Public transport
Accurate transit directions can be obtained through Google Maps. To navigate around, just enter your “to” address and “from” address (or use current location) on your device (including iPhone, Android), then select the public transport icon.
Metropolitan train, tram and bus services are contracted out by the State Government under the unified brand name Adelaide Metro and use a unified ticketing system, “Metroticket”. The Adelaide Metro website or the Passenger Transport InfoCentre (corner of King William & Currie Streets, Adelaide CBD or Adelaide Railway Station, 125 North Terrace, Adelaide CBD) are the places to visit for timetable and route information.
Buses
The Adelaide Metro bus system is quite comprehensive, and extends out to the Adelaide Hills in the east, down to Maclaren Vale in the south (although buses there are infrequent) and as far as Gawler in the north. It does not cover the Barossa Valley.
Tram
A tram service runs from the Adelaide Entertainment Centre in Hindmarsh, an inner north-western suburb, to the Adelaide CBD, travelling along North Terrace and King William Street, through the city and then onward to the south west terminating at the popular seaside suburb of Glenelg. You can park in the Entertainment Centre carpark and take the tram into the city, which is more convenient than finding parking within the city itself. Stops within the city centre include Adelaide Railway Station, Rundle Mall and Victoria Square. Tram travel from South Terrace, through the CBD to the Northern Terminus of the line is free., as is travel confined to Jetty Road in Glenelg.
Train
The Adelaide Metro train system has four main lines, with two additional branch lines:
The Gawler Line, to Gawler Central in the north of the city.
The Outer Harbor Line, which goes up the Le Fevre Peninsula in the north-west of the city via Port Adelaide. A branch extends off this line to the beachside suburb of Grange.
The Seaford Line, formerly the Noarlunga Line, which now extends through Noarlunga Centre to Seaford, in the far south of the city, via the beachside suburb of Brighton. A short branch extends off this line to the suburb of Tonsley (which only operates Mon-Fri during business hours and peak hours, except during the AFL season when additional dedicated Footy Express trains run on game day, on all lines).
The Belair Line which extends to Belair in the foothills of the Adelaide Hills to the south-east of the city.
Visitors may find the Outer Harbor line useful to get to Port Adelaide. Although the station is about 0.5 km (0.3 mi) south of the port area, but is an easy walk up Commercial Road. The Belair Line is useful to access Belair National Park, and the Seaford Line provides access the seaside suburbs of Brighton and Hallett Cove. Some of the larger shopping centres are close to stations. Westfield Marion shopping centre is very close to Oaklands Railway Station, while Noarlunga Centre is next to Colonnades.
On Foot
The city centre is compact and can be easily covered on foot. Most attractions are centered around the blocks between North Terrace and Victoria Square on either side of King William Street.
By taxi
Taxis are provided by several companies and can be hailed on the street or arranged by phone. There is a common rate of flagfall and a per-distance/time charge, both of which are increased at night and on weekends. Uber also operates its service in Adelaide, which was legalised in mid-2017.
By bicycle
NGO “Bicycle SA” provides a range of bicycle services, including free-to-use tourist bikes, from its offices in Currie Street, next to the Adelaide Central Bus Station. Bicycles can be hired, with the deposit of a driving licence or other ID, for the entire day for free, but must be returned before 16:30 or a $25 fee is payable. Arrangements can be made for bicycles to be hired overnight.
By car
Although the city centre is easily walked or travelled by public transport, as Adelaide’s public transportation network is limited and infrequent outside the city centre and the major transport hubs (like Glenelg), renting a car is the most practical way of getting around Adelaide, particularly if you want to head into the suburbs. All the big international companies such as Redspot, Avis, Hertz have an office at Adelaide airport and there are also depots in the central city area.
