Sydney is known as one of the most expensive cities in the world – from soaring rents and coffees to daily public transport fares that leave commuters out of pocket.

But one local man has revealed the unlikely hack that’s saved him thousands of dollars: hitching a free ride with a casino.

The confession surfaced on the podcast Kick It Forwardwhere co-host Giorgio Savini read out an anonymous listener’s secret.

‘I’ve commuted to work in Sydney for years without paying a cent for public transport. I’ve been hitching a ride with the most unlikely of allies – the casino,’ the note began.

The man explained he worked in an office five days a week in Pyrmont, a suburb best known for its pricey lunch spots, its proximity to the CBD, and the looming presence of The Star casino.

‘Catching the train to and from work would normally cost me $50 a week, but I discovered that the casino runs a free courtesy bus for its members, and all you have to do is sign up,’ he wrote.

‘The bus stops in areas with high gambling populations which coincidentally includes my neighbourhood.

‘It picks me up near home, drops me off practically next to my office, and it runs like clockwork.’

The Star Express is a free transport service for all members of the Star Club, and signing up is free.

While the service is exclusively to transport members to and from the casino, many have been using it to hitch a ride into work.

All they have to do is swipe their membership card when they board the bus.

There are three routes that travel to The Star from Bankstown, Cabramatta and Parramatta.

However, the first pick up times range from 8:10am to 9:45am – which might make it difficult for those with strict start times.

Another commuter who has also been taking advantage of the free shuttle added that the service had been particularly useful during Sydney‘s train strikes, when many workers were left scrambling for alternatives.

‘I just took the shuttle bus to and from work, crossed Pyrmont Bridge and you’re in Town Hall, easy,’ he said.

Others chimed in to say they’d used similar tricks to save money on city living.

‘I love how it goes all the way out to Cabramatta,’ one listener commented.

‘Here in Melbourne, the hotel at the Convention Centre also has a free shuttle to the airport several times a day and you just hop on. Excellent if you live in Southbank,’ a second said.

One confessed they’d used the same logic with parking perks.

‘I did the same with Skycity parking for almost two years working in the CBD. Gamble $1.50 a day and get free parking. The real cost is about 50c a day.’

‘This is smart,’ one listener wrote.

‘I highly applaud this,’ another said.

While many might not recommend depending on a casino shuttle to get to work, the story highlights just how creative Australians are becoming in the face of relentless cost pressures.

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How I’ve commuted to work for FREE in Sydney for years using a secret bus trick – and it saves me $200 a month