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Train vs car hire- Sydney to Wollongong

New Jersey, USA
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8 posts
Train vs car hire- Sydney to Wollongong
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We are a group of 4 adults from the US travling from a few nights in Sydney down to Wollongong to visit our daughter who is attending the University there. Afer 3 days there, the five of us are heading back to Sydney for a side trip to Cairns. We are a bit apprehensive about a car hire as have no experience driving on the other side of the vehicle and road. Daughter is not very familiar with the trains but said it took her @ 2 hrs to go from Wollongong to Sydney. So I guess am asking for suggestions. A car may not be practical because of all of our luggage but how cumbersome is it to travel by train with luggage? Would the cost of the train for all of us from Sydney and back and then all of the other sights we travel to in Wollongong be more costly than a car? We would be heading from a Sydney hotel (not the airpot) on a Sunday evening and returning @6pm on Wednesday. Can we expect loads of traffic at this time? Your thoughts and insights are appreciated.

Sydney, Australia
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9,398 posts
126 reviews
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1. Re: Train vs car hire- Sydney to Wollongong
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Car, Car, Car Car Car LOL I was hesitant about driving on opposite side of car and road also when in the US, but it's surprising how quickly you adjust. A car would make your experience MUCH MUCH MUCH better. Just grit your teeth and do it! :o)

Maybe hire a GPS with it to ease finding your way. So much to explore around the Illawarra and all that luggage on an interuban train, bah! Not fun.

Sydney, Australia
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9,398 posts
126 reviews
164 helpful votes
2. Re: Train vs car hire- Sydney to Wollongong
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oh, and you'll be going against the traffic there and back so traffic for you shouldn't be too bad.

South Pole
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34 reviews
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3. Re: Train vs car hire- Sydney to Wollongong
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actually the train is not a bad option. the 'fast' train takes about 90 mins from central station to the 'gong. cost around $10 single. the trip down the escarpment and along the coast is quite spectacular. the train has baggage storage facilities. the only problem is sightseeing when u get there. u can't rely on public t'port for that. it's easy to navigate from sydney to the 'gong even without a gps and it's freeway a lot of the way. traffic will not be too heavy on the sunday but will be once in sydney on your return trip.

Sydney, Australia
Destination Expert
for Sydney, New South Wales, Cruises
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12,802 posts
176 reviews
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4. Re: Train vs car hire- Sydney to Wollongong
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I agree with Snodge - a car would give you a bit more freedom to stop and admire the views as other US visitors have done at Stanwell Tops - see - http://www.totaltravel.com.au/travel/nsw/illawara/coalcoast/travel-guides/Destinations/stanwell-park-and-stanwel

And you may like to drive the Grand Pacific Drive too - http://www.grandpacificdrive.com.au/

Lismore, Australia
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1,333 posts
59 reviews
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5. Re: Train vs car hire- Sydney to Wollongong
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I think it would depend on how active you want to be once you're in Wollongong. If just going from point to point, the train would be an easier option (especailly if you can leave the bulk of your luggage at your Sydney hotel and just take overnight bags for the couple of days you'll be in Wollongong). However, if you want to do various day trips around Wollongong and into the the surrounding countryside and coastline you'd be better off renting a car.

All the major international rental chains have outlets on William St in Sydney, plus some smaller offices scattered throughout the CBD. Book online first as walk up rates are expensive. You might need to pay to keep the car an extra day if you're returning to Sydney at 6pm. The airport is the only rental location open in the evening. None of the city locations have after-hours return services. It might be more convenient to arrange to pick up in the city and return the car directly to the airport an hour or so before your flight to Cairns - that way you don't have to pay for a taxi/train from the city to the airport.

My advice for driving on the other side of the road, is spend a day or two as a pedestrian getting used to looking right first when you cross the street etc. Once that becomes instinctive, getting behind the wheel of a car won't be too difficult.

Sydney
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354 posts
6. Re: Train vs car hire- Sydney to Wollongong
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the cost of the train will be around $100 return from Sydney to Wollongong for all 5 of you. so is going to cost you much less than hiring a car large enough to fit all of you plus luggage.the cost fro a car would be a least $100per day

Only down side id what are you planning to do for the 3 days ?Having a car is going to make seeing the area a little easier but if cost is an issue get the train remember you could hire a car for the day if need be from Wollongong to get out and about

Here the new time table and fares

Single $9.60 Return $19.20

Off-peak return $13.40

http://www.cityrail.info/tickets/fare_calculator.htm

http://www.cityrail.info/timetables/2009/pdf/South_Coast.pdf

South Pole
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15,381 posts
34 reviews
174 helpful votes
7. Re: Train vs car hire- Sydney to Wollongong
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just take note that return fares are not applicable in your case seeing u r staying 3 days.

Sydney, Australia
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for Sydney, Family Travel
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8. Re: Train vs car hire- Sydney to Wollongong
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mmm bit of a tricky one, you will probably need to hire a large car, possibly a people mover to fit in all your luggage (particularly returning when there will be 5 of you).

Pehaps you could travel by train, then hire a car for a day from Wollongong when you wont have luggage to worry about to explore some of the surrounding area.

Getting about Wollongong itself will be pretty easy as there is a free city HOHO bus

http://www.131500.com.au/pdf/gongshuttleposter.pdf

Brisbane, Australia
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753 posts
9. Re: Train vs car hire- Sydney to Wollongong
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Thought I was seeing double!

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g255333-i3066-k3048657-Sydney_to_Wollongong_and_back-Wollongong_New_South_Wales.html

Sydney, Australia
Destination Expert
for Sydney, New South Wales, Cruises
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12,802 posts
176 reviews
232 helpful votes
10. Re: Train vs car hire- Sydney to Wollongong
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There's an Avis shop-front in the World Square complex in Pitt St between Liverpool and Goulburn St.

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