Sydney's underground railway, commonly referred to as the City Circle, provides an easy and inexpensive way of skirting around the main city area. Because many of Sydney's main tourist destinations and attractions are situated in this vicinity, the Circle represents the ideal way of getting around. You can get to Darling Harbour, a former dockside harbour that has been transformed into a major tourist spot, Circular Quay, the hub of ferry transport on Sydney Harbour, and The Rocks, the founding point for settlement in Australia and now a vibrant tourist region. There are six stations that form the main City Circle underground railway. They are (running clockwise): Central Railway Station, Townhall, Wynyard, Circular Quay, St James and Museum.

• CENTRAL is the main rail hub, with both suburban, country and interstate trains departing from here. It is close to the famous Paddy's Markets, a famous city market area that is now a major tourist attraction; the Sydney Entertainment Centre, a main venue for concerts and other events; and the Powerhouse Museum.
• TOWNHALL is a busy underground station situated close to the main retail area, which provides the closest access to Darling Harbour, which is only a few short blocks away. It is also directly opposite the Queen Victoria Building, Sydney's most impressive shopping arcade. Town Hall is a change point for the Kings Cross/Bondi Junction rail line.
• WYNYARD is the main change point for travellers wishing to go north across the Sydney Harbour Bridge. It is situated north of Townhall and south of Circular Quay and sits on the western perimeter of Sydney's finance sector.
• CIRCULAR QUAY is the hub of ferry transport on Sydney Harbour. Ferries leave from here for Manly, Watson's Bay, Mosman, Taronga Park Zoo and upriver to Paramatta. It is a major tourist gateway for The Rocks, Sydney Opera House and the Royal Botanic Gardens.
• ST JAMES is situated on the northern edge of Hyde Park and next to the main retail district.
• MUSEUM is situated on the southern edge of Hyde Park and close to the Australian Museum.

Just over a decade ago, a new rail link was built linking the CBD to Kings Cross and Sydney's eastern suburbs and creating a new underground railway station, Martin Plaza, in the heart of the CBD's financial district. The link terminates at Bondi Junction, which is several kilometres short of Bondi Beach.