Once you have applied to study in Australia and your visa is approved, there is one vital thing left to do: get there!
Australia has a total of 43 universities located across the country, with most of the popular student cities located along the east and south-east coast of Australia – Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne & Adelaide – with the exception of Perth, which is located on the south-west coast of Australia. Here is our brief guide to arriving in Australia at the top five major international cities: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth & Adelaide, as well as information about public transport in the cities and our top travel safety tips.
There are a large number of airports in Australia, both international and domestic. Your new university will be able to advise you which is the best airport to fly to when you are arriving in Australia. There should be information on their website or ask their admissions department, who will be happy to help you with your query. A number of universities will offer a free airport pick-up service for international students, which can be very helpful when coming off a long flight into a new country that you may not have visited before. Again be sure to check this before you arrive, otherwise, you may be waiting for a long time!
Arriving in Sydney
Arriving at Sydney Airport
Also known as Kingsford-Smith, Sydney Airport is one of the world’s oldest airports and is Australia’s busiest, with traffic incoming and outgoing to most major destinations in the rest of the world.
Getting to your accommodation
There are many bus services from Sydney Airport, which may require advance booking. There are also some shuttle bus services to the city and suburbs. These start at around $16 for a single and $30 for a return from AirBus Sydney.
There are rail stations at both the international and domestic terminals, with frequent trains to the centre of the city. You will be able to change at Sydney’s main railway station, Central, to get to most other train lines. Use this travel planner to find out how to get to your accommodation via public transport.
Taxis are available from the airport and are subject to a $4.10 airport toll. They can be pre-booked or taken from the rank. An approximate fare from the airport to the city is $45-55, depending on traffic, whilst destinations further out will cost around $65-165. To find out more, visit www.sydneyairport.com.au
Public Transport in Sydney
Sydney is serviced by buses, trains, ferries and trams. Inner-city locations have the best transport links, and you will benefit from living within walking distance of your classes, as timetables can sometimes be unreliable (it is worth checking train lines on the weekends in case of maintenance).
International students are usually not eligible for student concessions on public transport in Sydney but check with your institution to find out whether you’re eligible. The website for planning bus, train, tram (known as the Light Rail) and ferry travel is 131500, which also gives information about fares, service disruptions and delays.
Arriving in Melbourne
Arriving at Melbourne Airport
Melbourne Airport is located approximately 25 kilometres northwest of Melbourne city centre, and also known as Tullamarine Airport (note that Melbourne’s second airport, Avalon, is much further away from the city). There are a large number of destinations available to/from the airport, including airports in Asia, the USA, New Zealand, Canada and the Middle East.
Getting to your accommodation
There is a 24-hour, 7-day bus service from the airport to the city centre every ten minutes, called the SkyBus. A one-way adult ticket costs around $19 if pre-booked, or slightly more if purchased at the airport (on-the-day purchases come with a Metcard, which allows you to travel on public transport once in the city). Online tickets can be shown on a mobile phone or printed off – whichever is preferred.
There are also a number of other bus services to various areas of Melbourne. Information about these can be found at the airport desks or on the Melbourne Airport website. Taxis are available from the airport and are subject to a $2.70 parking charge. A one-way fare from the airport to the CBD should be around $55 to $65, depending on traffic. Taxis can be taken from the rank or pre-booked. Note that it is illegal for a taxi driver to approach you and offer a ride.
If you travel between 10 pm and 5 am you may be asked to pre-pay the estimated fare as a deposit. At the end of your trip, the meter will show the actual fare. You will then either need to pay the driver more or will receive change for your trip. Cash, credit/debit or EFTPOS methods of payment are accepted. To find out more, visit www.melbourneairport.com.au.
Public transport in Melbourne
Melbourne has a good public transport system, with the city serviced by trams, trains and buses. The centre of the city is set out in an easy-to-navigate grid structure, making it easy to walk around. Visit www.ptv.vic.gov.au to plan your journey.
Overseas full-fee paying students are not eligible for a student concession on public transport, but exchange students and students with an Australian Development Scholarship are eligible with a letter from their institution. When crossing the street, listen out for the sound of the tram bell – it’s a signal to watch out for the approach of a tram!
Arriving in Brisbane
Arriving at Brisbane Airport
Brisbane Airport is located approximately 15 kilometres from the city centre. Flights are available to/from a large number of destinations including airports in Europe, Asia, Canada and the USA.
Getting to your accommodation
Coachtrans Australia is Brisbane Airport’s only licensed bus operator and offers frequent services to a large number of destinations in and around Brisbane, with a one-way ticket costing around $15.
There is also a regular Airtrain service to Brisbane city (which takes approximately 22 minutes) and the Gold Coast, with fares from $21.95 (inclusive of a 15% discount for booking online). Taxi ranks are located at the airport and can offer services to a number of destinations in and around Brisbane city. This will cost between $45 and $60 and should take around 20 minutes. To find out more, visit the Brisbane Airport website.
Public transport in Brisbane
Brisbane is serviced by bus, train and ferry. You can purchase a go card, which can be used on all forms of public transport, and is 30% cheaper than a single-use ticket. International students are able to get student concession rates in Brisbane, but exchange students are not. You can plan journeys and get fare information at www.translink.com.au.
Arriving in Perth
Arriving at Perth Airport
Perth Airport’s international terminal is located approximately 35 minutes from Perth city. Flights are available to/from destinations in Africa, Asia, New Zealand and the Middle East.
Getting to your accommodation
There are shuttle bus services operating between the airport and the city centre and Fremantle. Tickets can be pre-booked or bought at the terminal. The cost of a one-way ticket will cost $15 to get to Perth. There are taxi ranks available at the airport. An average fare to Perth CBD will be around $43. To find out more, visit www.perthairport.com.au.
Public transport in Perth
International students receive a West Australian government-sponsored 40% discount on all public transport. Perth is serviced by train, bus and ferry links. The website for planning public transport is www.transperth.wa.gov.au. Click here for information about travelling to and from each institution in Perth, and getting your Tertiary SmartRider travelcard.
Arriving in Adelaide
Arriving at Adelaide Airport
Adelaide Airport is approximately 7 kilometres from the Adelaide CBD. Flights are available to/from a large number of airports in many areas of the world including Asia, Europe, India, the Middle East, New Zealand and the USA.
Getting to your accommodation
A public bus service, JetBus, offers services from the airport to the city, Glenelg and the northeastern suburbs. Tickets must be purchased from the driver.
There is a shuttle service, the Skylink, which runs regular bus services between Adelaide Airport, Keswick Interstate Railway Terminal and the Adelaide CBD. Adelaide Airport Flyer minibus services to Adelaide and surrounding areas are also available but must be pre-booked
A taxi rank is available at the airport, where concierges will help passengers hire a taxi. There is an additional $2 fee per taxi when leaving from the airport. To find out more, visit www.adelaideairport.com.au.
Public transport in Adelaide
Adelaide is serviced by trains, buses and trams which will take you all over the city. There are a number of free services which are very useful for getting around the city centre.
Visit the Passenger Transport Information Centre or www.adelaidemetro.com.au to find out about timetables, routes and fares. Study Adelaide also has lots of useful information for international students.
Safety tips
- Take note of the taxi license plate and driver numbers, and the date and time of your journey if you are travelling by taxi, especially by yourself.
- Plan your journey or memorise the timetable so that you are not waiting for too long at bus stops or train stations.
- If travelling at night on public transport, be careful to stay in well-lit areas and travel near members of staff, or consider taking a taxi.
Useful travel links
Australian Customs and Border Protection Service
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT)
