The Wakefield Street campus is centrally positioned, so students living nearby can often walk to classes. Those living in outer inner-city suburbs can use Adelaide Metro, which operates the city's bus, tram and train services.
The location of your Torrens University accommodation therefore has a direct effect on how much time and money you spend commuting each week.
Adelaide Metro
Adelaide Metro connects the CBD with surrounding suburbs through buses, trams and trains. Students generally use a metroCARD for regular travel, with fares depending on the applicable fare and travel arrangements.
For students living close to the university, public transport may be unnecessary for the daily trip to class. It becomes more useful for students living in areas such as Norwood, Unley or further from the CBD.
Buses
Bus routes connect Adelaide's CBD with a large number of surrounding suburbs. There is a bus stop directly outside the Torrens University campus on Wakefield Street, giving students immediate access to bus services.
This is particularly useful for students living outside the central walking zone.
Trams
The Victoria Square tram stop is approximately a five-minute walk from the Wakefield Street campus.
The Glenelg-to-city tram corridor also runs through central Adelaide. Travel within the CBD section of the tram network can be free, which can be useful for students making short journeys around the city centre.
Trains
Adelaide Railway Station is roughly a 15-minute walk from the campus. It forms part of the Adelaide Metro network and serves suburban train routes.
Students living further from the CBD can combine train and other public transport services depending on their location.
Getting to Campus from Key Areas
The main residential areas discussed earlier have relatively straightforward routes to Wakefield Street.
|
Area
|
Approx. distance
|
Main transport option
|
Approx. journey
|
|
Adelaide CBD / Wakefield Street
|
0–1 km
|
Walking
|
2–15 min
|
|
North Adelaide
|
~2 km
|
Bus or walking
|
Around 20 min walking
|
|
Norwood
|
~3 km
|
Bus
|
Short bus journey
|
|
Unley
|
~3 km
|
Bus or tram
|
Short public transport journey
|
|
Parkside
|
~3 km
|
Bus
|
Short bus journey
|
These are general journey estimates from the supplied information. Actual travel times can vary according to the specific property, route, traffic and service frequency.
Cycling Around Adelaide
Adelaide's relatively flat terrain makes cycling a practical option for students. Dedicated cycling infrastructure includes routes such as the Veloway and City-to-Coast routes.
The parklands surrounding the CBD also give cyclists alternative routes around central Adelaide.
Students considering a bicycle for their daily commute should check whether their chosen accommodation has secure bicycle storage and whether the university provides suitable bicycle parking.
For students living within a few kilometres of Wakefield Street, cycling can reduce dependence on public transport while keeping the daily commute relatively short.
Major Transport Points Near Torrens University
Several important transport locations are close to the campus:
- Victoria Square tram stop: Approximately a five-minute walk.
- Adelaide Railway Station: Roughly a 15-minute walk.
- Wakefield Street bus stop: Located directly outside the campus.
These connections make the central location particularly useful for students who need to travel beyond the immediate CBD.
Intercity Rail Travel
Students travelling beyond Adelaide should distinguish between the city's local railway station and its interstate rail terminal.
Adelaide Railway Station primarily handles Adelaide Metro services and is the main rail station used for local suburban travel.
Adelaide Parklands Terminal is separate from the CBD station and handles interstate rail services. Long-distance services such as The Ghan, The Overland and Indian Pacific operate from this terminal.
Students travelling interstate should check their departure station carefully rather than assuming that all rail services leave from Adelaide Railway Station.
Getting to Adelaide Airport
Adelaide Airport (ADL) is approximately 7 km from Adelaide's CBD. Unlike some major Australian cities, Adelaide does not currently have a direct airport rail link.
Students travelling between the airport and their accommodation can use several alternatives:
- JetExpress shuttle bus: A dedicated airport-to-city service.
- Adelaide Metro buses: Regular public bus services connect the airport with different parts of Adelaide.
- Rideshare or taxi: A direct option when carrying luggage or travelling at less convenient times.
For international students arriving with several bags, the extra cost of a direct car journey may be worth considering, particularly if the accommodation is not close to the CBD.
Choosing Accommodation Based on Your Commute
The short distance between Torrens University's Adelaide campus and several central accommodation options means that students have a useful choice between walking and public transport.
Before booking, consider:
- How far is the property from Wakefield Street? A kilometre or two can make a major difference to daily travel.
- Can you walk to campus? Walking can eliminate a recurring transport expense.
- Which public transport services are nearby? Check the nearest bus, tram and train connections rather than judging the commute from distance alone.
- Are transport costs included in your budget? Add regular travel expenses to the weekly rent.
- How late do you travel? Students attending evening events or working late should check the availability of services after their usual return time.
- Does the property support cycling? Secure bike storage can make cycling more practical.
Adelaide's compact CBD means that students do not necessarily need to live immediately beside the university to keep their commute manageable. At the same time, paying attention to transport links can prevent a seemingly cheap property from becoming expensive once regular travel costs are added.