Autumn Trip to Sydney

Let’s say your family wanted to go to Sydney’s CBD (or Wollongong, Canberra or the Blue Mountains if you really want to do something on your own). There are a lot of Landmarks to see and  interesting places to go.

Let’s say you’re in charge of the trip. How will you organise it and how much will it cost?  You can download this handout to get started with the steps below.

Transportation

Going by train

1. What day of the week would you like to take your day trip?
2. Are you going on a weekday, weekend or holiday?
3. What trainline will you use?
4. Choose a time you’d like to leave using the CityRail Timetable.
5. Are there any service changes for that day?
6. What time do you expect to arrive in Sydney?
7. How long will the trip take?
8. How many people are travelling with you?
9. Calculate the cost for your family: Use the CityRail Calculator.
10. Do you qualify for family or other discounts?
11. Add how much more will it would cost if someone in your group doesn’t do the right thing? (add this amount to the total).
    

Going by car

1. What’s the fuel consumption of the car your family would take? This is usually measured in litres/100 kilometres. Use the “Specifications” section of this page or try the Australian Green Office site.
2. How much does fuel cost today in Sydney? – Make sure you choose the fuel type that goes with your car.
3. How much did your type of petrol cost in 2002?
4. If the trip to Sydney is 100 kilometres, how much fuel will you use?
5. What is the total cost for fuel for the trip to Sydney and back?
6. Now add the cost for parking in Sydney.
7. Add the toll for using the Motorways. You will encounter two tolls going (the M5 & the Eastern Distributor) and one coming back (M5). What is the total?

Summary

Would it be cheaper for your family to travel by car or train?