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Transport

Getting around Sydney requires planning. Most students prefer to travel to the University by public transport in order to avoid traffic and parking hassles.

Public transport

The Opal card

The Opal card is a smartcard used to pay for public transport in Greater Sydney. It can be used on trains as far as Bathurst, Bomaderry (Greater Wollongong) and Dungog and Scone (Greater Newcastle,) as well as buses, ferries, light rail, and metro train lines throughout Greater Sydney. View the public transport Opal Network map. You can purchase or top-up your Opal card from machines at train stations, at most newsagents and convenience stores, or online. You can also buy single-use Opal tickets.

You can also use American Express, Mastercard, and Visa credit or debit cards, or a linked device (phone) to make contactless payments. Bank cards are charged adult fares. If you use the same card throughout the week, you receive the same discounts as an Opal card. Find out more about the Opal card and fees.

Can I get a concession Opal card?

Yes – if you are: 

• a full-time domestic student, or
• an international student with a specified government-funded scholarship (such as AusAID).

No – if you are: 

• a part-time domestic student, or
• a self-funded international student, or international student on any other form of scholarship.

If you are not sure of your eligibility you should apply for a concession Opal card.

Timetables and trip planning

Transport NSW have online timetables and trip-planning tools on their website. They can also recommend transport apps for your phone.

Fines

Always pay the correct fare for your travel. The fines for being caught with the wrong card or ticket on public transport can be up to $200. During semester, ticket inspectors often wait at bus stops near the University. More information on fines.

E-bikes and e-scooters

E-bikes can be used on public roads and road-related areas in NSW if they meet the requirements for permitted use.

E-scooters and hoverboards are illegal to use on roads or footpaths in NSW. You can only use them on private property. The only exception is if you hire an e-scooter as part of a valid NSW trial. If you are fined for riding an e-scooter or hoverboard illegally, you can contact our Legal Service for advice.

Village to Village bus

The free Village to Village bus service runs on Thursdays and Fridays, and stops near Darlington campus. There are 3 routes available:

1. Redfern to Woolloomooloo via China Town
2. Redfern to Broadway via Glebe
3. Redfern to Broadway via Green Square.

Free campus shuttle bus

The University operates several free shuttle bus services:

1. Fisher Library to Redfern station: 4–10:30pm, Mondays to Fridays (except public holidays and the Christmas shutdown period)
2. Camperdown campus to Australian Technology Park: during semesters only
3. Camperdown campus to Mallet Street 
4. Camden campus to Camden CBD and Campbelltown station.

Free campus shuttle bus timetable and information.

Accessibility on campus

The shuttle bus between Redfern station and Camperdown/Darlington campus has wheelchair access on all services.

Students with a valid Transport NSW Mobility Parking Permit can park in accessible parking bays. They can also park for free in any of the numbered parking bays, except for those marked ‘University Owned Vehicles Only’ or ‘Loading Zone’.

For emergency transport needs on Camperdown/Darlington campus, contact Campus Security on 9351 3333 and request a vehicle with full hydraulic wheelchair lift. 

Cycling

The University website features information on the best and safest cycle routes to Camperdown campus and Lidcombe campus.

Parking your bike on campus

Campus maps show locations of bike parking stations. Be careful to park only in designated bike parking, or your bike may be removed and taken to Campus Security. Make sure you lock your bike correctly and use a high-quality lock – university campuses are common targets for bike thieves.

Driving

Parking is extremely limited around most University campuses.

You can use the CellOPark app for pay-as-you-go parking.

More information on parking can be found here.

Buying a car

If you need to buy a car, NSW Fair Trading has some useful information, and so does Service NSW.

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Written by SUPRA Postgraduate Advocacy Service March 2023

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