Overview
Sydney is home to the busiest airport in Australia, with more than 44 million domestic and international travellers passing through it every year. Direct flights connect Sydney to more than 90 destinations across the Pacific, Asia, North America, and the Middle East. The excitement of central Sydney is a stone’s throw away for travellers who land at Sydney Airport arrivals, as the CBD is only an eight-kilometre journey from the airport.
How many airports are there in Sydney? While there are several private and freight airports scattered around the Sydney area, Sydney Airport is the only commercial airport offering domestic and international flights to the region.
Sydney Airport has earned much recognition over the years. It was named ‘Airport of the Year’ at the 2017 and 2018 AAA National Airport Industry Awards and ‘Best Airport in the Australia/Pacific Region’ at the 2018 Skytrax World Airport Awards. In addition to its many honours, Sydney Airport is also recognised as one of the world’s oldest continually-operating airports. It saw its first flight in 1919 and has been going strong ever since.
The Sydney region is teeming with exciting attractions; iconic landmarks like the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge, world-famous Bondi Beach, and an excellent selection of shops, cafes, restaurants, and bars. The Blue Mountains and Royal National Park are also a quick car ride away from Sydney Airport. Start planning your trip with Webjet’s deals on flights, hotels, and rental cars.
Transport/Parking
Car Hire
Avis, Hertz, Europcar, Budget, Thrifty, and Enterprise all offer car hire from Sydney Airport.
Reserve your rental car through Webjet before flying, and pick the car up once you arrive in Sydney. Desks for each of the rental car companies are located in the Sydney Airport arrivals hall of T1 International, T2 Domestic, and T3 Domestic.
Parking at Sydney Airport
There are multiple Sydney Airport parking options are available at all three terminals. Reserve your spot online ahead of time for a cheaper rate.
P1/P2 Car Park: P1/P2 is a multi-storey car park that’s a two- to five-minute walk from the T2 and T3 domestic terminals. Drive-up rates for this Sydney Airport parking lot are $63 AUD per day.
P3 Car Park: This multi-storey car park offers access to the T2 and T3 domestic terminals – each is a five- to eight-minute walk away. The P3 Car Park also has a free 15-minute Express Zone that is perfect for airport drop-offs and pick-ups. Drive-up rates cost $51.90 AUD per day.
Domestic Guaranteed Space Parking: These open-air spots can only be booked online. They’re located two minutes' walk from T2 and T3. Parking rates are $140 AUD for three days and $207 AUD for a week.
Blu Emu Car Park: Domestic travellers can save with this budget Sydney Airport parking option. Blu Emu is an open-air carpark located on Ross Smith Avenue in the airport precinct. It’s 15 minutes from T2 and T3 in a complimentary shuttle bus. The bus departs from Blu Emu every 15 minutes between 3:30am and midnight and every half hour between midnight and 3:30am. Drive-up rates for the Blu Emu car park are $90 AUD for three days and $159 AUD for a week.
P7 Car Park: Walk from the P7 Car Park to T1 International in two to five minutes. Drive-up rates for this multi-storey car park cost $63 AUD per day.
P9 Express Parking: The P9 Car Park is about seven minutes away from T1 International on foot. It also has an Express Zone for drop-offs and pick-ups that’s free for 15 minutes. Drive-up rates for this car park are $63 AUD per day.
International Guaranteed Space Parking: These spots are located on level 2 of the P7 Car Park and are a two-minute walk from T1 International. Spaces in this Sydney Airport parking lot can only be reserved online – rates are $157 AUD for three days and $213 AUD for a week.
Shuttle and Public Transport
Airport Link Train: The Sydney CBD is only 13 minutes from the airport by train. Stations are available in both the international and domestic sections of Sydney Airport arrivals – at the northern end of T1 International and between the domestic terminals T2 and T3. Trains depart every 10 minutes and stop at several stations in Sydney’s CBD, including Central, Wynyard, and Circular Quay. You can change to any of the major Sydney train lines at Central Station to reach your final destination. The Airport Link Train costs $14.90 AUD one-way and can be paid through Opal card or contactless debit and credit cards.
Redy2go Shuttles: Get a ride directly from Sydney Airport arrivals to your accommodation. Travellers can reserve a shuttle online or visit the Redy2go desks which are located in the T1 and T2 arrivals halls.
Airport Features
Hotels near Sydney Airport
Shopping & Dining
Flight Specials
Airfare Specials
Terminals
There are three terminals at Sydney Airport: one international and two domestic. T2 and T3 Domestic are linked to each other by a short walkway, while T1 International is in a separate area of the airport. The complimentary T-Bus transfers passengers between the domestic and international precincts of Sydney Airport.
- T1 International: A variety of airlines offer service from Sydney’s international terminal, including Qantas, Singapore Airlines, Air New Zealand, American Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Emirates and Fiji Airways. Direct flights are available to destinations across the Pacific, Asia, North America, and Middle East. Some popular places to fly direct from Sydney are Auckland, Wellington, Los Angeles, Singapore, Bali, Hong Kong, Tokyo and Dubai. Several airport and airline lounges are available for travellers in T1.
- T2 Domestic: Virgin Australia, Jetstar, Regional Express, and Fly Pelican all offer service from T2. Travellers can catch flights to major Australian cities and tourist hubs like Melbourne, Ayers Rock, Perth, Gold Coast, Hobart, and Brisbane as well as regional airports in NSW, including Broken Hill, Griffith, and Orange. Virgin Australia and Regional Express each have passenger lounges located in T2.
- T3 Domestic: Qantas flies from T3 to destinations all over the country. Destinations include major cities like Melbourne, Brisbane, and Adelaide as well as other popular tourist destinations like Ballina Byron Bay and Coffs Harbour. Qantas also flies to several regional airports, such as Albury, Dubbo, and Wagga Wagga. A Qantas Club lounge is located in the departures area of T3.
Airport Lounges
Plaza Premium Lounge
Plaza Premium Lounge is located near Gate 24 in the Sydney Airport departures area for T1 International. Travellers with certain credit cards may be eligible for complimentary access to the lounge, and pay-per-use entry is also an option. Plaza Premium Lounge is open daily between 6am and 10pm.
Amenities included in the Plaza Premium Lounge are made-to-order food, buffet food, barista coffee, a range of alcoholic drinks from Aerobar, high tea between 1pm and 4pm, shower facilities, WiFi, TV, newspaper and magazines.
American Express Lounge
The American Express Lounge is located near Gate 55 in T1 International. Holders of certain American Express credit cards are eligible for free entry into the lounge and access to its amenities. There are 13 types of eligible American Express cards, including Centurion, Platinum and Velocity Platinum cards.
Features of the American Express Lounge include gourmet dining, a premium bar, barista coffee, and high-speed WiFi. Guests can also enjoy the Green Wall, which is a signature of all American Express lounges around the world.
Air New Zealand Lounge
Air New Zealand’s Sydney lounge is located near Gate 59 in T1 International. It’s open daily between 6am and 8pm, and travellers can access the lounge two and a half hours before their flight. Complimentary entry to the Air New Zealand Lounge is extended to Airpoints Elite, Gold, Elite Partner and Koru members, as well as Business Class guests on Air New Zealand flights.
Complimentary barista coffee, New Zealand beers and wines, snacks and light meals, WiFi, business facilities, showers, toilets, TV and magazines are all available in the Air New Zealand Lounge.
Emirates Lounge
The Emirates Lounge at Sydney Airport is located near Gate 58 in T1.
Qantas Club
Qantas operates lounges in both the international and domestic precincts of Sydney Airport departures.
International: Qantas has two lounges in the international terminal: Business Class and First Class. Both are located on the mezzanine level of T1 and are open between 5am and 10pm daily.
Platinum, Platinum One, and Gold Frequent Flyers travelling with Qantas, Jetstar, Emirates, China Eastern or oneworld flights are eligible to access the Business Class Lounge, as well as Qantas Club members, holders of Qantas Club Annual Guest Cards, and passengers flying Business Class with Qantas. Amenities in the Business Class Lounge include bar service, barista coffee, lounge dining and refreshments, showers, a family zone, WiFi, newspapers and magazines.
Platinum and Platinum One Frequent Flyers and First Class passengers can also access the First Class Lounge. It has all the same amenities as the Business Class Lounge, plus some extras: restaurant dining, spa services, a library, meeting rooms and a private suite.
Domestic: A domestic Qantas Club is located opposite Gates 4 and 5 in T3. This lounge opens an hour before the first Qantas flight of the day until the final Qantas departure. Platinum One, Platinum, and Gold Frequent Flyers, Qantas Club members, and holders of Qantas Club Annual Guest Cards can access the lounge.
Features of the domestic Qantas Club include barista coffee, bar service after midday, lounge dining and refreshments, a family zone, WiFi, newspapers and magazines.
SilverKris Lounge
This lounge is located near Gate 59 in T1, and it’s operated by Singapore Airlines. Access to the lounge includes warm food, light snacks, WiFi, TV, restrooms and shower facilities.
Virgin Australia Lounge
Virgin Australia’s Sydney lounge is located immediately past security in T2 Domestic. It’s open between 7:30am and 6pm Sunday through Friday and from 7:30am to 12:30pm on Saturdays. Travellers eligible to access the lounge include Velocity Platinum and Gold members, Virgin Australia Lounge members and those travelling Business Class on VA flights.
Guests of the Virgin Australia Lounge can enjoy unlimited WiFi, a food bar, barista coffee, premium teas and soft drinks, and bar service after midday.
Regional Express Lounge (Rex)
Travellers can visit the Regional Express Lounge in T2 Domestic adjacent to Gate 2. Regional Express Lounge members and Business Class passengers are able to access the lounge. Casual lounge access can also be purchased for $33 AUD for two hours.
Access to the Regional Express Lounge comes with complimentary snacks, coffees and teas, beer and wine after 3pm, TV, access to a private meeting room, newspapers and magazines.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the name of Sydney Domestic Airport?
Sydney Domestic Airport is also known as Kingsford Smith Airport or Mascot Airport - a name taken from the suburb it is located in.
Where is Sydney Airport?
Sydney Airport is located about 8 kilometres or a 15-minute drive away from the city.
What time does Sydney Airport open?
Sydney Airport's international terminal is open every day between 3am and 11pm. The domestic terminal is open every day from 4am to 11pm.
Do you need to book parking at Sydney Airport?
It is recommended to book parking in advance at Sydney Airport to save money and time, and to secure a space - especially if travelling during peak periods.
Can I leave Sydney Airport while in transit?
It is possible for a passenger to leave Sydney Airport while in transit and return for an onward flight. In order to do this however, passengers must comply with necessary customs and border protection requirements, as well as any individual airline requirements for check-in, transit services and luggage drop.
Is there anywhere to sleep at Sydney Airport?
While there are no facilities available within the airport to sleep, there are many hotels near Sydney Airport that offer affordable rooms and rates.
Does Sydney Airport have free WiFi?
Sydney Airport has free WiFi in all terminals.