Sydney

[iantao99]

Are you planning to take Uber from Sydney to the Blue Mountains, or just short trips within the Blue Mountains.

If you are talking about the former, it will cost you at least $200 one way, assuming the driver is willing to take you on the 1.5 hour ride. Taxis, again, if they are willing to take you, will cost around $300 one way.

If you're just making short trips around the Blue Mountains, it depends on where you are. It's not too difficult around the larger towns.

Yes, tt is the plan. Due to limited time we have.
Day trip up to blue mountain from Sydney.
Is there a better way? Do share.

Also, wondering if it is safe to take Uber?
Or how to ensure our safety with Uber without being scammed?

 

[beano]

Yes, tt is the plan. Due to limited time we have.
Day trip up to blue mountain from Sydney.
Is there a better way? Do share.

Also, wondering if it is safe to take Uber?
Or how to ensure our safety with Uber without being scammed?

How do you get scammed on Uber? it's set price, just pay that amount when you accept.

 

[Awesom Andy]

Yes, tt is the plan. Due to limited time we have.
Day trip up to blue mountain from Sydney.
Is there a better way? Do share.

Also, wondering if it is safe to take Uber?
Or how to ensure our safety with Uber without being scammed?

I simply can't see how uber can be viable for a day trip to Blue Mountains given the cost. To make the most out of the available time, renting a car to drive would be the best option. It is also possible to visit via public transport but you would lose a good chuck of time waiting, walking, etc.

Normally speaking, the worst that can happen with uber is that the driver not turning up and try to collect a cancellation fee. Contact uber should it happen, but given that the driver hasn't turned up, your safety probably isn't affected.

 

[awhw]

Yes, tt is the plan. Due to limited time we have.
Day trip up to blue mountain from Sydney.
Is there a better way? Do share.

Also, wondering if it is safe to take Uber?
Or how to ensure our safety with Uber without being scammed?

Take the "mrt" from Central Station to Katoomba. It will take about 2 hours and cost around $6 (adult).

From Katoomba, you can take the Blue Mountains Explorer Bus to go to the usual tourist spots.


Go to this site for more info: https://transportnsw.info/plan/places-to-visit/blue-mountains

 

[salmonbelly]

Question about getting an opal card at the airport upon arrival -

Since we will be arriving quite early and have hours to spare before being allowed to check in to our airbnb, I'm thinking of trying the bus 400 -> train way to get to Central. But I understand that the airport station has set a minimum top-up of $35 if you get an opal card from their counter and we won't be spending that much on public transport.

Does anyone know if the minimum airport top-up applies when getting the opal card from WHSmith shop instead?

 

[princessreiko]

Yes, tt is the plan. Due to limited time we have.
Day trip up to blue mountain from Sydney.
Is there a better way? Do share.

Also, wondering if it is safe to take Uber?
Or how to ensure our safety with Uber without being scammed?

Why not take the train from Central station to Katoomba station?
You can then take the hop on and off bus.
You can purchase from this website. https://www.explorerbus.com.au/

I did that 2 times when I was in Sydney and thoroughly enjoyed myself!

 

[princessreiko]

Question about getting an opal card at the airport upon arrival -

Since we will be arriving quite early and have hours to spare before being allowed to check in to our airbnb, I'm thinking of trying the bus 400 -> train way to get to Central. But I understand that the airport station has set a minimum top-up of $35 if you get an opal card from their counter and we won't be spending that much on public transport.

Does anyone know if the minimum airport top-up applies when getting the opal card from WHSmith shop instead?

You can use ur credit card instead of getting the Opal card!

https://transportnsw.info/tickets-opal/opal/contactless-payments

If you have an American Express, Mastercard or Visa credit or debit card or a linked device, you can use it to pay for your travel by tapping on and tapping off at Opal readers at stations and Sydney Ferries' wharves. Just look for the contactless payment symbol

 

[Zappalapa]

anyone knows if uber/private taxi is readily available around these places in blue mountains?

1) lincoln's rock
2) govett's leap lookout/evans lookout

im trying to squeeze all these during my 1-day weekday trip from sydney cbd from my shortlisted walking tracks and points of interest.

-blackheath stn -> govett leap -> evans lookout -> grand canyon loop walking track ~5h
-wentworth falls stn -> wentworth falls -> lincoln's rock ~1h (uber to echo point)
-echo point to see 3 sisters/katoomba falls
-leura vs katoomba cascade (which one is nicer?)

havent decide whether to go blackheath stn do govett first then wentworth falls stn or the other way round.
im skipping the scenic world.

first train departs from central stn at 4.23am
last train departs from blackheath stn & katoomba stn at 10.20pm & 10.40pm respectively

 

[Awesom Andy]

anyone knows if uber/private taxi is readily available around these places in blue mountains?

1) lincoln's rock
2) govett's leap lookout/evans lookout

im trying to squeeze all these during my 1-day weekday trip from sydney cbd from my shortlisted walking tracks and points of interest.

-blackheath stn -> govett leap -> evans lookout -> grand canyon loop walking track ~5h
-wentworth falls stn -> wentworth falls -> lincoln's rock ~1h (uber to echo point)
-echo point to see 3 sisters/katoomba falls
-leura vs katoomba cascade (which one is nicer?)

havent decide whether to go blackheath stn do govett first then wentworth falls stn or the other way round.
im skipping the scenic world.

first train departs from central stn at 4.23am
last train departs from blackheath stn & katoomba stn at 10.20pm & 10.40pm respectively

At Lincoln's Rock, it's reasonably "remote" in terms of transport, I don't think uber or taxi can be relied upon there. At Govett's Leap or Evans, you may have a chance given it's somewhere tourists go to, but I still wouldn't count on it.

Also, I'm not sure how you are planning to go from Wentworth station to Lincoln's Rock in about an hour. I'm guessing that you won't go down to the valley at all, but if you're going to have a walk, you'll find the better part of the falls when you head down.

The Grand Canyon track is one of the better walks in my opinion. You get to see a bit of the Blackheath side, it's a lovely hike through that way.

It looks like you're a pretty keen hiker. If you can do a little bit of navigation, you can also consider doing the loop at Wentworth Falls. First, go to the Conservation Hut, then down the Valley of Waters all the way to Vera Falls, navigate your way to Hippocrene Falls (most of this part is unmarked), then you should be able to follow a track that takes you to the bottom of Wentworth Falls. From there, follow the track back up the cliff. It's one of the "secrets", so to speak - as there's a lot of going down then a lot of going up, and requires a little navigation work so 90% of the population wouldn't even consider heading through this loop (they'll do bits and pieces of it).

 

[Zappalapa]

At Lincoln's Rock, it's reasonably "remote" in terms of transport, I don't think uber or taxi can be relied upon there. At Govett's Leap or Evans, you may have a chance given it's somewhere tourists go to, but I still wouldn't count on it.

Also, I'm not sure how you are planning to go from Wentworth station to Lincoln's Rock in about an hour. I'm guessing that you won't go down to the valley at all, but if you're going to have a walk, you'll find the better part of the falls when you head down.

The Grand Canyon track is one of the better walks in my opinion. You get to see a bit of the Blackheath side, it's a lovely hike through that way.

It looks like you're a pretty keen hiker. If you can do a little bit of navigation, you can also consider doing the loop at Wentworth Falls. First, go to the Conservation Hut, then down the Valley of Waters all the way to Vera Falls, navigate your way to Hippocrene Falls (most of this part is unmarked), then you should be able to follow a track that takes you to the bottom of Wentworth Falls. From there, follow the track back up the cliff. It's one of the "secrets", so to speak - as there's a lot of going down then a lot of going up, and requires a little navigation work so 90% of the population wouldn't even consider heading through this loop (they'll do bits and pieces of it).

Thanks for the awesome tips!
am skipping valley of waters as i read online that it was slippery at some parts and there was a death case at one of the falls some time ago.

 

[iantao99]

I simply can't see how uber can be viable for a day trip to Blue Mountains given the cost. To make the most out of the available time, renting a car to drive would be the best option. It is also possible to visit via public transport but you would lose a good chuck of time waiting, walking, etc.

Normally speaking, the worst that can happen with uber is that the driver not turning up and try to collect a cancellation fee. Contact uber should it happen, but given that the driver hasn't turned up, your safety probably isn't affected.

Take the "mrt" from Central Station to Katoomba. It will take about 2 hours and cost around $6 (adult).

From Katoomba, you can take the Blue Mountains Explorer Bus to go to the usual tourist spots.


Go to this site for more info: https://transportnsw.info/plan/places-to-visit/blue-mountains

Why not take the train from Central station to Katoomba station?
You can then take the hop on and off bus.
You can purchase from this website. https://www.explorerbus.com.au/

I did that 2 times when I was in Sydney and thoroughly enjoyed myself!

Thanks for the tips.
The hotel concierge advised public transport as well as the drive will likely take almost the same time depending on traffic.

Yes, I took train. Cheap and good. Was told the ride up by car / bus was nausea inducing.
Have to be early for train though as seats may be fully taken.

My experience with Uber had been pleasant.
No driver cancellation or false charges (not yet) as mentioned in tripadvisor forum.

Just to share.
Took a taxi (MPV) to a hotel near Darling Harbour, cost us about $80.
Took a Uber (Comfort Tier as we needed a larger sedan for the luggage space) from the same hotel to airport, it cost us $48.
The hotel front desk told us the trip to the normal taxi fee should be around $50-$60.

 

[WWH123]

Took Uber from domestic terminal to Central station on Saturday night. $27.

 

[beano]

Took Uber from domestic terminal to Central station on Saturday night. $27.

Train would have cost you $17. Unless you had >2 pax, then it's worth.

 

[WWH123]

Got a Vodafone SIM with at least 30GB left till 11 June.
Plus 2 Opal Cards with $6.60 balance each.
All for S$23.
PM to deal in Jurong East or North area.

 

[kimura]

Hi,

I'm planning to drive from Leura to Hunter Valley. Instead of using M1, how is the drive via Putty road? I hope not to use the same M1 route to return to Sydney.

I will be driving back from Nelson Bay to Sydney and hope to drop by Treetop Adventure or Central Coast. Would it be better to use M1 or A43? is A43 more a scenic and longer drive?

 

[Awesom Andy]

Hi,

I'm planning to drive from Leura to Hunter Valley. Instead of using M1, how is the drive via Putty road? I hope not to use the same M1 route to return to Sydney.

I will be driving back from Nelson Bay to Sydney and hope to drop by Treetop Adventure or Central Coast. Would it be better to use M1 or A43? is A43 more a scenic and longer drive?

Putty Road is hilly and winding. It will take just as long as taking the long way round and use the M1.

You also don't see very much with A43. It's mostly a main road servicing the suburbs and towns in the area.

 

[kimura]

Thanks! For a smoother and easier drive, Do you then recommend me to take M1 to hunter valley and M1 from port Stephens back to Sydney? I hope to make a stop at central coast.

 

[awhw]

My personal preference (from Leura), is to take the M4, then M7 which continues as M2, before turning off to Cumberland Highway which continues as Pennant Hills Road, and then join the M1 all the way to Hunter Valley. It should be a smooth ride, but will be expensive because of the tolls on M7 and M2. The only thing to watch out for is to ensure you don't hit Pennant Hills Road during the school zone hours. Nearly the whole road is a school zone!

 

[Awesom Andy]

The M7/M2 combination is certainly quick, but very costly. The toll free alternative would be the M4 all the way down to the A28 exit, and follow A28 (there are a few turns and changes roads) all the way to M1. It's one of the more straight forward toll-free option.

If you want to go via Central Coast and/or Lake Macquarie, the roads there aren't interesting enough for a detour. But if there are some attractions you would like to have a look at, simply take the appropriate exit from M1. You can then rejoin it further down the road or keep heading in the intended direction on other roads as you see fit.

 

[curo]

Anyone got any recommendation for a dinner date at Sydney?

My first time at Sydney and so happen tat my first wedding anniversary is during that period. So I;m looking for a nice place for dinner. Budget about 150-200 for 2.

Hope bros here can recommend. Thanks