FAQ

Find answers to your questions about Sydney Harbour's biggest and best water taxi service.

Planning your Sydney water taxi transfer

I'm planning my water taxi trip:

• How do your prices compare to other water taxi operators?
• What type of boat will we travel in?
• Where can H2O Water Taxis pick me up?
• How many passengers can travel with H2O Water Taxis?
• Can H2O Water Taxis cater for large groups?
• How long will the water taxi trip take?
• Can H2O Water Taxis deliver me to a yacht or cruise boat?
• Do I need to book my H2O Water Taxis trip in advance?
• Are water taxis more expensive than road taxis?

Booking your Sydney water taxi transfer

I'm almost ready to book my water taxi transfer:

• What Credit cards does H2O Taxis accept?
• Is there an additional fee for credit card payments?
• Do I need to book my H2O Water Taxi trip in advance?

Special services

I've got a special request:

• Does it cost any extra for beach landings?
• Does it cost any more for wedding transfers?
• Can I travel to islands in Sydney Harbor by water taxi?
• Can I hire a water taxi for a Sydney Harbour cruise?
• Does H2O Taxis offer Sydney Harbour equipment transport or barge hire for weddings and special events?

Dos and Don'ts on water taxis

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Answers

Q. How do your prices compare to other water taxi operators?

Unfortunately, some water taxi companies charge excessive transfer fees so you pay for their more expensive running costs and general overheads. We urge you to get at least 2 quotes to avoid paying unnecessary and excessive fees. We have done all the research for you to guarantee you are getting the best "value for money". We include the first 6 passengers travelling in all of our quoted fares with extra passengers only costing $10 per head. We don't charge credit card fees for Visa, Mastercard, Amex or Diners.

Cabcharge + 5%.

Some other companies charge an extra 5% just to process your credit card which takes all of 30 seconds. This fee is on top of their already expensive transfer fees, so please check all the costs before booking.

Our pricing structure, our independence and low overheads means that we can offer you “Mates Rates” for Sydney water taxi travel. We are confident you will select H2O Taxis to look after you.

From the moment you make the call to H2O Taxis, you are a VIP to us and we will do everything we can to make your transfer perfect! (and at a reasonable price too!!)

Try our sydney water taxi trip calculator. Compare our prices, then book your H2O Water Taxis trip.

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Q. What type of boat will we travel in?

All of our vessels are made of sturdy aluminium with real glass windows and twin motors for 100% reliability in any weather conditions or sea state.
The vessels are enclosed and spotless with comfortable coach style seating.
(see photos on water taxi page).

We don't have inflatable rubber boats with hard plastic seats and plastic covers for windows and a single engine.

We don't have open style boats with a single engine that may get you to your destination, albeit in a wet and windblown condition!
The open stye boat is great on a perfect day but "perfect days" are usually few and far between.

Most importantly, all H2O Taxis vessels have the ultra safe bow loading so passengers feel safe and at ease at all times when boarding or exiting the vessel. Our vessels are also tri hulls for maximum stability.

The last thing you want to worry about for your night out is how to get on or off the water taxi in an evening dress and stillettos without ending up in the Harbour! Whatever company you choose to travel with, ask for a photo of loading and disembarking passengers to put your mind at ease.

Our advice is to not only get 2 quotes for your transfer but definitely check the type of boat that will pick up your party to ensure it suits your needs.

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Q. Where can H2O Water Taxis pick me up?

Our water taxis can pick you up from just about anywhere in Sydney Harbour or the Parramatta River. Any wharf, any public or private jetty or pontoon. The owner's permission is required to pick you up from, or deliver you to, a private jetty or pontoon.

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Q. How many passengers can travel with H2O Water Taxis?

Our water taxis can accommodate small and large groups. We have water taxis with capacity ranging from 27 passengers up to 49 passengers, depending on the locations you choose.

We also cater for larger groups and can do as many water taxi trips as you need to get you and all of your friends to your special Sydney event.

Some companies will say they can transfer 200 - 500 passengers in a fleet of water taxis in varying states of disrepair but why do that when it will be much more cost effective for you to just hire a ferry?

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Q. Can H2O Water Taxis cater for large groups?

Yes, we can organise water taxi transport for groups of almost any number depending on how flexible your transfer is. If you have a group of 100 or more and all passengers need to arrive or depart together, we recommend a ferry as the most cost effective way for you.

However, if your transfer can be staggered, then we offer you a special rate for multiple trips if you have large passenger numbers for your event. Consider using our hourly water taxi hire rates for large groups over short distances, eg Rose Bay to Shark Island or Leichhardt to Rodd Island. Because we have to shuttle your large group, we compensate you for that by making our hourly rate very reasonable so a ferry comparision shows you are getting great "value for money".

Please contact us to discuss our rates for larger groups. The more the merrier!

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Q. How long will the water taxi trip take?

Most water taxi trips around the inner Sydney Harbour will take about 10 to 15 minutes. If you wish to arrive at your destination at a particular time, tell us and we will suggest the best time to pick you up.

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Q. Can H2O Water Taxis deliver me to a yacht or cruise boat?

Yes we can, but of course you need permission from the cruise boat captain. They are usually happy to stop and wait for a late passenger on a water taxi. We can also pick you up from your yacht or cruise boat if you need to return to land for any reason.

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Q. Do I need to book my H2O Water Taxis trip in advance?

It is advisable to book early if you can to make sure we can be there when you need us, but we are always happy to do last minute water taxi trips if we can.

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Q. Are water taxis more expensive than road taxis?

Compare paying our price for a group of up to 32 from Circular Quay to Watsons Bay to what you would pay for road taxis for the same trip. You'll find we are a favourable comparison. We also get you there in around 15 minutes and we get you there in style, and, of course, we throw in the view of Sydney Harbour for FREE!

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Q. What Credit cards does H2O Taxis accept?

H2O taxis accepts the following credit cards;

AMEX
DINER'S CLUB
VISA
MASTERCARD,and
CABCHARGE

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Q. Is there an additional fee for credit card payments?

H2O Taxis charges no credit card fees when using Visa, Mastercard, AMEX or Diners. As part of our "mates rates" policy, we absorb all the fees if you choose to pay by these cards.

Other companies charge up to 10% to process all credit cards, including Visa and Mastercard. This process takes all of 30 seconds, exactly the same as when you purchase an item in a store.

These companies are making a profit on the credit card fee as well as the profit on the actual water taxi transfer. Our recommendation to you if you choose to travel with these other companies, is to pay cash and avoid any fee.

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Q. Do I need to book my H2O Water Taxi trip in advance?

It is advisable to book early if you can to make sure your water taxi we can be there when you need us, but we are always happy to do last minute water taxi trips if we can.

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Q. Does it cost any extra for beach landings?

Beach landings require more effort by the Skipper and incurs more wear and tear on the vessel than conventional wharf loading and unloading of passengers.

There is a small fee built into our instant quote calculator for beach landings to offset the above factors. Beware of other companies that claim to do beach landings. Ask for a photo of an actual beach landing before deciding on what company to entrust your important day to.

Related Links:

• Sydney Harbour beaches we land on

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Q. Does it cost any more for wedding transfers?

Unfortunately, many suppliers love to hear the word "wedding" because they can load up their prices. These suppliers think the bride and groom will pay anything for their special day.

You will be pleased to know that H2O Water Taxis treat all wedding transfers as just a standard transfer fare. The only extra charges will be if you keep the taxi waiting longer than 5 minutes free time. The waiting time is also a standard charge for everyone.

The advantage of our vessels is you can stand on the bow and wave goodbye to your guests as we slowly back away from your venue. You can then come inside the fully enclosed vessels and relax for the first time that day as we take you to your chosen destination.

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Q. Can I travel to islands in Sydney Harbor by water taxi?

Yes, we can take you there. We are licensed by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service to take you to any of the eight Sydney Harbour National Park islands. You will need to contact NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service as there is a small fee for landing and national park rules apply.

Related Links:

• NSW National Parks

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Q. Can I hire a water taxi for a Sydney Harbour cruise?

Yes you can.

The cost is;

Tourist Tour: $110 for 20 minutes which includes 10 passengers, + $10 per additional passenger, Start and finish in the CQ area.

30 minutes: $165 for 30 minutes which includes 10 passengers, + $10 per additional passenger. For tours around the CBD.

1 Hour: $250 for 1 hour which includes 10 passengers + $10 per additional passenger. For tours around the CBD.

Charges may be higher for tours that finish outside the CBD, such as watson's Bay, Manly, Drummoyne, Cabarita etc.

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Q. Does H2O Taxis offer Sydney Harbour equipment transport or barge hire for weddings and special events?

Yes. Our largest vessel is registered to transport equipment to the Sydney Harbour Islands and other venues for your wedding or special event. We hire by the hour where most companies hire at a minimum of four hours. Please contact us if you would like more information about our Sydney Harbour equipment/barge hire.

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