Sydney Airport Fast Facts
Distance from CBD: 8 kilometres
Airport code: SYD
Number of airlines: 47
Destinations served: 89 (46 domestic; 43 international)
Terminals: 3
Runways: 3
What Facilities Are At Sydney International Airport?
Within the International Terminal (T1) at Sydney Airport, you’ll find a wide range of services and facilities including restaurants, luxury fashion boutiques – as well as all the essentials.
Sydney International Airport is the major gateway for visitors to Australia. Image: GettyCheck-in
Check-in at T1 International is located on the Departures level, directly inside from the passenger drop off zone. When departing from Sydney International Terminal (T1) you can check in at a traditional counter or at one of the self-check kiosks.
Baggage
If you’re departing Sydney Airport, it’s a good idea to check the baggage allowances with your airline before you fly. At Sydney Airport’s International Terminal (T1), there are several services that departing passengers may find useful. If you’d like to have your baggage wrapped with recyclable clear plastic for additional safety, you can do that at points near Check-in D and Check-in H.
If you have oversize baggage, these items must be dropped off at the oversized baggage services located near Check-in counters A and K. Passengers arriving at Sydney International Terminal can usually collect oversized baggage at carousels 6 or 14.
Sydney International Airport also offers an alternative to excess baggage fees, with special excess baggage services and baggage storage options.
Is there a currency exchange?
There are multiple Global Exchange currency exchange desks on both levels 1 and 2 of Sydney International Airport, which offer a range of tailored currency exchange products and services. Another easy option is pre-purchasing your foreign currency, traveller cheques and more at Travel Money Oz to collect before you head to the airport.
What are the other services and facilities?
- ATMs
- Free and unlimited Wi-Fi
- Internet kiosks
- Charging stations for electronic devices
- Free showers
- Water stations
- Parenting rooms
- Prayer room
- Australia Post Office Shop open 6am-8pm daily
- Airport Ambassadors
- Lost property
- Luggage trolleys
- Tourist refund scheme
- Sydney Airport medical centre
- Pharmacy
What lounges are at the international terminal?
The airport lounge is a sanctuary to retreat to before a flight, whether you’re working or simply taking it easy. Lounges offer complimentary drinks, snacks, newspapers and magazines, and all airlines have their own set of guidelines for entry.
Qantas International First Lounge, airside, Level 4, past immigration
Ranked as one of the world’s best, the Qantas International First Lounge in Sydney is a top class experience. Travellers can enjoy fine cuisine by Neil Perry, and relax in designer comfort. Facilities include a spa, private suites and the use of Apple computers. Qantas or Emirates First Class passengers (next onward flight) are eligible to access the lounge. For more information, contact your Flight Centre Travel Expert.
Qantas Sydney International Business Lounge, airside, Level 3
This lounge is open to First Class travellers and those flying International Business Class with Qantas or Emirates, or Jetstar Business Max. Qantas Sydney International Business Lounge is currently undergoing a multimillion dollar refurbishment, due for completion at the end of 2019.
Air New Zealand Koru Club, near Gate 59
Air New Zealand Sydney International Lounge is the airline’s flagship lounge in Australia, and offers a number of different areas for travellers who are looking to relax, refresh or log in and work. The bar serves fresh, barista-made coffee by day and New Zealand’s wines and beers in the evening. Travellers who can access the lounge include Airpoints Elite, Gold, Elite Partner and Koru members. All Business Class passengers departing on Air New Zealand flights can also access the lounge, as can eligible travellers who are in transit.
Emirates Airlines Lounge, near Gate 58, after Customs
The Emirates Airlines Lounge at Sydney Airport International Terminal (T1) offers complimentary access to Business Class, First Class or Emirates Skywards Gold or Platinum members.
Etihad Airways First and Business Class Lounge, Levels 1 and 2
Open to anyone travelling in First or Business Class with Etihad Airways, as well as Etihad Gold Members.
Singapore Airlines SilverKris Lounge, after Customs near Gate 59
The Singapore Airlines Lounge at Sydney International Terminal (T1) is one of two Star Alliance lounges in the terminal (the other being Air New Zealand’s Koru Club). It’s known for its quiet ambiance and semi-private booths where you can work as you enjoy a meal or snack. Business class passengers and those with Star Alliance Gold status are entitled to use the lounge.
American Express Lounge, T1 departure level, right next to Gate 24
The exclusive domain of American Express Card Members, this lounge offers all the trappings of a premium lounge, including barista-made coffee, complimentary beverages from the bar, complimentary snacks and dining, free high-speed Wi-Fi, and is open from 6am to 11pm, 7 days a week.
SkyTeam Exclusive Lounge operated by Plaza Premium, near Gate 24
All First and Business Class passengers travelling on or connecting to/from a same-day international flight operated by a SkyTeam member airline have lounge access at departure or while in transit. SkyTeam Elite Plus members are also welcome. SkyTeam member airlines include China Airlines, China Eastern, China Southern, Delta, Garuda Indonesia, Korean Air, Vietnam Airlines and Xiamen Air.
What restaurants and bars are at Sydney International Airport?
Sydney Airport’s International Terminal (T1) serves up some top-class dining for travellers departing overseas. Big local and international names like Luke Mangan and Wolfgang Puck are behind the eateries Coast Cafe and The Bistro respectively, with plenty of other excellent offerings such as Mike McEnearney’s Kitchen by Mike and Better Burger, where you can devour a gourmet burger designed by one of Australia’s master chefs, Shannon Bennett.
The choice of bars and restaurants at T1 covers everything from excellent dining to quick, casual bites and includes ale houses, espresso bars, sushi, Mexican cuisine, Thai cuisine, Chinese cuisine, juice bars, Lebanese street food and more.
Restaurants and bars at Sydney International Airport include:
- BBQ Chicken
- Beqaa Lebanese street food
- Better Burger
- Boost
- Bridge Bar
- Chatime bubble tea
- Chicken Confidential
- Coast Cafe
- Coopers Alehouse
- Heineken House
- Hudsons Coffee
- Hungry Jack’s
- Kitchen by Mike
- Luxe Bakery
- Mach2
- Mad Mex
- McDonald’s
- Mrs Fields Bakery Cafe
- Oliver Brown
- Ooosh Oregano Bakery
- Roll’d
- Sahara Grill
- Soul Origin
- Starbucks
- Subway
- SumoSalad Green on Green
- Sushia
- Taste of Thai
- Terrace Chinese Kitchen
- The Bistro by Wolfgang Puck
- Toby’s Estate
- Top Juice
- Veloce Espresso
- Viaggio Espresso + Bar
- YO! Sushi
Shopping at Sydney Airport?
Shopping at Sydney International Terminal (T1) presents a number of options, from Australian souvenirs and gifts to international designer fashion such as Burberry, Fendi and Hermes. You can also pick up your travel essentials here, whether that be a new book from WHSmith, something from the pharmacy or stamps from Australia Post.
Shops at Sydney International Airport include:
- A Little Something
- Amcal Pharmacy
- ANZ Bank
- APM Monaco
- Australian Way
- Australia Post
- Baggage Storage
- Bally
- Burberry
- Coach
- Emporio Armani
- Ermenegildo Zegna
- Fendi
- Flight Centre
- Furla
- Global Exchange
- Gucci
- Heinemann Tax & Duty Free
- Hermes
- Hugo Boss
- Icebreaker
- Kailis
- Lacoste
- Max Mara
- MCM
- Merino Collection
- Michael Kors
- Montblanc
- Optus
- Oroton
- Rip Curl
- R.M. Williams
- Rolex
- Rolling Luggage
- Salvatore Ferragamo
- Secure Travel
- Sunglass Hut
- Surf Dive’n’Ski
- Swarovski
- Think Australia souvenirs
- Think Sydney souvenirs
- Tiffany & Co
- Toscow Australia
- TUMI
- UGG Australia
- Vodafone
- WHSmith
What's the best way to get to and from Sydney Airport?
There are a number of ways to travel to and from Sydney International Airport (T1). Check out the options and find the way that works for you.
Car: Located just 8 kilometres from the CBD, Sydney Airport can be reached by car in around 25 minutes when traffic is light. Make sure you leave plenty of time for your journey if you’re travelling in either the morning or late afternoon peak times.
Sydney Airport parking: You can park at Sydney International Terminal (T1) in the multi-storey car park (P7), which is just a 5-minute walk to the International Terminal. There are a variety of booking options such as Express Pick-Up, Guaranteed Space and Valet Parking which can be arranged directly online.
Taxi: At Sydney Airport, the only place that taxi drivers are permitted to pick up passengers is at one of the designated taxi ranks. T1 has Taxi Ranks A and B as well as Taxi Rank C for maxi taxis. These areas both have an undercover waiting area for passengers. Sydney International Terminal (T1) also has a separate waiting area for pre-booked taxis.
Kerbside supervisors are on hand to help you with a seamless transition from the taxi waiting area into a taxi, and can also help you with special requests such as ordering a taxi with a baby capsule or wheelchair access. Customers who require accessible taxis are advised to pre-book where possible.
Some one-way fare estimates provided by Sydney Airport are below, and include the $4.60 airport toll payable by all passengers taking a taxi from any of Sydney Airport’s taxi ranks, as well as any bridge or road tolls included in the journey. (These estimates are for non-peak traffic times.)
Airport to Sydney City, $45-$55
North Sydney $55 - $65
Parramatta $100 - $120
Cronulla $75 - $85
Rideshare and Uber: Uber and other rideshare pick up services are available from Sydney Airport (both terminals). Simply send the request after you’ve exited the terminal, and follow the green signs to the Priority Pick-up zone where you can wait for your driver.
Train: Sydney’s Airport Train is called AirportLink and offers a fast and convenient way to travel from the International Terminal and Domestic Terminals to the city and the suburbs. Trains run approximately every ten minutes, with the journey taking less than 15 minutes. To use AirportLink, you’ll need to purchase an Opal Card from the station or WHSmith, which you can then use on the rail network anywhere from the Blue Mountains to Bondi. As a general guide, an AirportLink ticket from Sydney Airport to Kings Cross or any of the city stations, one-way, is around $19 for an adult and $15 for a child, with children under the age of 4 travelling free.
Door-to-door transfer: Sydney International Airport welcomes a number of bus and limousine transfer services that provide transport between the airport and most Sydney suburbs and regional areas. Talk to your Flight Centre Travel Expert for more information.
Bus: Sydney Buses operate Route 400 between Bondi Junction and Burwood, which stops at both the T1 International Terminal and T3 Domestic Terminals. Clearly marked bus stops are outside the terminals, on the Arrivals level. For travel, you’ll need to purchase an Opal Card from the train station or WHSmith.
Rental car: You’ll find all the well-known car rental companies located at the arrivals level at T1 International terminal. To hire a car, simply ask your Flight Centre Travel Expert to arrange it for you.
How do I transfer between terminals?
If you’re transferring between a domestic or international service with either Qantas or Virgin, you may be eligible for the Seamless Transfer service from your designated airline.
Alternatively, AirportLink enables you to hop between T1 International and T2/T3 Domestic terminals. It’s a 2-minute journey, with frequent services between 5am and midnight, 7 days a week, and costs only $6.40 per person, one way.
A complimentary transfer is also available, via the T-Bus shuttle. The service operates frequently and takes about 10 minutes. T-Bus stops are located on the Arrivals level outside the terminal.
What hotels are near Sydney Airport?
Sydney Airport gives you many airport hotels to choose from, covering everything from the most convenient, budget options to premium places to stay. An airport hotel can be a smart choice for a number of reasons, particularly if you have an early departure and would rather avoid that trip to the airport on the morning you fly.
Your Flight Centre Travel Expert will be able to talk you through the cheap deals currently on offer at Sydney Airport hotels. Here’s a brief introduction to three of the hotels at Mascot.
Out of all the hotels at Sydney Airport, Rydges is the closest to Sydney International Terminal (T1) being just a few minutes’ walk away from the check-in counters. The 4.5-star hotel is less than 30 minutes to the CBD and provides guests with a whole range of amenities including a 24-hour fitness center, 24-hour room service, rainfall showerheads, complimentary wireless Internet access, a restaurant, cafe and bar. Buffet breakfasts are available daily from 5am to 10:30am, for a fee, and express check-out is also available. A roundtrip airport shuttle is complimentary at scheduled times.
Adina Apartment Hotel Sydney Airport
The Adina Apartment Hotel is only 1.7km from the Domestic and International terminals, and is designed for travellers. You’ll find 24-hour reception as well as free WiFi, access to the fitness centre, laundry services and an airport shuttle service (for which there is a surcharge). Double-glazed windows will enable you to relax in peace and quiet during your stay. There’s also a restaurant, room service and cooked-to-order breakfasts served on weekdays from 7am to 11am. Contact your Flight Centre Travel Expert for more information.
The 4.5-star Stamford Plaza Sydney Airport is located just 1km from the Domestic Terminals at Sydney Airport, around a 10-minute walk with light luggage. Catering for the business traveller who likes to stay in comfort, the Stamford Plaza invites you to make yourself at home in one of the 315 air-conditioned rooms which feature flat-screen televisions with cable programming, private bathrooms with shower/tub combinations and designer toiletries, as well as an outdoor pool, a spa tub, and a sauna. Additional amenities at this hotel include 24-hour room service, complimentary wireless Internet access, concierge services, a 24-hour business center, limo/town car service, and express check-out.