Christmas in July Festival

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.

Sydney Metro services are high-frequency, driverless trains running between Sydney’s north-west and south-west via the city. 

The M1 Line operates turn up-and-go Metro services between Tallawong, Chatswood and Sydenham from early morning until late. 

The closest Metro station to The Rocks is Barangaroo, which is approximately 12-minutes walking distance away. 

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

The closest station to get you to and from the event is Circular Quay, where services run regularly each day. Alternatively, Wynyard and Martin Place stations are also within short walking distance of the event site.  

Trackwork will affect your trip to Circular Quay on the following days during the event. Plan your trip and allow extra travel time. 

• Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 July: T2 and T3 line trains run to a changed timetable, you will need to change trains at Central or use other modes of transport to continue your trip to Circular Quay.  
• Monday 14 and Tuesday 15 July evening, and Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 July weekend: trains will not run to Circular Quay due to planned City Circle trackwork. Use light rail or regular route buses to Circular Quay instead.  

Trackwork

Planned trackwork is taking place throughout the event that may affect how you travel. Plan ahead using the Trip Planner. 

Weekday – Friday 11 July 

• T1 Western Line: From 10.50pm to 2am, trains make extra stops between Lidcombe and Ashfield. 
• T2 Leppington & Inner West Line: From 11pm to 2am, Inner West trains will not run. T1 or T9 trains make extra stops at stations between Lidcombe and Central, to a changed timetable and frequency. Trains run to a changed timetable between Leppington and Olympic Park via Granville. 
• T3 Liverpool & Inner West Line: From 11pm to 2am, Inner West trains will not run. T1 or T9 trains make extra stops at stations between Lidcombe and Central, to a changed timetable and frequency. Trains run between Liverpool and Lidcombe only. Change trains at Lidcombe to continue your journey. 
• T9 Northern Line: From 11pm to 2am, trains run to a changed timetable and stop at all stations between Ashfield and Macdonaldtown. 
• South Coast Line: Buses replace trains between Thirroul and Sutherland. Express buses also run between Wollongong, North Wollongong and Sutherland. If travelling to T4 stations or the City , catch an express bus to Sutherland then change for a T4 train to continue your journey.  Trains run to a changed timetable between South Coast Line stations and Thirroul. T4 trains run between Waterfall, Sutherland and Bondi Junction.  

Weekend – Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 July 

• T1 North Shore Line: Trains may run to a changed timetable and stopping pattern due to trackwork between Strathfield and Central. Daily from 9am, trains run between Hornsby and the City only. T9 trains run between Berowra and the City via Strathfield. 
• T1 Western Line: Trains run to a changed timetable and stopping pattern. Penrith trains make extra stops between Lidcombe and Ashfield. Richmond trains run between Richmond and Liverpool. Change trains at Parramatta to continue your journey towards the City.  
• T2 Leppington & Inner West Line: Inner West trains will not run. T1 or T9 trains make extra stops at stations between Lidcombe and Central, to a changed timetable and frequency. Trains run to a changed timetable between Leppington and Olympic Park via Granville, or between Leppington and Lidcombe via Regents Park. T1 trains run between Lidcombe and the City, stopping at all stations between Lidcombe and Ashfield. T9 trains stop at all stations between Ashfield and Macdonaldtown. You will need to change trains if travelling to Museum, St James or Circular Quay. On Saturday from 3.30am to 7.30am, some trains run to a changed timetable between Leppington and Blacktown. Change trains at Parramatta to continue your journey towards the City.
• T3 Liverpool & Inner West Line: Inner West trains will not run. T1 or T9 trains make extra stops at stations between Lidcombe and Central, to a changed timetable and frequency. Trains run to a changed timetable between Leppington and Lidcombe only. Change trains at Lidcombe to continue your journey. T1 trains run between Lidcombe and the City, stopping at all stations between Lidcombe and Ashfield. T9 trains stop at all stations between Ashfield and Macdonaldtown. You will need to change trains if travelling to Museum, St James or Circular Quay. 
• T5 Cumberland Line: Some trains run to a changed timetable. Extra trains run between Liverpool and Richmond. 
• T6 Lidcombe & Bankstown Line: Trains run to a reduced frequency, every 30 minutes. 
• T8 Airport & South Line: Trains between Sydenham and the City Circle run to a changed timetable. 
• T9 Northern Line: Trains run to a changed timetable and stop at all stations between Ashfield and Macdonaldtown. Daily from 9am, trains run between Berowra or Hornsby and the City. 
• Blue Mountains Line: Trains may run to a changed timetable due to trackwork between Strathfield and Central. 
• Central Coast & Newcastle Line: Trains run between Central Coast & Newcastle Line stations and Hornsby only. Change trains at Hornsby to continue your journey. T1 and T9 trains run between Hornsby and the City, to a changed timetable. Some early morning and late-night trains run between Central Coast & Newcastle Line stations and Central, platforms 1-12 to a changed timetable.   
• South Coast Line: Buses replace trains between Thirroul and Sutherland. Express buses also run between Wollongong, North Wollongong and Sutherland. If travelling to T4 stations or the City, catch an express bus to Sutherland then change for a T4 train to continue your journey.  Trains run to a changed timetable between South Coast Line stations and Thirroul. T4 trains run between Waterfall, Sutherland and Bondi Junction.  
• Southern Highlands Line: On Saturday from 4.40am to 4.50pm, buses replace trains between Goulburn, Moss Vale and Campbelltown. T8 Airport & South Line trains run between Campbelltown and the City via the Airport. 

Week 2 – Monday 14 to Sunday 20 July  

• City Circle: Trains do not run to Museum, St James or Circular Quay. Use light rail or local buses. 
• Please check back closer to the event for details. 

Trackwork is carried out on an ongoing basis to maintain the safety, reliability, and efficiency of the Sydney Trains network. Trackwork may affect how you travel so allow plenty of extra travel time and plan ahead. Check travel alerts and trackwork or use the Trip Planner.

Plenty of buses run to Circular Quay or nearby Wynyard and Martin Place transport hubs to get within walking distance of the festival. Plan your trip using the Trip Planner. 

For bus service disruption information check travel alerts or use the Trip Planner.

Ferry services are a popular way to travel to Circular Quay, particularly on weekends. Keep this is mind if you are planning to catch a ferry service. Allow extra travel time or consider the alternative transport options available, including buses, trains and light rail services. 

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

L1 Dulwich Hill Line 

L1 Dulwich Hill Line light rail services run between Central Station (Grand Concourse) and Dulwich Hill via Darling Harbour and the Inner West. Services run regularly from 5am to 1am daily. Plan your trip using the Trip Planner. 

At Central, connect with L2 or L3 Line light rail services to Circular Quay. Alternatively, change for a train to Circular Quay on the City Circle.  

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 line 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. 

Catch an L2 or L3 Line light rail service to Circular Quay to get to the event.  

L4 Westmead and Carlingford Line 

L4 Westmead and Carlingford Line light rail services run between Carlingford and Westmead via Parramatta CBD. Services run regularly from 5am to 1am daily. Plan your trip using the Trip Planner. 

Alight at Parramatta Square and connect with a train service to Central from Parramatta Station. From Central, catch an L2 or L3 Line light rail service to Circular Quay to get to the event. Alternatively, change for a train to Circular Quay on the City Circle. 

Trackwork: Please note that due to planned trackwork from 5am Saturday 12 July until 1am Monday 14 July, buses replace light rail services between Westmead and Carlingford. Use alternative transport including L4 replacement bus services, regular bus services or walking if able to between Westmead and Carlingford. See the news story for more information and plan your trip using the Trip Planner.  

Passengers are reminded that trams can’t stop quickly or easily – so please stop, listen and look around for trams and use designated pedestrian crossings.  

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.

Traffic will be heavier than usual on roads in the city and around The Rocks and Circular Quay, particularly during the evening peak. Allow additional travel time.  

Trams are running in the CBD so pedestrians are reminded to exercise caution around the tram tracks and cross at designated pedestrian crossings.  

For the latest traffic information visit Live Traffic NSW or download a real-time traffic app.

Taxi ranks are located on George Street near Playfair Street, on George Street at the Metcalfe Arcade, at the Overseas Passenger Terminal, and Alfred Street at Circular Quay. 

For details of taxi networks servicing the Sydney area, visit transport operators.

If you plan to drive and park, remember to allow extra time and get there early. There are a number of car parks within short walking distance of the event: 

• Quay West car park on Harrington Street 
• Clocktower car par on Harrington Street 
• 155 George Street car park  
• Sydney Opera House Wilson car park on Macquarie Street 

All available car park options can be found on the Wilson Parking, Secure Parking and City of Sydney – Transport & parking pages. Parking fees apply. 

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).