Transit Options from Sydney Airport to Downtown
Downtown Sydney is to be found just 12km/7.4 miles from Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport. Thus, rides from Sydney Airport to downtown are, in general terms, short. Hence, travelers who value comfort during their rides typically catch an airport taxi or book a private airport transfer to reach their destination. Alternatively, passengers who favor modes of public transit usually opt for a ride with the Sydney airport train (Airport Link Train), while airport car rentals ensure independent journeys and become a real asset when planning to travel beyond the city limits as well. Finally, those looking for the most affordable (yet less convenient) option take the bus from Sydney Airport to the nearby Mascot Station, where they hop on the train to the city center.
| Options | Price (AU$) | Price ($) | Price (€) | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taxi | 45-55 | 29-35,40 | 27,20-33,20 | 20-25 min |
| Train | 20,68 | 13,50 | 12,60 | 13 min |
| Bus & Train | 4 | 2,60 | 2,40 | 23 min |
Our Tip: Private shuttle bus journeys are available from Sydney International Airport as well.
Sydney Airport to City Center by Taxi
Are you looking for a comfortable and efficient way to travel from Sydney Airport to the CBD? Sydney airport taxis are readily available around the clock, queuing up at the designated taxi ranks, lying right outside all the terminals of Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport. That being said, they are, in fact, present during the airport’s operational hours. The domestic terminals (T2 and T3) are open from 04:00 am to 11:00 pm, and the international T1 operates from 03:00 am to 11:00 pm. Moreover, it’s important to remember that you can catch your cab only from the taxi stands. Thus, hailing it from the street is strictly forbidden. You should keep in mind that you may encounter long waiting lines at the taxi ranks during rush hours. Nevertheless, the airport’s staff (the rank’s supervisor) cater to all the passengers’ needs and minimize the waiting time.
Sydney taxis can be of any color. However, all vehicles must have the Taxi sign on their roofs and the taxi company’s logo on their doors, as well as clearly display their price tables in their interior. Airport taxis in Sydney are metered. Thus, the government regulates the maximum fares. Still, taxi companies are free to charge according to their own pricing, provided that rates are lower. What’s more, the governmentally-set fares don’t apply to booked taxis. Various surcharges may also be added to the final cost of the ride (night fee, peak-hour fee for journeys from 06:30 am to 10:00 am and from 03:00 pm to 07:00, and from 10:00 pm to 06:00 am on Friday and Saturday nights, etc.). Moreover, taxi journeys from the SYD airport taxi ranks come with an AU$5,45/$3,50/€3,28 surcharge (Ground Transport Access Fee). In general terms, the taxi journey from Sydney Airport to downtown lasts about 20-25 minutes and costs around AU$45-55/$29-35,40/€27,20-33,20. Expectantly, high traffic levels raise the duration of the ride (might be up to 45 minutes) and its final cost. On the other hand, tipping is optional. Sydney airport taxis accept all payment methods. Nevertheless, non-cash payments bring an extra transaction fee. Please bear in mind that the driver might ask you to prepay the ride.
Our Tip: Ride-sharing is another option for rides from Sydney Airport to the city center.
Sydney Airport to City Center by Train
Sydney airport train (Airport Link Train) is a top pick for rides from Sydney Airport to the CBD. It is the only mode of mass transit directly connecting the airport to downtown Sydney. However, it isn’t a cheap option. Thus, if you travel in a group and plan to split the fare, the short taxi ride to the city center might end up more affordable than a train journey. Furthermore, it often gets congested, especially during the early morning hours when commuters get to their workplaces in Sydney. As a result, rides with children or lots of luggage during those times aren’t recommended.
The Airport Link Train departs from all SYD airport terminals every 5 minutes during peak hours and every 10-15 minutes at other times. It operates from 04:22 am (04:42 am on weekends) to midnight and takes about 11 minutes to get to the Central Station from T2 and T3 and 13 minutes from the international T1. Apart from the Central Station, the Sydney airport train also stops at the Museum, St. James, Circular Quay, Wynyard, and Town Hall Stations. Sydney International Airport features two train stations. The International Sydney Airport Train Station lies on the north side of the Arrivals hall A of T1, and the Domestic Sydney Airport Train Station is to be found right under the two domestic terminals, accessible via the lifts and escalators, located close to the baggage claim areas of T2 and T3.
You can buy a single ticket to pay for your journey to downtown Sydney or buy an Opal Card. Overall, Opal Single Tickets are somewhat pricier and don’t offer deals and discounts. Conversely, the rechargeable Opal Cards provide a 2% discount on train fares (including the airport’s station gate fee), a 30% discount on off-peak-hour rail journeys (from 10:00 am to 03:00 pm and from 07:00 pm to 06:30 am from Monday to Thursday, on Fridays, and during weekends) and travel caps. What’s more, these cards are valid for travel on trains, ferries, light trains, and buses and allow free transits between different modes of transport within 60 minutes of the last tap-off. Please note that Opal Cards must be topped up with at least AU$35/$22,80/€21,30. Opal cards and tickets can be purchased from the stations’ counters and automatic machines, as well as from selected stores inside Sydney International Airport. On the other hand, contactless payments are also accepted and come with the same benefits but include a transaction fee.
No matter the selected payment method, you’ll have to tap on and off the card, ticket, or device once entering and exiting the railway stations.
Train rides from Sydney Airport to the city center aren’t expensive because the train tickets are costly. They are pricey because a Gate Access Fee is added to all rail journeys from the airport’s train stations, which doesn’t even count for travel caps. Thus, the cost of train rides from Sydney to downtown is:
- Adult ticket fare from Sydney Airport to the city center during peak hours (Opal Card or contactless): AU$20,68/$13,50/€12,60 (Gate Access Fee: AU$16,68/$10,90/€10,20 + Train Fee: AU$4/$2,60/€2,40)
- Adult ticket fare from Sydney Airport to the city center during off-peak hours (Opal Card or contactless): AU$19,48/$12,70/€11,90 (Gate Access Fee: AU$16,68/$10,90/€10,20 + Train Fare: AU$2,80/$1,80/€1,70)
- Children (4-16 years of age) fare from Sydney to downtown during peak hours (Opal Card): AU$16,92/$11,20/€10,30 (Gate Access Fee: AU$14,92/$9,70/€9 + Rail Fee: AU$2/$1,30/€1,20)
- Children (4-16 years of age) fare from Sydney to downtown during off-peak hours (Opal Card): AU$16,32/$10,80/€10 (Gate Access Fee: AU$14,92/$9,70/€9 + Rail Fee: AU$1,40/$0,90/€0,80)
- Fares for Airport Link Train no matter the time of the day (Opal Single Tickets): AU$21,80/$14,20/€13,30 (Gate Access Fee: AU$17/$11,10/€10,40 + Rail Fee: AU$4,80/$3,10/€2,90
Our Tip: Children up to 4 years of age travel for free, while travelers opting for contactless payment pay the adult fare (even if they are aged 4 to 16).
Sydney Airport to City Center by Bus & Train
If you are in search of the most affordable way to travel from Sydney Airport to the CBD, you should expect a bit of hassle or inconvenience during your journey. Unfortunately, buses from Sydney International Airport don’t run to the city center. Thus, the train is, once again, your best option. That being said, you can avoid paying the expensive Station Gate Fee, added to the train fares for rides from the SYD airport’s stations. All you’ll have to do is catch the Airport Link Train from the Mascot Station, lying 2km/1.2 miles from Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport (from the domestic terminals). Thus, you can either walk to the railway station or catch a bus. If you settle on reaching the Mascot Station on foot, be prepared for a 25-minute walk. Conveniently, the route is flat. Alternatively, Bus 420 stops at all SYD terminals, running around the clock every 5-15 minutes, depending on the time of the day. From Mascot Station, the Airport Link Train will take you to the city center. Overall, you’ll need about 18 minutes (from domestic terminals) and 23 minutes (from T1) to get from Sydney Airport to the city center via bus and train. If you opt for an Opal Card or contactless payment, you’ll pay AU$4/$2,60/€2,40 for the entire journey, as long as you catch the train within 60 minutes of tapping off the bus.
Besides Bus Line 420, Bus 350 also heads from the domestic terminals (not from the international one) to Mascot Station. It has available routes from 05:05 am to 00:45 am and runs at a 10-minute frequency during rush hours and every 20 minutes during off-peak hours. Finally, the Night Bus N20 is the only bus line traveling directly from Sydney Airport to downtown. However, it operates only during the night, from 00:25 am to 04:25 am, on an hourly basis and exclusively serves the international terminal T1.
Car Rental from Sydney Airport to CBD (Central Business District)
Do you highly value independent journeys? Do you enjoy the flexibility of driving your own car and planning your schedule at your own pace? If that is the case, you should consider renting a car from Sydney International Airport. Airport car rentals ensure autonomous journeys from Sydney Airport to the city center and are the ideal way to visit other destinations, whether close to Sydney or further located. You’ll find several car hire providers at SYD Airport. Thus, chances are you’ll be able to book the perfect vehicle without paying a fortune. That being said, in-advance bookings are recommended to benefit from deals and discounts.
You should expect a 20-25-minute ride with your Sydney car rental from the airport to downtown. On the other hand, if the roads are congested, the duration of the journey will be considerably longer. Furthermore, you should keep in mind that street parking in the city center is difficult and fairly expensive. Alternatively, numerous car parks are scattered around the CBD area. Once more, making an in-advance reservation is advisable to ensure availability and find lower rates.
Private Airport Transfers from Sydney Airport to CBD (Central Business District)
Private airport transfers are a premium way to travel from Sydney Airport to the city center, as they offer customized services and aim at providing a luxurious traveling experience to their customers. Thus, drivers welcome their passengers at the SYD airport’s Arrivals halls, helping them with their luggage and escorting them to the vehicle selected during the booking process. Any required extra amenities (such as luggage racks, child seats, etc.) can also be arranged. Truth be told, private airport transfers are slightly costlier than taxi rides. However, all things considered, they utterly justify their rates.
FAQs
How far is Sydney Airport from the city?
Sydney International Airport lies about 12km/7.4 miles from the city center. Thus, it is a 20-minute drive from the heart of the city. Still, during rush hours, rides from Sydney Airport to downtown may last up to 45 minutes.
How do I get from Sydney Airport to city center?
You can catch an airport taxi, book a private airport transfer, or even rent a car for your ride from Sydney Airport to the CBD. Moreover, the Airport Link Train links the airport to downtown, being, however, a costly option. Thus, passengers on a tight budget usually make their way to the nearby Mascot Station on foot or via Bus 420 and take the train to the city center from there, avoiding paying the airport’s Gate Access Fee.
What is the cheapest way to get from Sydney Airport to city?
The cheapest way to travel from Sydney Airport to downtown is to walk your way to the Mascot Station, lying 2km/1,2 mile from the domestic terminals, or catch Bus 420 heading from SYD Airport to Mascot Station as well. From that station, you can take the Airport Link Train without paying the burdensome Airport Station Access Fee.
How much is a taxi from Sydney Airport to city?
Taxis in Sydney are metered. Thus, even the taxi ride from Sydney Airport to the CBD doesn’t come with a flat fee. Overall, you should expect an AU$45-55/$29-35,40/€27,20-33,20 fare for your 20-minute journey. Still, the duration and the cost of your ride will be highly dependent on traffic conditions.