What’s the Difference Between the Light Rail and the Monorail?
There is a difference between the Sydney Light Rail and the Sydney Monorail though there are also some important similarities. Both are modern and sleek forms of transportation that make it easy to travel through the more populated area of Sydney near and at the city centre. Both the Light Rail and Monorail run regularly and make stops at stations near some of the most interesting attractions in Sydney.
The Light Rail and Monorail are also both safe for the environment and don’t contribute to air pollution. They are quiet and comfortable to ride and make ideal modes of transportation for local residents and city visitors from around the world. Both systems utilize cars which are designed to make them easily accessible by wheelchairs, prams and baby strollers. The doors are also wide, so if you go shopping, it is easy for you and your parcels to board.
So if the Light Rail and Monorail have so much in common, what are the differences?
The Monorail Brings “Heightened” Delight
The Sydney Monorail is space age transportation that is clean, quiet, comfortable…..and high! You ride in a monorail car that holds 48 passengers, with each vehicle consisting of a set of 6 cars and a control car joined together. The Sydney Monorail runs on tracks set on steel columns that are 5.5 metres above the ground. Once you enter the car, the total ride is 12 minutes long with a number of station stops along the route so that you can completely circle the city centre 4 times in an hour.
The Sydney Monorail is like an elevated high-tech electric train that glides over steel rails. You ride over the heads of pedestrians walking between attractions, or heading for one of the various business buildings or shopping areas in the Sydney city centre. The Monorail connects the city centre, Chinatown and Darling Harbour making it easy to visit all of the city’s main attractions with ease.
The Monorail stops at each of 8 stations for 40 seconds at a time so you don’t have to worry about spending too much time simply waiting while others disembark or board. The stations on the Monorail track are the following.
- Darling Park
- City Centre
- Galeries Victoria
- World Square
- Chinatown
- Paddy’s Market
- Convention Centre
- Harbourside
The Monorail is celebrated as one of the most efficient transportation systems in the world and is used by over 4 million people a year. One of the treats you get when riding the Monorail is the opportunity to pass over the Pyrmont Bridge which was built in the 1800s and has been fully restored to its historic splendour. You can ride the Monorail every day except Christmas and it runs different hours depending on the day of the week.
The Light Rail Makes for Heavy-Duty Travel Ease
The Sydney Light Rail is a space age tramway that is also referred to as a streetcar by those living in other countries. The Light Rail is actually a series of passenger trams that run on tracks set in the streets and you can get on and off at designated stations. Each vehicle has 5 cars. The Light Rail is integrated into street traffic and you ride at ground level unlike the elevated Monorail ride.
- Central Station
- Capitol Square
- Paddy’s Markets
- Exhibition Centre
- Convention
- Pyrmont Bay
- Star City
- John Street Square
- Fish Market
- Wentworth Park
- Glebe
- Jubilee Park
- Rozelle Bay
- Lilyfield
The Light Rail runs between Lilyfield and Central Station and back again 24 hours a day every day of the year. Anyone can ride the Light Rail to the Central Station and then ride the Monorail to circle the Sydney city centre. You can also transfer to the Monorail at the Paddy’s Market and Convention stations. The Light Rail route has been divided into two zones and the number of zones you travel through determines your ticket price.
Ride Them Both!
The Sydney Monorail and Light Rail are both great transportation systems that can greatly simplify your life when you need to get around Australia’s biggest city. You can ride one or the other, or even better, ride both!