Getting Around

By Bus -- Adelaide's public bus network covers three zones, and fares are calculated according to the number of zones traveled. The city center is in Zone 1. The fare in Zone 1 is A$2.20 (US$1.75/UK90p) from 9am to 3pm on weekdays and A$3.80 (US$3/UK£1.50) at most other times. Kids travel for half price. You can buy tickets on board or at kiosks around the city. You can get timetable and destination information over the phone or in person from the Passenger Transport Board Information Centre (tel. 08/8210 1000; www.adelaidemetro.com.au), on the corner of Currie and King William streets. It's open Monday through Saturday from 8am to 6pm and Sunday from 10:30am to 5:30pm.

The free CityLoop bus (no. 99C) operates every 15 minutes (Mon-Thurs 8am-6pm; Fri 8am-9pm; Sat 8am-5pm) around the city center, along North Terrace, East Terrace, Grenfell Street, Pulteney Street, Wakefield Street, Grote Street, Morphett Street, Light Square, Hindley Street, and West Terrace. Another free bus, the Bee Line (no. 99B), runs along North Terrace, down King William Street to Victoria Square. Routes are well signposted. All free city buses are wheelchair accessible.

Bus nos. 181 and 182 run from the city to North Adelaide.

The Adelaide Explorer bus (tel. 08/8293 2966; www.adelaideexplorer.com.au) stops at 26 sights around town, including Glenelg, and costs A$30 (US$24/UK£12) for adults, A$19 (US$15/UK£7.50) for children aged 6 to 16, and A$70 (US$56/UK£28) for families of four. Buy tickets on the bus. The loop takes a leisurely 3 hours, with commentary, and you can get on and off when you want. The first bus departs from 38 King William St., on the corner of Rundle Mall (next to Haigh's Chocolates) at 9am. The company will pick you up from your hotel between 8 and 8:30am if you call ahead, and will drop you off at the airport (with your luggage) as part of the fare. Call or e-mail ahead. The last loop starts at 1:30pm, ending at 4:30pm.

By Tram -- The Glenelg Tram runs between Victoria Square and the beachside suburb of Glenelg. Tickets cost A$3.60 (US$2.90/UK£1.45) for adults and A$1.60 (US$1.30/UK65p) for children 5 to 14 from 9am to 3pm. The journey takes 29 minutes.

If you plan to get around the city on public transportation, it's a good idea to purchase a Daytrip ticket, which covers unlimited travel on buses, trams, and city trains within the metropolitan area for 1 day. The pass costs A$7.20 (US$5.80/UK£2.80) for adults and A$3.60 (US$2.90/UK£1.45) for children 5 to 15 and is available at most train stations, newsstands, and the Passenger Transport Board Information Centre (tel. 08/8210 1000).

A Money-Saving Transit Pass -- If you plan to get around the city on public transportation, it's a good idea to purchase a Daytrip ticket, which covers unlimited travel on buses, trams, and city trains within the metropolitan area for 1 day. The pass costs A$7.20 (US$5.80/UK£2.80) for adults and A$3.60 (US$2.90/UK£1.45) for children 5 to 15 and is available at most train stations, newsstands, and the Passenger Transport Board Information Centre (tel. 08/8210 1000).

By Taxi & Car -- The major cab companies are Yellow Cabs (tel. 13 22 27 in South Australia), Suburban (tel. 08/8211 8888), and Amalgamated (tel. 08/8223 3333). Access Cabs (tel. 1300/360 940 in South Australia) offers wheelchair taxis.

Major car-rental companies are Avis, 136 N. Terrace (tel. 08/8410 5727); Budget, 274 N. Terrace (tel. 08/8223 1400); Hertz, 233 Morphett St. (tel. 08/8231 2856); and Thrifty, 296 Hindley St. (tel. 08/8211 8788).

The Royal Automobile Association of South Australia (RAA), 41 Hindmarsh Sq. (tel. 13 11 11 in South Australia, or 08/8202 4500; www.raa.net), has route maps and provides emergency breakdown services.