The Iglu Guide | Blog
Getting to uni in Sydney: A student’s public transport guide
Sydney has one of the most connected public transport networks in Australia, and for students, that’s great news. Whether you’re heading to UTS, Sydney Uni, Macquarie, or UNSW, there’s a reliable, affordable way to get there without a car. All Iglu properties in Sydney are well positioned for students, close to train, metro, or light rail connections, so getting to campus is straightforward from day one.
Your Opal card and concession fares
The first thing any student should do on arrival is grab an Opal card or set up contactless payment on their phone or bank card. Both work across trains, metro, buses, ferries, and light rail. Domestic students can apply for a concession Opal card, which halves fares across the network, offering a significant saving over a semester. Sydney’s transport network makes it easy to mix and match modes depending on your route.
University of Technology, Sydney (UTS)
UTS sits right in the heart of the city on Broadway, making it one of the easiest campuses to reach from almost anywhere in Sydney. Central Station is the main access point, with trains running directly there from across the network. From Central, it’s a short walk across Ultimo to the main UTS tower building. Buses along Broadway also serve the campus for those coming from the eastern suburbs or inner south.
Getting here from Iglu:
| Property | Route |
| Iglu Broadway, Iglu Central Park and Iglu Central | Walk – UTS is right across the road |
| Iglu Redfern | 15-minute walk or train to Central in one stop |
| Iglu Waterloo | M1 Metro to Central in one stop |
| Iglu Mascot | T8 train to Central in two stops |
| Iglu Summer Hill | T2 train to Central, or bus from Parramatta Road |
| Iglu Chatswood | Metro or train to Central, under 25 minutes |
University of Sydney
Sydney Uni’s main Camperdown campus sits between Redfern, Newtown, and Broadway. Redfern Station is the closest train stop, with a five-minute walk to the campus gates. Central Station is another easy option, with buses along City Road and Parramatta Road covering the last stretch.
Getting here from Iglu:
| Property | Route |
| Iglu Redfern | Short walk or ride to campus |
| Iglu Broadway, Iglu Central Park and Iglu Central | Walk, bus or cycle via City Road |
| Iglu Waterloo | M1 Metro to Central, then bus |
| Iglu Mascot | T8 train to Central, then bus |
| Iglu Summer Hill | T2 train to Redfern |
| Iglu Chatswood | M1 Metro to Central, then train to Redfern |
Macquarie University
Macquarie University is well served by the Sydney Metro, with Macquarie University Station on the M1 line providing a direct connection from Chatswood and the city. From Central Station, the journey takes around 25 minutes, with metro services running frequently throughout the day.
Getting here from Iglu:
| Property | Route |
| Iglu Chatswood | M1 Metro to Macquarie University station in 3 stops |
| Iglu Waterloo | M1 Metro to Macquarie University station in 10 stops |
| All other properties | M1 Metro from Central to Macquarie University station |
UNSW Sydney
UNSW’s Kensington campus is best reached by light rail or bus. The L2 Randwick and L3 Kingsford light rail lines run from Circular Quay through the CBD and out to the eastern suburbs, with stops close to campus. From Central Station, it’s a straightforward connection via the CBD and South East light rail, or by catching a frequent bus along Anzac Parade. The journey from the city typically takes around 15 to 20 minutes.
Getting here from Iglu:
| Property | Route |
| Iglu Redfern | Bus direct along Anzac Parade to campus |
| Iglu Waterloo | Bus direct along Anzac Parade to campus |
| Iglu Broadway, Iglu Central Park and Iglu Central | Light rail from Central Station |
| Iglu Mascot | Bus through Kingsford, or T8 train to Central then light rail |
| Iglu Summer Hill | T2 train to Central, then light rail east |
| Iglu Chatswood | M1 Metro to Central, then light rail east |
A few tips for your daily commute
Off-peak travel gets you an automatic 30% discount on Opal fares, so if your timetable has any flexibility, travelling outside the morning and afternoon peaks can add up to real savings over a semester. The Transport NSW Trip Planner app is the most reliable tool for real-time route planning, integrating bus, metro, train, and light rail in a single search. For longer commutes, checking live departures before leaving makes the whole journey smoother.
Frequently asked questions
Central Station is the main access point for UTS. From there, it is a short walk across Ultimo to the main campus building. Students living at Iglu Broadway, Iglu Central Park, or Iglu Central are within walking distance of campus without needing to use public transport at all.
The easiest way to reach UNSW from the city is via the L2 Randwick or L3 Kingsford light rail lines, which run from Circular Quay through the CBD to UNSW Anzac Parade, or UNSW High Street, right outside campus. Frequent buses along Anzac Parade are another reliable option. The journey from Central Station takes around 20 to 25 minutes.
From Central, Macquarie University Station on the M1 metro line is around 25 minutes away. From Chatswood, it’s 3 stops and 9 minutes on the metro. Metro services run frequently throughout the day, making it one of the more straightforward university commutes in Sydney.
Iglu Redfern is the closest Iglu property to the University of Sydney, with Redfern Station just moments away and the Camperdown campus a short walk or ride from there. Iglu Broadway, Iglu Central Park, and Iglu Central are also within walking or cycling distance via City Road.
You can pay for public transport in Sydney using an Opal card or by tapping a contactless credit or debit card, or mobile device. Both options work across trains, metro, buses, and light rail. Domestic students are eligible for a concession Opal card, which provides significantly reduced fares across the network.
