Getting Here
Getting to Manly
Manly is accessible from Sydney’s CBD and suburbs by land or sea. Cruise across Sydney Harbour on one of the most picturesque ferry rides in the world or journey across the iconic Harbour Bridge on a bus, take a ride-share or drive in a private car.
Sydney’s public transport is accessible via a universal Opal Card. Opal is the smartcard ticketing system used to pay for travel on public transport (ferries, buses or trains) in Sydney, the Blue Mountains, Central Coast, the Hunter and the Illawarra. Add value before you travel and tap on and off to pay your fare, except for the ferries, where you only need to tap on! You can buy an Opal Card from many retailers in Manly and around Sydney, or pick one up from an automated machine at a train station or ferry terminal. Pricing for public transport varies. Visit opal.com.au for more information.
Ferries
Manly Ferries leave approximately every half hour (more frequently in peak times) from Wharf 3 at Circular Quay and return at similar intervals. The trip takes 30 minutes.
Manly Ferry gates close two minutes prior to the departure time, to assist with on-time running.
Manly Fast Ferry and Captain Cook are private ferry companies that run services to Circular Quay, Watsons Bay, North Sydney and Barangaroo. The trip to and from Circular Quay is only 20 minutes.
Opal Cards
All public transport to/from Manly requires either an Opal card, or contactless payment. For more information view here.
If you have an American Express, Mastercard or Visa credit or debit card or a linked device, you can use it to pay for your travel by tapping on and tapping off at Opal readers. For more information view here.
No matter how much you travel with an Opal card/contactless payment you never pay more* than your Daily, Weekly or Weekend Travel Caps.
| Card Type | Daily | Weekly | Weekend | Public Holidays |
| Adult | $16.10 | $50.00 | $8.05 | $8.05 |
| Child/ Youth | $8.00 | $25.00 | $4.00 | $4.00 |
*Conditions apply. Excludes the private ferries and airport train
Visit Manly on Sydney Buses
Buses going to Manly depart daily from the Sydney CBD, North Sydney, Chatswood and most of the Northern Beaches. Transport NSW provides a handy online Trip Planner to help you plan ahead or whilst you are out and about.
Manly’s Hop Skip and Jump Bus
Northern Beaches Council provides a free Hop Skip and Jump Bus service seven days a week through the suburbs of Manly, Fairlight, Balgowlah, Balgowlah Heights, Clontarf and Seaforth. Four routes operate Monday to Friday and three routes on weekends. The bus routes interchange at Stockland Shopping Centre in Condamine Street, Balgowlah. There is also a new route operating to Manly Vale. For route destinations and stopping points, please refer to the link above.
Visit Manly – from the Airport
Flying into Sydney? Look out for signage within the airport terminal directing you to ‘trains’. There is only one train line, so purchase a ticket to Circular Quay or City. It’s a 15 minute trip.
Exit at Circular Quay Station, make your way down the stairs directly to Sydney Harbour. The Manly Ferry departs from Wharf 3, a 30 minute ferry ride across the harbour (no stops) direct to Manly Wharf. You’ll arrive right in the heart of Manly!
You can also catch taxis and other on-demand car services from the Airport to Manly. Traffic can be heavy at certain times of the day, so the trip could take anywhere from 40 to 90 minutes.
The most affordable way to return to Sydney airport from Manly is by public transport. Catch the ferry to Circular Quay and then take a train directly to either the Domestic or International Terminal.
For more information, visit Transport NSW.
Getting to Manly by Car
We encourage all visitors to Manly to use public transport, but if you need to drive there are a variety of parking options throughout Manly. There are four Council car parks available seven days a week, beach parking as well as on-street parking and private car parks. Please always check signage very carefully and thoroughly for time restrictions and fees.
Council Car Parks
| Whistler Car Park Whistler Street 357 Car Spaces 24 Hours – Monday to Sunday & Public Holidays | The Peninsula Car Park Wentworth Street 300 Car Spaces 7am – 12.30pm – Monday to Sunday & Public Holidays |
| Manly National Car Park Central Avenue 247 Car Spaces 24 hrs – Monday to Sunday & Public Holidays | Pacific Waves Car Park Central Avenue 162 Car Spaces 7am – 12.30pm – Monday to Sunday & Public Holidays |
Receive up to two hours FREE parking once daily in any one of Council’s Parking Stations (subject to Licence Plate recognition conditions) between 6.30am and 6.59pm. For more information on fees and charges view here.
Parking at Shelly Beach is $10 per hour in peak season (1 May – 30 September) and $8 in off peak (1 October – 30 April) with no full day parking option as there is a 2 hour timed restriction.
Private Car Parks
| Grande Esplanade Public Car Park Entry via Gilbert Street 92 Car Spaces 7am to Midnight – Monday to Sunday & Public Holidays Nightly flat rate | Wilsons Parking Located basement of Manly Wharf Corner East Esplanade & Wentworth Street 6amto Midnight – Monday to Sunday & Public Holidays |
Getting to and Around Manly by Taxi
The taxi rank is located on Belgrave Street, across from Manly Wharf, directly outside Town Hall.
On-site security operates at the Belgrave Street rank each Friday and Saturday night, with an additional rank provided on North Steyne at the junction of Raglan Street.
Manly Cabs
Phone: 131 668
Water Taxis
| Dolphin Water Taxis Spit Junction Phone: (02) 9948 8231, 0413 11 9960 | Water Taxis Combined 1 Balls Head Road, Waverton North Phone: 1300 666 484 |
| Yellow Water Taxis Phone: 1800 326 822 |
Manly is serviced by most of the popular ride share and on demand car operators. Check your favourite App to see how far away your next ride is.
Manly by Bicycle
Manly has an extensive bicycle network with over 20 kms of dedicated bicycle tracks to follow. A detailed map of Manly’s bicycle network can be viewed here.
It is also possible to travel with a bike on the Manly Ferries.
Bicycle Parking
Bicycle racks, single and two-tiered, are available all over the Manly area.
Bicycle Rental
For visitors interested in exploring the Manly area, a bicycle is one of the easiest ways to get around. View the Manly Bike Map here. View here for a number of businesses offering bicycle rental.