Plan Your Commute
Most cities combine trains, buses, trams and ferries under a single payment card. Knowing peak times and fare caps can save you money.
Balance Convenience & Cost
Public transport is cheaper in inner suburbs while driving offers flexibility in outer areas. Consider combining both to suit your lifestyle.
Accessible Networks
All major cities offer accessible vehicles, priority seating and journey planning apps that include step-free routes and service alerts.
Transport Options at a Glance
Public Transport
Reliable and cashless in major cities with capped daily spending.
- Trains & Metros: Fast links between CBDs and suburbs.
- Buses: Extensive coverage, especially in outer suburbs.
- Trams & Ferries: Iconic services in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.
- Regional Services: V/Line, NSW TrainLink and Queensland Rail connect regional towns.
Driving & Ride Share
Ideal for flexible schedules or regional travel.
- Licensing: Overseas licences valid 3-12 months; then apply for a state licence.
- Costs: Petrol averages $1.80-$2.20 per litre; toll roads use electronic tags.
- Ride Share: Uber, DiDi and Ola operate nationwide for on-demand trips.
- Car Share: GoGet, Popcar and Flexicar offer hourly rentals in major cities.
Active & Micro-Mobility
Great for short trips and beating city traffic.
- Cycling: Dedicated lanes and end-of-trip facilities in most CBDs.
- e-Scooters: Legalised rentals in Brisbane, Canberra, Adelaide and parts of WA.
- Walking: Compact CBDs with shaded footpaths and pedestrian crossings.
- Multi-modal: Most stations provide bike parking and park-and-ride bays.
Navigating Australian Airports
Most international students and newcomers will arrive through major gateways like Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane. Understanding the arrival process helps you clear formalities quickly and plan your onward journey.
- Passport Control Use SmartGate ePassport kiosks if eligible, or join the manual queue. Keep your Incoming Passenger Card completed and your visa grant letter handy.
- Baggage & Biosecurity Collect luggage, declare food or plant items, and expect detector dog inspections. Dispose of restricted goods before customs to avoid fines.
- Onward Travel Follow signs for trains, public buses, rideshare pick-up zones, or domestic transfer desks if connecting flights are required.
Major Airports & City Connections
Key international airports provide multiple transport options into the city centre. Expect cashless ticketing and dedicated rideshare areas—plan ahead for late-night arrivals as services may run less frequently.
Sydney (SYD)
- Airport Link Train: 15 minutes to Central Station; use Opal cards or contactless payments.
- Airport Shuttle: Pre-book door-to-door minibuses for inner suburbs.
- Rideshare & Taxi: Dedicated priority lanes on each terminal forecourt.
Melbourne (MEL)
- SkyBus: 24/7 express coaches to Southern Cross Station with free Wi-Fi.
- Public Buses: Route 59 tram via Airport West for budget travel (requires myki card).
- Regional Links: Shuttle transfers connect to Ballarat, Bendigo and Geelong.
Brisbane (BNE)
- Airtrain: 20-minute service to Brisbane CBD; tap on with go card.
- Coach Connections: Transfers available to Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast.
- Rideshare: Pick-up zones located on Level 1 of both terminals.
Perth (PER)
- Airport Central Station: METRONET trains link Terminals 1 & 2 to Perth CBD in 18 minutes.
- Public Buses: Route 40 and 380 buses connect Terminals 3 & 4.
- Car Share: Bays near short-term parking for GoGet and Flexicar vehicles.
Airport Transfers & Domestic Connections
When continuing your journey beyond the arrival city, check in advance for baggage allowances, transfer times, and whether you need to collect and re-check bags for domestic flights.
Domestic Flight Transfers
- Minimum Connection: Allow at least 90 minutes between international and domestic legs.
- Inter-Terminal Buses: Sydney and Melbourne provide free shuttle buses between terminals.
- Baggage: Confirm if your bags are tagged through to avoid re-check queues.
Ground Transport Apps
- Journey Planners: Use the Transit, Google Maps or local apps for live service updates.
- Ticketing: Download state apps (Opal, PTV, Translink, Transperth) to top up and view service alerts.
- Rideshare: Pre-book Uber Reserve or DiDi Advance for late-night arrivals.
Accessible Travel
- Assistance Requests: Contact airlines 48 hours ahead for mobility support.
- Accessible Transfers: Dedicated taxi ranks and accessible rideshare vehicles are available at all major airports.
- Wayfinding: Look for tactile ground surface indicators and audio announcements in terminals.
City Smart Cards & Fare Caps
Each state manages its own payment card. Register online to track balances, set auto top-ups and protect funds if your card is lost.
| City / State | Card Name | Daily Cap | Getting Started |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney & NSW | Opal Card | $16.80 weekday | $8.40 weekend | Buy at stations or convenience stores, register via opal.com.au |
| Melbourne & Victoria | myki | $10.60 per day (Zone 1+2) | Purchase at stations or 7-Eleven, manage with the PTV app |
| Brisbane & South East QLD | go card | $12.40 adult cap | Order online or at retailers, tap on/off buses, trains and ferries |
| Perth & WA | SmartRider | 25% discount on standard fares | Apply online and collect at Transperth InfoCentres |
| Adelaide & SA | MetroCARD / MetroCARD Visitor Pass | $11.20 Daytrip (unlimited daily) | Available at Adelaide Metro InfoCentres and kiosks |
Tips for a Smooth Journey
- Use journey planners: Apps like Google Maps, Transit and local state apps provide live service updates and disruptions.
- Travel off-peak: Save up to 30% by travelling outside 7-9am and 4-6pm on many networks.
- Tap on and off: Always tap your card at the start and end of trips to avoid default maximum fares.
- Keep left: On escalators, stand left and walk right—especially in busy CBD stations.
- Regional trips: Book long-distance trains and coaches ahead of holidays to secure seats and early bird fares.
- Weather ready: Carry a reusable water bottle, sunscreen and umbrella—conditions can change quickly.