How to Go to Sydney Opera House

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: October 25, 2021 References

The Sydney Opera House is an amazing live-performance venue that's located in Sydney, Australia. You can visit the opera house to see a performance or to just visit the structure itself. The opera house is accessible by public transit, car, or ferry. If you plan out your trip before you leave, getting to the Sydney Opera House can be a breeze.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:
Planning Your Trip

1
Look on the Sydney Opera House website to find an event you enjoy. Visit the Sydney Opera House offcial website and click “events” on the top of the page. There, you’ll find a list of upcoming events at the opera house. Click the event link to get more details about the event. Scroll through upcoming events and find one that you’d be interested in attending.^{[1]
X
Research source}
- The Sydney Opera House is home to festivals, musical performances, plays, operas, and musicals.
- Look for a musician or artist that you’re familiar with if you’re unsure of what show to go to.
2
Purchase tickets to a specific event. Once you find an event that you’re interested in, click on the “Book Now” link on the event details page. This will bring you to a new page where you can select your experience and seats. Choose the time and date for the show and follow the payment processing steps to purchase tickets.^{[2]
X
Research source}
- If you pay extra, you can upgrade your experience to include a pre-show and refreshments or you can pay even more for backstage access.
- Purchase tickets in advance for popular shows before they sell out.
Advertisement
3
Register for a tour if you don’t want to see a live show. If you have no interest in a live performance, the Sydney Opera House has several tour options. You can take a backstage tour to learn more about the opera house itself or you can take a food tour for a fine-dining experience.^{[3]
X
Research source}
- The backstage tour starts at 7 a.m. and costs $175.^{[4]
  X
  Research source}
- ”Taste of the Opera House” includes a 3 course meal, lasts 4 hours, and costs $295 per person.^{[5]
  X
  Research source}
4
Plan on walking the grounds if you don’t want to spend money. Access to the Sydney Opera House is free. Take photos and walk around to see the amazing architecture if you don't want to spend any money.^{[6]
X
Research source}
- During the night the opera house turns on the iconic Sydney Opera House lights to illuminate the structure.
Advertisement

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:
Using Public Transit to Get to the Opera House

1
Take the T3 train in Town Hall Station to the Circular Quay. From Town Hall Station, get a ticket for the T3 train to the Circular Quay. The ticket will cost you around $2.00. The train will arrive in the Circular Quay in 10 minutes and from there, you can walk to the opera house.^{[7]
X
Research source}
- Visit http://www.sydneytrains.info/timetables/timetables_by_line.htm?line=bk&dir=1#landingPoint to get a full schedule of train times.
2
Ride a Sydney bus to the Circular Quay. There are several Sydney buses that run to the Circular Quay station. If you are in Town Hall Station, take the 10-minute B bus to to the Circular Quay station. Visit https://transportnsw.info/ to find the closest bus from where you live.^{[8]
X
Research source}
- The bus costs $2.15 one way.
3
Walk to the the Circular Quay station. If you’re located close enough to the Sydney Opera House you can simply walk there. From Center City, you can walk north on Pitt Street, which will lead you to the Circular Quay Station.^{[9]
X
Research source}
- Use Google Maps or Moovit to find walking directions if you’re unsure of how to get there.
- You can also ask locals for directions.
4
Walk from the Circular Quay station to the opera house. The opera house is in North Sydney and is a 10-minute walk from the Circular Quay station. Walk along the waterfront until you arrive at the main gates of the opera house.
- The water will be on your left as you walk.
5
Use the courtesy bus if you can't walk. If you have trouble walking, you can take a courtesy bus from the Circular Quay station to the opera house. The bus is located on Stand B on Alfred Street and the Vehicle Concourse. Take note that the bus only runs for 30 minutes - 1 hour before and after evening and matinee performances at the opera house.^{[10]
X
Research source}
- There is no bus running on Sunday.
- This bus is first come first served.
Advertisement

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:
Using Other Methods to Travel

1
Use a private ridesharing app to get a ride to the opera house. Ride-sharing apps like Uber and Taxify exist in Sydney. Download the app on your phone and select a pickup and drop off point right at the opera house.^{[11]
X
Research source}
2
Get a taxi instead of using a ride-sharing app. Taxi services in Sydney are highly regulated and standardized by the government so the cost to take them is fairly affordable and standardized. Hail or search for a taxi service online and give them a call and tell them to take you to the opera house.^{[12]
X
Research source}
- A taxi from Town Hall to the Sydney Opera House costs anywhere from $9-$13.
3
Drive to the opera house if you have a vehicle. Use GPS or an app on your phone if you’re unsure of how to get to the opera house from where you're located. The parking lot for the opera house is located on the north side of 2 Macquarie Street.^{[13]
X
Research source}
- From the center of the city, you can go north on Elizabeth then Macquarie Street to drive to the opera house.
4
Take a ferry to the opera house to enjoy the ocean. Depending on where you are, you can take the ferry for anywhere from $2.00 - $9.00. To read the ferry schedule to the Sydney Opera house, visit https://transportnsw.info/routes/ferry.^{[14]
X
Research source}
- The ferry will drop you off at the Circular Quay station.
- There are also private ferries that you can use to get to the opera house.
Advertisement