Sydney Airport Mini Guide
The Airport
Sydney Airport may not be in the top ten of the world’s busiest airports but it still sees 36 million passengers pass through its terminals each year. Its busiest route to
Melbourne is the 4th busiest in the world. Once at the airport there are three main car parks with a shuttle bus called P-Bus connecting the long term one with the terminal. Valet parking is also available. The airport is only five miles from the central business district, an easy 15 minute journey.
Getting There
42 airlines operate in and out of Sydney and there are 47 domestic routes linked to the airport. Airlines are a mix of chartered, scheduled international and domestic airlines including the budget airlines Jetstar and Pacific Blue
Getting to Your Destination
If you’ve arranged a hire car for collection from the airport then the car hire companies’ offices can be found in both terminals on the arrivals level just after baggage reclaim. In such a busy airport, long queues can build up and we’d recommend sending a party member through to queue whilst others collect the luggage from the carousels. Access to the city is easy via the Southern Cross Motorway M1 or the M5 South West Motorway.
For those intending to use public transport, there are train stations in both terminals which take you into the heart of the city. Be aware that the station in the international terminal is at the north end of the arrivals level. Airport Link trains leave every 10 minutes for the 13 minute journey into the city. From Sydney’s main station, state and interstate trains can be accessed. Sydney Buses operate several routes into the city and suburbs.
Timetables and further information can be found at www.sydneybuses.info. Suburb Transfers offer pre-booked drop off and collection at locations around the city and at the main hotels. Many hotels have their own courtesy buses for passengers staying at them.
Public Information
There’s an airport information desk in the arrivals public areas of each terminal together with a New South Wales tourist information desk. Make sure you go to the relevant desk as waiting at the wrong desk will waste your time.
Facilities
- There are branches of Travelex Foreign Exchange at the international terminal and ATMs are also found in each terminal.
- Shopping at Sydney Airport is excellent, both before and after security. A wide variety of shops selling almost anything you might look for on the high street including jewellers and gift shops are complemented with a range of fashion stores, bookshops, chemists, newsagents and electrical outlets. Check out the airport's website before you travel for details of promotions that often include discount vouchers or details of sales there - extra ways to make sure your holiday dollar goes further.
- You have a wide choice of cafes snack bars and restaurants to choose from at Sydney airport as well as bars. The food on offer varies from snacks and light bites such as sandwiches, pizza and pasta to fast food, sushi, steaks and a la carte menus. After security, mainly coffee, bar and snack facilities are available.
- Should you need medical assistance, ask a member of staff who will be able to direct you to the first aid room in the arrivals area
- Free Wi-Fi is available in many of the airport areas along with faster but payable internet connections in the terminals.
Special Assistance
Sensory surface indicators are positioned in the key areas around the terminal. Assistance is available for disabled travellers but it is recommended that you inform your airline before travelling so that necessary steps can be taken to assist you.