Commuting in Sydney is an interesting topic to explore because there are many different answers to the same question. I have been using Google Maps because it is well synced in the city, but I am always provided multiple routes for the same end destination. Sure, I could walk 20 minutes, or I could take a bus, or I could walk a little and take the L, or I could take the T all the way to my destination. I have experimented with the best route for many scenarios and here is what I have concluded.
To get to class, that is a walk. It takes about 15 minutes, but if you cut up a street, there is less traffic and you can arrive quicker. I really enjoy this walk because it is in the shade and the buildings remind me of the French Quarter in New Orleans with colorful architecture and artistic balconies. I have three classes in a row on Monday so I walk once in the morning and then come home for dinner at night. Then, I also have a night class on Wednesday but am still able to come back when the sun is setting.
In order to get to work, I go to a bus stop located about 3 minutes from the apartments and board the 389 which takes me across the Pyrmont Bridge over the harbor. Then I walk another 5 minutes and maybe stop to get a coffee before making my way to a second bus stop. I then take the 270 for a 30-minute ride to North Sydney and walk up a long hill for 10 minutes to get to the office building of Springday. Overall, this has been taking around an hour so I leave fairly early in the morning to arrive by 9 am. On the way home, I have found that rush hour makes the busses full, so I have been only taking one bus and then walking over the bridge myself, which is nice to soak in some sun for the day and only takes about 20 minutes.
My favorite part of my commutes is that I pass many cute cafes and I have been trying a new one every day so I can discover my favorite. I feel like I look more like a local now that I know my way around, and this has been proven by people regularly asking me for directions.
I suggest getting comfortable with public transportation and your OPAL card as soon as you arrive because even in the first few days here, we ended up walking way farther than necessary or spending way too much on Ubers when there was definitely a free and simple way of getting there. CAPA provides you an OPAL card the first day that can be used on any public transport and it is automatically reloaded. Just remember to tap on and tap off to get the best rate.
Sydney is a very large city but very easy to get around so just keep exploring! You never know what you may find.
