Transport in Sydney

Sydney’s ticket system

Opal is the electronic ticket system used on public transport in NSW. This includes train, ferry, bus and light rail (tram) travel. 

Opal cards are a quick and convenient way of paying for your travel. They can be purchased at most train stations and some post offices, news agencies, convenience stores, supermarkets and other locations. You can find retailers on this map or order your Opal card online (opens external site).

You can put money on your card through your online Opal account, through the Opal app, at an Opal retailer, or at a machine located in most stations. See more details about how to put money on your card on this Transport for NSW page (opens external site).

You can also pay for transport with a debit or credit card. See this Transport for NSW page for more information (opens external site).

To use public transport in Sydney, you need to tap your Opal, credit or debit card on an Opal reader at the start of your journey. When you get off, tap the card again on the Opal reader. The fare is deducted from your card.

Note: International students are not eligible for reduced fares on NSW public transport.

Transport options in Sydney

Trains

Sydney has a wide-reaching train network, made up of over 2000km of tracks. UTS is located right next to Central Station, the main transport hub in Sydney. Buses and the light rail (tram) also serve Central Station.

Instructions to get from Central Station to UTS can be found on our directions page, under the dropdown ‘train station - Central’.

Buses

Sydney’s bus network extends to most suburbs. You will find the Opal reader on the bus, so make sure you tap your card when you board and leave. See the bus stops around UTS on our transport to UTS page.

Light Rail

There are a number of light rail stops near UTS - hop on to access the UTS Moore Park campus and the central business district. The light rail also stops at the Sydney Fish Market, Darling Harbour and Chinatown.

Ferries

Many people commute by ferry from beach and harbour-side suburbs to Sydney’s main ferry terminal at Circular Quay. Travelling on a ferry is a scenic way to explore destinations along Sydney Harbour, like Manly, Taronga Zoo and Luna Park.

Cycling

Generally, cyclists are not allowed to ride on the footpath. If you ride a bike, you will often need to share the road with cars, buses and trucks. Some streets have dedicated bicycle lanes, or paths that are shared with pedestrians. UTS also offers free and secure bike parking on campus. Learn more about cycling to UTS here.

Safety

In general, Sydney’s transport network is clean and safe. Most vehicles and stations are equipped with CCTV cameras. Larger wharves, stations, and interchanges also have Emergency Help Points where you can call for help in case of an emergency. These Emergency Help Points are on many trains as well.

When travelling at night, wait in well-lit areas, preferably near a security camera. On the train, sit near the guard’s compartment - this is usually indicated with a blue light on the carriage.