How to get to Vivid Sydney
Plan your trip to Vivid Sydney 2024
Explore Vivid Sydney hassle-free with public transport. Extra services will run throughout the festival for convenient travel. We advise you to arrive early before Lights On at 6pm to avoid congestion caused by closed roads and limited parking. For a seamless visit we also suggest you leave your car at home, as there will be nightly road closures and parking restrictions.
Accessibility
There are accessible options available to make Vivid Sydney memorable for guests of all abilities. Plan your Vivid Sydney journey and discover a range of accessible transport options, services and features to enhance your visit.
TRAVELLING WITH KIDS
Kids will be captivated by the Vivid Sydney Light Walk’s amazing interactive projections and art installations. To make your visit as enjoyable as possible, consider arriving before Lights On and for a more spacious experience, aim to visit on a weeknight.
We also recommend families with kids tackle one area at a time to minimise walking, check out our handy three night itinerary to help you plan ahead.
Please keep in mind that the event’s busiest times are expected to be each Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday 10 June public holiday nights. Lights On occurs at 6pm and concludes at 11pm.
Public Transport
Travel on public transport is not free during Vivid Sydney. You’ll need to use an Opal card or contactless payment method when travelling on public transport. Remember to tap your opal card or major debit/credit card on and off when travelling on transport. For detailed public transport information closer to the event, visit transportnsw.info.
The real time trip planner at transportnsw.info helps you plan your travel by public transport and your path of travel using the most up-to-date service information.
Trains run regularly to the city on all lines from early morning until late, with extra services running on weekends throughout Vivid Sydney.
The closest stations to the light walk are Central, Town Hall, Wynyard and Circular Quay. Please note that on weekends there will be changes to Circular Quay transport while roads around the harbour are closed.
Circular Quay: Trains operate regularly to Circular Quay, excluding Saturdays and Sunday of the long weekend 9 June. From 6pm to 11pm on these nights, trains will not be dropping off passengers at Circular Quay as a safety measure, due to anticipated large crowds in the area. Visitors can use nearby Wynyard, Martin Place or St James Stations and continue their journey to Circular Quay on foot from there.
Wynyard: Trains operate regularly to Wynyard on weekdays and weekends. To reach The Rocks and Circular Quay locations, use the George St station exit. For access to the Barangaroo and Darling Harbour locations, use the Wynyard Walk station exit.
Central or Town Hall: Trains operate regularly to Central and Town Hall on weekdays and weekends. To reach the Goods Line and Darling Harbour South locations from Central, use the Grand Concourse or Railway Square exits. From Town Hall, use the George Street or Cathedral exits and continue your path of travel to Darling Harbour via Druitt Street or Bathurst Street.
For more information on train services during Vivid Sydney visit transportnsw.info.
Transport NSW are Sunflower friendly
Read more information on support for hidden disabilities from Transport NSW.
Buses run regularly to and from the city on weekdays and weekends with additional services running on busier nights. Some buses will be affected by road closures and use different routes and stops.
On Friday nights from 6pm and weekends from 5pm, buses that usually run to and from Circular Quay will be relocated to Martin Place while road closures are in place, so allow extra time to get to the harbour.
For more information on bus services and changes during Vivid Sydney, and to plan your trip visit transportnsw.info.
Ferry services are a very popular mode of transportation to the city, especially during the bustle of Vivid Sydney, with weekends experiencing larger crowds.
If you're considering taking the ferry, it's advisable to factor in additional time and explore alternative transport options. Anticipate long queues at wharves, especially during the mid-afternoon on weekends, and have multiple transportation choices in mind. Look for signage guiding you to the nearest bus or train option if ferry wharves are busy.
Keep in mind that once the ferry reaches its final stop, passengers are required to disembark. This ensures that everyone has an opportunity to catch the ferry and contributes to a smooth flow of transportation.
For more information on permitted routes for vessels please refer to the Vivid Sydney Public Boating Map.
For more information on ferry services and alternative transport options during Vivid Sydney, visit transportnsw.info.
Sydney Metro services are high-frequency trains running between Tallawong Station and Chatswood Station, providing an easy connection between Sydney’s Hills District and North Shore.
Services start from the early morning running every 10 minutes until late. If you’re heading to the city, change at Epping to connect with frequent Sydney Trains services to the city.
For more information on Sydney Metro services during Vivid Sydney, visit transportnsw.info.
Light rail services run regularly on weekdays and weekends through the Sydney CBD, South East and Inner West, making stops within short walking distance of Vivid Sydney locations.
L1 Dulwich Hill light rail services run between Central Station (Grand Concourse) and Dulwich Hill from 5am to 1am daily, making stops at Exhibition Centre, Convention and Pyrmont Bay for easy access to Vivid Sydney Darling Harbour locations.
L2 Randwick light rail services run between Circular Quay and Randwick via Central Station (Chalmers Street) and L3 Kingsford services run between Circular Quay and Juniors Kingsford via Central Station (Chalmers Street) through the heart of the Sydney CBD along George St. Both lines run from 5am to 1am daily.
On Fridays from 6pm and weekends from 5pm, L2 and L3 light rail services will not run between Town Hall and Circular Quay, for pedestrian safety. Catch the light rail to Town Hall and continue your path of travel on foot along George Street to Circular Quay.
Light rail services continue to run between Randwick, Kingsford and Town Hall until late each night.
For more information on Sydney Light rail services during Vivid Sydney visit transportnsw.info .
TAXIS & RIDESHARE
Navigating the extensive crowds and road closures during Vivid Sydney poses a challenge for taxis and rideshares attempting to safely drop off and pick up passengers in specific city areas.
In zones with road closures, taxi and rideshare companies won't be able to accept booking requests for pick-ups.
DROP-OFF ZONES
| Taxi Rank Locations | Existing/Special Event |
Level 1 Monday - Thursday |
Level 2 Fridays, Sundays (excluding 9 June) and Monday 10 June |
Level 3 Saturdays and Sunday 11 June |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| George St between Argyle St & Playfair St - Western side | Existing | Closed | Closed | Closed |
| George St between Lower Fort St & Playfair St - Eastern side | Existing | Closed | Closed | Closed |
| Pitt St between Alfred St & Bridge St, western side | Existing | Open | Closed | Closed |
| Phillip St between Alfred & Bridge St - Easter side | Existing | Open | Closed | Closed |
| Bridge St between George St & Pitt St - Northern side | Existing | Open | Open | Closed |
| Bridge St between George St & Pitt St - Southern side | Existing | Open | Open | Closed |
| Macquarie Street between Albert Street & Sydney Opera House – Eastern side | Existing | Open | Open | Open |
| Argyle Street between Lower Fort Street & Harrington Street | Exisiting | Open | Open | Open |
| Carrington Street, near Wynyard Park – Eastern side | Exisiting | Open | Open | Open |
| Hunter St between Pitt St & George St – Southern side | Existing | Open | Open | Closed |
| Zollner Circuit east of Darling Drive – Eastern side | Existing | Open | Open | Open |
| Railway Colonnade Drive, Central Station – Eastern side | Exisiting | Open | Open | Open |
| Gresham Street southbound between Bridge St & Bent St – Eastern side | Special Event | No Taxi Rank | Open | Open |
|
Level 1 Monday - Thursday |
Level 2 Fridays, Sundays (excluding 9 June) and Monday 10 June |
Level 3 Saturdays and Sunday 11 June |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Hickson Road at Pier 1 Hotel, The Rocks | Open | Open | Road closed |
| George St at Lower Fort St, The Rocks | Open | Open | Open |
| Loftus St - North of Reiby Place, The Rocks | Open | Open | Road closed |
| Circular Quay East - Corner of Alfred St & Philip St | Open | Road closed | Road closed |
| Philip St - South of Albert St | N/A | Open | Open |
| Sydney Opera House - Security Gatehouse, Macquarie St | Open | Open | Open |
| Watermans Quay, Barangaroo | Open | Open | Open |
| Iron Wharf Place near Sofitel, Darling Harbour | Open | Open | Open |
| Zollner Circuit, Darling Harbour | Open | Open | Open |
| Railway Colonnade Drive, Central Station | Open | Open | Open |
PATH OF TRAVEL (PEDESTRIANS)
All Vivid Sydney Locations are connected by a continuous accessible path of travel to the major CBD transport hubs. View the Vivid Sydney Light Walk map to understand the best route for experiencing all of the city lights.
DRIVING & ROAD CLOSURES
Major road closures and parking restrictions will be in place from 3pm each evening and most roads will remain closed until 1am. Motorists are urged to avoid travel into the CBD and to expect delays as traffic will be heavy on detour routes.
PARKING & CLEARWAYS
Carparks in the city fill early, and with extensive restrictions on street parking in place, its best to leave the car at home and take advantage of public transport services to get you to and from Vivid Sydney.
If driving is unavoidable, it’s important to note that roads may close around your parked location. Vehicles are not permitted to drive on closed roads or exit car park driveways onto closed roads at any time unless at the direction of NSW Police.
For parking options in the Sydney CBD visit City of Sydney - Parking
Special event clearway parking restrictions will be in effect from 3pm each evening from Friday 24 May to Saturday 15 June on various key roads. Look for the bright yellow signs and read them carefully when parking your vehicle on the day or night before.
Clearways are strict no-parking zones and apply to residents and businesses with parking permits or TfNSW Mobility Scheme permit holders. Vehicles left in special event clearways will be towed and a fee applies. If your car is towed, call 132 701 to find its new location.
For the latest travel conditions, listed clearway locations and maps visit Live Traffic NSW.
Various charter vessels will be undertaking harbour cruises during Vivid Sydney 2024. If you are embarking on a cruise to view the Vivid Sydney lights from a vessel in the harbour, it is important to note that the event starts from 6pm nightly.
Some operators may offer services via agents, direct sales, and online deal websites. We suggest you read all terms and conditions and relevant information before making a purchase. Also please read all information on your ticket including departure times, locations, and other conditions.
Please note that Vivid Sydney does not operate any harbour cruises. If you have any questions, please contact the operator who is undertaking the harbour cruise.
Water taxis provide a great service for visitors to Vivid Sydney. As the event continues to grow, it has become necessary to introduce some wharf restrictions for water taxi operators in Sydney Cove to reduce congestion and ensure greater safety for onshore visitors.
Commissioners Steps and Harbourmasters Steps will be closed to all vessels except water taxi pick-up from 5:45pm to 11pm on the following nights in 2024:
- Friday 24 May & Saturday 25 May
- Friday 31 May & Saturday 1 June
- Friday 7 June, Saturday 8 June, Sunday 9 June & Monday 10 June
- Friday 14 June & Saturday 15 June
Water taxis can also be boarded from Ives Steps, Campbells Cove, Eastern Pontoon, Man O’ War Steps and Towns Place.
Seeing Vivid Sydney from the water on a recreational vessel is a great experience. Just be sure to follow all navigation rules including keeping to the right and displaying the correct navigation lights.
Recreational vessels are not permitted to enter Sydney Cove (Circular Quay) or to access the southern end of Cockle Bay, Darling Harbour.
For further information on navigating at night and navigation lights, please visit the NSW Government’s guide to navigation marks, lights and sounds.
Event Safety
Vivid Sydney works closely with NSW Police, NSW Ambulance and other key stakeholders to ensure safety for everyone is the top priority.
In the event of an emergency, please:
- Call 000 (triple zero) immediately for emergency services to respond.
- Notify the incident to our staff, security, volunteer or NSW Police on the ground near you. They will be able to assist you and alert Event Management for next steps.
