Double Bay sits about 4km east of the Sydney CBD, tucked between Rushcutters Bay and Rose Bay on the harbour edge. It is one of those suburbs that feels a world away from the city but is dead simple to reach. You have four solid options: ferry, train, bus, or car.
Here is the practical rundown on each one.
The Ferry (Best Way to Arrive)
If you are coming from the city and the weather is decent, take the ferry. It is the F7 route. It departs from Circular Quay Wharf 4 and pulls into Double Bay Wharf about 15 minutes later. You will pass right along the harbour foreshore with views of the Opera House, the Bridge, and the waterfront homes of Point Piper and Darling Point. It is one of Sydney’s best short ferry rides, and most people who have done it once end up choosing it every time.
On weekdays, the first ferry leaves Circular Quay around 7am and the last one heads out about 7:10pm. Weekends and public holidays start later, roughly 9:20am, with the last service around 6:15pm. Ferries run every 30 to 60 minutes depending on the time of day, so check the Transport NSW trip planner or the Opal Travel app before you head down to the wharf.
Tap on with an Opal card or a contactless debit or credit card. A single adult fare runs between $3 and $5.
From the wharf, it is a flat 5-minute walk along the waterfront to the shops, cafes and restaurants on Knox Street and Bay Street. If you are staying at The Savoy Hotel, it is about 400 metres from the wharf. Go straight up New South Head Road and you are there.
Train to Edgecliff, Then Walk or Bus
There is no train station in Double Bay itself, but Edgecliff Station is the next best thing. It is on the T4 Eastern Suburbs and Illawarra Line, one stop from Kings Cross and two stops from Martin Place in the CBD. Trains run every 5 minutes during peak hours and about every 10 minutes off-peak.
From Edgecliff to the centre of Double Bay, you are looking at a 10-to-15-minute walk downhill along New South Head Road. Fair warning: the walk back to the station is uphill. It is not brutal, but you will notice it with shopping bags or on a hot day.
Don’t feel like the hill? Catch the 324 bus from Edgecliff Station (Stand D). It drops you on New South Head Road right at Knox Street in 3 to 4 minutes. It runs every 5 to 10 minutes all day.
Bus from the City
The 324 and 325 buses both run from the CBD through to Double Bay and on to Watsons Bay. You can pick them up at stops along Elizabeth Street and Park Street in the city. The 324 comes via Old South Head Road and the 325 goes via Vaucluse. Both stop on New South Head Road right opposite Knox Street.
From the city, the ride takes roughly 20 to 25 minutes depending on traffic. Services run 7 days a week, and the bus stop is within 100 metres of most of the shops and restaurants.
Driving and Parking
From the CBD, head east along William Street from Kings Cross, continue onto New South Head Road, and you will hit Double Bay in about 10 minutes if traffic is kind. From the airport, it is roughly 15 to 20 minutes via the Eastern Distributor. Take the Kings Cross/William Street exit and follow New South Head Road east.
Now, parking. This is the part everyone asks about. There are a few off-street options:
- Wilson Car Park: Underneath the InterContinental at 33 Cross Street. Around $33 per day, though it is cheaper if you book online.
- Cross Street, Car Park: Located at 1–13 Cross Street.
- Kiaora Place: Near Woolworths on Kiaora Road.
Street parking is metered during the day, but here is the good bit: it is free from 6pm each evening until 9am the next morning. If you are coming for dinner or staying overnight, you can often find a spot on the surrounding streets without paying a cent.
The Savoy Hotel on Knox Street does not have on-site parking, but the Wilson car park is about 50 metres away. There is an arcade connecting Cross Street to Knox Lane that makes it an easy walk. A taxi rank sits just a few metres from the hotel too, if you need one.
From Sydney Airport
A taxi or rideshare from Sydney Airport takes about 15 to 20 minutes and costs roughly $26 to $35 depending on traffic. Uber and Didi both pick up from the Priority Pickup area at Arrivals.
If you prefer public transport, catch the Airport Link train to Central Station, change to a Bondi Junction bound T4 train, and hop off at Edgecliff. The whole trip takes about 35 minutes and costs around $18 to $20. From Edgecliff, grab the 324 bus or walk down to Double Bay.
Getting Around Once You Are Here
Double Bay is a walking suburb. The main strip along Knox Street, Bay Street and New South Head Road is compact enough to cover on foot in 10 minutes. The beach and waterfront are a short stroll away, and Steyne Park is right in the middle of things.
Heading further afield? The 324 and 325 buses connect you to Rose Bay, Bondi Beach and Watsons Bay along the eastern suburbs coastal strip. And the ferry wharf is always there for a scenic trip back to the city.
One last tip: if you are visiting for the day, the ferry is the best way in and the bus is the easiest way out, especially if you have been shopping and don’t fancy the uphill walk to Edgecliff. That said, the ferry at sunset heading back to Circular Quay is pretty hard to beat.
