When in Sydney and Parramatta, should you hire a rideshare service, take a train, or hop on a bus? We’ll help you make sense of the local transportation options here.

From Sydney Airport: For a full list of transport options to the city, refer to the Sydney Airport guide.

The estimated taxi fare to the Sydney city centre is AUD45 to 55 (USD32.67 to 39.93). For guests at PARKROYAL Parramatta, getting to our hotel with an Uber ride (using the Uber fare estimator) will cost about AUD76.68 (USD54.30). You can download other rideshare apps such as Ola to compare rates.

For those travelling solo, the AirportLink train service is a budget-friendly option as it will only take you 13 minutes to reach the Sydney city centre. Note that train fares are AUD19.40 (USD14.08, adult) and AUD15.40 (USD11.17, child). If you’re taking the train to Parramatta Station, PARKROYAL Parramatta is a 10-minute walk away. Other ways to reach Parramatta include city bus and ferry—refer to the City of Parramatta’s transport guide for more options.

Modes of Transport: Planning to get around using Sydney’s public transport system? You should purchase an Opal card at the airport, or from Opal retailers in the city. When the value in your card runs low, you can top up the card online, via the Opal Travel app, or at a retail counter or top-up machine.

You’ll probably use the trains most frequently, as this is the easiest way to move around the city centre and visit Sydney’s top attractions. The Transport for NSW trip planner will help you to find the most efficient way to get to Sydney places of interest, and you can also use it to navigate your way around Parramatta.

Within Parramatta, look out for the free shuttle bus, which runs every 10 minutes. You can use it to reach the major retail and recreational attractions in the area. If you’re a guest at PARKROYAL Parramatta, you can choose to stroll along the Parramatta River, or take a walk to Parramatta Park.

Below is a list of services that you may require during your Parramatta stay. 

Medical and Emergency Services: Need emergency care while in Sydney? The number to call is 000 for the NSW Ambulance. You can also refer to Sydney’s Health Direct guide to locate the appropriate medical services for your needs. For guests at PARKROYAL Parramatta, you can use Google Maps to locate nearby clinics and pharmacies.

Although Parramatta is generally safe, we would advise you to insure your belongings. In the event that you are the victim of a theft, you will have a better chance of recovering your losses through insurance than by filing a police report. Guests at PARKROYAL Parramatta: you can leave your passport and valuables in a safe deposit box before you head out for sightseeing. Should you require police assistance, the Parramatta Police Station is minutes away.

24-Hour Convenience Stores: For late-night supplies, Coles (store locator) and Woolworths (store locator) have Parramatta outlets that are open all night.

Self-Service Laundromats: Prefer to travel light? PARKROYAL Parramatta has a guest laundry service where you can leave laundry items for housekeeping staff to collect, and they will be returned to you on the same day.

Use these apps to get around and explore Parramatta and Sydney!

Rideshare apps: Uber is the most popular ridesharing app in Australia, while Ola and Didi are also commonly used. All three services have introduced Covid-19 safety measures, including suspending the accounts of riders or drivers who are suspected to have Covid-19. 

Does a rideshare app guarantee a better deal in Australia compared to taxis? As a general rule, rideshares are often cheaper than taxis, or at least, travellers can avoid surprises with an upfront fare. The other advantage of rideshare apps is (typically) excellent service, thanks to the ratings system.

Download Uber (App Store, Google Play)

Download Ola (App Store, Google Play)

Download Didi (App Store, Google Play)

Google Arts & Culture: This is a handy app for your travels around the world! While in Parramatta, use it to take a virtual excursion through Parramatta Park, where you’ll learn about the Burramatta people, how they were displaced by colonisation, and which were the first buildings erected by Europeans on their borrowed land. Should you choose to visit the mentioned landmarks, you’ll be armed with interesting trivia and a better perspective of pivotal events in the area.

Download Google Arts & Culture (App Store, Google Play)

EatClub: Hoping to dine at Sydney’s best restaurants, but keeping an eye on your travel spending? Download EatClub, an app that allows restaurateurs to quickly fill empty tables by posting discount offers. Fine-dining establishments, as well as casual chains, are listed on this app, so there’s something for everyone! 

Download EatClub (App Store, Google Play)

BeachSafe: Visiting Sydney in the summer? A beach visit is a must! Brought to you by Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA), the Beachsafe app locates beaches near you, with useful information such as the weather, surf conditions and hazards, and nearby facilities. More importantly, the lifesaving service for each beach is listed—SLSA recommends only swimming at patrolled beaches, between the red and yellow flags.

Download Beachsafe (App Store, Google Play)

COVIDSafe: While in Sydney, please support the Australian Department of Health’s efforts to stem the spread of Covid-19, by downloading the COVIDSafe contact tracing app. The app must run in the background on your phone, but you can use other apps at the same time.

Download COVIDSafe (App Store, Google Play)

Staying at PARKROYAL Parramatta? Begin your Parramatta sightseeing at Lennox Bridge, which is a three-minute walk from the hotel. Designed by pioneer bridge builder David Lennox and constructed during the 1830s, Lennox Bridge provides a great vantage point for surveying the Parramatta River. 

Get Directions to Lennox Bridge

From Lennox Bridge, walk along the river towards Parramatta Park, where you can visit the Old Government House, which was built by convicts in the early 1800s, and served as the place of residence for the first 10 governors of New South Wales. Today, entry to the home is ticketed, and it’s a place to view colonial furniture, as well as early textiles and significant homewares from the time of the governors.

Within the Parramatta Park grounds, two other stops that you can make include the Boer War Memorial, which commemorates the first overseas military engagement for Australian troops, and the Dairy Cottage, one of Australia’s oldest colonial sites.

The Boer War Memorial recalls the Boer War from 1899 to 1902. It was waged between the British Empire and two independent Boer states—the South African Republic and the Orange Free State—over the Empire's influence in South Africa. Back then, there was a considerable anti-British, pro-Boer element in Australia, which resulted in reluctance to get involved in the war. But eventually, Australian troops were rallied to support the British, and some of these men hailed from the Lancer Barracks in Parramatta.

As for the Dairy Cottage, it is one of the oldest standing cottages in Australia, and it was built by George Salter, a convict-turned-cattleman. Salter led a colourful life back in England, where he was part of a smuggling gang that was also responsible for the murder of a police officer. After being sentenced and sent to Parramatta however, he put his farming skills to good use and turned his life around, even falling in love—a true Parramatta success story!

Get Directions to Old Government House

Get Directions to Boer War Memorial

Get Directions to Dairy Cottage

There are many Parramatta stories that will intrigue you, including the tale of British army officer John Macarthur, who built his home, Elizabeth Farm, in 1793. 

Today, Macarthur is regarded as the pioneer of Australia’s wool industry. But in his lifetime, he was probably better known for being an incendiary character—he didn’t shy away from fighting duels and was the instigator to Australia’s only political coup. Macarthur also suffered from crippling depression, and was declared insane in 1832, two years before his death.

Ironically, Macarthur’s Elizabeth Farm is a place of peaceful refuge. You can stroll at leisure through the cottage and its gardens, to imagine what life might have been like for Macarthur’s family. It’s also a prime location for capturing interesting Parramatta photos—the observant visitor will spot a myriad of details worth highlighting, such as the textured cottage walls built from sandstock brick, or the wizened garden trees, many of which are about 200 years old.

Get Directions to Elizabeth Farm

For guests at PARKROYAL Parramatta, the best breakfast awaits you at Circa Espresso, a 12-minute walk away. 

Circa Espresso has been in business for a decade—far outlasting owner Aykut Sayan’s initial predictions of being able to stay afloat for three months! They source their coffee beans from countries like Colombia, Guatemala, and Kenya, and the beans are roasted in small batches to ensure freshness and consistency. Apart from quality coffee, the food is also a top draw for regulars, and the Ottoman Eggs are a must-try.

While you’re here, do take a photo of yourself sipping a Circa Espresso coffee—it’s practically a local icon! There’s enough natural light streaming into the cafe for a great shot, or you could capture your Instagrammable moment at the mural wall next to the cafe.

Get Directions to Circa Espresso

Just a seven-minute drive from PARKROYAL Parramatta is the Lake Parramatta Reserve, a recreational park popular with visitors who love picnicking, water activities, and bushwalking. 

If you don’t have time to explore Sydney’s best beaches, you can still enjoy a spot of swimming at Lake Parramatta. Lifeguards are typically on duty from late October to late March or early April, from 9.00am to 6.00pm—check the City of Parramatta website before your visit. The lake waters have also been declared clean enough for water activities since 2015. Depending on your available time and energy, you could hire a rowboat, paddleboat, canoe, or kayak for a fun experience along the waterway. 

Not keen on getting wet? Spend your time hiking along one of the reserve’s three walking tracks, from the shorter She-oak (1,550m return) and Banksia (2,450m return) trails to the longer Lake Circuit route (4,200m), which takes you around the periphery of Lake Parramatta. Download the City of Parramatta’s brochure for details.

Get Directions to Lake Parramatta Reserve

Take this tour if you’re interested in Parramatta’s public artworks and monuments. You’ll wander into laneways to discover street art and murals, and pick up recommendations for local food along the way! Some of the artworks are in plain sight, while others need to be sought out. Regardless, each unveils a unique story of Parramatta’s heritage. 

Book tour

This comprehensive walking tour of Parramatta’s UNESCO World Heritage sites includes entry and guided tours for the Old Government House, the Dairy Cottage, and Parramatta Park—and yes, lunch is part of the package! Perfect for travellers who appreciate exploring Parramatta’s heritage attractions with a knowledgeable guide by their side.

Book tour

Loosely translated, “Warami Mittigar” means “hello friend.” On this enriching tour led by an Aboriginal traditional custodian, you’ll walk along the Parramatta River and Parramatta Park to learn about the Darug people—Parramatta’s first inhabitants—and how they lived off the land. If you’re a first-time visitor, here’s a fun fact: Parramatta’s name comes from the Darug word “burramatta,” which means “the place of eels.”  

Book tour

If this is your first time in Australia, you can’t leave without having an authentic Aussie burger, which, for the uninitiated, comes with mandatory extras—bacon, beetroot, egg, and pineapple! Within Parramatta, you can get your burger fix at top-rated fast food joints like BL Burgers and Brades Burgers. 

Get Directions to BL Burgers

Get Directions to Brades Burgers

Guests at PARKROYAL Parramatta, treat yourself to a satisfying dinner without leaving the comforts of your hotel! To savour modern Australian cuisine, visit our in-house restaurant TABLE 30. For a limited time only, we’re offering a delicious three-course set menu celebrating the best of Australia's gourmet produce, where you’ll take your pick of three dishes, and enjoy a welcome drink on arrival.

Make a reservation

Only have time for one Parramatta bar? Settle in at Uncle Kurt’s, a New York-inspired neighbourhood bar that’s tucked away in a multi-storey car park. Be sure to have a cocktail here, as they’re handcrafted to perfection! If you’re feeling peckish, order the crowd favourite—Uncle's Traditional Reuben, featuring smoked brisket pastrami, Swiss cheese, Russian dressing, coleslaw, and pickles between toasted rye bread. 

Get Directions to Uncle Kurt’s

An eight-minute walk from PARKROYAL Parramatta is Westfield Parramatta Shopping Centre. Here, you’ll find well-known retailers including David Jones, Myer, Kmart, and Target, along with specialty stores, a fine spread of food options, and a cineplex. It’s got all your needs covered, especially if you’re travelling with little ones or the elderly!

Get Directions to Westfield Parramatta Shopping Centre

Have you been to a “hybrid sneaker, fried chicken, and champagne bar?” If not, you’ll want to check out Butter, which has outlets in Surry Hills and Parramatta. Butter is a concept store where you can fuel up with fried chicken, burgers, or ramen—and drinks—at the ground floor, before heading upstairs to browse and buy designer sneakers. Compared to the footwear, the food seems to be the bigger draw for locals, but it still promises to be a refreshing experience!

Get Directions to Butter

Markets are an Australian institution, and you’ll find them in Parramatta too. Every Friday, from 7.30am to 2.30pm, Centenary Square plays host to the Parramatta Farmers Market, showcasing the freshest produce sourced from the Sydney basin and regional NSW. It’s a great place for picking up quick bites—the ingredients will be top-notch—and chatting with the friendly vendors.

During Covid-19 social distancing, the Parramatta Farmers Market will operate online. Do check the City of Parramatta’s page for market updates. 

Get Directions to Parramatta Farmers Market

Welcome to Parramatta! Do check out the room offers at PARKROYAL Parramatta, and we look forward to meeting you!

Need assistance? Contact our friendly team today!