Last updated: 08/04/2020
Check out in this post all the main options, important information and unmissable tips to get from Sydney airport to the center of the largest city in Australia! With this information, you will be able to choose the option that best suits your needs.
SYDNEY AIRPORT
Sydney Airport is located about 8 km from the center, in the small town of Mascot, in the state of New South Wales (New South Wales). The airport serves several airlines, including local Qatas, Virgin Australia and Jetstar Airways, which is a low-cost, local airline. It is one of the longest continuously operating commercial airports in the world, and is also the Australia's busiest. The airport operates flights to 46 domestic destinations and 43 international destinations. It is estimated that Sydney Airport has been serving for over 43 million passengers every year.
The airport has 3 terminals of passengers:
- T1 - International Terminal: receives airlines from all corners of the planet
- T2 - Domestic Terminal: flights, mainly from jetstar and Virgin Australia
- T3 - Domestic Qantas: operates only airline flights how many
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HOW TO TRANSFER BETWEEN TERMINALS
When we landed in Sydney, we went through immigration and started looking for the Domestic Terminal. Unlike most large city airports that have a monorail that takes you from one terminal to another, you have to take a bus at the airport, get off and enter the Domestic Terminal area. As the transport will depend on each case, check out the main options for transfer between terminals:
> AIRLINES SERVICE
If your flight is operated by Qantas or Virgin Australia, there are their own transfer services offered by the companies that are completely free of charge.
- HOW MANY SEAMLESS TRANSFER: If you are transferring between Qantas domestic flights at the Terminal 3 (flights from QF400 to QF1599) evQantas international os in Terminal 1 (from QF001 to QF399), you are eligible to use the transfer service. The Terminal 1 transfer lounge is located on the Arrivals level of Sydney International Airport. The buses arrive at Terminal 3 at Gate 15. Buses run from 6am to 9pm every 10 or 20 minutes.
- VIRGIN AUSTRALIA SEAMLESS TRANSFER: If you are transferring from a flight from Virgin Australia (Terminal 2) for a one-way flight Virgin partner international airline (Terminal 1) , or vice versa, you are eligible to use the service.
Read more: Australia: What to do in Sydney – 5 or 6 days itinerary
> TRANSFER SERVICES
In case you don't fit in any of the above cases, there are other ways to make the transfer. In our case, we arrived in Australia on a flight from San Francisco on Qantas. But we would then board for Cairns on a flight operated by Jetstar. Therefore, we had to use another form of displacement.
- T-BUS: T-Bus is a bus service free (was a paid service in the past) operated by a Shuttle bus between Terminal 1 (International) and Terminals 2 and 3 (Domestic). It operates 7 days a week between 6am and 8:50pm. The entire journey between the terminals takes about 10 minutes. Bus stops are located on the arrivals floor of each of the terminals.
- TAXI: If you are looking for convenience and prefer a private service, there are taxis that make the journey at a cost of AUS$ 17 to AUS$ 22. We don't think it's worth taking a taxi, as the shuttle service is free and efficient, but it doesn't guarantee that you go sitting.
- TRAIN: Airport Link is a train service that operates between the International Terminal and the Domestic Terminals. The value is AUS$ 6.40 per way, which takes just 2 minutes. The train runs every day from 5am until midnight. see more information in this link.
FROM SYDNEY AIRPORT TO DOWNTOWN
1. TRAIN
One of the most practical ways to get to the airport is by train. Sydney Airport is located just 13 minutes by rail from the city centre. O Airport Link offers a quick and convenient way to reach the city and the suburbs, with trains running approximately every 10 minutes. The station is located at the northern end of the terminal and accessible from the Arrivals level. To use the service, you are required to purchase a Opal Card at the station, Relay or WH Smith. The ticket price varies according to the distance of travel. For example: if you go from the Domestic Terminal to Circular Quay, you will spend AUS$ 16.77*. However, if you go there from the International Terminal, you will spend AUS$ 17.38*. Make simulations of your route and see the rates through from this link. (* values from Dec/18)
2. BUS
There is a bus service (Route 400) which operates between Bondi Junction and Burwood. The service is available in Terminal 1 International and Terminal 3 Domestic. There are well-identified bus stops on the arrivals floor of these terminals. It is necessary to have a Opal Card to use the service. See details on rates and opening hours at official site.
3. SHUTTLE
If you're looking for a shuttle service that takes you from the airport to your hotel, there are plenty of options to suit all budgets. There are private services, with the greatest possible convenience, or transport sharing services. See some of the available options below.
4. TAXI OR UBER
Access for taxis and Uber is available at all terminals. It takes about 20 minutes to the city center and the price varies between AUS$ 45 and AUS$ 55. For those who choose Uber, the pick-up location is at the Priority Pick-up Zone at the domestic terminal and at the Express Pick-up Zone at the international terminal.
5. CAR RENTAL
Sydney Airport has a number of car rental companies. Counters are located on the Arrivals level in the domestic and international terminals. Among the rental companies available are: Avis, Budget, Eurocard, Hertz, Redspot and Thrifty. Make a price simulation in this link.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Sydney International Airport
- Address: Sydney New South Wales 2020, Australia
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- Australia: What to do in Sydney – 5 or 6 days itinerary
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- Sydney Airport: Terminals and Getting to the City Center
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- Accommodation in Sydney: Marriott Hotel at Circular Quay
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- Bondi to Coogee Walk: Sydney Coast and Beach Walking Tour
