Sydney's transportation landscape in 2024 is dominated by cars, with nearly half of the population using them as their primary mode of transport. Public transport options like trains and buses are also significant, contributing to a diverse commuting environment.

Average Commute Times

The average commute time in Sydney is approximately 43.5 minutes, with significant time spent driving.
  • Bus - Bus commuters spend about 33.75 minutes on the bus, with additional time walking and waiting.
  • Car - Car users experience an average driving time of 45 minutes, covering a distance of about 31.7 km.
  • Train - Train commuters spend around 34.4 minutes on the train, with additional time walking and waiting.
  • Walking - Walking commutes average 17.68 minutes, with some time spent waiting and on other transport.
Traffic Breakdown
Car
46%
Bus
15%
Train
14%
Walking
10%
Motorcycle
6%
Home
4%
Bicycle
4%
Seasonal Trends

Traffic tends to increase during the summer months due to tourism and holiday travel. Winter months may see a slight decrease in traffic as people opt for indoor activities.

Commuter Pain Points

Congestion during peak hours is a major issue for car commuters. Public transport delays and overcrowding are common challenges faced by bus and train users.

Best Travel Times

Traveling outside of peak hours, such as mid-morning or early afternoon, can help avoid heavy traffic. Weekends generally offer less congestion, making them ideal for longer commutes.

Event Impacts

Major events like the Sydney Festival and New Year's Eve celebrations can cause significant traffic disruptions. Public transport is often the best option during large events to avoid road closures and parking difficulties.

Sustainability Efforts

Sydney is investing in electric buses and expanding bike lanes to promote sustainable commuting. Initiatives to increase the efficiency of public transport aim to reduce the city's carbon footprint.

Ride-Sharing Impact

Ride-sharing services have helped reduce the number of cars on the road, offering a flexible alternative to car ownership. These services are particularly popular for short trips and during peak hours, helping to alleviate congestion.

Worldwide
Australia

Traffic Rankings

Sydney ranks 1st on the Traffic rankings in Australia. The Traffic Index for Australia combines user-contributed data on commute times, traffic dissatisfaction, CO2 emissions, and traffic system inefficiencies in Australia, to provide insights into overall traffic conditions.

Worst to BestUpdated: Dec, 2024

Traffic Data

The following traffic data has been gathered from 214 user contributions.
Overall average travel
Distance
14.5 miles
Walking
5.1 mins
Waiting
2.1 mins
Driving Car
21.5 mins
Bus / Trolley
6.1 mins
Bicycle
0.9 mins
Motorcycle
1.9 mins
Train
5.6 mins
Other
0.4 mins
Total:
43.5 mins
Average when primarily using Bus
Distance
9.2 miles
Walking
6.9 mins
Waiting
6.5 mins
Bus / Trolley
33.8 mins
Train
1.9 mins
Other
1.3 mins
Total:
50.4 mins
Average when primarily using Car
Distance
19.7 miles
Walking
1.3 mins
Driving Car
45.0 mins
Total:
46.3 mins
Average when primarily using Train
Distance
14.8 miles
Walking
9.3 mins
Waiting
5.6 mins
Bus / Trolley
3.6 mins
Train
34.4 mins
Other
1.5 mins
Total:
54.5 mins
Average when primarily using Walking
Distance
3.5 miles
Walking
17.7 mins
Waiting
2.1 mins
Driving Car
1.8 mins
Bus / Trolley
2.7 mins
Train
2.3 mins
Total:
26.6 mins
Sydney Traffic

"Key Takeaways"

Encouraging the use of public transport and non-motorized commuting methods could significantly reduce CO2 emissions.

Investments in public transport infrastructure and services could alleviate traffic inefficiencies and reduce commute times.

Key Indexes

Emissions

Sydney's CO2 emissions index is notably high at 6383.07, indicating significant environmental impact.

Efforts to reduce emissions could focus on increasing public transport usage and reducing car dependency.

Time

The time index of 43.5 minutes suggests moderate traffic delays across the city.

Improving public transport efficiency could help reduce overall commute times.

Inefficiency

The traffic inefficiency index stands at 288.94, highlighting areas for potential improvement.

Strategies to enhance traffic flow and reduce congestion are essential.