Transit Options from Sydney International Airport to Circular Quay
The popular neighborhood of Circular Quay is one of the city’s most touristic regions. It is well known for its amazing views and quaint shopping stores while being the departure location for some of Sydney’s most scenic ferry rides. Circular Quay is located just 11.7km/7.3 miles from Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport and is efficiently linked to the city’s main aviation hub. Thus, airport taxis and private airport transfers provide convenient and stress-free services from SYD Airport, while the Airport Link Train is most probably the fastest way to travel from Sydney Airport to Circular Quay, given that it isn’t dependent on traffic levels. Moreover, airport car rentals ensure independent rides. On the other hand, the cheapest transit option from the airport to the picturesque Circular Quay involves combining modes of transit. Hence, if you want to save money on your transit, you should catch the bus from the airport to Mascot Station and hop on the train to Circular Quay, avoiding paying the Airport Gate Access Fee.
| Options | Price (AU$) | Price ($) | Price (€) | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taxi | 45-55 | 29-35,40 | 27,20-33,20 | 15 min |
| Train | 20,68 | 13,50 | 12,60 | 22 min |
| Bus & Train | 4 | 2,60 | 2,40 | 27 min |
Our Tip: Private shuttle bus companies operate at Sydney International Airport as well, providing quality services.
Sydney Airport to Circular Quay by Taxi
Travelers who look for a convenient and direct way to reach Circular Quay from Kingsford Smith Airport typically opt for a taxi ride. Sydney airport taxis are known for the efficiency of their services, being always available, no matter the time of the day, at least during the SYD terminals’ operational hours. Expectantly, the taxi ranks -situated right outside all three terminal buildings- don’t feature taxi vehicles when the terminals are closed, that is, from 11:00 pm to 03:00 am for the international T1 and from 11:00 pm to 04:00 am for the domestic T2 and T3. In any case, hailing a taxi from the street isn’t an option at Sydney Airport. Thus, passengers must pick up their cab from the taxi ranks. Furthermore, they should strongly deny any offer by individual drivers, who are usually unlicensed and planning to overcharge first-time comers. Official taxis in Sydney aren’t of the same color. Still, they have a Taxi light on their roofs, their company’s logo on their doors, and clearly display their prices. All taxis lining up at the airport’s taxi ranks are licensed. During rush hours, taxi ranks often get congested. Fortunately, their supervisors are always present to manage long queues and decongest the situation.
You shouldn’t expect a fixed fare for your ride from Sydney International Airport to Circular Quay. Conversely, your taxi from Sydney Airport to Circular Quay will charge you according to the taximeter. Therefore, Sydney taxis are metered, even for airport rides. Please note that the government sets the maximum taxi rates. Still, cab companies are free to charge according to cheaper price lists. Moreover, various surcharges apply to cab journeys. Hence, airport rides (from the SYD taxi ranks) come with an extra AU$5,45/$3,50/€3,28 fee, and night journeys are costlier. Do you travel during peak hours (from 06:30 am to 10:00 am and from 03:00 pm to 07:00 pm or from 10:00 pm to 06:00 am on Fridays and Saturdays)? Your transit will be slightly more expensive as well. Overall, you should expect to reach Circular Quay from Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport in about 15 minutes and pay around AU$45-55/$29-35,40/€27,20-33,20. That being said, if roads are congested, your ride will be much longer (lasting up to 40 minutes) and, consequently, pricier. As for tipping, locals might just round up the final fare. In other words, it is optional. You can use a credit or debit card or pay in cash for your taxi ride. Please remember that electronic payments bring an additional transaction fee.
Our Tip: Do you prefer using ride-sharing services? You’ll find plenty of options at Sydney International Airport.
Sydney Airport to Circular Quay by Train
Many travelers consider the Airport Link Train to be the best way to get from Sydney Airport to Circular Quay. Indeed, the Sydney airport train is fast and isn’t affected by traffic levels. Nevertheless, airport rail rides are rather pricey. In fact, taxis are equally expensive, especially when traveling with a group and splitting the fare. What’s more, commuters use the Airport Link Train to reach Sydney every morning. As a result, trains are usually congested during those times, and rides become tedious.
The train from Sydney Airport to Circular Quay Station runs from the two airport train stations from 04:22 am (04:42 am on weekends) to 00:00 am. SYD Airport features two railway stations; the Domestic Sydney Airport Train Station lies right under the two domestic terminals (you’ll easily access it using the lifts or escalators right after the baggage claim area), and the International Sydney Airport Train Station is to be found on the north side of T1’s Arrivals hall A. The Airport Link Train operates every 5 minutes during rush hours and on a 10-15-minute frequency during off-peak hours. Its traveling time from the domestic terminals to Circular Quay Station is about 18 minutes, and from T1 around 22 minutes.
How will you pay for your train from Sydney Airport to Circular Quay? You can opt for an Opal Single Ticket. However, it’s important to keep in mind that single tickets are slightly more expensive and don’t offer benefits or discounts. On the other hand, Opal Cards come with many perks. They are rechargeable cards that must be topped up with at least AU$35/$22,80/€21,30 and are valid for rides with buses, trains, light trains, and ferries. They offer a 2% discount on fares (on Gate Access Fee as well), 30% lower prices for rail rides during off-peak hours (from 10:00 am to 03:00 pm and from 07:00 pm to 06:30 am Monday to Thursday, during weekends and Fridays) and travel caps. Moreover, passengers can connect between different modes of transit for free within one hour of the last tap-off. Thus, they don’t buy an extra ticket but just pay the difference in fare for their onward rides (the journeys’ fares are calculated based on the traversed distance). You can buy either of the above-mentioned options (Opal Single Tickets and Opal Cards) from the stations’ ticket counters and automatic vendors. Several retail stores inside the terminal buildings also sell Opal Cards. Finally, while contactless payments are also accepted and offer the same benefits as Opal Cards, they bring an extra transaction fee.
You must always tap on and off the ticket, card, or device before and after your train ride.
Although the train from Sydney Airport to Circular Quay isn’t expensive, a pricey Gate Access Fee is added to all rail journeys from Sydney International Airport, making the final fare pricey. Thus, the rates for the Airport Link Train (T8) to Circular Quay are:
| Type of Ticket | Passenger's Age | Time of Day | Train Fare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opal Cards - Contactless | Adult | Rush Hours | AU$20,68/$13,50/€12,60 (Gate Pass: AU$16,68/$10,90/€10,20 + Train Fee: AU$4/$2,60/€2,40) |
| Opal Cards - Contactless | Adult | Non-Rush Hours | AU$19,48/$12,70/€11,90 (Gate Pass: AU$16,68/$10,90/€10,20 + Train Fare: AU$2,80/$1,80/€1,70) |
| Opal Cards* | Children (4-16)** | Rush Hours | AU$16,92/$11,20/€10,30 (Gate Pass: AU$14,92/$9,70/€9 + Rail Fee: AU$2/$1,30/€1,20) |
| Opal Cards* | Children (4-16)** | Non-Rush Hours | AU$16,32/$10,80/€10 (Gate Pass: AU$14,92/$9,70/€9 + Rail Fee: AU$1,40/$0,90/€0,80) |
| Opal Single Ticket | Adult - Children | At All Times | AU$21,80/$14,20/€13,30 (Gate Pass: AU$17/$11,10/€10,40 + Rail Fee: AU$4,80/$3,10/€2,90 |
*Contactless payments always charge the adult fare.
**Younger children (0-4) travel out of charge.
Sydney Airport to Circular Quay by Bus & Train
Do you want to benefit from the cheapest transit option from Sydney International Airport to Circular Quay? If you don’t mind adding hassle to your journey, you can avoid paying for the burdensome Gate Access Pass. Verily, if you catch the Airport Link Train (T8) from Mascot Station, you won’t have to pay the Airport Gate Access Fee. So, how will you get to Mascot Station?
If you arrive at one of the domestic terminals, you can reach Mascot Station on foot. It lies 2km/1.2 miles from Sydney airport’s T2 and T3 and can be accessed via a flat and easy walking route. You should expect to get to the railway station in about 25 minutes. Alternatively, you can catch a bus from Sydney Airport to Mascot Station. Bus 420 calls at all terminals, operating 24/7 every 5-15 minutes. On the other hand, Bus 350 stops only at the domestic terminals (T2 and T3) and has available routes every 10-20 minutes, from 05:05 am to 00:45 am. Thus, the cost of your ride from Sydney International Airport to Circular Quay will be about AU$4/$2,60/€2,40, provided you tap on the Airport Link Train 60 minutes from the moment you tap off at the bus.
Car Rental from Sydney Airport to Circular Quay
Do you enjoy independent rides? Are you planning to explore Sydney’s surrounding areas or visit further-distanced destinations as well? In both cases, an airport car rental should be the ideal option for your transit from Sydney Airport to Circular Quay. Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport houses several car rental companies. Therefore, the provided services are varied, and due to the competition, they are top-quality and generally affordable. It’s important to bear in mind that early reservations come with better prices. Thus, if you want to benefit from special deals and ensure availability, you should book your Sydney car rental as soon as possible.
The ride from Sydney International Airport to Circular Quay is usually short. Thus, at least during off-peak hours, you will need about 15 minutes to get to your destination. Conversely, during rush hours, your ride may last up to 40 minutes. As for parking, street parking is challenging and regarded as rather expensive. Thus, it is advisable to pick one of the numerous car parks lying around the area and make your reservation in advance to take advantage of lower fares.
Private Airport Transfers from Sydney Airport to Circular Quay
Do premium services sound appealing to you? Private airport transfers are the ultimate way to elevate your traveling experience from Sydney Airport to Circular Quay. Professional drivers, well-maintained, as-good-as-new vehicles, and a wide array of quality services are among the top perks of private airport transfers. From the vehicle’s type to any necessary extra amenities (child seats, etc.), you can tailor the ride to your needs and ensure a smooth and pleasant journey to your destination. Are you worried about the extra cost? It goes without saying that a private airport transfer is more expensive than a taxi ride. Still, the extra cost isn’t prohibited at all.
FAQs
How to get from Sydney Airport to Circular Quay?
You can opt for the ideal transit option for your journey from Sydney Airport to Circular Quay, depending on your preferences and affordability. Thus, taxis and private airport transfers provide direct services to Circular Quay, whereas car rentals are recommended for travelers wishing to explore beyond the city limits as well. On the other hand, the Airport Link Train is the only mode of transit that isn’t affected by road congestion.
How much does it cost to get from Sydney Airport to Circular Quay?
The cost of the ride from Sydney International Airport to Circular Quay basically depends on the selected mode of transit. Thus, taxi rides cost around AU$45-55/$29-35,40/€27,20-33,20, while the train from Sydney Airport to Circular Quay is priced at AU$20,68/$13,50/€12,60.
How much is the train from Sydney Airport to Circular Quay?
The train from Sydney Airport to Circular Quay is regarded as expensive. Indeed, the cost of the rail journey is AU$20,68/$13,50/€12,60. Although the actual train fares are cheap (AU$4/$2,60/€2,40), the pricey Airport Gate Access Fee imposed on all rail journeys from SYD Airport raises the final cost.
Can you catch a bus from Sydney Airport to Circular Quay?
You won’t find a bus traveling directly from Sydney International Airport to Circular Quay. That being said, Buses 420 and 350 travel from the airport to the nearby Mascot Station. From there, passengers catch the Airport Link Train to Circular Quay Station without paying the expensive Airport Gate Access Fee. Bus 420 departs from all terminals, while Bus 350 only serves the domestic terminals T2 and T3.