks and opposite the Sydney Opera House. The White Bay Cruise Terminal is near Anzac Bridge and is best accessed from James Craig Road in Rozelle. There are eight other cruise ports around NSW. Discover more here.  

Cruise Ship docked at Sydney Overseas Passenger Terminal, Circular Quay

Sydney Overseas Passenger Terminal, Circular Quay

Cycling 

Cycling is a wonderful way to experience the natural beauty of Sydney and regional NSW. Check out the Cycleway Finder for routes. You’ll also find plenty of cycling options in spectacular national parks. 

In Sydney, cyclists use kerbside bike lanes and are permitted on most of Sydney's multi-lane roads. Find Sydney cycle maps, routes and more information.  

People enjoying a bike ride by the beach with Byron E-Bikes, Byron Bay

 Byron E-Bikes, Byron Bay

Travel apps and information 

Live Traffic NSW App 

Receive up-to-the-minute news of road incidents and conditions that may affect your journey in regional NSW. 

Download the Live Traffic NSW App from the App Store. 

Download the Live Traffic NSW App from Google Play.