The Australian train system is very efficient. The trains are also very clean. Lately, due to…read moreCovid, there aren't as many passengers as usual. Riders buy an Opal card and load money on it. Then whenever you use it, you "tap on" at a little device that records your fare and how much you have left before you top it up. You can also tap directly with your credit card for contactless payment if you have the symbol on your card. Hornsby is a larger town so it is has a number of trains passing through the smaller villages on the way to Hornsby. It's also a very popular stop because it's right across from Westfield shopping mall and the Hornsby outdoor mall. I have been getting on the train at Lindfield since it's about a 10 minute walk from my bnb. It's fun to look at all the interesting village names: Turramurra, Warrawee, and Waroonga for example. I enjoy riding the train because it gets me where I want to go so no driving is needed.

A part of me considers Hornsby to basically be out on the far edges of Sydney, but it doesn't feel…read morelike it when you arrive at the station because it looks like, and in a way is, one of those major interchange stations. Actually, being next to a major shopping centre also helps. Yeah, this station is quite accessible and has quite a few facilities as well, and certainly makes you feel like you are in the suburbs.

FREE! Yep, free bus, every 10 minutes around the main area of Parramatta…read more Number 900, they're usually bright green. Although the transport website claims they've only been in operation since earlier this year, I think it was just called something else previously. I'm pretty sure this was the first free bus loop in Sydney, and I remember going on it for the first time quite a few years ago. It goes from the interchange at the train station to Argyle and Macquarie Streets west, up O'Connell, past the Leagues Club to north Church Street, Prince Alfred Park, Lennox Bridge, Phillip Street, Parramatta Wharf (where you can catch the Rivercat), Charles and Macquarie Street and back to the interchange again. Phew. Actually, the whole loop only takes about 25 minutes, so you can jump on anywhere and get to anywhere you want in pretty darn quick time. I'm all for walking, but to save some weary feet and to keep cars off the road, this is a fantastic initiative for the community and tourists alike. The driver of one I caught the other day seemed a little harried at the other less-than-perfect vehicular operators on the road, for which the solution, I think, is more buses. More free ones. Yay.

Actually, this station is actually a pretty major railway station in that it provides an…read moreinterchange between two lines, and when they open up the North-East link this will also, for a time at least, be the terminus (though I believe they are going to send the trains straight through to Chatswood). The station is pretty cool though, and has quite a few facilities as well. However, it is the underground section that I particularly like.

Space age! I love going down the stainless steel escalators. It reminds me of a James Bond movie…read moreand sliding down the metal part between the runs. The station is clean and efficient and very busy with people especially before and after work. The announcements are clear and there is a well sized lift....but please let the disabled people use it.

#100 for 2021 This…read moreis what happens when government wants to give their citizens a good transportation system. I love catching the trains. I feel very safe and comfortable. They really do lower the stress one can have in your busy day. Instead of worrying about all the drivers around you and where you are going, you can put your thought to be better things that can relax you. Catch up on reading, the news or watch a movie all off your own smart device. The problem with that is what do you do when you get home? I guess I could clean. How dreadfully boring. Before you board get an opal card. It's a card that can be loaded with money and reloaded any time you want to. It's like a debit card to use to board trains, buses and ferry boats. Many vendors or kiosks will have the logo displayed that says you can purchase and refill your cards with them. Conveniently located around the stops so you don't have to travel far. Now that you have your opal card use it to enter the boarding areas for where you want to go. You'll see people trying to buck the system and not pay. You'll also see the several spot checks they do to see who hasn't paid. Quite embarrassing. Don't buck the system and embarrass yourself. Pay up my friend and enjoy the ride. Now it might get a little confusing how to get around, use the opal card or how you board or where you board. There is very few staff around that can help you. And you never see one when you need one. Don't worry. Your typical Aussie is very friendly and helpful. So make a friend and ask for help. It really adds to the experience and boosts your confidence and appreciation of the country and people. On the train if you're in a large group there is a way to flip the seat around so you can face each other and have fantastic exciting conversations with each other. I found this very pleasing because you don't have to talk over your shoulder. What a fun way to travel. They should do this on all transportations including planes. The trains are double deckers. If it's your first time there and you want to check out the vast scenery you may want to take a seat on the upper level. Some times when it's super busy and no seats look available as you board it's best to head up straight to the upper level for seating. And don't be afraid to take a seat with someone in it. There's lots of space to keep your personal space. Well, most of the time anyway. All transports are kept cleaned and maintained. However, I have seen people wipe down their areas before seating. I have seen maintenance crews on board spot cleaning too. On the major and frequent used rails the trains look brand new. As you move away from these busy centers and on the lesser used rails the trains are still good and clean but you don't get that "new" feeling. It's still very good though. Air con is phenomenal. You're not freezing cold but as soon as you step in it's a nice blast of coldness to feel relief from the heat. It helps to really relax. On the days I was traveling alone where the rides were an hour or more I would take a nap. I'd worry about missing my stop. A few times I did. All I did was get off and boarded a train going back. A hassle I know but I enjoyed the nap. They do make announcements of the stops coming up to give you fair warning. I guess I was in a deep dream with koalas and kangaroos. lol Another great feature is how the train stops at all the malls and greater shopping areas. You can get all your daily errands done without traveling too far away from the stops. So there's no need to uber, lyft or rent a car. We didn't. A much cheaper option for sure. Practically almost eliminates the need to own a car too. Think of all the money you can save. All in all it's a great transportation system Australia has and wish we here in the U.S. had one to use.

During my weekend in Sydney, I had been utilizing Public Transport which took me around town and it…read morewas an enjoyable experience! Make sure you get your Opal Card which is free and just load it up with $30 or so if you are travelling to and from Airport. Opal Card makes travelling so easy as you can just tap on and off and can be used on trains, buses, light rail and even ferries! For checking your balance, make sure you download the App on your smartphone. Daily/Weekly Travel Cap and the best is on Sunday you can travel the whole day for $2.50!! That's that best time to take a long distance train ride or a ferry ride! I just wish every major International cities would be that public transit friendly like Sydney!

This is the other stop that gets missed on the Gordon to Hornsby express run in the afternoon. And…read moreyou'll be cheering as you fly-by cos Warrawee is like a broken pencil... Pointless! This station appears to exist purely for the Knox Grammar School. I dont think I've ever alighted at this station. Ever. It may be the only one on the entire North Shore line that I never have.

In my opinion, public transport in Sydney is not that bad…read more Lazy day just hope in to one of those light train, and you can have lunch at the famous Sydney fish market, and it's so handy plus convenient as well. There are 2 side of exit/ entrance, so if family member on wheel chairs, can also use the lift to go to street level.

This was fun, our family loves boat rides! Take the Ferry and enjoy Manly Beach! The views are…read morespectacular, sailboats, opera house, and so much more!! The captain is fun and has great commentary during the ride! It is clean, and safe enough for our family!

We took Eco Hopper from Circular Quay to Q Station. Even though one way adult ticket is $9, I…read morebelieve that is the only ferry that goes from Circular Quay to Q Station. The total journey took about 50ish minutes. Yes, it was VERY long but the scenery was pretty :) The best thing about the Eco Hopper is that you can purchase the tickets onboard. So no worries if you are running late, just dash to Wharf 6, get on board and sort out the tickets later ! The crew was friendly, and the Eco Hopper was virtually empty (yay!) Highly recommended ! [http://www.sydneyharbourecohopper.com.au/fares-info]

Ended up here spontaneously as we missed our original stop. So happy we did! This is a very quiet…read morelast docking (could be perhaps the time of day) but we found a cool Italian restaurant around the corner and had a nice lunch! Didn't take the ferry back but rather opted public trans as it was quicker but a nice relaxing time nonetheless!

Sunday morning ventured out for brekkie, like the Yelper I am. Then I wander to the wharf on the…read moreriver. Plenty of people watching...walkers, cyclists, people waiting for the ride to the city. Tempted to jump on with them!

Yep, that's right, this is another railway station that I happen to be reviewing because, well, I…read morejust seem to have to leave a comment on almost anywhere I go. Then again, people review toilet blocks so I guess railway stations are also fair game. This is an okay station, not really a major one, but there are a number of facilities here, and like a lot of Sydney stations, it is also fairly accessible.

This is the M&Ms of stations. Methadone & McDonalds!…read more I used to alight at this station much more frequently in my youth (KD's and Northie's were big back then, pre-Cabana days - which incidentally is also now closed). Let's not mention the Crowie, let's just not. A friend, who I used to collaborate with on IT projects lived in the Forum for a number of years so it was a regular stop for me, and has changed a lot since. The station itself was one of the first with the full upgrade (new escalators and elevators, brand new platform markings and bitumen, paint scheme and seating). This breathed new life into a shabby station whose reputation was gutter-bound courtesy of the methadone malingerers accosting you every time you walked past for "a coupla bucks". Buddy you saw me here an hour ago and I knocked ya back, what do you think has happened in that hour that is gonna change my mind? I didn't win Lotto. Sorry, but I hate working to earn money just as much as you do so why would I give it away? St Leonards staysh has been future proofed somewhat with the provision for 4 platforms (currently 3 in operation). This makes it large by comparison to other stations, offering more than ample room with which to wait, as the platforms are double-size to accommodate two lines. It alleviates the claustrophobia so prevalent at other stations. I alighted here late this week and discovered to my horror that there are still opioid dependents lingering, loitering and lounging around in wait for their substitution fix. I wasn't hit on for cashola this time, but by donning dark ray bans, suiting up, and rocking a purposeful stride, methinks they overlooked me as a potential mark.