Sydney commuters set to face transport headache as they return to work

It will be a stark reminder to many of those travelling that the holidays are over, with many commuters forced to jump between buses, light rail and trains to travel to work in the next week.

Minister for Transport, Andrew Constance, said commuters would need to plan their trips carefully this week in light of the track work.

"We're doing this work in the quietest period to minimise disruption in heavier commute times, but it's all essential," he said.

"Commuters returning to work should plan their journeys ahead of time."

Light rail passengers in the city and inner west will need to adjust their travel times this week.

Buses are replacing all light rail services between Dulwich Hill and Central until January 15. Parts of the track will re-open with services resuming between Convention and Dulwich Hill, with replacement buses still operating between Central and The Star until January 29.

Commuters travelling by train on the north shore will also be heavily affected by track work taking place near Hornsby.

The North Shore Line between Berowra and Gordon will be closed in both directions with commuters needing to hop on buses between these stops to complete their journey.

The track work may also affect services between Gordon and the city with some running to a changed timetable.

Track work is also being done on the Northern Line, affecting stations between Epping and Hornsby.

While commuters will be able to travel between Hornsby and the city via Strathfield in both directions during peak hour, buses will replace trains at all other times.

That track work will have a flow on effect during the week, with trains between Epping and the city via Macquarie University running to a changed timetable.

Most workers will see their commutes return to normal next week when no track work will be conducted during the day.

Some track work will continue at night in the later part of January but it will not affect the majority of commuters.