Best Way To Travel From Sydney To The Blue Mountains
The Blue Mountains is one of the most iconic attractions located in the west of Sydney attracting tourists all year round.
It is not only home to the famous Three Sisters but it is also known for its beautiful mountain range that is filled with rich Aboriginal history inhabited by the Gundungurra people and in the lower Blue Mountains by the Darug people.
These Mountains offer some of the most stunning walking trails with spectacular views from various lookout points that lead you right into the rainforest surrounded by nature and breathtaking waterfalls.
The Blue Mountains also features plenty of attractions in neighbouring towns making it a great place to visit whether it is with friends, as a couple or with the family.
Best way to travel from Sydney to the Blue Mountains is to hire a private driver in Sydney. It is the quickest and the most comfortable way to travel to the Blue Mountains.
Let’s take a look at some of the things you can do in the Blue Mountains and we will cover everything you need to know to travel from Sydney to the Blue Mountains.
About The Blue Mountains
The Blue Mountains offer many things to do and see in this mountainous region, Katoomba being the most iconic place for tourists that features the Three Sisters, the famous Scenic Railway, Scenic Skyway and Scenic Cableway which is also known as Scenic World.
The Three Sisters at Echo Point attracts millions of visitors every year. According to the Aboriginal legend, the rock formation represents the three sisters who were turned into stone by a witch doctor.
For those interested in reaching the Three Sisters, there is an easy bushwalking trail close to the visitor’s information centre that leads to the Three sisters.
The walk will take around 20 minutes but do expect delays on a crowded day especially when climbing down or up the stairs. If you do get a chance to go to the Three Sisters be sure to go on the Honeymoon Bridge. The Honeymoon Bridge is connected to the first Sister.
Here you will be able to get a close view of the Three Sisters as well as spectacular views of the mountain range. Visiting the Three Sisters is free however parking fees do apply.
The Scenic Railway is known as the steepest railway in the world with an inclination of 52 degrees angle that has also been mentioned in The Guinness Book of Records.
The railway passes through some of the most spectacular views of the rainforest and its surroundings. Visitors are able to explore and go for a 2.4 km scenic walk through the rainforest on the Scenic Walkway.
This rainforest dates back millions of years ago to the dinosaur era. You can either take the Scenic Railway back up or return on the Skyway or Cableway.
The Scenic Skyway offers the best views of the Blue Mountains gliding between the cliff tops with spectacular 360 views of the mountains and its surrounding through glass windows of the gondola.
The Scenic Cableway is a cable car that descends into the Jamison Valley and returns back up with breathtaking views of the Three Sisters, Orphan Rock, Mount Solitary and Katoomba Falls. You can get off the cable car at the bottom and start the Scenic Walkway to explore the rainforest.
You can purchase one ticket for each person costing around $39 for the unlimited pass and this includes entry to all three Scenic rides.
How to travel from Sydney to the Blue Mountains
Sydney to the Blue Mountains by car
The drive to the Blue Mountains is around 104 km which takes about one and half hour via the M4 freeway. It also depends on where in Sydney you are coming from so the duration of the drive can be shorter or more.
For Sydneysiders, the Blue Mountains is a great destination for not only adventure seekers and hikers but it is a fun place for the whole family making it an ideal destination for a family day out.
Hire a Chauffeur from Sydney to the Blue Mountains
The best way to travel to the Blue Mountains is to have your very own chauffeur for the day. You can book your very own driver who will be able to take you to some of the best hotspots that the mountain has to offer so simply just sit back, relax and enjoy the ride as you go through some of the most scenic drives you will ever go on.
Hiring a driver gives you the flexibility as you can create your very own itinerary on the places you want to see and enjoy some of the things you want to do. Most drivers will recommend some of the must-see places that are worth stopping at so it’s less of a hassle than having to do your own research and know where exactly to go.
Booking a driver is cheaper for long-distance trips compared to public transportation, taxis or ride-sharing. The amount you would have to pay for all these would work out to be more than hiring a driver for the day.
There are many places to see on the way and having to find your own way by public transport will definitely work out to be more expensive, in saying that, not just costs but also the wait time and the overall time it will take to get to one place to the other.
Self drive to the Blue Mountains
Driving your own car or renting a car can be an option. If you don’t spend the night then making the Blue Mountains a day trip from Sydney can be easily done.
If you do plan on driving then make sure to leave early from Sydney so that you are able to visit and stop over at places along the way.
Having the car and driving on your own will give you the flexibility but do keep in mind the extra expenses that will apply and that can include toll fees and various parking fees.
Also, keep in mind that if you are not familiar with the road then it is best to hire a driver with a car for a day so you can enjoy the trip. You can also enjoy a few drinks.
Catch a Bus
There are local buses available stopping at all the main towns on the way as well as coach tours are also available however these tours usually start from Katoomba.
There are some tours starting from Sydney but you would need to confirm with the service operators about their services. Public buses can be available in Katoomba to Echo Point.
You can also look into using Blue Mountains Transit and they provide bus services to passengers from Penrith to Mount Victoria.
Blue Mountains Explorer Bus
One of the other ways of getting around the Blue Mountains and seeing some of the popular sights in the area is with the popular Blue Mountains Explorer Bus tours.
The frequency at every 30 minutes and the places it stops makes it one of the ideal ways to travel and explore some of the most beautiful areas of the Blue Mountains.
You can hop on and hop off at your convenience at your own pace at 29 stops with your very own live commentary by the informative driver guides.
The service starts at 9:15 am with the last departure at 4:20 pm, the whole circuit will take about 60 minutes to complete. Ticket prices for Explorer Bus will cost $55 for adults and children (aged 4-17) $27.50.
Take a Train
How do I get to the Blue Mountains by train?
So getting to the Blue Mountains via train depends on where you are coming from. Depending on where you are, you would have to take a connecting train either from Central, Redfern or Strathfield via Parramatta and will have to catch the Mount Victoria line. The train ride from Central Station to Katoomba will take over 2 hours.
Train fare cost
This handy website to check for ticket prices and how to plan your trips. Opal cards are used for travel costs on public transport in New South Wales and that is simply by tapping on and off at entry/exit gates.
For those who do not have an Opal card, single or return tickets can be purchased at ticket machines located inside the station.
Train Timetable
You can find the train timetable on the Transport NSW website or you can download the Train View Lite app onto your phone.
Few places you should not miss on your trip to the Blue Mountains from Sydney
Blackheath
Blackheath is more of a quieter town compared to Katoomba and Leura, and it is 11km from the main town area of Katoomba.
Here you can also find stunning walking trails such as the Grand Canyon Walk which is close to Blackheath as well as find spectacular lookout points like Govetts Leap and Evans lookout where you can see spectacular views of Grose Valley.
The Govetts Leap will take you through to Bridal Veil Falls as well as several other walking trails leading to stunning waterfalls of Trinity Falls and Horseshoe Falls.
There are plenty of picnic spots making it a great place for the family especially during the famous Rhododendron festival which is held annually in November.
Leura
Leura is known as the prettiest town in the Blue Mountains 2km from Katoomba, one that should definitely not be missed on your trip.
It is a charming town well known for its cafes, restaurants, tea houses, boutiques, antique shops and it’s very own natural attractions such as the Leura Cascades.
The Leura Cascades is a great place for hiking that overlooks Jamieson Valley and has become a popular picnic spot for the family. Leura has lots of walking trails that take you into the National Park.
There are trails suitable for everyone from 20-minute hikes to 3-hour hikes all with excellent lookout points. Visiting Leura over the weekends can get busy so if there is a particular place you want to eat or stay, best to book in advance. Weekdays are quieter so might be a better time to visit but do check beforehand as some shops close earlier in the week.
Japanese Bath House
The Japanese Bath House known as Sparadise is the ultimate Zen location which is a must when visiting the Blue Mountains. It is located near Lithgow, about a 2 hours drive from Sydney and is surrounded in a country-style setting overlooking Lake Lyell.
The Japanese Bath House is the ideal place for couples who are looking to indulge and be pampered. There are different hot spring pools to choose from all using natural spring water at different temperatures at 38 degrees and 40 degrees which are located inside and outside and not to mention the popular cave baths.
There is a cold pool near freezing for those wanting a bit of a thrill, this apparently helps increase blood flow so if you’re up for it, jump right in! The Bath House also offers spa treatments and massages and don’t forget to try their tea room, with a great selection of teas to try as well as Japanese meals. So it’s a perfect place to relax after a tiring day of driving and exploring the Blue Mountains.
Please NOTE: Be sure to book in advance to confirm availability before arrival. The place does get busy so best to get yourself organised and plan ahead.
A single entry costs $80 pp (up to 3 hours) and $150 for the full day and is open on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. Spa treatment includes 3-hour entry to pools starting from $180 pp.
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Conclusion
The Blue Mountains is truly a beautiful place to visit full of natural beauty, walking trails into the rainforest and stunning waterfalls, the perfect place to explore and wonder in nature. No matter what you do there, you will be sure to have an amazing time and experience all the beautiful places this mountain region has to offer.
As we mentioned earlier, the best way to travel is to hire your very own chauffeur for a private tour so you can explore the Blue Mountains and its surrounding areas. It gives you that flexibility to stop over and explore and be able to enjoy nature in many breathtaking places in the Blue Mountains.
We hope this article has been helpful and has given you an idea on some of the things to do and the places to see during your visit.
What are you planning to do during your visit? Have you been to the Blue Mountains? Can you share your experiences with us?
Also, if you have any questions or would like to share your feedback, please leave a comment below.
Have a safe trip and happy travels!
