Parramatta Lanes Festival
Parramatta CBD
to
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Wednesday & Thursday: 5pm to
10pm
Friday & Saturday: 5pm to 10.30 pm
Important Travel Advice
Celebrating 15 years, Parramatta Lanes festival is a free event held over 4 nights in more than 20 unique festival sites throughout the Parramatta CBD, including in gardens, rooftop carparks and lanes. View the Parramatta Lanes event map for more details.
With crowds of up to 200,000 expected across the four-day festival, attendees are urged to plan ahead and to consider all the available travel options ahead of time.
Transport
- Trains, light rail and buses run regularly to Parramatta CBD within short walking distance of festival sites.
- Be aware that Light rail services will not run between Parramatta Square and Westmead between 5pm and 11pm (Wednesday and Thursday) and 5pm and 11.30pm (Friday and Saturday) while roads are closed for the event. Buses will replace services between Westmead and Parramatta Square. Trams continue to run between Parramatta Square and Carlingford as normal.
- You'll need to use an Opal card or contactless payment card/device when travelling on public transport to and from the event. Register your details online at Opal or via the Opal Travel app ahead of time.
Driving
- Roads will be closed throughout the festival and parking in the area is limited, attendees are encouraged to catch public transport.
- If you must drive, carpool with your group and allow plenty of travel time. Expect delays on roads within and approaching Parramatta during the event, particularly during the already busy weeknight peak times. You can find real-time traffic conditions at livetraffic.com.
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.
Change at Central for a train service to Parramatta. Alternatively, change at Epping for a bus to Parramatta, or to a train to Strathfield to connect with trains to Parramatta.
For Metro service disruption information, check trackwork and travel alerts or plan your trip using the Trip Planner.
The closest station to the event is Parramatta. Trains run regularly to and from Parramatta on weekdays and weekends.
From the station, take the Parramatta Square exit to reach festival venues within short walking distance.
Trackwork
Planned trackwork is taking place throughout the event on the following lines and may affect how you travel. Plan ahead using the Trip Planner.
- Check back here closer to the event for detailed trackwork information
Trackwork is carried out on an ongoing basis to maintain the safety, reliability, and efficiency of the Sydney Trains network. For train service disruption information, check trackwork and travel alerts or plan your trip using the Trip Planner.
Regular route buses
A number of buses run to and from Parramatta Interchange, which is a short walk from festival sites, plan your trip using the Trip Planner.
For bus service disruption information, check travel alerts.
L4 replacement bus services
From Wednesday 21 to Saturday 24 October, L4 Westmead and Carlingford Line light rail services will not run between Westmead and Parramatta Square during the following times:
- From 5pm to 11pm on Wednesday 21 and Thursday 22 October
- From 5pm to 11.30pm on Friday 23 to and Saturday 24 October
Light rail services will run between Carlingford and Parramatta Square only during these times.
Buses will replace light rail between Parramatta Square and Westmead. Buses will not stop at Ngara and Westmead Hospital, use nearby alternative stops at Benaud Oval and Westmead Station. Most replacement buses will be accessible; if not, wait for the next service.
Bus Replacement Schedule:
Light rail services between Parramatta Square and Carlingford, and replacement buses between Parramatta Square and Westmead, will run at the following frequencies:
Wednesday 21 and Thursday 22 October
- 4.30pm – 7pm: Departures every 7 ½ minutes
- 7pm – 11pm: Departures every 10 minutes
Friday 23 and Saturday 24 October
- 4.30pm – 7pm: Departures every 7 ½ minutes (Friday only)
- 4.30pm – 7pm: Departures every 10 minutes (Saturday only)
- 7pm – 11pm: Departures every 10 minutes
- 11pm - 11.30pm: Departures every 15 minutes
Outside of these times, light rail services will run to a normal timetable between Carlingford and Westmead via Parramatta.
The closest wharf to Parramatta CBD is Parramatta Wharf.
From the wharf, walk to the Robin Thomas light rail stop via the riverside and Argus Lane to connect with services to Parramatta Square.
F3 Parramatta River services run regularly to Parramatta, but services are very popular and may reach capacity. Keep this in mind if you’re planning on catching an F3 Parramatta River service. Plan your trip and allow plenty of extra travel time or consider the alternative public transport options available.
F3 Parramatta River ferries may be affected by low tide between Parramatta and Rydalmere and replaced by buses. Check for updates here.
For ferry service disruption information, check travel alerts or plan your trip using the Trip Planner.
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.
During event times, light rail services will only run between Carlingford and Parramatta Square due to road closures and for the safety of event attendees. Buses will replace light rail services between Westmead and Parramatta Square.
Alight at Parramatta Square to get to the festival. 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.
Service changes – L4 partial line closures during event
From Wednesday 21 to Saturday 24 October, L4 Westmead and Carlingford Line light rail services will not run between Westmead and Parramatta Square during the following times:
- From 5pm to 11pm on Wednesday 21 and Thursday 22 October
- From 5pm to 11.30pm on Friday 23 to and Saturday 24 October
Light rail services will run between Carlingford and Parramatta Square only during these times.
Buses will replace light rail between Parramatta Square and Westmead. Buses will not stop at Ngara and Westmead Hospital, use nearby alternative stops at Benaud Oval and Westmead Station. Most replacement buses will be accessible; if not, wait for the next service.
Light Rail Schedule:
Light rail services between Parramatta and Carlingford, and replacement buses between Parramatta and Westmead, will run at the following frequencies:
Wednesday 21 and Thursday 22 October
- 5pm – 7pm: Departures every 7 ½ minutes
- 7pm – 11pm: Departures every 10 minutes
Friday 23 and Saturday 24 October
- 5pm – 7pm: Departures every 7 ½ minutes
- 7pm – 11pm: Departures every 10 minutes
Outside of these times, light rail services will run to a normal timetable between Carlingford and Westmead via Parramatta.
Allow extra travel time and use the Trip Planner or check travel alerts to see if your travel is affected.
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.
From Central, change for a T1 Western Line train to Parramatta to get within walking distance of the event.
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, plan your trip using Trip Planner.
From Central, change for a T1 Western Line train to Parramatta to get within walking distance of the event.
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.
If you have to drive allow extra travel time and expect delays as roads will be closed with detours in place.
Motorists should also exercise caution as pedestrian activity will be high on roads in Parramatta CBD.
Road closures – Parramatta
Managed access maintained for local traffic and residents where possible.
From 6pm Monday 19 to 1am Tuesday 20 October
George St between Marsden St and Freemasons Arms
George St between Freemasons Arms Lane and Horwood Pl
George St between Horwood Pl and Smith St
Phillip St between Freemasons Arms Lane and Erby Pl (eastbound)
Phillip St between Erby Pl and Dirribarri Lane
Phillip St between Dirribarri Lane and Smith St
From 1pm Wednesday 21 to 1am Thursday 22 October, from 1pm Thursday 22 to 1am Friday 23 October, from 1pm Friday 22 to 1am Saturday 23 October, from 1pm Saturday 23 to 4:45am Sunday 24 October.
- Auctioneer Lane from Horwood Pl
George St between Marsden St and Freemasons Arms Lane
George St between Freemasons Arms Lane and Horwood Pl
George St between Horwood Pl and Smith St
From 2pm to Midnight Wednesday 21 to Saturday 24 October
Macquarie Lane between Horwood Pl and Smith St
Macquarie St between Marsden St and Horwood Pl
Phillip St between Church St and Freemasons Arm Lane
Phillip St between Dirribarri Lane and Smith St
United Ln, from Macquarie St
- From 1pm to 1am:
- George Street between Freemasons Arms Lane and Horwood Place
- George Street between Horwood Place and Smith Street (Local access only permitted)
- From 3pm to midnight:
- Macquarie Street between Marsden Street and Church Street
- From 4pm to 6.15pm:
- Phillip Street between Freemasons Arms Lane and Erby Place (Exit from Erby Place car park permitted)
- From 6.15pm to 11pm:
- China Rose Walk from Erby Place
- Erby Place (entry and exit to carpark) from Phillip Street
- Phillip Street between Erby Place and the Park Royal carpark (Entry and exit for guests to Meriton and Park Royal car park permitted. No entry or exit to Erby Place car park).
For the latest traffic information visit Live Traffic NSW or download a real-time traffic app.
Parramatta car parks
Parking will be very limited and attendees are encouraged to catch public transport.
If you have to drive, the following car parks are within walking distance of the event in Parramatta CBD
- Justice Precinct Car Park, entry via Hunter Street
- Parramatta Station Car Park, entry via Wentworth Street
*Note: Eat Street Car Park will have restricted parking from Friday 16 October to Tuesday 27 October and will be completely closed for parking from Tuesday 20 October to Monday 26 October. Parramatta Station Car Park (Wentworth Street) and Justice Precinct Car Park (Hunter Street) are the closest car parks on event days.
Visit City of Parramatta – Parking for more information on available parking locations and current promotions.
Street parking restrictions
There will be parking restrictions throughout the Parramatta CBD over event days, please read all signage carefully and travel with care.
Parking will be removed from the following locations:
- Macquarie Street (southern side) to Centenary Square entrance bollards from 6am to 12pm daily on Thursday 15 to Saturday 17 October; on Monday 19 and Tuesday 20 October; and on Monday 26 and Tuesday 27 October.
- Macquarie Street between Marsden Street and Church Street from 11am to 3pm daily on Wednesday 21 to Saturday 24 October.
- George Street between Freemasons Arms Lane and Horwood Place from 4pm Tuesday 20 October until 12pm Sunday 25 October.
- Phillip Street between Erby Place and Meriton Apartments from 4pm to 6.15pm daily on Wednesday 21 to Saturday 24 October.
Visit the Parramatta Lanes website for more details.
Attendees with mobility impairments or accessibility requirements can catch one of the regular route bus services that leave from bus stand A4 at Parramatta Interchange and make stops on O’Connell Street outside the stadium, including routes 600, 601, 603, 604, 606 and 706.
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).