Sydney Airport is also known as Kingsford Smith Airport after the famous Australian aviator Sir Charles Kingsford Smith – the first man to fly from the United States to Australia. Located in the suburb of Mascot, it is the only major airport serving Sydney. With nearly 40 million passengers passing through the gates in 2014 alone, it is by far Australia’s busiest airport . The airport offers a wide array of shopping and dining venues, as well as several facilities and amenities for both tourists and business travellers.
General Information
Most Popular Airlines
Most Popular Routes
Terminals and Transfers
To and From the Airport
Checking-In
Amenities
Facilities
General Information
- For Departure and Arrival times visit Sydney Airport here
- Contact Info +61 2 9667 9111 (7 Days)
- Distance from the Sydney Central Business District (CBD) : 8km
- Number of airlines: Approximately 46 passenger airlines (11 cargo)
- Number of destinations served: 88
- Number of runways: 3
Most Popular Airlines
Most Popular International Routes
Terminals and Terminal Transfers
Terminal Information
Terminal Transfers
Terminal Information
Sydney Airport has 3 Terminals:
- T1 International Arrivals and Departures
- T2 Domestic Arrivals and Departures
- T3 Independently managed by Qantas for Domestic flights QF0400-1599. For more information visit Qantas here
Terminal Transfers
The Domestic and International terminal buildings are located separately. There are several options available when transferring between the T1 International and T2/T3 domestic terminals:
- T-Bus is a shuttle bus service to and from T1 International and T2/T3 domestic terminals, which costs $5.50 (one way, per person). The journey takes 10 minutes and run frequently during the morning peak period from 6am, and then every 30 minutes until 9pm. Bus stops are located on the arrivals levels at T1, Bus Bay 1 near McDonalds and at T2 on the roadway in the Centre of the terminal.
- A taxi journey between T1 International and the T2/T3 domestic terminals takes 10 minutes, depending on the time of day and costs approximately $17.00 – $22.00 (one way, per taxi).
- Airport Link train has a single transfer ticket ($6.00 per person, one way) for passengers transferring between the T1 International and T2/T3 Domestic terminals. Pricing does vary if the traveller is using an Opal Card. The journey takes 2 minutes and services run frequently from 5am to midnight, seven days a week.
To and From the Airport
Train
Bus
Airport Shuttle
Taxi
Uber
Parking Fees
Sydney Airport is about 8 kilometres outside Sydney’s CBD and can be accessed by a variety of public transport options:
Train: the Airport Link underground rail line takes about 15 minutes to the city centre. There are stations beneath both the International and Domestic terminals. A single adult ticket costs $17.80. For timetable and service information visit Sydney Airport Link here.
Bus: Sydney Buses operate Route 400 from Burwood to Bondi Junction railway stations. The route includes both the International and Domestic terminals, and connects to the eastern suburbs, Inner West and St George areas. The bus takes just over 1 hour to Bondi Junction where connecting buses and trains are available for destinations all over the city. A one way ticket cost $3.80 making Route 400 by far the cheapest way to get to and from Sydney Airport. Buses run from the airport between 05:19am and 12:54am, for more complete timetable information visit Sydney buses here
Airport Shuttle: Sydney Airport Shuttle Bus Company has a door-to-door service to and from both the Domestic and International terminals to hotels in the Sydney CBD. Prices start from $16 per adult, and $45 for a family of 2 adults and 2 children (3-9 years old). Shuttles run every 30 minutes between 6:30am and 10:00pm from the domestic terminal and between 7:00am and 10:00pm from the international terminal. For more information visit AirBus Sydney here
Taxis: There are taxi ranks at all terinals with supervisors who can organise taxis with baby capsules, wheelchair access, five-seaters and maxi taxis for larger groups or station wagons for those carrying large amounts of baggage. Expect to pay around $45-55 for a trip into the CBD during non-peak traffic conditions. A $4.10 airport toll is also payable by all passengers taking a taxi from any rank.
Uber: UberX is banned from picking up passengers at Sydney Airport although passenger may still be dropped off using the service, app users are electronically blocked from ordering cars from the terminals.
The Uber Black services is allowed to pick-up and drop-off passengers at the Airport, and fares from the International Terminal cost approximately $75.
Parking Fees: The Airport offers domestic and international parking stays. Rates vary depending on length of stay, but expect to pay around $45 per day for domestic stays. You can obtain a quote for international stays here.
Checking-In
General Departure Information
Liquids
Medicine and Baby Milk
General Departure Information
Use the flight information display screens in the check-in area on the departures level to identify the check-in counters for your flight.
The check-in counters are positioned in sequential order from A to K. You can also determine your check-in counter before you arrive by entering your flight details into the free Sydney Airport app for iPhone and Android.
Airline check-in is generally open three hours before your flight’s departure time. Aircraft boarding is called approximately 40 minutes prior to departure time, but allow at least 20 minutes to get through Immigration and Security.
Liquids
Liquids may only be carried in containers holding 100ml or less. They must be carried separately in a plastic bag which is:
- Transparent and resealable
- No larger than 20cm x 20cm (8in x 8in)
- Able to close properly with all the items inside.
Liquids in containers over 100ml will not be permitted through security. You will need to pack them in your hold baggage instead.
Medicine and Baby Milk
Prescription medicines, where the name on the medicine matches the name on the boarding pass, can be brought onboard in carry-on baggage.
Non-prescription medicines and all baby products are also exempt from the security measures, but the amount carried is restricted to a quantity that is reasonable for the duration of the flight.
Amenities
WiFi and Internet
Plug Stations and Charging
Cafés, Restaurants Bars
Lounges
Playrooms
Smoking Lounge
Prayer Rooms
Shopping and Duty Free
Sleeping Pods
Wi-Fi and Internet
Free WIFI is available at both the International and Domestic Terminals. Simply select “Free Internet by sponsors name & SYD” from the list of available networks, answer the questions, read the terms and conditions and click “Proceed”. You will be shown a sponsored message then directed to a website. From there you can browse the internet for up to 2 hours and download 500MB of data.
There are also internet kiosks on the departures level of the International Terminal near Gates 31, 24 and 53 after Customs, and in the food court before Customs. There are internet kiosks available on both the arrivals and departures level of the Domestic Terminal.
Plug Stations and Charging
Live sockets may be available at selected airport cafés, stations or in the Internet Kiosks at both the International and Domestic terminals. There are also charging stations near check-in counter B and check-in counter F in T1.
Cafés, Restaurants Bars
The airport’s numerous eating and drinking venues offer a wide selection of international and Australian dishes, snacks and beverages. Popular spots include Asakaze, Eagle Boys Pizza, Hungry Jack’s (Burger King), Pie Face, Santos, Nando’s, Subway and McDonald’s.
Lounges
There are several airline lounges located in the International and Domestic Terminals that service passengers and also some passengers of partner airlines. The Qantas Club is located after Customs on the airside Departures Mezzanine level in the International Terminal. The following lounges are located after Customs on the airside Departures level near gates 50 – 63:
- Air New Zealand Lounge – Air New Zealand. $50/80 Pay at the Door Access.
- Silver Kris Lounge – Singapore Airlines
- Emirates Lounge – Emirates Airlines
The following lounges are located after security in the Domestic Terminal:
- The Qantas Club – Qantas Airways
- The Lounge – Virgin Australia. $65 Pay at the Door Access.
- The Rex Lounge – Rex Airlines
Playrooms
Children’s’ play areas are located in T1 landside between check-ins A and C, and at the end of counter J. Another area is located airside after customers near gates 31 and 33.
Smoking Lounge
Like all Australian airports, Sydney Airport is smoke-free, although smoking is permitted at the Arrivals and Departures entrance and exit areas of Terminal One and Two. These are clearly marked with signage. Smoking is also permitted on the outdoor deck at Terrace Bar on the Departures level, located before Customs.
Prayer Rooms
There is a multi-denominational prayer room located on Level 3 of T1 International terminal.
Shopping and Duty Free
Some 150 retail and duty-free outlets, including fashion stores, beauty salons, electronics specialists, newsagents and bookshops are available to passengers passing through Sydney Airport.
The standard trading times for most retail stores at both International and Domestic Terminals are 6am to 10pm daily.
As a traveller in transit, youshould defer any purchase of duty free items until after you pass through security screening and into the departures area due to the restrictions in place for taking liquids into the departures area. You can also purchase duty free items at the Heinemann Tax and Duty Free stores and other shops on the departures level.
Sleeping Pods
None.
Facilities
Toilets
Changing Rooms
Showers
Assisted Travelling Through Terminals
Lost and Found
Luggage Trolleys
Nearby Hotels
Toilets
Male and female toilets are located throughout both the International and Domestic Terminal at Sydney Airport.
Changing Rooms
Baby change facilities and dedicated parenting rooms are located in various locations throughout the terminals on either side of passport control. Facilities include private feeding rooms and change benches. There are also microwave ovens or bottle heaters available.
Showers
Free shower facilities are available in T1 at the general check-in area near check-in counters A and K on the departures level. There are also shower facilities located airside (passenger only access) near Gate 31, Gate 51 and Gate 24 (male only) on the departures level. Note that towels are not available to rent, so you will need to provide your own.
Assisted Travelling Through Terminals
‘Special Assistance Lanes’ at the International and Domestic terminals are designed to help you through the security screening process if you require added assistance to board your plane.
If so, you should inform your airline or travel agent when making a flight booking that you need assistance at the airport, since getting help from the kerbside to check-in counters or with the collection of bags is not available unless agreed to in advance with your airline.
Wheelchairs are available upon request, and guide dogs are welcome inside the terminals. All public telephones are hearing aid compatible and SMS messages can be sent from them. There are accessible toilets with Braille included in the toilet block entries to assist vision impaired passengers.
Lost and Found
Lost property services at all terminals are provided free of charge. The International Terminal office is located on Level 3 (above check in counters A and B).
There is also an after hours office location adjacent to the main lost property office, open after 5 pm. Contact the office on +61 2 9667 9111 or via email at: lost.property@syd.com.au
The lost and found office in Terminal 2 is located opposite Gate 55 and is open 6am – 11pm, Monday to Sunday. Contact: Phone +61 2 9667 9111 or email lost.property.t2@syd.com.au
For items lost or found within T3 Domestic terminal, you will need to contact Qantas Airways directly on +61 2 9952 9312.
Luggage Trolleys
If you are departing Sydney, trolleys are available from the trolley bays located on the departures roadway and within the car park. The trolleys are dispensed at a fee of $4.00, but note that dispensing machines only accept credit cards or $1 and $2 coins. Smaller trolleys for hand luggage are available free of charge once you have passed through immigration (passengers only). If you are arriving into Sydney complimentary luggage trolleys are available in the baggage reclaim halls.
Nearby Hotels
The airport has a large number of hotels located within a few kilometres of the terminals. Most are connected by shuttle services. Prices start from around around $100 per night for budget hotels.