Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
DIRECTORY
CAR HIRE COMPANIES
Avis
Tel
136 333.
www
.avis.com.au
Budget
Tel
1300 362 848.
www
.budget.com.au
Hertz
Tel
133 039.
www
.hertz.com.au
Thrifty
Tel
1300 367 227.
www
.thrifty.com.au
prices, and rentals can be
obtained for as little as $35-$40
a day. Be sure to read the fine
print on hire agreements as
deals may not be as attractive
as they first seem - and be
aware of the costs you could
incur in the event of an acci-
dent if you opt for less than
full insurance cover.
Generally, rates are lower if
you hire for more than three
days, or if you take a limited,
low-kilometre deal. Charges
may apply if you drive over
100 km (60 miles) a day, travel
over rough rural roads or for
late returns. You must over 21
years old to hire a car from
some companies and if you do
not have a credit card, you will
need to leave a deposit. Make
sure you return the car full of
fuel, as you will be charged a
premium rate for filling it.
Cycling in Centennial Park
major companies. Smoking in
taxis is forbidden by law in
New South Wales.
SYDNEY BY BICYCLE
TAXI COMPANIES
Legion Cabs
Tel
131 451.
Premier Cabs
Tel
131 017
RSL Cabs
Tel
9581 1111.
Taxis Combined
Tel
133 300.
Visitors would be well
advised to restrict their cycling
to designated cycling tracks, or
to areas where motor traffic is
likely to be light. Helmets are
compulsory by law.
Keen cyclists who wish to
take advantage of Sydney's
undulating terrain and pleasant
weather can seek advice from
Bicycle New South Wales
. It
publishes a handbook,
Bike It,
Sydney
, which has a map of
good cycling routes.
Bonza
Bike Tours
offers entertaining
and energetic guided cycling
tours, which take in many of
Sydney's best sights.
Centennial Park is one of the
most popular spots; on week-
ends and every evening packs
of riders can be seen cycling
through the park. You can take
your bicycle on CityRail trains
(see p232)
, but you may have
to pay an extra child's fare.
TAXIS
Taxis are plentiful in Sydney
in the city and inner suburbs,
although they can be scarce
“between shifts” at 2:30-
3:15pm. There are taxi ranks
at many city locations and
taxis are often found outside
the large city hotels. The four
main taxi companies provide
a reliable telephone service;
book your taxi at least 15
minutes before you need it.
Meters indicate the fare plus
any extras, such as booking
fees and waiting time. Fares,
as well as extra charges, are
regulated and are more
expensive after 10pm. Tips
are not normally expected,
but it is customary to round the
fare up to the next dollar.
Taxis designed to accommo-
date disabled passengers can
be booked through any of the
CYCLE HIRE
AND INFORMATION
Bicycle New South Wales
Level 5, 822 George St
(entrance on Little Regent St).
Map
4 D5.
Tel
9281 5400.
Bonza Bike Tours
Tel
9247 8800.
Centennial Park Cycles
50 Clovelly Rd, Randwick
(near Centennial Park).
Tel
9398 5027.
Inner City Cycles
151 Glebe Point Rd, Glebe.
Tel
9660 6605.
Woolys Wheels
82 Oxford St, Paddington.
Map
5 B3.
Tel
9331 2671.
USEFUL NUMBERS
Cross City Tunnel
Tel
9033 3999.
www
.crosscity.com.au
Infringement Processing
Bureau
Tel
1300 138 118.
Taxi Complaints
Department of Transport,
418a Elizabeth St, Surry Hills.
Map
4 E3.
Tel
1800 648 478.
Transport
Management Centre
Tel
132 701 (24-hour service).
www
.rta.nsw.gov.au
Cabcharge
is for account
customers only, but some
taxis also accept American
Express and Diners Club.
Taxi licence
number
The orange light
,
when lit, shows the
taxi is available.
The taxi company name
and
phone number are displayed on
front driver and passenger doors.
The taxi driver's photo
licence
must be on clear
display within the taxi.
