Sydney Airport Taxi Information

Sydney Airport (SYD) › Transfers › Airport Taxis

Why Take a Sydney Airport Taxi

SYD passengers looking for a convenient way to travel from Kingsford Smith Airport to their journey’s end usually catch a Sydney airport taxi. Indeed, airport taxis in Sydney provide seamless and safe services around the clock. Hence, they are always available at the airport’s taxi ranks throughout the terminals’ operation hours. Although waiting lines may occur during rush hours, supervisors are present at the taxi ranks, on standby to expedite the movement of queues. Offering direct rides to the exact location of the passenger’s destination, taxis at Sydney Airport are regarded as a reliable way to travel. Scamming incidents are rare, and all vehicles are equipped with security cameras. That being said, only licensed taxis are reliable. Hence, if you trust individual drivers who may approach you at the Arrivals hall, claiming to be official taxi drivers and offering low-cost rides, you’ll most probably get overcharged. Therefore, it is highly recommended to catch your cab only from the taxi stands. Please note that Sydney airport taxis aren’t the same color, but each company has fleets consisting of uniformly-colored vehicles bearing its logo on their doors as well. 

Overall, taxis from Sydney Airport are a sought-after transit option, as they ensure hassle-free and door-to-door journeys. They are definitely more comfortable than trains and buses and have designated luggage storage space. Thus, you’ll travel having your baggage safely stored in the vehicle’s trunk. On the other hand, they are pricier than the modes of mass transit. Still, if you aren’t traveling alone and plan to split the fare, a taxi from Sydney Airport will be proven an overall value-for-money option.

Our Tip: You can also settle on a ride-sharing service. Hence, you can book your ride and catch your vehicle from the designated pick-up areas of all SYD airport terminals. In detail, the pick-up point at international terminal 1 is located outside the Arrivals hall A, while T2 passengers can pick up their rides following the signs to the Priority Pick-up zone of the domestic terminal 2. Finally, the pick-up location at T3 is to be found right outside the terminal building.

Sydney Airport Taxi Fares and Prices

Airport taxis in Sydney don’t offer set fares, even for rides to the CBD. Conversely, they are metered, charging according to their taximeter. Taxis caught from the airport’s taxi ranks charge according to the set by the government fares. In fact, the NSW government has established the maximum rates. Therefore, if a taxi company wants to implement a more affordable price list, it is free to do so. In any case, the maximum fares for Sydney airport taxis are:

• Initial fee: AU$3,60/$2,30/€2,16
• Fare per km: AU$2,29/$1,47/€1,38
• Fare per km during the night (10:00 pm to 06:00 am): AU$2,73/$1,76/€1,65
• Fare for waiting time (when the cab is stopped or running with less than 26km/h/16mph: AU$56,68/$36,45/€34,20 per hour
• Peak hour surcharge*: AU$2,50/$1,60/€1,50

Please note that intercity taxi fares differ from the previously cited rates for urban rides. Moreover, even though some Sydney taxi companies don’t charge extra for baby seats or wheelchair vehicles, you may still have to pay an extra fee. On the other hand, road or bridge toll fees are added to the final taxi cost, while all travelers who pick up their taxis from the airport’s taxi ranks are charged an extra AU$5,45/$3,50/€3,28 fee (Ground Transport Access Fee). Finally, tipping is optional.

Do you want to avoid waiting at the SYD airport taxi rank? You can pre-book your taxi. However, booked services aren’t charged according to the official rates issued by the government, but each company has its own fares and prices. Still, you’ll be informed about the average cost of your journey during your reservation.

*The fee that applies during rush hours (from 06:30 am to 10:00 am and from 03:00 pm to 07:00 pm). Moreover, the surcharge is also imposed on Friday and Saturday nights (10:00 pm to 06:00 am) and the evening before public holidays.

How to Pay for your Taxi from Sydney Airport

All airport taxis in Sydney feature POS machines. Thus, taxi drivers are obligated to accept all types of payment: cash, credit or debit cards, mobile payments, or digital wallets. However, you should keep in mind that non-cash payments incur an extra 5% transaction fee.

Sydney Airport Taxi Rates to Popular Destinations

Sydney airport taxis are metered. Thus, their fares depend on the roads’ traffic and the exact location of the final destination. Still, you can check out the usual fares and traveling time from Sydney Airport to some of the most popular destinations in the area during non-rush hours:

Where are the Sydney Airport Taxi Ranks

All three Sydney airport terminal buildings feature taxi ranks. The taxi stands are conveniently located outside the terminals’ exit doors. Thus, all you’ll have to do once you collect your luggage from the baggage claim areas is to follow the signs to the taxi rank of your terminal building. Please note that all taxi ranks are sheltered.

Airport Taxi from Sydney Airport to Hotel

If you want to travel from Sydney International Airport to your hotel in comfort, you should consider catching a Sydney airport taxi. You’ll easily pick up one from the taxi ranks lying outside the terminals’ doors, and you’ll enjoy a hassle-free ride to the exact location of your accommodation. Is your hotel situated in the Sydney city center? Your taxi will get you there in about 20-25 minutes if the traffic levels are normal, and it will cost you about AU$45-55/$29-35,40/€27,20-33,20. That being said, various hotels in Sydney provide airport shuttle services for free or for a reasonable fee. Thus, you should check your hotel’s services before settling on a taxi ride from Sydney Airport to your accommodation.

Tips & Hints about Taxis from Sydney Airport

• If you catch a Sydney airport taxi from the taxi rank, you’ll be charged according to the taximeter. Thus, you should check if it is zeroed and working properly.
• If you pre-book your taxi from Sydney Airport, you’ll pick it up from the Priority Pick-up area of your terminal. 13 Cabs, Legion Cabs, Premier Cabs, RSL Ex-Servicemen’s Cabs, Silver Service, GM Cabs, St George Cabs, and Black & White Cabs are some of the companies providing booked services. 
• Sydney airport taxi drivers are allowed to pick up more than one passenger heading to the same destination, as long as all passengers see eye to eye. In that case, each passenger is charged 75% of the maximum rate to the chosen journey’s end.
• If you are traveling in a group, you may find it convenient to catch a maxi taxi. With an up-to-11-passenger capacity, maxi taxis are up to 150% costlier than Sydney airport taxis for 5 passengers or more. 
• All SYD airport taxi ranks feature supervisors responsible for their smooth operation. You should feel free to ask your rank’s supervisor for a cab equipped with a children’s seat, an accessible vehicle, a maxi taxi, or any other type of assistance.
• If you need an accessible taxi, it is advisable to pre-book one.
• There are designated pick-up and drop-off areas for travelers with disabilities outside all the Sydney Kingsford Smith airport terminals.
• If you want to make a complaint, you should call 1800 500 410. Nevertheless, you’ll have to provide info about your ride (day, time, destination, etc.) as well as your taxi (license plate, taxi company, etc.).
• Sydney taxi drivers may ask you to prepay your ride. In that case, you’ll pay upfront the usual fare to your destination. If the ride is costlier, you’ll have to pay the additional cost. Conversely, if it ends up more affordable, the driver will give you back the difference.
• Sydney taxi drivers can’t choose rides or passengers.
• Taxi drivers are allowed to pick up passengers only from the taxi ranks. Thus, taxis can’t be hailed from the street, away from the airport’s taxi stands.
• During the weekdays, from 05:00 am to 07:00 am, Sydney airport taxis drop off passengers at the Arrivals area of T2 in an attempt to decongest the roads outside the Departures level.

FAQs

Can I book a taxi from Sydney Airport?

Although all SYD airport terminals have taxi ranks located outside the exit doors, passengers can also pre-book their rides. Various taxi companies provide booked services, picking up travelers from the Priority Pick-up zone of each terminal building.

Are there plenty of taxis at Sydney Airport?

Sydney airport taxis are always available at Kingsford Smith Airport (at least during the terminals’ operation hours). Even during rush hours, when waiting lines form at the airport’s taxi ranks, supervisors are present to facilitate and speed up the movement of lines.

Do Sydney taxis take cash?

You can pay for your Sydney airport taxi ride in cash or via a bank card. Mobile payments and digital wallets are accepted as well. Still, non-cash payments are somewhat pricier, as they include a 5% transaction fee.