Accessible Sydney - Getting Around

Planning an accessible trip 

Want to start exploring our beautiful Harbour City? Understanding the location of potential barriers such as stairs, access features including lifts, accessible toilets or taxi ranks, and the best modes of accessible transport available provides people with disability greater confidence to navigate Sydney and enjoy it’s many attractions. 

 

In Sydney, the majority of public transport services are accessible. Mobility aids including wheelchairs, scooters, walking frames, prams and strollers can safely board and travel on all metro and light rail services and most trains, buses and ferries. Assistance animals are permitted on all public transport in NSW. 

Transport NSW provides an online Trip Planner showing accessible service information for every trip plan in Sydney. Users can refine the results by selecting the accessibility check boxes that apply to them. You can also get real-time service information and view route maps; save your favourite trips; copy and share a link to your trip plan; and print a copy of your trip plan. 

Alternatively, download a transport accessibility app that best suits your needs. 

Transportnsw.info incorporates ferry services, buses and trains. Specific information about accessible travel in Sydney is available.  

 

Ferries 

All Sydney Ferries vessels are accessible to people using essential mobility aids, but several older-style wharves have steps that prevent access. Trip Planner displays which services are accessible. View a list of Sydney’s accessible wharves. 

 

Trains 

If you use a wheelchair or other mobility device that meets Transport NSW’s mobility aid specifications, you can board all Sydney and Intercity trains. Accessibility features offered on each train may vary. Trains for intercity services have accessible toilets. Look for the wheelchair symbol for accessible entrances located at the end of carriages. 

Sydney Metro is a fully accessible railway. If you have limited mobility, you can travel on all metro services. 

 

Buses 

Buses that are accessible have the wheelchair symbol displayed on the front of the bus. They have lower floors, wide doors and aisles, and there are no steps in the front half of the bus. Other features include handrails, accessible stop buttons and highly visible LED destination signs on the front of the bus. 

 

Light rail 

If you have limited mobility, you can travel on all light rail services. There are ramps or lifts for getting to and from the platform and all light rail stops have network maps and electronic information displays indicating when the next service is due. Staff can assist you with getting on and off light rail vehicles. Check the accessibility facilities at Sydney’s light rail stop locations here. 

 

Taxis  

Information about wheelchair-accessible taxis is available on Transport NSW. Accessible taxis are available in Sydney. Zero200 is a centralised booking service for wheelchair-accessible taxis in Sydney (phone +61 2 8332 0200). 

 

Mobility parking 

If you hold an approved permit, you can enjoy free parking for a certain period of time in designated parking zones in Sydney. The City of Sydney provides a list of the mobility parking spaces in the Sydney city centre, as well as a map.   

 

Sydney Airport 

Sydney Airport provides special assistance for people with disabilities and can help with baggage, getting around the airport, and getting on and off the plane. For a full list of accessible facilities throughout the terminals, visit Sydney Airport’s accessible facilities and services page. A sensory map identifying high sensory and low sensory areas to help you navigate through the terminal is also available.  

 

Accessible toilets  

The National Public Toilet Map is an initiative of the National Continence Management Strategy. It allows tourists to identify appropriate places for toilet breaks and also whether toilets are wheelchair accessible.  

Please note that some accessible toilets are locked and require an MLAK (Master Locksmith’s Access Key) to gain access. The MLAK is a master key that fits into specially designed locks allowing 24-hour access to public toilets. Eligible people can purchase a key that opens all accessible toilets displaying the MLAK symbol. Eligibility is restricted to people who have a disability or have written authority from a doctor, a disability organisation, a local council or community health centre or the owner or management of a building with an accessible toilet on site.  

For more information, or to purchase an MLAK from your local member of the Master Locksmiths' Association of Australasia, please call 1800 810 698 or visit the website. 

 

Access maps