Sydney Travel Guide
Sydney is renowned for its national parks, beautiful beaches and extraordinary architectural landmarks - made all the more joyful by the city's famously carefree culture.
When is the best time to visit Sydney?
Due to its proximity to the sea, Sydney is lucky to see a warm climate year-round. What’s great is that it’s the perfect place to visit if you’re looking to get some winter sun – December to February see temperatures of around 27C. However, February is also Sydney’s wettest month, so bring suitably water-resistant outerwear. Autumn (March to May) sees slightly cooler temperatures with lows of 20C, but less wind, making it perfect sightseeing weather.
Travelling to Sydney?
Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport receives both domestic and international flights, and hosts a range of transport options to the centre of Sydney. Around a 25-minute drive to the centre, taxis can be found in the ranks at the front of the station. They should cost between $45 and $50. If you need assistance, supervisors can help you with requirements like wheelchair access, finding larger vehicles for bigger groups, and larger quantities of baggage.
To get to the centre using public transport, take the N20 bus straight from the airport and get off at Sydney Central Station – a journey that will take you a maximum of 40 minutes and leave you only fifteen minutes away from Darling Harbour, the entertainment epicentre of Sydney.
Getting around Sydney
Public Transport in Sydney
Opal is the local ticketing system used in Sydney, but with a minimum top-up of $20, contactless payment may be more efficient for shorter stays. American Express, Visa and Mastercard are accepted across the travel network on buses, ferries, rail and the metro.
Cycle hire in Sydney
Livelo Sydney is a popular rental service that offers road bikes and accessories, including GPS, deliverable to your hotel and collected by their team. Businesses like Lime, Beam and AirBike allow for short-term, online bookings, or if you’re looking for an electric equivalent, try Neuron Mobility’s signature e-scooter, designed in-house (and certified carbon neutral). .
Cabs in Sydney
There are many taxi services in Sydney, with taxi ranks in busy places in the city. They don’t have a uniform appearance like some other cities but can usually be identified by the white ‘TAXI’ sign on the roof. Or, if you prefer, options like Uber are very popular when looking for nearby cabs.
Fine Hotels + Resorts (FHR): Fine Hotels + Resorts (FHR) program benefits are available for new bookings made through American Express Travel with participating properties and are valid only for eligible Platinum Charge Card Members and Centurion® Members. Platinum Credit Card Members who are not also Australian Platinum Charge Card Members or Centurion® Members, are not eligible for FHR program benefits. Bookings must be made using an eligible Card and must be paid using that Card, or another American Express® Card, in the eligible Card Member's name, and that Card Member must be travelling on the itinerary booked. Noon check-in and room upgrade are subject to availability and are provided at check-in; certain room categories are not eligible for upgrade. The type of US$100 credit and additional amenity (if applicable) varies by property. The US$100 credit will be applied to eligible charges up to the amount of the credit. To receive the US$100 credit, the eligible spend must be charged to your hotel room. The credit will be applied at check-out. Advance reservations are recommended for certain credits. The type and value of the daily breakfast (for two) varies by property; breakfast will be valued at a minimum of US$60 per room per day. To receive the breakfast credit, the breakfast bill must be charged to your hotel room. The breakfast credit will be applied at check-out. If the cost of Wi-Fi is included in a mandatory property fee, a daily credit of that amount will be applied at check-out. Benefits are applied per room, per stay (with a three-room limit per stay). Back-to-back stays booked by a single Card Member, Card Members staying in the same room or Card Members travelling in the same party within a 24-hour period at the same property are considered one stay and are ineligible for additional FHR benefits (“Prohibited Action”). American Express and the property reserve the right to modify or revoke FHR benefits at any time without notice if we or they determine, in our or their sole discretion, that you may have engaged in a Prohibited Action, or have engaged in abuse, misuse, or gaming in connection with your FHR benefits. Benefit restrictions vary by property. Benefits cannot be redeemed for cash and are not combinable with other offers unless indicated. Benefits must be used during the stay booked. Any credits applicable are applied at check-out in USD or the local currency equivalent. Benefits, participating properties, and availability and amenities at those properties are subject to change. To be eligible for FHR program benefits, your eligible Card Account must not be cancelled. For additional information, please call the number on the back of your Card.
The Hotel Collection Terms and Conditions
The Hotel Collection (THC): The Hotel Collection (THC) benefits are available for new bookings of two consecutive nights or more, with participating properties, made through Platinum Travel Service, Centurion Travel Service or American Express Travel Online (americanexpress.com.au/travel or americanexpress.com.au/thc; Online bookings currently only available to Primary Card Members. Bookings are valid only for eligible Card Members of the following American Express Cards: American Express® Rewards Advantage Card, American Express® Explorer Credit Card, American Express® Platinum Reserve Credit Card, American Express® Gold Card, American Express® Gold Business Card, American Express® Business Gold Plus Card, American Express® Platinum Card, American Express® Platinum Business Card and American Express® Centurion Card. Excludes Gold Credit Card Members who are not also Australian Rewards Advantage, Gold or Platinum Charge Card Members. Bookings must be made using an eligible Card and must be paid using that Card, or another American Express® Card, in the eligible Card Member's name, and that Card Member must be travelling on the itinerary booked to be eligible for benefits described. Noon check-in, late check-out and the room upgrade are subject to availability; certain room categories are not eligible for upgrade. The type of US$100 credit and additional amenity (if applicable) varies by property; the US$100 credit will be applied to eligible charges up to US$100. To receive the US$100 credit, the eligible spend must be charged to your hotel room. The US$100 credit will be applied at check-out. Advance reservations are recommended for certain credits. Benefit restrictions vary by property. Benefits are applied per room, per stay (with a three-room limit per stay). Back-to-back stays booked by a single Card Member, Card Members staying in the same room or Card Members traveling in the same party within a 24-hour period at the same property are considered one stay and are ineligible for additional THC benefits (“Prohibited Action”). American Express and the Property reserve the right to modify or revoke the THC benefits at any time without notice if we or they determine, in our or their sole discretion, that you have engaged in a Prohibited Action, or have engaged in abuse, misuse, or gaming in connection with your THC benefits. Benefits cannot be redeemed for cash and are not combinable with other offers unless indicated. Benefits must be used during the stay booked. Any credits applicable are applied at check-out in US Dollars or the local currency equivalent. Benefits, participating properties, and availability and amenities at those properties are subject to change. To be eligible for THC program benefits, your eligible Card Account must not be cancelled. For additional information, call the number on the back of your Card.
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