Sydney

Nestled on the northern shores of Botany Bay in Sydney's Mascot suburb, you'll find the grand Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport — the world's oldest continually operated commercial airport. By car Looking for a taxi? They're ready and waiting outside all the terminals. Fancy driving yourself? You can grab a rental car at any terminal. Just remember, the car park is free as long as you're exiting within 15 minutes. By train The city centre is a brisk 13-minute train journey from the airport. The Airport Link, which runs about every 10 minutes, is your ticket to the city and beyond. The train station? It's up north of the terminal, accessible from Arrivals. Pay for your journey with an Opal Card (grab one from the station or WH Smith), or tap on with your Amex, Visa, or Mastercard. By bus Route 420, run by Sydney Buses, is a dependable service connecting Mascot Station to Burwood via the airport. Both T1 International and T3 Domestic terminals have stops, clearly marked on the arrivals level. You'll need an Opal transport card or a credit card to board. By shuttle For a more personalised transfer to and from the airport, there are several providers offering services to most of Sydney's suburbs and regional areas. Check out Mozio for options. By bike If two wheels are more your speed, undercover bike racks are situated on level 1 of the T1 International terminal and near the express pick-up area in the T2/T3 Domestic precinct.

The Sydney public transport system consists of commuter rail, bus, ferry and light rail. Combined, they can get you virtually anywhere in the metropolitan area. A handy companion for this network is the Opal card, your ticket to all public transport in Sydney. It caps daily and weekly fares (excluding Sydney Airport station fees) and can be picked up from train stations, the airport, and various city retailers. Tap on and off at Opal readers with the card, or use contactless-enabled Amex, Mastercard, or Visa cards or linked devices. Buses are the city's lifelines, and include NightRide services for the wee hours. Central Station, near Chinatown, is your hub for local and regional trains and buses, with routes covering CBD, North Sydney, Bondi Junction, and the airport. Sydney's light rail features the L1 Inner West network from Central Station to Dulwich Hill, and the CBD and South East Light Rail with lines to Randwick and Junior Kingsford. The ferry system is your quick, scenic route across the harbour, with departures from Circular Quay to destinations like Manly, Taronga Zoo, Watsons Bay, and Rose Bay. Captain Cook also runs services to various spots, including Watsons Bay, Manly, Clifton Gardens, and Shark Island. The river ferry offers a scenic 90-minute journey from Circular Quay to Parramatta, with stops at places like Cockatoo Island and Sydney Olympic Park.

Taxis are a convenient way to get around Sydney. They can be flagged down, found at a taxi rank, or booked on the phone or online. Silver Service Fleet Phone: +61 133 100 www.silverservice.com.au Legion Cabs Phone: +61 131 451 www.legioncabs.com.au Premier Cabs Phone:+61 131 017 www.premiercabs.com.au St George Cabs Phone: +61 132 166 www.stgeorgecabs.com.au

There are numerous Australia Post offices located all over Sydney, where you can buy stamps and send mail and packages. Sydney's General Post Office is located at 1 Martin Place.

In Sydney, and Australia more broadly, there are several major pharmacy chains where you can pick up over-the-counter medications, prescription drugs, personal care items, and more. The major pharmacy chains are Chemist Warehouse, TerryWhite Chemmart, Priceline Pharmacy, Amcal and Blooms The Chemist. It's always worth checking the opening hours as these can vary, especially on weekends and public holidays.

Australian Country Code: +61 Sydney City Area Code: 02 Calling Sydney landlines from overseas: +612 Calling Australian mobiles from overseas: +614 Calling overseas from within Australia: 0011

Australia operates on a 230/240V supply voltage and 50Hz frequency. The country uses Type I power plugs, which feature two flat pins forming a 'V' shape, along with a grounding pin. This standard is also commonly used in New Zealand, Argentina, China, and several Pacific island nations. Remember to pack a universal adapter if your devices use a different plug type to ensure hassle-free charging.