Visiting Katoomba: How to get here

Travel the path less travelled | Luke Mallinson
Travel the path less travelled | Luke Mallinson
Getting to Katoomba is easy. If you’re coming from Sydney, here’s how to get here. 

TAKE THE TRAIN
 
Our trips already are very low carbon emitters, so why not reduce your impact, and traffic stress, by taking the train. The train is one of the fastest and easiest ways to get to Katoomba from Sydney, and certainly recommend it. Most of our adventures are scheduled to start so that they roughly suit the train timetable. 
Direct trains to Katoomba depart Sydney Central station about once an hour (up to every 30 minutes in peak hour), and run all day and most of the night. 
Trains that go to Katoomba may also be listed as terminating at Blackheath, Mt Victoria or Lithgow. 

The most common reason for people missing their adventure with us is because they missed their train at Central. Make sure you allow adequate time for any connecting services you may be using, plan to get to the station early and have time to find your way around this large public space. The total travel time is about 2 hours. There are toilets on the train, and we would recommend taking some snacks and your water bottle.

MAKE SURE YOU SIT UPSTAIRS

If you do catch the train, we recommend getting a seat upstairs, on the south side of the train (left hand side as you leave Central). The first hour of the journey is through the outskirts of the city and the suburbs of Western Sydney. After about 45 minutes you will cross the Nepean River which will signal the start of the foothills of the Blue Mountains, and your ascent of about 1000m (3300feet) to Katoomba. Keep your eyes glued to the window as the train winds its way above the spectacular Glenbrook Gorge, and continue to soak up this unique landscape as the train provides you with vistas south across the Blue Labyrinth: south into the wilderness for over 100km. As you get higher in to the mountains you will start getting glimpses of the vast blue hazed eucalypt forests, and famous cliff walled valleys, before alighting in Katoomba and ambling across the road to our office.
To find out the latest timetable and fare information (including any service interruptions or planned maintenance), phone 13 15 00, or go to www.transportnsw.info 

TICKETING ON PUBLIC TRANSPORT
 
If you are going to be in Sydney and surrounds for more than a few days and using public transport during your stay, then an Opal Card is worth considering. Much like the “Oyster” card in London, Opal is an electronic ticketing system that is convenient for all transport modes – trains, buses, ferries and light rail – in Sydney, Blue Mountains, Central Coast, Hunter, Illawarra and Southern Highlands. 
 
You can get an Opal card from Opal retailers, Opal kiosks, the Opal website or Opal Customer Care representatives – 13 67 25 (13 OPAL). For up to date information on train ticketing go to http://www.transportnsw.info/ 

DRIVING BY CAR
 
The directions to drive from Sydney City are not particularly complex: once you are out of the CBD, start following signs to Parramatta, Penrith or Katoomba and make your way on to the M4 motorway heading west. After about 50 minutes you will cross the Nepean River and the foothills of the Blue Mountains will be rising in front of you and you will begin your ascent to Katoomba at 1000m (330feet) above sea level. 

After crossing the Nepean River the M4 soon changes its name to the Great Western Highway and ambles its way past many of the villages of the Blue Mountains. Travel time from Sydney to Katoomba is approximately 2 hours, but can be much longer if there are road works, or if you travel on public holidays or during peak times. If you leave the city before 7am (arriving Katoomba before 9am), your travel time may be a little less. 

PARKING: There is free all day parking at Katoomba Train Station, which is accessed from the Great Western Highway via Goldsmith Place and is well signposted. To get to our office from this car park, take the pedestrian walkway underneath the railway line and up the stairs which will bring you out on Bathurst Road, directly opposite our office. 

BLUE MOUNTAINS TRANSFERS
 
There are several transport services who provide transfers from Sydney to the Blue Mountains. Some of the experiences are quite unique and depending on your interests and your budget you can travel by coach, smaller buses, limousine, motorbikes, or even helicopter. Ensure that whichever option you choose can get you to your adventure experience with us on time!

Need more information on how to get to Katoomba? Get in touch with out helpful team.
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We respectfully acknowledge the Darug, Darkinjung, Dharawal, Gundungurra, Wanaruah, and Wiradjuri language groups as the traditional custodians of the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area and thank them for sharing this beautiful land with us.

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