Vivid Sydney

Opal

You can use an Opal card for all modes of public transport in Sydney and surrounding regions, including metro, trains, buses, ferries and light rail.

Remember to top up your Opal card before you travel to avoid waiting in line at top-up machines. You can top up your card online or at an Opal retailer.

More ways to pay

If you have a contactless-enabled American Express, Mastercard or Visa debit or credit card, or a linked device, you can use it to pay for your travel by tapping on and tapping off at Opal card readers. Available on all public transport, contactless payments are another way to pay on the Opal network. Adult Opal fare pricing applies and you will receive Opal benefits, including daily and weekly fare caps.

Vivid Sydney event precincts

Free light walk precincts

Vivid Sydney runs for 23 nights and you won’t be able to see everything in one night, so plan to visit over a few nights to get the best out of your experience.

There are three main event precincts across the light walk in the Sydney CBD which are all within walking distance of major transport hubs.

1. Circular Quay and The Rocks
2. Walsh Bay, Barangaroo and King St Wharf
3. Darling Harbour and Central

Frequent trains, buses, ferries and light rail services run to nearby transport hubs including Circular Quay, Town Hall, Wynyard and Central where you can start the light walk.

Keep in mind, on Friday nights from 6pm and on weekends from 5pm buses and light rail services will not run to Circular Quay. Light rail services will end at Town Hall and buses will relocate to Martin Place. As well, on Saturday nights and Sunday of the June long weekend (11 June), trains will not drop off passengers at Circular Quay Station, visitors will need to alight at Wynyard, Martin Place or St James instead and continue on foot to the harbour. Ferries will also be particularly busy on the weekends and will reach capacity from early afternoon so consider other transport options.

See our Vivid Sydney Light Walk and Transport map (pdf 712KB) to find your way.

Catch a train to Wynyard or Martin Place and head towards Circular Quay via George St. From there you can continue north towards through the Rocks around Walsh Bay, Barangaroo Reserve down King St wharf to Darling Harbour, continue down to Darling Quarter then across the Goods Line towards Central Station.

Ticketed Vivid Sydney precincts

This year there are two new ticketed Vivid Sydney precincts in the Sydney CBD:

• Royal Botanic Garden Sydney’s ‘Lightscape’ is 2km light walk through the gardens from 26 May – 16 July 2023. Open every day 26 May to 18 June from 5.30pm, then open Wednesday to Sundays from 21 June to 16 July from 5.30pm. Entry via Queen Elizabeth 2 gates at the Sydney Opera house and exit via Macquarie St. For more information and tickets visit the website.
• Wynyard Tunnels ‘Dark Spectrum’ underground tunnels. Enter via the top of Wynyard Station at Wynyard Park, exit at Cumberland St level. For more information and tickets visit the website.

Taronga Zoo: Outside the city, Vivid Sydney will also have installations at Taronga Zoo in Mosman. Sydney’s iconic zoo will light up for 2 ticketed sessions at 5.30pm and 7.30pm on Wednesday to Sunday nights including public holiday Monday 12 June. Ferries and buses run regularly to Taronga Zoo from the city and north shore. For more info visit Wild Lights at Taronga Zoo. 

On the water

There will be a number of commercial charter vessels which will be lit up in support of Vivid Sydney adding an extra dimension to the light walk and harbour foreshore. The majority of charter vessels will be operating from the King St wharf area with some operating from Circular Quay charter wharves on select nights, where people can board a vessel to see the Vivid Sydney lights from the water and see other vessels lit up on the waterways. For more information about charter ferries visit, Vivid Sydney on the water.

Sydney Metro services are high-frequency, driverless trains running between Tallawong Station and Chatswood Station.

Metro services start from the early morning running every 10 minutes until late. Change at Epping to connect with frequent T9 Northern Line trains to the city.

On Sun 11 June/Mon 12 June early morning metro services will be extended with the last service departing Chatswood at 1:47am.

Metro services will run to a Saturday timetable on Monday 12 June public holiday.

See our Vivid Sydney Light Walk and Transport map (pdf 712KB) to find your way.

For Metro service disruption information, check trackwork and travel alerts or plan your trip using the Trip Planner.

Sydney Trains services run regularly to the city on all lines from early morning until late, and additional services will run on weekends during Vivid Sydney to help you get there and home again. Late night NSW TrainLink intercity services will also have increased capacity to help you get you home.

Getting to Vivid Sydney Light precincts

All Vivid Sydney precincts in the city are within short walking distance of major CBD train stations, see our Vivid Sydney Light Walk and Transport map (pdf 712KB) to find your way:

• Circular Quay: trains run regularly to Circular Quay on weeknights. On Saturday nights and Sunday of the long weekend (11 June), trains will not drop off passengers at Circular Quay Station from 6pm to 11pm due to large crowds in the precinct – use Wynyard, Martin Place or St James stations instead on these nights and continue on foot to the harbour.
• Wynyard: from Wynyard station it’s an easy walk to Barangaroo and King St Wharf via the underground Wynyard Walk tunnel. For access to Circular Quay and The Rocks, take the George St exit and continue along George St towards Circular Quay.
• Central: from Central take the Grand Concourse exit (1) or exit (7) towards Railway Square through the Devonshire St Tunnel and walk up the Goods Line towards Darling Harbour.
• Town Hall: From Town Hall take the George St Town Hall exit (4) or Cathedral exit (5) and continue down Druitt St or Bathurst St for access to Darling Harbour.

Additional train services during Vivid Sydney

• Daily: trains to the city run frequently on weekdays and every 10 to 15 minutes on weekends across most train lines. Regular timetabled services will run Monday through Thursdays.
• On Fridays additional late night trains will run on the T2 Inner West & Leppington Line and T8 Airport & South Line. Additional Sydney to Newcastle services and an additional service Campbelltown to Moss Vale. There will also be extra capacity on some South Coast, Blue Mountains and Central Coast & Newcastle Line services.
• Extra services will run in the afternoon and late evening on weekends to help you get to and from the city, and between Vivid Sydney precincts.
  • On Saturday’s, additional services will run on the T2 Inner West & Leppington Line and the T8 Airport & South Line. An additional service will run on the T4 Eastern Suburbs & Illawarra Line. Additional Sydney to Newcastle services will run (excluding June Long weekend). There will also be extra capacity on some South Coast, Blue Mountains and Central Coast & Newcastle Line services.
  • On Sunday’s, additional services will run on the T2 Inner West & Leppington Line. An additional service will run on the T4 Eastern Suburbs & Illawarra Line. Additional Sydney to Newcastle services will run (excluding June Long weekend). There will also be extra capacity on some South Coast, Blue Mountains and Central Coast & Newcastle Line services (except June Long weekend).
  • On the long weekend additional services will run on the T2 Inner West & Leppington Line and T8 Airport & South Line. There will also be extra capacity on some South Coast and Blue Mountains Line services.

Trackwork

Trackwork is taking place during Vivid Sydney and may affect how you travel to and from the event - plan ahead using the Trip Planner. Note the information below may change, check back closer to the event for the latest trackwork information.

Weekends

Weekend 1 - 2am Saturday 27 May until 2am Monday 29 May

• T1 Western Line: Buses replace trains between Emu Plains and Blacktown. Trains run to a changed timetable between Richmond, Blacktown and the City. Daily from 6.30am to 10.30am, some trains make an extra stop at Homebush.
• T2 Inner West & Leppington Line: Saturday from 6.30am to 10.30am, the all-stations Inner West trains run between Ashfield and the City only. Sunday from 6.30am to 10.30am, buses replace the all-stations Inner West trains between Ashfield and Central. Daily from 6.30am to 10.30am, Leppington trains make extra stops at Homebush, Croydon and Ashfield. Some T1 Western Line trains make an extra stop at Homebush, and some T9 Northern Line trains make extra stops at Croydon and Ashfield.
• T3 Bankstown Line: From 2am to 9.30am, buses replace trains between Bankstown and Sydenham. Trains run between Liverpool or Lidcombe and Bankstown, and between Sydenham and the City, some to a changed timetable.
• T4 Eastern Suburbs & Illawarra Line: Daily from 6.30am to 12.15pm, some trains run to a changed timetable and stopping pattern. Some trains start or end at Hurstville or Sutherland. You may need to change trains to continue your journey.
• T9 Northern Line: Daily from 6.30am to 10.30am, some trains make extra stops at Croydon and Ashfield.
• Blue Mountains Line: Buses replace trains between Bathurst and Blacktown. T1 Western Line trains run between Blacktown and the City, to a changed timetable.
• South Coast Line: Daily from 6.30am to 12.15pm, some trains make extra stops between Sutherland and Hurstville. Sunday from 1pm to 4pm, trains will not stop at Wolli Creek, but make extra stops at Arncliffe and Sydenham. Buses run between Arncliffe, Wolli Creek and Sydenham. Change at Arncliffe or Sydenham for a bus to Wolli Creek.

Weekend 2 - Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 June (weekend)

• T1 Western Line: Daily from 2am to 2pm, trains run to a changed timetable and make extra stops at some stations between Flemington and Macdonaldtown. Richmond trains run to a changed timetable between Richmond and Olympic Park and make extra stops at Harris Park, Granville and Lidcombe. On Sunday from 5:50am to 8:45am, buses replace trains between Richmond and Blacktown. From 8:45am to 11am, buses replace trains between Richmond and Schofields. Trains run between Blacktown or Schofields and the City, some to a changed timetable.
• T2 Inner West & Leppington Line: Daily from 2am to 2pm, the all-stations Inner West trains will not run. Leppington trains run to a changed timetable between Leppington and Olympic Park only. Change trains at Lidcombe to continue your journey towards the City.
• T5 Cumberland Line: On Sunday from 5:50am to 8:45am, buses replace trains between Richmond and Blacktown. From 8:45am to 11am, buses replace trains between Richmond and Schofields. Trains run between Blacktown or Schofields and Leppington, some to a changed timetable.
• T9 Northern Line: Daily from 2am to 2pm, trains run to a changed timetable and make extra stops at stations between Strathfield and Macdonaldtown.
• Blue Mountains Line: Daily from 2am to 2pm, some trains may run to a changed timetable due to trackwork between Strathfield and Central.
• Central Coast & Newcastle Line: Daily from 2am to 2pm, some trains may run to a changed timetable due to trackwork between Strathfield and Central.
• South Coast Line: From 5:40pm Friday to 4:30am Monday, buses replace trains between Bomaderry, Kiama and Wollongong. Trains run between Port Kembla, Wollongong and Bondi Junction, some to a changed timetable.
• Southern Highland Line: On Saturday from 10am to 4pm, buses replace trains between Campbelltown and Moss Vale.

Weekend 3 - Saturday 10 to Monday 12 June (long weekend)

• City Circle: On Saturday and Sunday from 4am to 6am, trains will not run on the City Circle. Use buses or light rail instead. 
• T1 North Shore Line: Buses replace trains between Berowra and Hornsby. Trains run between Hornsby and the City, to a changed timetable. On Saturday and Sunday from 4am to 6am, trains run to a changed timetable between Hornsby and Wynyard only. Trackwork also affects trains on the City Circle.
• T1 Western Line: Richmond trains run between Richmond and Olympic Park only. Change at Parramatta for trains towards the City. On Saturday and Sunday from 4am to 6am, buses replace trains between Strathfield and Wynyard. Penrith trains run between Penrith and Strathfield only, to a changed timetable. Trackwork also affects trains on the City Circle.
• T2 Inner West & Leppington Line: On Saturday and Sunday from 4am to 6am, buses replace trains between Ashfield and Central. Trackwork also affects trains on the City Circle. Trains run to a changed timetable between Leppington and Ashfield via Granville.
• T3 Bankstown Line: On Saturday and Sunday from 4am to 6am, buses replace trains between Sydenham and Central. Trains run to a changed timetable between Liverpool or Lidcombe and Sydenham only. Trackwork also affects trains on the City Circle.
• T4 Eastern Suburbs & Illawarra Line: On Saturday and Sunday from 4am to 6am, trains run to a changed timetable between Cronulla or Waterfall and Sydenham, and between Central and Bondi Junction only. Buses replace all trains between Sydenham and Central. Trackwork also affects trains on the City Circle. 
• T8 Airport & South Line: On Saturday and Sunday from 4:30am to 5am, trains start and end at Central due to City Circle trackwork. Buses replace all trains on the City Circle.
• T9 Northern Line: Buses replace trains between Hornsby and Strathfield. Trains run to a changed timetable between Strathfield and the City, and between Hornsby and the City via the T1 North Shore Line. On Saturday and Sunday from 4am to 6am, buses also replace trains between Strathfield and Wynyard. Trackwork also affects trains on the City Circle. 
• Blue Mountains Line: Until 10pm Monday, most trains run between Blue Mountains Line stations and Blacktown only, some to a changed timetable. Bathurst trains start and end at Strathfield. On Saturday and Sunday from 4:30am to 6.40am, some trains to Blue Mountains Line stations start from Strathfield. Buses replace some trains from Central to Strathfield.
• Central Coast & Newcastle Line: Buses replace trains between Newcastle Interchange and Hornsby. T1 North Shore Line trains run to a changed timetable between Hornsby and the City. Buses also replace T9 Northern Line trains between Hornsby and Strathfield. On Saturday and Sunday from 4am to 6am, T1 North Shore Line trains run between Hornsby and Wynyard only. Buses replace trains between Wynyard and Strathfield.
• Hunter Line: Buses replace trains between Scone or Dungog and Newcastle Interchange.
• South Coast Line: On Saturday and Sunday from 4:30am to 6am, trains run between South Coast Line stations and Hurstville only. Buses replace all trains between Sydenham and Central. 
• Southern Highlands Line: On Saturday from 10am to 4pm, buses replace trains between Campbelltown and Moss Vale.

Weekend 4 - Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 June (weekend)

• T2 Inner West & Leppington Line: Buses replace trains between Cabramatta and Granville. Trains run between Leppington and the City via Regents Park.
• T4 Eastern Suburbs & Illawarra Line: Sunday, buses replace trains between Central and Bondi Junction.
• T5 Cumberland Line: Buses replace trains between Cabramatta and Granville.
• Southern Highlands Line: Saturday from 10am to 4pm, buses replace trains between Campbelltown and Moss Vale.

Weekdays

Monday 22 May to Friday 26 May

• Major weekday - Blue Mountains Line: Buses replace trains between Lithgow and Mount Victoria.

Monday 29 May to Friday 2 June (major weekday)

• Major weekday - Blue Mountains Line: Buses replace trains between Lithgow and Mount Victoria.

Monday 29 May to Thursday 1 June (evening): T8 Airport & South Line: Buses replace trains between Glenfield and Sydenham, and between Sydenham and Central via the Airport.

Friday 2 June

• Blue Mountains Line: Buses replace trains between Lithgow and Mount Victoria. Trains run between Mount Victoria and Central, some to a changed timetable. Bathurst trains continue to run between Bathurst, Lithgow and Central, to a changed timetable. If you are travelling to Lithgow to connect with NSW TrainLink Regional Coaches, please call 132 232 to confirm departure times.
• South Coast Line: From 5:40pm, buses replace trains between Bomaderry, Kiama and Wollongong. Trains run between Port Kembla, Wollongong and Bondi Junction, some to a changed timetable.

Monday 5 to Friday 9 June (daytime): South Coast Line: Buses replace some trains between Wollongong and Kiama.

Friday 9 June

• Blue Mountains Line: From 11pm to 2am, some trains run between Blue Mountains Line stations and North Sydney or the City Circle, some to a changed timetable.
• Central Coast & Newcastle Line: Buses replace the following trains from Hornsby to Gosford or Wyong. Catch a T1 North Shore Line train to Hornsby then change for a bus.
  • 11:47pm Central to Newcastle Interchange service from Hornsby to Gosford. Train runs to a changed timetable from Gosford to Newcastle Interchange.
  • 12:47am Central to Wyong service from Hornsby to Wyong.

Monday 5 to Thursday 8 June (evening): Blue Mountains Line: Buses replace trains between Lithgow and Springwood.

Tuesday 13 to Friday 16 June (daytime): South Coast Line: Buses replace some trains between Wollongong and Kiama.

Tuesday 13 to Thursday 15 June (evening): Central Coast & Newcastle Line: Buses replace trains between Newcastle Interchange and Wyong.

Wednesday 14 June (evening): T2 Inner West & Leppington Line: Buses replace the all-stations trains between Strathfield and Ashfield.

Trackwork is carried out on an ongoing basis to maintain the safety, reliability, and efficiency of the Sydney Trains network. For the latest information, check trackwork and travel alerts or plan your trip using the Trip Planner.

Regular Route Buses

Plenty of buses run to and from the city each night, making stops within short walking distance of Vivid Sydney precincts. Plan your bus trip ahead of time using the Trip Planner.

Please note, buses traveling thorugh Surry Hills are currently diverting away from Elizabeth Street, Chalmers Street and Randle Street due to a building fire. They are using local streets instead and may start or terminate their trips at different stops. Consider other transport options available and plan your trip using the Trip Planner. 

Sydney CBD: On some weeknights and all weekends during Vivid Sydney, additional services will run on selected popular bus routes to the city from mid-afternoon with additional return services leaving the city from around 8pm, depending on the route. See our Vivid Sydney Light Walk and Transport map (pdf 712KB) to find your way.

Taronga Zoo: route 100 buses run regularly between the city QVB and Taronga Zoo. As well route 238 buses run regularly between Taronga Zoo Wharf, the Zoo top gate entry and Balmoral with additional late night buses running to meet ferries.

For bus service disruption information, check travel alerts or plan your trip using the Trip Planner.

Bus Diversions

Buses to and from the city will be diverting and using different stops while event road closures are in place on Fridays and weekends. On Mondays to Thursdays during Vivid Sydney, buses will run as normal. Check signs at bus stops for alternative stop locations and use the Trip Planner before you travel.

Fridays (26 May, 2 Jun, 9 June and 16 June)

• Routes 252, 261, 288, 290 and 292: From 6.30pm to 11.30pm on Fridays buses to the city will end trips at Wynyard Station York Street Stand P (Stop ID 200048). Buses leaving the city will start trips from Wynyard Station York Street Stand R (Stop ID 2000142). Buses will not make stops at King St Wharf or Sussex St during these times, continue on foot from Wynyard via the underground Wynyard Walk to get to and from the precinct.
• Routes 304, 333, 343, 396 and 392N: from 6pm to midnight on Fridays buses towards Circular Quay will end trips at Museum of Sydney on Phillip St. Buses leaving the city will start trips from Martin Place Station, Elizabeth St, Stand E (Stop ID 2000283) instead of Circular Quay.
• Route 311: from 5pm to midnight on Fridays, buses towards Millers Point will end trips at Towns Place after Hickson Road (Stop ID 2000154) and start trips from Hickson Road opposite Towns Place (Stop ID 2000179). Stops on Argyle St and Argyle Place will be missed.

Saturdays (27 May, 3 June, 10 Jun, 17 Jun) and Sunday of the June long weekend (11 June)

• Routes 115, 202, 207, 208 and 263: from 5pm to 1am on Saturdays and Sunday of the long weekend (11 Jun), buses will start and end trips on York St at Wynyard instead of Bridge St. Services to the city will continue over the Sydney Harbour Bridge instead of the Cahill Expressway Overpass and end trips on York St near Margaret St at Wynyard. Services leaving the city will start trips from Stand K on York St (Stop ID 200033) at Wynyard Station, (Stand L for Route 263 services) and travel via Clarence St towards the Harbour Bridge.
• Routes 252, 261, 288, 290 and 292: From 6.30pm to 11.30pm on Saturdays and Sunday of the long weekend (11 Jun) buses to the city will end trips at Wynyard Station York Street Stand P (Stop ID 200048). Buses leaving the city will start trips from Wynyard Station York Street Stand R (Stop ID 2000142). Buses will not make stops at King St Wharf or Sussex St during these times, continue on foot from Wynyard via the underground Wynyard Walk to get to and from the precinct.
• Routes 304, 333, 343, 396 and 392N: from 5pm to 1am on Saturdays and Sunday of the long weekend (11 Jun) buses will start and end trips at Martin Place instead of Circular Quay. Buses to the city will end trips at Martin Place Elizabeth St, Stand C and buses leaving the city will start trips from Martin Place Elizabeth St, Stand E.
• Route 311: from 5pm to 1am on Saturdays and Sunday of the long weekend (11 June), buses towards Millers Point will end trips at Towns Place after Hickson Road (Stop ID 2000154) and start trips from Hickson Road opposite Towns Place (Stop ID 2000179). Stops on Argyle St and Argyle Place will be missed.

Sundays (28 May and 4 June) and Monday public holiday (12 June)

• Routes 304, 333, 343, 396 and 392N: from 5pm to midnight on Sundays and Monday public holiday (12 Jun) buses will end trips at Museum of Sydney on Phillip St. Buses leaving the city will start trips from Martin Place Station, Elizabeth St, Stand E (Stop ID 2000283) instead of Circular Quay.
• Route 311: from 5pm to midnight on Sundays and Monday public holiday (12 June), buses towards Millers Point will end trips at Towns Place after Hickson Road (Stop ID 2000154) and start trips from Hickson Road opposite Towns Place (Stop ID 2000179). Stops on Argyle St and Argyle Place will be missed.

For bus service disruption information, check travel alerts or plan your trip using the Trip Planner.

Harbour Ferries

If you're planning to catch a ferry, expect delays and long queues at wharves as services are very popular during Vivid and will start to reach capacity from the early afternoon, particularly on weekends.

Ferries to and from Circular Quay, Barangaroo and Taronga Zoo will be very busy so make sure to plan ahead, have a few transport options in mind and look for signs directing you to your nearest alternative transport option. See our Vivid Sydney Light Walk and Transport map (pdf 712KB) to find your way.

Due to the high demand, customers will be required to exit the ferry once they reach their destination. You will not be able to stay on the ferry and take the return trip. This is to make sure that everyone gets the chance to access ferry services. Please note, there are no free ferry services during Vivid Sydney.

Service changes:

Ferries in the harbour will be affected by Drone Shows taking place on the evenings of Sunday 28 May, Wednesday 31 May, Sunday 4 June, Wednesday 7 June, Monday 12 June and Wednesday 14 June during Vivid Sydney. Ferries will not run to or from Circular Quay from 9pm to 9.30pm on these dates. F1 Manly ferries will drop off and pick up from Barangaroo wharf instead and F9 ferries will drop off at Barangaroo instead of Circular Quay. Other ferry routes will run to an altered timetable arriving and departing Circular Quay before 9pm and after 9.30pm.

F1 Manly ferry will depart from Barangaroo at 9.10pm instead of Circular Quay. Ferry departing Manly at 8.50pm will drop off at Barangaroo at 9.22pm instead of Circular Quay.

F9 ferry departing Rose Bay at 9.05pm will drop off at Barangaroo instead of Circular Quay.

Please note the F7 Double Bay ferry service will not stop at Double Bay Wharf from Tuesday 13 June, while the wharf is upgraded. The closure will continue for approximately six months until November 2023. Alternative transport options include nearby buses, trains at Edgecliff Station and ferries from Darling Point Wharf. Use the Trip Planner to plan your trip and check alerts for further information and updates on the closure. For more info see the news page.

Ferry services during Vivid Sydney:

• F1 Manly: regular timetable services will run until late. Last ferry to Manly leaves Circular Quay at 12.20am on Fridays and Saturdays, and at 11.20pm on Sundays. Ferries will run to a Saturday timetable on Sunday of the long weekend, 11 June.
• F2 Taronga Zoo: on Wednesdays to Sundays extra ferries will run from Circular Quay to the Zoo and return from the Zoo until 10pm. 
• F3 Parramatta River: regular timetable services will run with an additional service from Parramatta to Circular Quay at 7:38pm on Sundays and Public Holiday nights.  Additional late night ferries will also run at 9:07pm and 10:07pm from Circular Quay on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Public Holiday nights.
• F4 Pyrmont Bay: regular timetable services will run with additional ferries in the evening each night until 11pm from Pyrmont and 11.30pm from Circular Quay.
• F5 Neutral Bay: regular timetable services will run. Last ferry leaves Circular Quay at 11.25pm on weeknights and Saturdays, and at 8.25pm on Sundays and public holidays.
• F6 Mosman Bay: regular timetable services will run with late night services until midnight on weekends. On Sundays and public holiday Monday 12 June services last services will run until 8pm. 
• F7 Double Bay: regular timetable services will run. Last ferry leaves Circular Quay at 10.57pm on weeknights and Saturdays, and at 8.57pm on Sundays and public holidays.
• F8 Cockatoo Island: regular timetable services will run. Last ferry leaves Circular Quay at 11.45pm on weeknights and Saturdays, and at 8.45pm on Sundays and public holidays.
• F9 Watsons Bay: regular timetable services will run. Last ferry to Rose Bay leaves Circular Quay at 11.45pm on weeknights and weekends. Last ferry to Watsons Bay on weekends leaves Circular Quay at 11.45pm.
• F10 Glebe: regular services will run between Blackwattle Bay Wharf (Glebe) and Barangaroo Wharf every 30 minutes on weekdays from 7am to 8pm and on weekends from 9am to 7pm. On Monday public holiday 12 June services will run until 6.30pm.

For ferry service disruption information, check travel alerts or plan your trip using the Trip Planner. 

Ferries for Vivid Sydney ticketed events at Taronga Zoo

On Wednesdays to Sundays extra F2 ferries will run from Circular Quay to the Zoo and return from the Zoo until 10pm with connecting buses between the Zoo entry and Zoo wharf.

While extra services will run between Circular Quay and Taronga Zoo these will be in high demand and long queues are expected. Consider the alternative transport options including buses and plan to arrive early ahead of your session start time.

For more information visit Vivid Sydney Wild Lights at Taronga Zoo.

Other Maritime arrangements

Restrictions will be in place on recreational and commercial vessels in the Harbour during Vivid Sydney 2023. Visit Transport for NSW Waterways website closer to the event date for details on private wharf closures, access restrictions and viewing areas.

For more information about charter ferries and recreational vessels visit, Vivid Sydney on the water.

L1 Dulwich Hill Line

L1 Dulwich Hill light rail services run between Central Grand Concourse and Dulwich Hill from 6am to 11pm daily, and until midnight on Fridays and weekends (including Mon 12 Jun) during Vivid Sydney, plan your trip using the Trip Planner.

Sydney Harbour: For access to Vivid Sydney locations around the harbour, change at Central for L2 and L3 light rail services leaving from Chalmers St to Town Hall. Please note on Fridays from 6pm and on weekends from 5pm services will not run between Town Hall and Circular Quay for crowd safety. Continue on foot from Town Hall towards the harbour instead.

Darling Harbour: For access to Vivid Sydney at Darling Harbour catch L1 light rail to the Exhibition Centre, Convention or Pyrmont Bay stops. Keep in mind that services between Central and Pyrmont Bay will be busy with large crowds expected on weekends so consider the alternative transport options.

See our Vivid Sydney Light Walk and Transport map (pdf 712KB) to find your way.

L2 Randwick and L3 Kingsford Lines

L2 Randwick light rail services run between Circular Quay and Randwick via Central Station (Chalmers Street) and L3 Kingsford light rail services run between Circular Quay and Juniors Kingsford via Central Station (Chalmers Street). Services run regularly from 5am to 1am daily, plan your trip using the Trip Planner.

Sydney Harbour: For access to Vivid Sydney locations around the harbour:

• Monday - Thursdays: catch light rail services to Circular Quay.
• Fridays and weekends: change at Town Hall for trains to Wynyard and continue on foot. Alternatively continue on foot from Town Hall towards Circular Quay via George St.

Darling Harbour: For access to Vivid Sydney at Darling Harbour, Central Station and the Goods Line, catch L2/L3 light rail to the Haymarket or Central Chalmers Street stops and continue on-foot.

Service changes

• On Fridays from 6pm to 1am and weekends from 5pm to 1am (including Mon 12 Jun), L2 and L3 light rail services will not run between Town Hall and Circular Quay for pedestrian safety as large crowds are expected.

See our Vivid Sydney Light Walk and Transport map (pdf 712KB) to find your way.

For maps and service frequencies see Light rail service information. For light rail service disruption information, check travel alerts or plan your trip using the Trip Planner.

Attendees are urged to leave the car at home and catch public transport with plenty of services running and all Vivid Sydney precincts are within short walking distance of major transport hubs. See our Vivid Sydney Light Walk and Transport map (pdf 712KB) to find your way.

If you're planning to drive to Vivid Sydney precincts plan ahead and allow extra travel time as road closures and parking restrictions will be in effect around Circular Quay, The Rocks, Dawes Point, Haymarket and Darling Harbour each night. If you drive and arrive early for parking keep in mind that once roads are closed you won't be able to exit driveways, carparks or private properties onto closed roads so plan ahead.

Traffic is expected it to be very heavy in the city over the June long weekend, so if you're planning your visit to Vivid Sydney please catch public transport and avoid the traffic delays. Alternatively arrive early ahead of lights on to avoid the congestion as car parks will reach capacity through the evenings.

Visit livetraffic.com for real-time updates on traffic conditions and road closures during Vivid Sydney. To plan ahead, see the interactive road closure and clearway maps for more details.

Road closures

Significant road closures and extensive parking restrictions will be in effect on most major roads in The Rocks, Circular Quay and the Sydney CBD throughout the 23 day festival from Friday 26 May to Saturday 17 June.

See the Vivid interactive road closure and clearway maps for more details on road closure and clearway dates, times and locations.

Key road closure timings:

Nightly:

• 12pm midday - midnight: Cumberland St south of Essex St
• 3pm - midnight: Circular Quay West at the Overseas Passenger Terminal.
• Each weekend From 2pm Friday to 1am Monday, George St will close between Lower Fort St and Hickson Rd for the Rocks markets.

Monday to Thursdays

• 5pm – midnight: closures in The Rocks including George St north of Alfred St, Hickson Rd to Pottinger St and sections of Pitt St, Pottinger St, Lower Fort St, Loftus St and other local streets.
• 7pm – midnight: northbound lanes of George St closed from Grosvenor St to Essex St. 

Fridays

• 5pm – midnight: closures in The Rocks and Walsh Bay including George St north of Alfred St, Hickson Rd to Pottinger St, Windmill St, Argyle Place, Pottinger St, Dalgety Rd and surrounding local streets.
• 6pm – midnight: roads in Circular Quay north of Bridge St including sections of Pitt, Young, Phillip and Loftus Streets, and Darling Dr between Pier St and Ultimo Rd.
• 7pm – midnight: northbound lanes of George St from Grosvenor St to Essex St and Essex St westbound.

Saturdays and Sunday (11 June) of the long weekend 

• 5pm - 1am: major closures in Sydney CBD, Circular Quay, The Rocks and Walsh Bay, including sections of Grosvenor St, Bridge St, Jamison St, Margaret St, Hunter St, George St north of King St, Hickson Rd to Pottinger St, Pottinger St, Windmill St, Lower Fort St, Argyle Pl, sections of Pitt, Young, Phillip and Loftus Streets north of Bridge St, and Railway Colonnade at Central Station. No access east/west across the city via Grosvenor/Bridge Streets.
• 5.30pm - midnight: Darling Dr between Pier St and Ultimo Rd
• 7pm - 11pm: Wheat Rd from Harbour St at Darling Harbour

Sundays and Monday 12 June (public holiday)    

• 5pm – midnight: closures in Circular Quay, The Rocks and Walsh Bay including George St north of Grosvenor St, Hickson Rd to Pottinger St, Windmill St, Argyle Place and sections of Pitt, Young, Phillip and Loftus Streets north of Bridge St.
• 5.30pm – midnight: Darling Dr between Pier St and Ultimo Rd.

Managed access to some hotels and businesses around The Rocks and Circular Quay while roads are closed will be maintained by traffic controllers on-site throughout Vivid Sydney when safe to do so.

For detailed information on the road closures, clearways and real-time updates on traffic conditions visit Live Traffic NSW or download a real-time traffic app.

Taxis

Demand for taxis will be high and queues will be long so please be patient and considerate of others. To avoid the queues, consider catching a train or bus service out of the Sydney CBD before looking for a taxi. 

See the Vivid interactive road closure and clearway maps for more details on road closure and clearway dates, times and locations.

Taxi ranks during Vivid Sydney

Open Monday – Thursdays only

• Pitt St between Alfred St and Bridge St - eastern side
• Phillip St between Alfred St and Bridge St - eastern side

Open Monday - Fridays, Sundays and Monday public holiday (12 Jun) only

• Bridge St between George St and Pitt St - northern side
• Bridge St between George St and Pitt St - southern side
• Hunter St between Pitt St and George St – southern side

Open throughout

• Macquarie Street between Albert Street and the Sydney Opera House – eastern side (traffic is expected to be heavy on weekends so allow extra travel time)
• Argyle Street between Lower Fort Street and Harrington Street
• Carrington Street, near Wynyard Park – eastern side
• Zollner Circuit, Darling Drive in Darling Harbour – eastern side (managed access due to Darling Dr closures south of Pier St Fridays from 6pm-midnight and weekends 5:30pm-midnight. Traffic will be heavy so drivers are encouraged to use alternative nearby ranks at Harbour St at Darling Square and Iron Place Wharf at ICC Sydney)
• Railway Colonnade Drive, Central Station – eastern side

Temporary special event taxi ranks

Open Fridays and Sundays only

• Bridge Street eastbound between Pitt Street & Loftus Street – northern side

Open Fridays and weekends

• Harrington Street between Grosvenor Street & Essex Street – eastern side

Closed throughout Vivid Sydney due to road closures:

• George St between Argyle St and Playfair St – western side
• George St between Lower Fort St and Playfair St – eastern side

For more details on secure taxi ranks and operating hours see Secure taxi ranks.

For details of taxi networks servicing the Sydney area, visit Transport Operators.

Rideshare

If you're organising a rideshare, choose a pick up and drop off location outside of the immediate vicinity of Circular Quay to avoid delays while roads are closed. 

Car parks

Parking in the city will be very limited during Vivid Sydney, particularly on the Friday nights and weekends as large crowds are expected to visit. As well with road closures in place each night access to some car parks will be restricted.

Plan ahead and familiarise yourself with the road closures before you travel. If you arrive early and roads close in the evening you will not be able to exit car parks until roads reopen at midnight (and 1am on Saturdays). See the Vivid interactive road closure and clearway maps for more details on road closure and clearway dates, times and locations.

Special event clearways

Street parking in the city will be very limited with special event clearway parking restrictions in effect each night during Vivid Sydney, particularly on Friday nights and weekends.

Special event clearways parking restrictions will be in effect from 3pm until midnight daily on most major roads in The Rocks, Circular Quay and the Sydney CBD. Clearways will also be in effect on some local roads around King St Wharf and Haymarket at Central Station.

See the Vivid interactive road closure and clearway maps for more details on road closure and clearway dates, times and locations.

These clearways are strict no parking zones even for local residents and TfNSW Mobility Scheme Parking Permit holders.

Check signs carefully before parking on the day, and the night before as clearways come into effect from early morning on Sunday. Vehicles left in clearways will be towed and a fee applies. If your vehicle is towed it will be moved to the nearest available parking space, you can search your vehicle registration at the Find My Car website to find its new location, or alternatively call 132 701 to speak to an operator.

For real-time updates on traffic conditions visit Live Traffic NSW or download a real-time traffic app.

Volunteers working at Vivid Sydney 2023 are entitled to free travel on public transport for the duration of the event by showing their 'Volunteers Free Travel Pass' to transport staff when boarding services.

Travel is covered on the following transport services from Thursday 25 May through until 4am on Sunday 18 June 2023:

• Sydney Trains and NSW TrainLink Intercity services (non-booked services bounded by Bomaderry, Goulburn, Bathurst, Scone and Dungog stations).
• Sydney Metro North West services
• Sydney metropolitan bus services and NightRide bus services
• Sydney Ferries
• Sydney Light Rail

Note: an additional station access fee applies for travel to or from Domestic and International Airport stations. Your volunteer pass does not include the access fee, so if you're travelling from these stations you'll need to pay the train station access fee.

Event

There are a number of managed accessible viewing areas across the Vivid Sydney precincts. Visit the Vivid Sydney website for accessibility and inclusion information for the event.

Transport

Accessible trips are shown in the Trip Planner with the wheelchair icon. You can select "accessible services only" in the Options to ensure you only see accessible services. Only trip plans with accessible train platforms, ferry wharves and buses will be presented. See accessible travel or download a transport app (select the "Accessibility" filter).