Train in Sydney to Blue Mountains?

[jms2362]

Doing research on upcoming cruise. Have thought of taking the train to the Blue Mountains. Is this possible, how long does it take to get there, should we spend the night there. Has anyone done this?

[ILVTX]

I have been doing research as well for our 5 days in Sydney prior to our Princess cruise. I found the link to train info by doing a search entitled "Sydney Public Transportation". It appeared that the trip takes 2 hours or so. More research is needed to learn the station that should be the destination. Still working on it.

[cruiselover53]

http://www.cityrail.info/timetables/#landingPoint

 

 

You would have to catch a train from Central station.It is in the middle of the city.Quite easy to catch a cab to or walk depending where you are coming from.You need to look at the Blue Mountains line and get off the train at Katoomba.From there you can catch a bus/cab to the various lookout points,Echo Point/3 Sisters etc

[ILVTX]

Thank you from both of us, cruiselover!

[Kiwi Kruzer]

This thread may help...

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1093525

[sparky-elpaso]

We plan on doing that when we get back to Sydney after our cruise. It looks pretty easy - there's a combo ticket for the train and the hop-on/hop-off bus in Katoomba that looks like a pretty good deal. I've followed the tracks on Google Earth and once you get outside of Sydney it looks like quite a scenic ride.

[whimsy7]

yes, the 2 hour train ride leaves from sydney central railway station to Katoomba. you can hop on to an explorer bus there to go to the various sites. the ones worth doing are the scenic railway and of course, the 3 sisters viewpoint.

http://www.131500.com.au/tickets/explore/blue-mountains

http://www.scenicworld.com.au/

[The_Big_M]

If you're docked at OPT, you can take the train straight outside at Circular Quay, then change at Central. It's then an express train that goes to the Blue Mountains.

 

There are many stations in the Blue Mountains, but the main one people would go to is Katoomba which is closest to the three sisters and some other attractions as well as having a pleasant town to either visit or stay at.

[jms2362]

I have been doing research as well for our 5 days in Sydney prior to our Princess cruise. I found the link to train info by doing a search entitled "Sydney Public Transportation". It appeared that the trip takes 2 hours or so. More research is needed to learn the station that should be the destination. Still working on it.

 

Thank you for your reply. Just got this info from someone else.

The Blue Mountains are a day trip and the easiest way to get there and back is via the trains. CityRail has a Blue Mountains Explorer combo fare that includes the train to Katoomba and back as well as all day use of the red Hop-On-Hop-Off bus that take you to all the attractions in the Blue Mountains. Details are here: http://www.cityrail.info/tickets/which/explorerlink

http://www.explorerbus.com.au/

Price is $46.80 per person and the train trip is 2 hours each way. If you'd like to drive, it's a 90 minute drive outside of peak hours.

[jms2362]

yes, the 2 hour train ride leaves from sydney central railway station to Katoomba. you can hop on to an explorer bus there to go to the various sites. the ones worth doing are the scenic railway and of course, the 3 sisters viewpoint.

http://www.131500.com.au/tickets/explore/blue-mountains

http://www.scenicworld.com.au/

 

I love Cruise Critic, ask a question and the answers start coming in. Thanks so much for this information. If we were to leave on the train early am from Sydney would a full day be enough time, if we return to Sydney in the evening. Do the trains run in the evening?

[jms2362]

I have been doing research as well for our 5 days in Sydney prior to our Princess cruise. I found the link to train info by doing a search entitled "Sydney Public Transportation". It appeared that the trip takes 2 hours or so. More research is needed to learn the station that should be the destination. Still working on it.

 

Not sure of what I sent to you but this is good info

The Blue Mountains are a day trip and the easiest way to get there and back is via the trains. CityRail has a Blue Mountains Explorer combo fare that includes the train to Katoomba and back as well as all day use of the red Hop-On-Hop-Off bus that take you to all the attractions in the Blue Mountains. Details are here: http://www.cityrail.info/tickets/which/explorerlink

http://www.explorerbus.com.au/

 

Price is $46.80 per person and the train trip is 2 hours each way. If you'd like to drive, it's a 90 minute drive outside of peak hours.

If you're docked at OPT, you can take the train straight outside at Circular Quay, then change at Central. It's then an express train that goes to the Blue Mountains.

 

There are many stations in the Blue Mountains, but the main one people would go to is Katoomba which is closest to the three sisters and some other attractions as well as having a pleasant town to either visit or stay at.

You can hop on to an explorer bus there to go to the various sites. the ones worth doing are the scenic railway and of course, the 3 sisters viewpoint.

****************

http://www.131500.com.au/tickets/explore/blue-mountains (train from Sydney to Katoomba and Hop on Hop Off Bus information *****

 

http://www.scenicworld.com.au/

 

yes, the 2 hour train ride leaves from sydney central railway station to Katoomba. you can hop on to an explorer bus there to go to the various sites. the ones worth doing are the scenic railway and of course, the 3 sisters viewpoint.

http://www.131500.com.au/tickets/explore/blue-mountains

http://www.scenicworld.com.au/

 

Some good places to see that are not on the bus route (but nearby) are listed here: http://HTTP://www.leurabluemountainsguide.com

 

Albany is a beautiful little port city but quite hilly. The whale station and rugged coast around that area is well worth a tour.

 

Esperance is beautiful and I would agree with the National Park tour.

 

The Sydney Explorer bus stops right outside your hotel and visits all the major attractions in the Sydney CBD. Details are here: http://www.city-sightseeing.com/inde...nations=Sydney

Price is $35 for 24 hours and $56 for 28 hours.

Doyle’s at Circular Quay good restaurant per KCSunshinegirl

Doyle’s in Watson Bay good also but further away from Marriott

[whimsy7]

@jms,

yes, the train runs in the evenings. have a look at the timetable here. check on the blue mountains line.

http://www.cityrail.info/index.htm#landingPoint

some people do stay the night in the BM and go to visit the jenolan caves.

http://www.jenolancaves.org.au/

one option would be to stay at the youth hostel in katoomba

http://www.yha.com.au/hostels/nsw/blue-mountains/katoomba/

and uhh, esperance and albany are in western australia which is way over on the other side of the continent to new south wales where sydney and the blue mountains are located.

[whimsy7]

forgot to say that a full day in the area would be enough if you are short of time. catch the very early train, say 7ish and get to katoomba by 9ish and then plan to catch the train in the evening.

as mentioned in a previous post, leura is a nice village to visit.

[irukandjisting]

Just to add - another nice day trip - is also about the same distance but heading south to the town of Bowral .... lots of convict built buildings and jail etc in the nearby town of Berrima.... only about one n half hours by train and then a bus or taxi ride over to Berrima - very scenic area...fyi:cool:

[rugbypopsie]

It is obvious from this and other threads that the Blue Mountains area is heavily promoted but with limited time in Sydney there are so many other options closer to the city.

 

Feel free to ask away if you need more information on other things to do while in Sydney.

 

Sue

[cassamanda]

It is obvious from this and other threads that the Blue Mountains area is heavily promoted but with limited time in Sydney there are so many other options closer to the city.

 

Feel free to ask away if you need more information on other things to do while in Sydney.

 

Sue

Can't agree more Sue. So much to do just around Sydney. Blue Mountains are good to visit on a nice day only - so if the weather is bad forget it. In which case the train is probably a good option. If you drive, then can i suggest the "Great Circle Drive" ie returning via the Bells Line of Road through Bilpin, covering so much more of the Blue Mtns National Park than just Katoomba and the 3 Sisters.

[cassamanda]

Thank you for your reply. Just got this info from someone else.

The Blue Mountains are a day trip and the easiest way to get there and back is via the trains...... If you'd like to drive, it's a 90 minute drive outside of peak hours.

It's actually 2 hours drive to Katoomba because of all the road works currently in place. Do it in 90 and i'd say you were flying.

[ILVTX]

Thank you, jms2362, and others who have contributed information. Since we will have several days, we will buy the "My Multi 3" option, which will get us out of the city that far. We won't be there a full week, but for us, the weekly pass to the trains, buses, and ferries will be a excellent deal.

 

Patsy

[Islandgirl4242]

We arrive in Sydney 4 days before our cruise departs and the links and information you have provided are very helpful for us in making plans of what to see in this great city!!

[nanrandy]

We will be arriving in Sydney on October 3,2014 on the Rhapsody of the Seas. We are thinking of taking the train and Explorer Bus combo package for 3 days in Katoomba. We are most interested in natural things, plants, hiking, geology, wildlife, etc. There apparently also is a garden festival in Leura from Oct 4-12.

 

With the festival and normal sights, are there enough things to see and do to take 3 days in this location?

 

Can anyone recommend a lodging in the area?

 

Thanks for the info.

Randy

[cassamanda]

We will be arriving in Sydney on October 3,2014 on the Rhapsody of the Seas. We are thinking of taking the train and Explorer Bus combo package for 3 days in Katoomba. We are most interested in natural things, plants, hiking, geology, wildlife, etc. There apparently also is a garden festival in Leura from Oct 4-12.

 

With the festival and normal sights, are there enough things to see and do to take 3 days in this location?

 

Can anyone recommend a lodging in the area?

 

Thanks for the info.

Randy

The nicest place to stay and the handiest to transportation is The Carrington Hotel. A very famous icon in Katoomba. One of the old style Grand hotels. Walking distance from station. Bus stop just outside. Located in town centre.

If you wish to stay closer to the 3 sisters with majestic views (and pricier) then i can recommend Lilienfells or Echoes. There is a regular EXplorer bus and Trolley bus from the 3 sisters lookout just nearby.

For budget accom such as a motel try the Three Sisters Motel just up the street from Lilienfels.

 

For one of your three days, why not take the local tour bus service to Jenolan Caves. Majestic limestone caves from 400 million years ago and just over an hour from Katoomba.

http://www.trolleytours.com.au/jenolan-caves-tours

[MadWoofter]

There's heaps to do in the mountains, particularly if you have the time to get away from the more heavily tourist areas. I did a quick search & this website has some good information:

 

http://www.visitnsw.com/destinations/blue-mountains?from=mm

 

At Katoomba and Echo Point (where the 3 sisters are) walk down the Giant Staircase, then across the valley floor, and take the scenic railway back up to the top. It's an easy, pretty walk (although you'll have jelly legs when you get to the bottom of the stairs :D ). The railway is apparently the steepest in the world.

 

If you have the time, check out the other side of the ridge and the Grose Valley - good spots are Evans Lookout, Govetts Leap and Pulpit Rock at Blackheath.

 

If you have the luxury of a few days I'd suggest hiring a car and just meandering around. If you follow the brown tourist drive signs you can end up at some magical spots. Take the main highway up to the mountains (stopping at lots of pretty little villages on the way, and take the Bells Line of Road back down

[mr walker]

We will be arriving in Sydney on October 3,2014 on the Rhapsody of the Seas.

 

Hey, we are on that cruise :D have you joined the roll call? With you being from Hawaii you can probably give us tourists some tips.

We live at Penrith, which is 30 miles west of Sydney CBD, at the foot of the mountains. Agree with others, there is lots to see & do in the mountains, not just Katoomba. One of our favourites is a tea-house in Leura, which is filled with all sorts of old 'stuff' & they serve high-tea.

 

Happy cruising.

 

Neil & Tracey

[Gnomey]

While the Mountains is lovely on a good day, might I suggest a train ride to the north. I always find the run down to the Hawkesbury River and then along to Gosford really beautiful. Once again take one of the "interurban" trains from the country platforms at Central railway and enjoy. Also while on the mountains a stop at Springwood and then a taxi ride to the Norman Lindsay gallery is well worth the effort. Glenbrook is also a lovely village, similar to Leura but not as busy.

Steve.

[nanrandy]

Hey, we are on that cruise :D

 

 

Yes we are on the roll call for the cruise. We did the cruise last year and enjoyed it so much that we are repeating this year. We will be happy to help out with any questions about Hawaii. Looking forward to meeting you on the cruise.

 

With all the help we have gotten about the Blue Mountains, we are pretty certain that we will do that trip for 3 days at the end of the cruise.

 

Thanks to all who responded,

Randy