Getting Around Adelaide: The Complete Guide to Public Transport and Beyond

The Adelaide Metro system became my trusty companion within hours of arrival, and it'll likely become yours too. This integrated network of buses, trains, and a single tram line covers pretty much everywhere you'd want to go as a student exploring the city.

The crown jewel for budget travelers is undoubtedly the free City Connector buses (both the 98A/C and 99A/C routes). These red and green buses loop around the city center and North Adelaide, stopping at major attractions like the Adelaide Central Market, South Australian Museum, and Adelaide Oval. The buses run every 30 minutes on weekdays and hourly on weekends—I found myself hopping on and off these like they were my personal tour buses.

For journeys beyond the free zones, you'll need a MetroCard or a MetroTicket. As a student staying for a week, I recommend grabbing a reloadable MetroCard from any convenience store with the MetroCard sign (there's a $5 card fee, but you'll save 30% on each fare compared to single tickets). Load it with about $15-20 for a week of moderate travel around the city.

The tram deserves special mention—not just because trams are inherently cool, but because the section running along North Terrace between the Entertainment Centre and Botanic Gardens is completely FREE. Yes, you read that correctly. I used this free tram almost daily to zip between the Railway Station, Art Gallery, and University precinct without spending a cent.

If you asked me about my favorite Adelaide transportation discovery, I'd enthusiastically point to the city's free bike rental program. Yes, you read that correctly—FREE. The Adelaide City Council's Adelaide Free Bikes program lets you borrow a bicycle for the entire day with nothing more than a photo ID as collateral.

Pick-up locations are scattered throughout the CBD, including the visitor information center on King William Street where I grabbed mine. The bikes come with helmets (mandatory in Australia) and locks. They're not fancy carbon-fiber racing machines, but these sturdy city cruisers are perfect for navigating Adelaide's predominantly flat terrain.

The true beauty of cycling in Adelaide is the Linear Park Trail that follows the Torrens River. This scenic pathway stretches from the hills to the coast, offering a car-free route through the heart of the city. I spent one glorious afternoon cycling from the CBD to Henley Beach, stopping for impromptu picnics along the way.

If you're staying longer or prefer something more high-tech than the free bikes, consider bike sharing. I noticed these bright orange e-scooters and e-bikes throughout the city—they're perfect for quick trips and cost just a few dollars to unlock via their app. After a long day exploring the Adelaide Hills, I was grateful to find one for the final stretch back to my accommodation!

For serious cyclists planning multiple day trips, bike rental offers weekly rentals at student-friendly rates, including quality mountain bikes if you're planning to tackle more challenging terrain in the Adelaide Hills.

One of Adelaide's greatest assets for budget travelers is its walkability. The CBD's thoughtful grid layout, measuring just one square mile, means you can cross the entire city center in about 20-30 minutes on foot. This compact design saved me countless transportation dollars during my stay.

My favorite walking discovery was the network of laneways connecting major streets. These pedestrian-friendly passages are home to some of Adelaide's best street art, hidden cafés, and quirky boutiques that you'd completely miss from public transport. Leigh Street and Peel Street became my go-to shortcuts, not just for efficiency but for the vibrant atmosphere.

For students interested in Adelaide's history, I highly recommend downloading the free City of Adelaide walking tour app. I spent one morning following their self-guided heritage tour, which highlights the colonial architecture and shares fascinating stories about the city's development. The app works offline, so you won't burn through your data plan.

The Adelaide Park Lands—the green belt surrounding the CBD—offers beautiful walking paths that provide a refreshing break from urban exploration. My personal favorite was the Adelaide Botanic Gardens, where I spent hours wandering through different climate zones without spending a dime.

Don't forget comfortable footwear! I made the mistake of wearing cute but impractical sandals on my first day and regretted it immensely. My walking shoes became my daily go-to for exploring Adelaide on foot. They're lightweight enough for city walking but supportive enough for longer treks to places like Mount Lofty.

While Adelaide itself is wonderfully navigable on a budget, you'll eventually want to explore beyond the city limits. The good news? You can reach some of South Australia's most stunning regions without splurging on car rentals.

The Adelaide Hills are just a 30-minute journey on the Adelaide Metro bus service. Bus route 864 took me straight to Cleland Wildlife Park where I had my obligatory koala encounter, while route 823 connects to the charming German settlement of Hahndorf. A day ticket cost me less than $11, making it an absolute bargain compared to organized tours.

For beach lovers, trains run regularly to Glenelg (take the tram) and Semaphore (take the Outer Harbor train line), both offering gorgeous stretches of sand perfect for budget-friendly days out. I spent a blissful afternoon at Glenelg with nothing more than my quick-dry towel and a good book—the sunset views alone were worth the trip.

The McLaren Vale wine region might seem like an expensive excursion, but here's my budget hack: catch the 741 bus to McLaren Vale township, then rent a bike locally to visit nearby wineries. Many offer free tastings or modest tasting fees that are waived with purchase. I spent a day visiting three wineries this way for less than $30 including transportation.

If you're a student traveling with friends, sometimes pooling resources for a day's car rental makes sense for harder-to-reach destinations like Victor Harbor or Barossa Valley. I connected with two other travelers from my hostel, and we split a basic rental for about $20 each—well worth it for the freedom to explore multiple wineries and lookout points at our own pace.

While I'm all about maximizing value, sometimes convenience wins—especially after a late night out or when carrying heavy groceries back to your accommodation. Thankfully, Adelaide offers several reasonably priced options for those moments when public transport just won't cut it.

Uber operates throughout Adelaide and generally costs 20-30% less than traditional taxis. I found myself using it primarily for early morning airport transfers (the first bus doesn't run until 5:30 AM) and late-night returns from checking out Adelaide's surprising speakeasy scene. Pro tip: The Adelaide CBD is small enough that most Uber rides within it cost under $10, making it reasonable to split with a friend.

For budget-conscious students, I recommend downloading multiple rideshare apps including DiDi and Ola, which often run competitive promotions for new users. During my visit, I scored a 50% off coupon for my first three DiDi rides, making them cheaper than public transport for short trips.

Traditional taxis are readily available but generally more expensive. However, they offer one advantage—you can hail them on the street when needed rather than waiting for an app-based pickup. I keep the 13cabs app on my phone as a backup when other rideshare services show surge pricing.

To truly optimize your transportation budget, I recommend carrying a power bank to ensure your phone never dies when you need to call a ride. Mine saved me multiple times when Google Maps drained my battery faster than expected during day-long explorations.