Getting Around Adelaide

Metropolitan train, tram and bus services are contracted out by the State Government under the unified brand name “Adelaide Metro” and use a unified ticketing system, “Metroticket”. Single trip tickets can be purchased on-board any bus, train or tram and allow the passenger to move freely around the transport network for two hours.

The Passenger Transport InfoCentre (corner of King William & Currie Streets, Adelaide) is the place to visit for timetable and route information. Economical “multi-trip” tickets containing 10 trips are available, and you can save even more by traveling only between 9AM and 3PM on an “interpeak” multi-trip ticket. Tickets and route information can also be obtained from many newsagents, delis and post offices.

The city centre is compact and can be easily covered on foot, but for the leg weary there are free buses and tram travel within the city centre is also free. The City Loop (#99C) bus runs Monday-Friday 7:40AM-6PM every 15 minutes, Friday 6PM-9:20PM every 30 minutes, Saturday 8AM-5PM every 30 minutes and Sunday (and public holidays) 10AM-5PM every 30 minutes. It has clockwise and anticlockwise routes each with about thirty stops taking in all the major cultural and commercial centres, beginning at Victoria Square and including Adelaide Railway Station. The buses feature ground-level access ramps.

There is a tram that runs from North Terrace to the popular seaside suburb of Glenelg. Stops within the city centre include Adelaide Railway Station and Victoria Square. Tram travel within the city centre is free, as is travel confined to Jetty Road in Glenelg. Otherwise the standard ticket system applies and the whole trip takes about 30 minutes. Tickets may be bought in advance or purchased from the conductor.

Be warned that bus and train frequency declines sharply after 6PM, with hourly intervals being typical in the suburbs. Some services cease operation before midnight, so check your timetables and expect to catch a taxi if required if you are out after this time. Some special ‘After Midnight’ bus services operate either half-hourly or hourly after midnight on Saturday nights.

Visitors from Japan and Western Europe should be warned that the local and interstate train services are not quite up to the speed and standards of their own train systems, purely due to the fact that there is not enough population to justify the cost of a modern, European style upgraded light rail or high speed network. The system is still quite clean and functional though, and (mostly) punctual!

Taxis are provided by several companies and can be hailed on the street or arranged by phone. There is a common rate of flagfall and a per-distance/time charge, both of which are increased at night and on weekends.

The Adelaide Metro website contains comprehensive information about public transport in Adelaide. Accurate transit instructions, including transfers and complex cross-city travel, can be obtained using the travel planner, or using the “transit” directions in google maps.

NGO “Bicycle SA” provides a range of bicycle services, including free-to-use tourist bikes, from its offices at 46 Hurtle Square. Tel +61 8 232 2644.

Adelaide Airport has many options for the busy traveller to reach their final destination. Minibuses travel from door to door within Adelaide airport and the outer suburbs and surrounding areas.

Adelaide Metro’s jetbus services allow for easy transfers to most services in the city. From the airport to Keswick station takes between 10 to 15 minutes.

Adelaide airport parking has a conveniently located public car park which services terminal one immediately outside the main building. Payment is by ticket validation. Ticket validation units are located at the baggage reclaim hall on the ground floor.

Trans Adelaide trains buses and trams operate throughout the city. They use a Metroticket system which allows unlimited transfers between all buses trains and trams in Adelaide metropolitan area. Car rental in Adelaide is made easy through reputable companies like Avis, Budget, Hertz, Europcar, Thrifty and Red Spot. These are among the many car rental companies that operate in Adelaide.

Bus timetables can be found at Metro Adelaide Info Centre on the corner of King William and Currie Street or on Infoline 8210 1000.