Travelers who want to visit Australia will have to think about how to get around once they have arrived. Traveling Australia can be time consuming, because Australia is a very huge country; in fact it is geographically a continent. Just as you cannot expect to visit all the states of the United States in a week, you cannot travel through Australia in a week. In order to make the most of your visit, you have to make smart transport choices. Here are a few transport tips for traveling Australia.
Taxis for moving in and around cities
The first option you should consider when you arrive in Australia is a taxi. Those who will be traveling Sydney and other big cities will discover that taxis are the best way of getting around. In fact most Australians rely on taxis for such movements. Taxis are quite affordable and they are available all around: at bus stations, hotels, and you can hail them in the street. An empty taxi displays a light sign. Payment is according to distance covered except for short distances which have a fixed fare.
Those who are moving between major cities have a few options to consider.
By air
This is the fastest way of moving around the country from one main city to another. The distance between the main cities is quite long, and it could take weeks to move from one city to another by road. That is why air travel is the smartest choice, unless you want to experience the details of the Australian terrain in full. Some of the major internal airlines are Jetstar Airways, Qantas Link, Blue Virgin and Tiger Airways which is a budget airline.
By rail
Movement between smaller towns is mainly done by rail. But travelers should know that traveling by rail in Australia is very slow and could be quite expensive. It is possible to spend three days and three nights in a train before you get to your destination. Those who want to rely on rail for movement can consider rail passes. These are strictly for foreign travelers and a passport is required for obtaining a pass.
By water
Australia has a very long coastline in addition to inland water bodies like lakes and rivers. All options of water transport are therefore available for the visitors. There are touring boats, paddle steamers and deep sea cruisers. There is a car-ferry service that links Melbourne and Tasmania daily. Those who will be visiting Tasmania will find this service useful.
The many transport options available in Australia will make your stay enjoyable. However, you should make the right choice in order to make the most of your stay. The length of time you have available for your visit and your budget, should determine which choice you make.