Sydney has a reliable train system and light rail connecting the airport, city and suburbs. It also allows you to tap on and off using contactless bank cards or your phone (Apple Pay, Google Pay) on most public transport. It makes it very convenient for tourists and has the same fare caps as Opal cards.

Melbourne is famous for its extensive tram network, especially useful for getting around the CBD and nearby neighbourhoods. We enjoyed hopping on and off trams while exploring! However, bank cards don't work here yet. You will need a Myki card, which is easy to buy at stations or convenience stores.

Canberra relies mostly on buses (see below) but uses the MyWay card system for fares, which also does not accept bank cards.

In Canberra, buses are the main mode of public transport and cover most attractions. Sydney and Melbourne also have widespread and reliable bus networks.

Uber, Ola and Didi operate widely in major cities and are convenient for airport transfers or when travelling with kids and luggage. We mostly used Uber, which was fast and fairly priced. Taxis are available but can be more expensive.

For longer distances like Sydney to Canberra, we used Murrays Bus which was smooth, comfortable and cost-effective. Many travelers also rent cars for road trips (e.g., to the Blue Mountains), but driving is on the left side and parking in cities can be tricky.

Australia is vast, so for longer legs like Canberra to Melbourne, a short domestic flight is the quickest option. Airports are efficient and family-friendly, with smooth check-ins and even play zones for little ones.