Updated: 12th May 2025 | Sources: transportnsw.info & vividsydney.com The stress-free transport playbook for seeing the Light, Music, Ideas & Food festival (Friday 23 May – Saturday 14 June 2025). Festival hours: lights switch on at 6 pm sharp and dim at 11 pm nightly. Peak crowd nights: every Friday, Saturday, Sunday plus the public-holiday Monday 9 June. Mid-week visits are roomier.

Where is Vivid Sydney 2025?

This year’s “Dream” edition lights up five connected precincts:

• Circular Quay & The Rocks
• Barangaroo
• Darling Harbour, including Tumbalong Park
• Martin Place and the CBD
• The Goods Line and Inner City, home to Vivid Fire Kitchen

Need help while you are at Vivid? In an emergency, dial 000 or alert Vivid staff, security or NSW Police nearby.

What is the best way to see Vivid Sydney?

1. Leave the car at home. Major CBD roads close from 3 pm, with extra closures on Fridays and weekends, and reopen around 1 am.
2. Use public transport, then walk the Light Walk. Trains, metro, buses, ferries and light rail all run extra services, with most precincts just 5 to 10 minutes apart on foot.
3. Aim for off-peak windows. Arrive before sunset around 5 pm, or after 8:30 pm Monday to Thursday, to enjoy the lights with lighter crowds.

How do I get to Vivid Sydney by train?

Any suburban line

Alight at Wynyard, Martin Place or St James.

Saturdays 24 May, 31 May, 7 June and Sunday 8 June: trains do not set down at Circular Quay between 6 pm and 11 pm. Walk around ten minutes from one of the alternative stations.

NSW regions

Central Station

NSW TrainLink lists Vivid as a key event. Book early, then transfer to metro or light rail for Barangaroo, or walk down Eddy Avenue to The Goods Line.

Tip: Use the Transport NSW Trip Planner app for real-time updates, late-night services and platform changes.

Sydney Metro (North West Line)

Driverless trains run roughly every four minutes during peak periods. Change at Epping for frequent city services. All stations are fully accessible, making this option ideal for prams and wheelchairs.

Is public transport free for Vivid?

No. Standard Opal fares apply across trains, metro, buses, ferries and light rail. Tap on and off with an Opal card or contactless bank card or device.

Getting around each precinct

Light rail

L2 and L3 services do not run between Town Hall and Circular Quay after 6 pm on Fridays and from 5 pm on weekends. Hop off at Town Hall for Darling Harbour or walk five minutes to Martin Place for the CBD displays.

Buses

Routes that usually terminate at Circular Quay divert to Martin Place from 6 pm Fridays and 5 pm on weekends. Follow marshals to reach the harbour foreshore.

Ferries

Ferries offer great views but can be slow. Queues increase after 7 pm, so plan a rail or bus backup for your return trip.

On the water

• Harbour cruises are run by private operators, not Vivid. Always check terms, departure wharf and boarding time.
• Water taxi wharves at Commissioners Steps and Harbourmasters Steps close from 5:45 pm to 11 pm on peak nights. Use Ives Steps, Campbells Cove, Eastern Pontoon, Man O’ War Steps or Towns Place instead.

Taxis and rideshare

Taxi ranks operating nightly include Macquarie Street (Opera House), Argyle Street (The Rocks), Carrington Street (Wynyard), Watermans Quay (Barangaroo), Iron Wharf Place (Darling Harbour) and Railway Colonnade Drive (Central).

A continuous step-free path links the Opera House to Darling Harbour via The Rocks, Barangaroo and The Goods Line. Download the official Light Walk accessibility map for details on gradients, toilets and quiet zones.

What about driving and parking?

• Road closures and towing: special-event clearways operate from 3 pm to 1 am nightly, Friday 24 May to Saturday 14 June. Vehicles left on clearways are towed. Call 132 701 for assistance.
• Limited car parks fill early, with evening rates typically ranging from $30 to $60. Some exits remain locked until after 11 pm.
• For live updates, check Live Traffic NSW before travelling.

Bottom line: driving costs time and money. Public transport keeps you close to the action.

Festival add-ons on rails and wheels

• Town Hall to Martin Place light rail art pods let you glide through glowing installations en route to ticketed headline dinners.
• Easy access from Central Station places you minutes from Vivid Fire Kitchen on The Goods Line or free gigs at Tumbalong Nights.

Travelling with kids?

Stick to one precinct per night, start early on a weeknight, and finish with Tumbalong Kids or the playful projections around Barangaroo. Use the three-night family itinerary on the Vivid website to mix and match ideas.

Quick answers

Where is Vivid Sydney 2025?

Five precincts centred on Circular Quay, The Rocks, Barangaroo, Darling Harbour, Martin Place and The Goods Line.

How do I get there by train?

Alight at Wynyard, Martin Place or St James on weeknights, or Central for The Goods Line. Avoid Circular Quay during Saturday night set-down bans.

Is public transport free?

No. Standard Opal and contactless fares apply.

Best way to see the festival?

Combine public transport with the 8 km Light Walk. Arrive before sunset, walk between precincts, stop for food, and finish after crowds thin.

Where to eat during Vivid?

Elements Bar & Grill has two convenient locations close to Vivid Sydney installations, making it an easy choice before, during or after your Light Walk.

Plan the perfect night out

Now that you know how to arrive, map your route and line up dinner or a night-cap with our VIVID 2025 Guide and Where to Eat and Stay during Vivid Sydney.