Discover boutique hotels in Sydney, Australia

When to go

Sydney thrives in summer, so any time from December through to March is especially lovely.

Getting there

• Planes

  Sydney’s Kingsford Smith Airport (www.sydneyairport.com.au), 10 kilometres south of the city, is Australia’s busiest. International and domestic terminals are a four-kilometre bus or train ride apart.

• Boats

  Regular ferries depart from Circular Quay (www.sydneyferries.info), with popular routes including Taronga Zoo and Manly on the North Shore, Rose Bay and Watsons Bay in the Eastern Suburbs, and Darling Harbour and Parramatta to the west. There’s a ferry information office at Wharf 4.

• Trains

  Central Station is Sydney’s main rail terminus, with a network of inner-city, intercity and country destinations (www.cityrail.info).

• Automobiles

  Walking around Sydney is a pleasure, and it’s compact enough that you shouldn’t need a car. If you’re planning a trip out of town though, it’s worth having your own wheels. Hire a car at the airport, which has desks for all major companies.

• Taxis

  These are plentiful in Sydney and easily hailed in the street, but if you need to call one try Silver Service Cabs (13 31 00) or Premier Cabs (13 10 17). Drivers don’t expect tips but often need directions – so it’s best to have an idea of where you are going beforehand.