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Australia (AU)

Australia is the world's sixth-largest country by area and one of the most urbanised nations on Earth, with over 85% of its 27 million people living in coastal cities.

Capital: Canberra
Region: Oceania
Language: English
Currency: AUD ($)
Cost of living: Expensive (index 74)
Emergency: 000
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Getting Around

Transport options for living in Australia.

Public Transport Overview

Public transport in Australia is city-based — there is no single national transit pass. Each capital city runs its own network of trains, buses, light rail, and ferries using contactless smartcards. Australian cities are spread out and car ownership remains common outside Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane CBDs.

Main operators:
Transport for NSW — Opal (trains, buses, ferries, light rail)Public Transport Victoria — Myki (trains, trams, buses)TransLink QLD — Go Card (buses, trains, ferries)Transperth WA — SmartRider (buses, trains, ferries)Adelaide Metro SA — Metrocard (buses, trains, trams)ACTION Buses (ACT) — MyWay cardGreyhound Australia and FlixBus (intercity coaches)

🎫 Transit Passes

Opal Card (NSW) $0 for card + pay as you go, or load credit

All trains, buses, ferries, and light rail in greater Sydney and surrounds. Weekly cap: $50 (as of 2026). Transfer discount applies within 60 minutes.

💡 Get an Opal card at newsagents or train station machines. Register online to protect balance. Off-peak fares 30% cheaper outside 7–9am and 4–6pm.
Myki (VIC) $6 card cost + load credit

All trains, trams, and buses in Melbourne metropolitan area and regional VIC services.

💡 Zone 1+2 covers all metropolitan Melbourne. Buy at 7-Eleven, train stations, and online. Daily cap: $11.40 (from January 2026; check ptv.vic.gov.au — half-price promotion active June 2026). Myki does not have a separate weekly cap.
Go Card (QLD) $10 card cost (refundable) + load credit

South East Queensland buses, trains, and ferries.

💡 Off-peak discount (20%) outside peak hours. Buy at train stations and convenience stores. Daily and weekly caps apply by zone.
SmartRider (WA) $10 card cost + load credit

Transperth buses, trains, and ferries in greater Perth.

💡 15% discount on travel vs cash fares. Buy at transperth.wa.gov.au or train stations.

Taxi & Rideshare

Taxis are metered and regulated. Flag fall: $3.20–$4.40 depending on state. Per km: $2.10–$2.60. Uber and DiDi are the dominant ride-share platforms — often cheaper and more convenient than taxis. Uber is available in all capital cities and most regional centres.

Rideshare (Long-distance)

Uber (dominant), DiDi (competitive pricing), and Ola are the main ride-share apps in Australia. All major airports have designated ride-share pick-up zones separate from taxis.

Cycling

Cycling infrastructure varies by city — Melbourne and Brisbane have the best separated cycling paths. Helmets are compulsory by law in all Australian states and territories (no exceptions). Bikes can be taken on most trains outside peak hours. Hire bikes (Lime, Neuron, Human Folio) are available in most capital cities.

Intercity Trains

Long-distance trains operated by NSW TrainLink (Sydney to Brisbane, Melbourne, Canberra, Dubbo), V/Line (VIC regional), TransWA (WA regional), and Queensland Rail. Major routes: Sydney–Melbourne (~11 hours, XPT), Sydney–Brisbane (~13 hours). The Indian Pacific (Sydney–Perth, 4 days) and The Ghan (Adelaide–Darwin, 2.5 days) are iconic scenic rail journeys. Budget carriers Greyhound and FlixBus are cheaper for intercity travel.

Driving

Drive on the left. Speed limits: 50 km/h urban (40 km/h in school zones), 100 km/h regional roads, 110 km/h some highways. Random breath testing and speed cameras are common. Mobile phone use while driving is illegal unless in a hands-free cradle. Seatbelts mandatory for all occupants.

Airports

Major airports: Sydney (SYD), Melbourne (MEL), Brisbane (BNE), Perth (PER), Adelaide (ADL). Airport train links: Sydney (direct train, ~15 min to CBD, ~$22.25 peak — $17.92 station access fee + rail; see transportnsw.info), Melbourne (SkyBus coach; train under construction), Brisbane (Airtrain, ~22 min to CBD, $23.30 from April 2026). Perth: Transperth Airport Line from Terminal 3/4 (free with Metrocard). Taxis and Uber available at all airports.