Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport
Also known as: Sydney Airport, Sydney International Airport, SYD Airport, Kingsford Smith Airport. Formerly Mascot Airport.
Private transfer from SYDSee pricesSee pricesAbout Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport
Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport (SYD) is the main airport of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Qantas, Virgin Australia and Jetstar fly from here across Australia, with QantasLink and Rex serving regional New South Wales.
International flights link Sydney with Auckland, Singapore, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Dubai, Doha, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Dallas, London, Santiago and the Pacific Islands, among other destinations. Foreign carriers include Air New Zealand, Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways, Cathay Pacific and United Airlines.
The airport has three terminals: T1 for international flights and T2 and T3 for domestic flights, on opposite sides of the main runway. It sits in Mascot, on Botany Bay, about 9 km south of the Sydney CBD. The Airport Link train reaches the city in about 15 minutes from stations under T1 and between T2 and T3, and the Sydney Gateway road links the terminals to the motorway network.
From the airport, travelers head to the CBD and Circular Quay, Darling Harbour, Bondi Beach, Manly and the Blue Mountains.
Airport operator, runways and traffic
- Operator
Sydney Airport Corporation
- Passengers per year
42.5 million in 2025
- Runways
Three runways, the longest 3,963 m
- Main airline
Qantas
- Opened
1920
Arrival tips for Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport
Every visitor except New Zealand citizens needs a visa arranged before travel, such as an ETA applied for through the AustralianETA app or an eVisitor, and you must complete an Incoming Passenger Card or, on some flights, the digital Australia Travel Declaration.
Australia's biosecurity checks are strict: declare all food, plant material and animal products, because undeclared items can lead to penalties and even visa cancellation. After passport control, collect your bags and pass through biosecurity and customs, where bags may be X-rayed or checked by detector dogs.
Outside the T1 arrivals hall, the taxi rank sits out front, the train station is at the northern end of the hall, and green signs lead to the rideshare and public pick-up areas. Use only the official taxi rank rather than accepting rides offered inside the terminal.
Sydney uses AEST (UTC+10) and switches to daylight saving time (UTC+11) from the first Sunday in October to the first Sunday in April. The currency is the Australian dollar (AUD), and summers run from December to February.
Ground transportation
The Airport Link train suits most travelers heading to the CBD, while a taxi or private transfer is easier with luggage or for suburbs away from the rail line.
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Book a transfer from SYDAirport Link train to the city
Trains leave from stations under T1 and between T2 and T3 and reach the city in about 15 minutes, stopping at Central, Museum, St James and Circular Quay. They are regular suburban services and can be crowded at peak times, and a station access fee is added.
Taxi from Sydney airport
Taxi ranks are right outside the arrivals halls at each terminal, with supervisors who can arrange wheelchair-accessible or larger vehicles. An airport toll applies to all taxis leaving the rank.
Rideshare
Follow the green Rideshare signs from arrivals to the designated pick-up areas at T1 and T2/T3. Fares change with demand, so check the price before you confirm.
Private transfer
A pre-booked driver meets you in the arrivals hall and takes you straight to your hotel or home. It needs booking in advance, and you should share your flight number in case of delays.
Buses 420 and 350
Route 420 stops outside T1 and T2/T3 on its way between Mascot and Burwood, and route 350 runs from the domestic terminals to Bondi Junction. Buses are slower than the train and have little room for large luggage.
Moving between terminals
- 1
Terminal Transfer Bus (T-Bus)
A free shuttle runs between T1 and T2/T3 every 15 minutes from 05:30 to 22:30, taking about 10 minutes. Board on the Arrivals level, outside Arrival Hall B at T1.
- 2
Airport Link train
Trains connect the International and Domestic stations in about 2 minutes, running from about 5am to midnight. A station access fee applies.
- 3
Bus route 420
Route 420 stops on the Arrivals level outside T1 and T2/T3 on its way between Mascot and Burwood.
- 4
Walk between T2 and T3
T2 and T3 are linked by a pedestrian path through the P1 car park, a walk of about 5 minutes. You cannot walk between T1 and the domestic terminals.
- 5
Airline transfers
Qantas runs an airside transfer for some connecting passengers with checked bags. Check with your airline about transit help before you fly.
Terminals
T1 International
Handles all international flights, including Qantas, Virgin Australia and Jetstar international services. The International Airport train station is below the terminal.
Airlines commonly assigned here: Air India, Air New Zealand, American Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Delta Air Lines, Emirates, Fiji Airways, Jetstar, LATAM Airlines, Qantas, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, United Airlines, Virgin Australia
T2 Domestic
Handles domestic flights by Virgin Australia and Jetstar, along with smaller regional airlines. A T2 upgrade is due to be completed in 2026.
Airlines commonly assigned here: Jetstar, Virgin Australia
T3 Domestic
Handles Qantas and QantasLink domestic flights; Rex is temporarily based here while T2 is upgraded.
Airlines commonly assigned here: Qantas, Rex Airlines
Airlines and destinations
Frequently asked questions
How far is Sydney airport from the city center?
Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport is in Mascot, about 9 km south of the Sydney CBD. The Airport Link train reaches the city in about 15 minutes from either the international or the domestic station. By road, Southern Cross Drive and the Sydney Gateway link the terminals to the city, and travel time depends on traffic.
Is Sydney airport in the city?
Sydney Airport sits within the Sydney metropolitan area, in the suburb of Mascot on the northern shore of Botany Bay, about 9 km south of the CBD. It is connected to the city by the Airport Link train, buses and the Sydney Gateway and Southern Cross Drive roads, so you do not need to leave the metropolitan area.
How many terminals does Sydney airport have?
Sydney Airport has three passenger terminals. T1 handles all international flights, while T2 and T3 handle domestic flights. T1 is on the opposite side of the main runway from T2 and T3, so moving between the international and domestic terminals takes a bus, train or taxi rather than a walk.
Which terminal do Qantas, Virgin Australia and Jetstar use in Sydney?
All international flights, including those by Qantas, Virgin Australia and Jetstar, use T1. For domestic flights, Qantas and QantasLink use T3, while Virgin Australia and Jetstar use T2. Rex is temporarily based at T3 while T2 is upgraded. Check your booking, as codeshare flights follow the operating airline.
How do I transfer between the international and domestic terminals at Sydney airport?
A free Terminal Transfer Bus runs between T1 and T2/T3 every 15 minutes from 05:30 to 22:30 and takes about 10 minutes. The Airport Link train links the two stations in about 2 minutes, from about 5am to midnight. T2 and T3 are a 5-minute walk apart through the P1 car park.
How do I get a taxi at Sydney airport?
Taxi ranks are right outside the arrivals halls at each terminal, and rank supervisors can arrange wheelchair-accessible, larger or baby-capsule vehicles. An airport toll is added for all passengers leaving from a rank. Use the official rank instead of accepting rides offered inside the terminal.
Is there a train from Sydney airport to the city?
Yes. The Airport Link line runs from the International Airport station under T1 and the Domestic Airport station between T2 and T3, reaching the city in about 15 minutes. Trains stop at Central, Museum, St James and Circular Quay. You can tap on with an Opal card or a contactless card, and a station access fee applies.
Where do I get an Uber at Sydney airport?
Rideshare pick-up is allowed at Sydney Airport in designated areas. At T1, follow the green Rideshare signs after leaving the arrivals hall; at T2 and T3, follow the green signage to the rideshare and pick-up areas. Fares vary with demand, so check the quote in the app before confirming.
What do I need to enter Australia?
Every visitor except New Zealand citizens needs a visa before travel, such as an Electronic Travel Authority through the AustralianETA app or an eVisitor, depending on nationality. You also complete an Incoming Passenger Card, being replaced on some flights by the digital Australia Travel Declaration, and must declare all food, plant and animal products.
How do I get from Sydney airport to Bondi Beach or Manly?
For Bondi, take bus route 350 from the domestic terminals to Bondi Junction, or the train to the city and a connecting bus. For Manly, take the Airport Link train to Circular Quay and catch the Manly ferry across the harbour. A taxi, rideshare or pre-booked driver avoids changes with luggage.
What time zone and currency does Sydney use?
Sydney uses Australian Eastern Standard Time (UTC+10) and switches to daylight saving time (UTC+11) from the first Sunday in October to the first Sunday in April. The currency is the Australian dollar (AUD). Seasons are reversed from the Northern Hemisphere, with summer from December to February.
Who operates Sydney airport and how busy is it?
Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport is run by Sydney Airport Corporation under a long-term lease. It handled about 42.5 million passengers in 2025, including 17.2 million through the T1 international terminal, making it the busiest airport in Australia. It has three runways and opened in 1920.