Sydney Kingford Smith International Airport (SYD) is the busiest airport as well as the main gateway to Australia. The airport is located in Mascot, a mere 8 km from the city centre as the crow flies, or 13 km by road. The airport is served by 35 different airlines from around the world. Due to its proximity to the city centre, Sydney Airport is only open from 6:00 am to 11:00 pm. The terminal building is not open over the night, so travellers cannot expect to spend the night there to catch an early flight.
Terminals
Sydney Airport comprise three terminals, namely T1, T2 and T3. T1 is the International Terminal. However it does handle a few domestic flights too. T2 and T3 are domestic terminals, with T3 used mainly for inter-capital services. T1 is located on the opposite side of the tarmac from T2 and T3. While you can walk between T2 and T3, you can't do the same with T1, which is located a good 4km away by road. If you need to transfer between T1 and T2 or T3, you need to take one of the following transports:
Air-Side Shuttle
Called the Seamless Transfer, this is a free shuttle service for passengers on Qantas, any of its One World partner airlines, Virgin Blue and any of its code-share airlines
T-bus
A dedicated shuttle bus using the normal road between the terminals. It costs A$5.50 and only takes about 10 minutes, but at times can get caught in traffic congestion. The shuttle runs one every 10-20 minutes. You pay the driver upon boarding. The bus stops are located on the Arrivals Levels, at T1 Bus Bay 21 near McDonalds, and at T2 Bus Bay 3 near baggage carousel 6.
Train
This is part of the Sydney suburban train system, not a dedicated airport train. The journey takes only about 2 minutes and the frequency is about one every 10-15 minutes. Look for the "Train" sign at the terminal and make sure you take it in the right direction. Get off at the next terminal. The cost is A$5.00
Getting out of Sydney Airport
Airport Link
Airport Link is a train service that connects Sydney Airport with the Central Business District (CBD). The Airport railway line is part of the CityRail commuter rail system and shares the same ticketing system. However the airport stations are privately owned and require a hefty surcharge on top of a normal fare. As a result, the fares appear exorbitantly high: single fares are $14.20 for an adult, or $9.60 for child from T1 to any City station and $13.40/$9.20 from the Domestic Terminal station. At the airport you can buy a ticket directly to any Cityrail destination. The trains can be busy weekdays during the morning peak [07:30-09:30] as trains that service the Airport also carry commuters to the City. It is always possible to fit on, but sometimes you may need to stand. If there are three or more people travelling together, a taxi will usually be cheaper, and just as quick outside peak hours.
Mini Bus
Mini-bus operators will drive a group of passengers to the city and deliver them to their hotels - a typical charge is $13 per passenger.
Taxi
Taxis to the city centre should cost you approximately $30 (including tolls), and more to other Sydney destinations (The Rocks $35-40, North Sydney $35, Manly $50, etc.) You can expect to pay a $2.50 airport taxi levy, and a $5.00 Eastern Distributor toll on top of the metered fare. If arriving on a Friday evening is is possible to face long queues for taxis. Asking the driver to take O'Riordan Street (see map) is a little slower but shorter and cheaper than the Eastern Distributor tollway.
Car Rental
Vehicle rental is available at all Sydney Airport terminals from a variety of rental companies.
Local Buses
The only local bus route serving Sydney Airport is the 400 bus running between Bondi Junction and Burwood via Rockdale and Banksia Station. The cheapest way to Sydney is to take the 400 bus to Rockdale and/or Banksia Train Station($2.90/International $3.90/Domestic) and then the train to the city ($3.40). The 400 bus runs ever 20-30 minutes, from outside T3 and T1. If you are at T2 you have to walk to T3 to catch it. Take the bus showing "Burwood" as destination to reach Sydney. The Bondi Junction bus is going the other way. There is no luggage space on the bus, but a backpack or suitcase won't be a problem if you can manage it yourself. If you purchase a "Red" bus/train/ferry travelpass for $35 it lasts for 7 days and covers this entire route to the city, and most bus and train travel in and around the city and the ferry to the zoo and Watsons Bay. You need to purchase the travelpass from the train station, as they are not sold on board the bus. A $10.80 surcharge (gatepass) is payable to use the Airport Link train.
Airport Pickup
At T1 (International) private cars are not allowed to pick up passengers from the curb. Each car has to park at the short term car park for $7 per half hour. At the T2 & T3 (domestic terminals) cars can only stop at the pickup areas if there is someone already at the curb. Fines apply for waiting at the arrivals areas, or for picking up at the departures areas. Leaving your car is out of the question. The parking officers can photograph your car a licence plate and fine you, without warning you to move along.
On a Budget
If you are travelling on a budget, you can save a few dollars if you are willing to walk a bit.
Walk to Train Station from T1
T1 (the international terminal), is less than 2km from Wolli Creek Station, from where a train is just $3.80 to the city. The walk isn't signposted and not recommended after dark. It is all surfaced, only has one set of three steps (in the airport, near the customs building), and takes in some nice scenery by the Cooks River. Exit straight from the international terminal (T1) follow the path under the multistory car park and exit on the undercover path on the far side, and follow the path on the left of the customs building to the pedestrian crossing (follow the green sign, marked Marsh Street). Then go under the road using the underpass (lots of mirrors), until you run into a green fence with the canal directly in front of you. Follow the path up to your right around and back over the path you just walked on up to the Marsh Street bridge. Cross the Cooks River on the footpath on the right of Marsh St and then proceed along the cycleway next to the Cooks River (signposted to Tempe), keeping the river on your right. When you reach the Princes Hwy (6 lane road), cross at the pedestrian crossing lights, and continue straight on, past the apartment blocks, shops, to the end of the road, then turn right up to Wolli Creek Station. The walk will take less than half an hour, and save you $11 on the train fare. Trains from Wolli Creek are faster and more frequent than trains from the airport.
Walk to Train Station from T2 & T3
T2 & T3 The Domestic terminals (T2 and T3) are about 1.7km from Mascot train station. The walk takes about 20 minutes and is along suburban pavements that can be uneven at times. Follow the road out of the domestic terminal and on to O'Riordan Street. Follow O'Riordan Street and then veer left onto Bourke street. Cross Coward Street and then John Street, Mascot train station is on your right. An adult fare to the city (Central) from Mascot is $5.20.
Walk to Bus Station from T2 & T3
Sydney Buses 309/X09/310/X10 run between the City and Mascot Shops. It is 15-20 minutes easy walk from there to the domestic terminal. ($4.00). You can get the 400 bus towards Bondi Junction to Mascot Shops from T2 & T3 ($1.80), or from T1 ($3.00).
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