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

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.

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.

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 (9 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.

Ticketed Vivid Sydney light precincts

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

• Royal Botanic Garden Sydney’s ‘Lightscape’ is 2km light walk through the gardens from 25 May – 15 June from 5pm daily, and from 6pm on opening night Friday 24 May. 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.

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.

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 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 (9 June), trains will not drop off passengers at Circular Quay 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.
  • Trains will skip platform 2 at Circular Quay between 8:30pm and 9.25pm on Sat 8, Sun 9 and Sat 15 June. Customers travelling from Circular Quay to the T8 line during these times will need to catch a T2 service from platform 1 at Circular Quay to Central and change trains, or can walk to St James to catch a train instead.
• 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 trains:

• 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.
• Extra services will run in the afternoon and late evening on weekends to help you get to and from the city and between the 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.
  • 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.
  • On the long weekend additional services will run on the T2 Inner West & Leppington Line and T8 Airport & South Line. On Saturday 8 June trains will run every 15 minutes between Circular Quay and Blacktown from 9.30pm to 10.30pm.
  • Additional services will run between Sydney and Newcastle on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays (except on Sat 8, Sun 9 and Mon 10 June).
  • Trains will skip platform 2 at Circular Quay between 8.30pm and 9.25pm on Sat 8, Sun 9 and Sat 15 June. Customers travelling from Circular Quay to the T8 line during these times will need to catch a T2 service from platform 1 at Circular Quay to Central and change trains, or can walk to St James to catch a train instead.

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.

The latest trackwork information for all remaining days during Vivid Sydney will be updated as the event progresses when trackwork details are confirmed. 

Friday 24 May

• Blue Mountains line: Buses replace trains between Lithgow and Mount Victoria, trains run to a changed timetable between Mount Victoria and Central. Bathurst trains run to a changed timetable between Bathurst, Lithgow and Central.   

Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 May

• T1 Western Line: Saturday and Sunday, trains may run to a changed timetable.  
• T2 Inner West & Leppington Line: Saturday and Sunday buses replace trains between Cabramatta and Granville. Trains run to a changed timetable between Leppington and the City via Regents Park. 
• T5 Cumberland Line: Saturday and Sunday, buses replace trains between Cabramatta and Granville. Trains run to a changed timetable between Leppington and the City via Regents Park and between Richmond or Schofields and Olympic Park. Change at Lidcombe for trains towards Richmond or Leppington and Cabramatta or Granville for buses to Canley Vale, Fairfield, Yennora, Guildford or Merrylands. 
• Blue Mountains Line: Saturday and Sunday trains run between Blue Mountains Line stations and Blacktown only. Change trains at Blacktown to continue your journey. 
• Central Coast & Newcastle Line: Saturday adn Sunday, trains run between Central Coast & Newcastle Line stations and Strathfield only. Change trains at Strathfield to continue your journey. 
• South Coast Line: On Saturday from 3am to 11am, buses replace trains between Port Kembla, Dapto and Waterfall. You may need to change buses to continue your journey. Trains run to a changed timetable between Bomaderry, Kiama and Dapto. On Sunday from 2.30am to 9.50am, buses replace trains between Bomaderry and Wollongong, you may need to change buses to continue your journey. Trains run to a changed timetable between Port Kembla, Wollongong and Bondi Junction. 

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.

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.

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

Bus Diversions

Buses in the city will be diverting and using different stops while event road closures are in place during Vivid Sydney from Friday 24 May to Saturday 15 June.

Buses that usually run to and from Circular Quay will use stops at Martin Place, while Bridge St and King St Wharf buses will use stops at Wynyard. Check signs at bus stops for alternative stop locations and use the Trip Planner before you travel.

King St Wharf buses - 252, 261, 288, 290 and 292

From 5pm to 1am each night during Vivid from 24 May to 15 Jun, buses that usually run to and from King Street Wharf will start and end trips at Wynyard instead.

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 Clarence Street Stand R (Stop ID 2000142). 

Buses will not make stops at King St Wharf or Sussex St, continue on foot from Wynyard via the underground Wynyard Walk. Allow extra travel time and check signs at bus stops for the alternative stop locations.

Bridge St buses - Routes 115, 202, 207, 208 and 263:

On Saturdays (25 May, 1 June, 8 June, 15 June) and Sunday of the June long weekend (9 June) from 5pm to 1am 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 at Wynyard Station. 

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.

Circular Quay buses - Routes 304, 333, 343, 396 and 392N: 

Buses that usually run to and from Circular Quay will start and end trips at Martin Place instead while roads are closed for the event at the following times:

• Fridays from 6pm to midnight
• Sundays and Monday public holiday (10 Jun) from 5pm to midnight
• Saturdays and long weekend Sunday (9 Jun) from 5pm to 1am

Buses towards Circular Quay will end trips at Martin Place Elizabeth St, Stand C (Stop ID 2000421). Buses leaving the city will start trips from Martin Place Station, Elizabeth St, Stand E Sydney (Stop ID 2000283) instead of Circular Quay.

Catch trains or continue on foot to travel between Martin Place and Circular Quay during these times.

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, Pyrmont and Barangaroo 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.

Additional ferries will run on some lines on weekdays and weekends. Note there will be changes to ferries on Drone Show nights 8, 9 and 15 June, see details below.

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.
• F2 Taronga Zoo: regular timetabled services.
• F3 Parramatta River: regular timetable services will run with additional late-night services on weekdays and weekends.
  • Weekdays: additional ferry from Olympic Park to the city at 8:08pm, and additional return services at 9:07pm and 10:07pm.
  • Saturdays: additional return ferries at 9:07pm and 10:07pm.
  • Sundays: additional ferry from Olympic Park to the city at 7:37pm, return services at 9:07pm and 10:07pm.
• F4 Pyrmont Bay: regular timetable services will run with additional ferries in the evening each night until 23:10 from Pyrmont and 11.42pm 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.
• 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.

Please note Greenwich Point Wharf is closed for upgrades until late 2024 and Kurraba Point Wharf remains closed for urgent repair work. For Greenwich Point use existing route 265 buses running to St Leonards and North Sydney train stations, for more info see the news page. For Kurraba Point use ferries from nearby Neutral Bay wharf instead.

Services changes during Vivid Sydney Drone show nights

Ferries on the harbour will be affected by Drone Shows taking place on the evenings of Saturday 8, Sunday 9 and Saturday 15 June. 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. Other ferry routes will run to an altered timetable arriving and departing Circular Quay before 9pm and after 9.30pm.

• F1 Manly: The 8:50pm Manly to Circular Quay service will end at Barangaroo instead of Circular Quay. The 9:20pm Manly service to leave from Barangaroo instead of Circular Quay at 9:10pm and will bypass Circular Quay
• F3 Parramatta River: The 9:07pm Circular Quay to Sydney Olympic Park service to leave at 9pm.
• F4 Pyrmont Bay: The 8:40pm Pyrmont to Circular Quay service will end at Milsons point. The 9:12pm Circular Quay to Pyrmont service will start from Milsons Point. The 9:27pm service will leave at 9:37pm from Circular Quay.
• F5 Neutral Bay: The 9:25pm Circular Quay to Neutral Bay service will leave at 9:37pm.

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

Other Maritime arrangements

Restrictions will be in place on recreational and commercial vessels in the Harbour during Vivid Sydney 2024. Visit Transport for NSW Waterways website closer to the event date for details on private wharf closures, access restrictions and viewing areas.

See the Vivid Sydney 2024 boating map.

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

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.

The best stops for access to Darling Harbour Vivid Sydney precincts are Exhibition Centre, Convention and Pyrmont Bay. Keep in mind that services between Central and Pyrmont Bay will be very busy with large crowds expected on weekends so consider alternative transport options.

For access to Vivid Sydney precinct around Circular Quay, change at Central for L2 and L3 light rail services leaving from Chalmers St. 

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.

On Monday to Thursdays catch light rail services to Circular Quay.

On Fridays from 6pm and weekends from 5pm services will not run to Circular Quay, catch the light rail to Town Hall and continue on foot to Circular Quay, or to Darling Harbour via Druitt St.

Service changes:

• On Fridays from 6pm and on weekends from 5pm (Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holiday Monday 10 Jun) services will not run between Town Hall and Circular Quay due to road closures. Catch the light rail to Wynyard and continue on foot to Circular Quay instead.

Light rail services run on a frequency basis, always check the information boards at stops to check the status of the last services on the day.

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.

Road closures and parking restrictions will be in effect on key roads in The Rocks, Circular Quay and the Sydney CBD throughout the 23-day festival from Friday 24 May to Saturday 15 June.

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.

Maps

• Vivid Sydney 2024 Monday to Thursday road closures and clearways (pdf 614KB)
• Vivid Sydney 2024 Fridays road closures and clearways (pdf 846KB)
• Vivid Sydney 2024 Saturdays and Sunday 9 Jun road closures and clearways (pdf 919KB)
• Vivid Sydney 2024 Sundays and Monday 10 Jun road closures and clearways (pdf 871KB)

Road closures

oads in Circular Quay, The Rocks and Millers Point will be closed each night from 5pm with additional closures on Friday nights and weekends in the city and around Darling Harbour. Special event clearway parking restrictions will be in effect each night. 

Some local roads will be closed nightly including Cumberland St south of Essex St from 12pm - midnight, Circular Quay West at the Overseas Passenger Terminal from 3pm - midnight, Thomas St from Quay St from 5.30pm - midnight.

Monday to Thursdays

• 5pm – midnight: George St north of Alfred St, Hickson Rd to Pottinger St, Pottinger St, Lower Fort St from George St, Merriman St, Rodens Lane and Loftus St. In Ultimo, Mary Ann St and Omnibus Lane will close. 

Fridays

• 5pm – midnight: George St north of Essex St, Hickson Rd to Pottinger St, Pottinger St, Lower Fort St, Windmill St, Merriman St, Rodens Lane and Loftus St. In Ultimo, Mary Ann St and Omnibus Lane will close. 
• 6pm – midnight: roads in Circular Quay north of Bridge St including sections of George, Pitt, Young, Phillip and Loftus Streets, and in Ultimo, Darling Dr between Pier St and Ultimo Rd.
• 7pm – midnight: Erskine St westbound from Clarence St to Sussex St and Kent St southbound from Margaret St to Erskine St approaching King St Wharf.
• Each weekend from 2pm Friday to 1am Monday, George St will close between Lower Fort St and Hickson Rd for The Rocks markets.

Saturdays and long weekend Sunday (9 June)

• 5pm - 1am: Grosvenor St/Bridge St between York St and Loftus St, Hickson Rd from Pottinger St to George St, Pottinger St, sections of Lower Fort St, Windmill St, Merriman St, Rodens Lane, and roads in Circular Quay north of Bridge St including sections of George, Pitt, Young, Phillip and Loftus Streets. Near King St Wharf, Erskine St westbound from Clarence St to Sussex St and Kent St southbound from Margaret St to Erskine St will close.
• 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.
• Milsons Point - Saturday 8, Sunday 9 and Saturday 15 June only from 8pm - 10pm: Olympic Drive/Broughton from Alfred St Sth to Fitzroy St.

Sundays and public holiday Monday (10 June)

• 5pm – midnight: Hickson Rd to Pottinger St, Pottinger St, Lower Fort St, Windmill St, Merriman St, Rodens Lane and Loftus St. In Ultimo, Mary Ann St and Omnibus Lane will close. Roads in Circular Quay north of Bridge St including sections of George, Pitt, Young, Phillip and Loftus Streets. Near King St Wharf, Erskine St westbound from Clarence St to Sussex St and Kent St southbound from Margaret St to Erskine St will close.
• 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. Be aware of road closures that will affect pick up and drop off locations for taxis. some ranks will be closed during the event see details below.

Maps

• Vivid Sydney 2024 Monday to Thursday road closures and clearways (pdf 614KB)
• Vivid Sydney 2024 Fridays road closures and clearways (pdf 846KB)
• Vivid Sydney 2024 Saturdays and Sunday 9 Jun road closures and clearways (pdf 919KB)
• Vivid Sydney 2024 Sundays and Monday 10 Jun road closures and clearways (pdf 871KB)

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.

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 (10 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

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). 

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. See maps below for clearway locations.

Special event clearways will be in effect between 3pm and midnight each day during the event on most major roads in the CBD, The Rocks, Circular Quay, Dawes Point and Haymarket including but not limited to sections of George Street/Hickson Road, High Street, Pottinger Street, Windmill Street, Lower Fort Street, Wheat Road, Macquarie Street, Bent Street, Bridge Street, Grosvenor Street, Clarence Street, Hunter Street, Pitt Street, Loftus Street, York Street, Young Street, Phillip Street, Castlereagh Street, Sussex Street and Elizabeth Street. Some clearways will be in effect earlier in the day on sections of Cumberland Street, George Street, Goulburn Street, Harrington Street, Hickson Road and Hunter Street.

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. 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.

Maps

• Vivid Sydney 2024 Monday to Thursday road closures and clearways (pdf 614KB)
• Vivid Sydney 2024 Fridays road closures and clearways (pdf 846KB)
• Vivid Sydney 2024 Saturdays and Sunday 9 Jun road closures and clearways (pdf 919KB)
• Vivid Sydney 2024 Sundays and Monday 10 Jun road closures and clearways (pdf 871KB)

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

Volunteers working at Vivid Sydney 2024 are entitled to free travel on public transport for the duration of the event by showing their 'Volunteers Free Travel Pass' to transport staff or by wearing their Vivid Sydney volunteer uniform when boarding services.

Travel is covered on the following transport services from Friday 24 May through until 4am on Sunday 16 June 2024:

• 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 and Manly Fast Ferry services
• Sydney Light Rail services

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.

Accessible pick up and drop off locations

• Hickson Road at Pier One Hotel, The Rocks (closed Saturdays & Sunday 9 June)
• George Street at Lower Fort Street, The Rocks
• Loftus Street north of Reiby Place, Circular Quay (closed Saturdays & Sunday 9 June)
• Circular Quay East corner Alfred St and Phillip St) (open Mon-Thurs only)
• Phillip Street south of Albert Street (not available Mon-Thurs)
• Sydney Opera House - Security gatehouse at the northern end of Macquarie Street
• Watermans Quay, Barangaroo
• Iron Wharf Place near Sofitel, Darling Harbour
• Zollner Circuit east of Darling Drive, Darling Harbour
• Railway Colonnade Drive, Central Station

Event

There are a number of managed accessible event precincts across the Vivid Sydney event program. 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).