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Getting Around & Where to Stay
Updated March 2025Route Planner
Google Maps / TripView (Sydney)
Google Maps has excellent Australian transit coverage. TripView app shows real-time Sydney/Melbourne train and bus schedules.
Airport Transfers
ℹ️ Prices are approximate and may vary — confirm exact fares when booking.
Public Transport
Tickets
Sydney: Opal card AUD 3.20-4.80/trip, daily cap AUD 16.80. Melbourne: Myki card AUD 5.30/2h or AUD 10.60/day. Brisbane: Go card AUD 3.25-5.31/zone.
Opal (Sydney) / Myki (Melbourne) / Go Card (Brisbane) — tourist transport card for unlimited rides and discounts.
Learn moreTaxis & Rideshare
Uber
rideshare~~AUD 10-35 city rides
Available in all major Australian cities. Multiple tiers from UberX to UberXL.
Visit websiteDiDi
rideshare~~AUD 10-30 city rides
Often slightly cheaper than Uber. Good coverage in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane.
Visit website13cabs
app~~AUD 15-40 city rides
Australia's largest taxi network. App booking or phone 13 22 27. Metered fares.
Visit websiteTraditional Taxis
traditional~AUD 3.60 flag + AUD 2.19/km
Metered taxis available at ranks and by hail. Fares vary slightly by state. Card payment accepted.
Intercity Travel
NSW TrainLink / V/Line
NSW TrainLink / V/Line
Regional trains across NSW and Victoria. Sydney-Canberra 4h, Melbourne-Geelong 1h. Book online.
Book ticketsGreyhound Australia
Greyhound Australia
Coach network along the east coast and beyond. Multi-day passes available for backpackers.
Book ticketsDomestic Flights
Qantas / Jetstar / Virgin Australia
Sydney-Melbourne 1h25m, Sydney-Brisbane 1h30m. Jetstar for budget fares. Book early.
Book ticketsThe Ghan / Indian Pacific (Scenic)
Journey Beyond
Iconic transcontinental rail journeys. The Ghan: Adelaide-Darwin 54h. Indian Pacific: Sydney-Perth 65h.
Book ticketsWhere to Stay
Links below may be affiliate links — we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Prices as of 2025 — check current rates before booking.
Wake Up! Sydney
budgetSydney
Massive backpacker hostel right next to Central Station with bar and rooftop.
Book on Booking.comTravelodge Hotel Sydney Wynyard
mid-rangeSydney
Central CBD location near Wynyard Station. Clean, no-fuss rooms.
Book on Booking.comYHA Melbourne Central
budgetMelbourne
Modern hostel on Flinders Street with rooftop terrace and kitchen.
Book on Booking.comVibe Hotel Melbourne
mid-rangeMelbourne
Near Queen Victoria Market. Indoor pool and gym. Good tram access.
Book on Booking.comBunk Brisbane
budgetBrisbane
In Fortitude Valley with pool and open-air bar. Walking distance to nightlife.
Book on Booking.comUseful Apps
Transport
TripView
Real-time train, bus, and ferry schedules for Sydney and Melbourne. Shows live departures and delays.
DownloadMaps & Navigation
Google Maps
Excellent transit, driving, and walking directions across all Australian cities.
DownloadFood & Dining
Beanhunter
Australia takes coffee seriously. Find the best specialty cafes with reviews and ratings.
DownloadOpal Card and Transit Passes
In Sydney, the Opal card is essential. Tap on and off on trains, buses, ferries, and light rail. Fares are calculated by distance, with a daily cap of AUD 16.80 and a weekly cap of AUD 50. After 8 paid trips in a week, the rest are half price. In Melbourne, get a Myki card (AUD 6 card fee) — it covers trams, trains, and buses with a daily cap of AUD 10.60. Melbourne’s CBD tram zone is free, so you can ride any tram within the city center without tapping on.
East Coast Travel Strategy
Australia is vast, so plan distances carefully. The Sydney-Melbourne corridor is best covered by a 1.5-hour flight (Jetstar from AUD 60) rather than the 9-hour drive. For the east coast backpacker trail (Sydney to Cairns), Greyhound hop-on hop-off passes offer flexibility. Consider flying between major hubs (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane) and using buses or trains for shorter regional legs. The scenic route from Sydney to Brisbane via Byron Bay is a classic road trip.
Practical Tips
- Australia uses contactless payment almost everywhere — tap your credit card or phone; cash is rarely needed
- Free Wi-Fi is available at most cafes, libraries, and shopping centers
- Melbourne trams are free in the CBD Free Tram Zone — no need to touch your Myki within this area
- Water is safe to drink from the tap across the country
- Distances between cities are enormous — do not underestimate drive times; Sydney to Melbourne is 9 hours by car