Sydney Airport is also known as Kingsford Smith Airport or Mascot Airport, for the suburb in which it’s found. Sydney Airport is Australia’s busiest, with more than 43 million passengers passing through its gates last year. Domestic flights arrive at and depart from two domestic terminals: T2 and T3 (with T1 being the International Terminal).
Terminal 2 (T2) is the largest domestic terminal in Australia. Virgin, Jetstar, Tiger and Regional Express (REX) flights arrive and depart from this terminal.
Terminal 3 (T3) is the hub for all Qantas and Qantaslink domestic flights.
Both domestic terminals at Sydney Airport (T2 and T3) are well equipped to cater to the varied needs of all kinds of travellers. Below is an outline of the services and facilities you’ll find at Sydney’s domestic terminals.
Where you check-in for a domestic flight at Sydney Airport all depends on which airline you’re flying with. Check-in facilities are located on the Departures Level of each terminal, with all Virgin, Jetstar, Tiger and Regional Express (REX) flights departing from Terminal 2, and Qantas flights departing from Terminal 3.
For a speedier departure, Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin Australia have self-service check-in kiosks. Airlines have strict guidelines regarding check-in times, so make sure you confirm specific times and procedures with your Flight Centre Travel Expert.
No matter how often you fly, it’s always good to check the baggage allowances before you depart because sometimes things can change. At Sydney Airport Domestic Terminals T2 and T3, anyone travelling with oversize luggage such as surfboards or musical instruments can drop this baggage off at the oversized baggage services desk near the Virgin Australia and Qantas check-in counters.
You’ll find Travelex currency exchange desks at both T2 and T3 of Sydney Domestic Airport.
Transport and terminal transfers
What’s the best way to get to and from Sydney Airport?
There’s a whole lot of choice when it comes to making your way to or from Sydney Airport.
Car: Sydney Airport is only 8km from the CBD, a relatively short distance compared to many other major cities and their airports. Travel time from the city by car is around 25 minutes in off-peak periods, although in the morning and afternoon ‘rush hour’ your journey is likely to take longer.
Sydney Airport parking: You can park at Sydney Domestic Terminals (T2 and T3) in the multi-storey car parks (P1 and P2), which are just a 5-minute walk to the terminals. A third option is the multi-storey P3 car park which is roughly an 8-minute walk to the terminals. There are a variety of booking options such as Express Pick-Up, Guaranteed Space and Valet Parking which can be arranged directly online. An additional option is the Blue Emu car park, which is offers open-air or shaded parking and is a 15-minute bus ride from Domestic Terminals T2 and T3. There’s a free shuttle bus from this car park to the airport approximately every 15 minutes.
Taxi: The only place that taxi drivers are allowed to pick up passengers at Sydney Airport is at one of the designated taxi ranks. Each terminal has its own sheltered taxi rank, with kerbside supervisors on hand to assist with a seamless transition from the taxi waiting area into a taxi. The supervisors 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.
Below you’ll find some one-way fare estimates provided by Sydney Airport. Note that these fares 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 times outside of the peak periods.)
Airport to Sydney City $45-$55
North Sydney $55 - $65
Parramatta $100 - $120
Cronulla $75 - $85
Rideshare and Uber: If you prefer rideshare to taxis, you can get Uber and other rideshare pick up services at all terminals within Sydney Airport. 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: A fast and convenient way to travel from Sydney Airport to the city and the suburbs is via Sydney’s Airport Train, AirportLink. 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: If being dropped off at the gate is more your thing, a number of bus and limousine transfer services operate out of Sydney Airport and 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 T3 Domestic Terminal and T1 International Terminal. Bus stops are outside the terminals, on the Arrivals level and you’ll need to purchase an Opal Card from the train station or WHSmith to travel.
Rental car: You’ll find all the well-known car rental companies located at the arrivals level at T2 and T3 Domestic Terminals. To hire a car, simply ask your Flight Centre Travel Expert to arrange it for you.
How do I transfer between terminals?
You have a few options. Sydney Airport’s complimentary shuttle bus service, T-Bus, runs between the T2/T3 Domestic Terminals and the T1 International Terminal. The service operates frequently and takes about 10 minutes. T-Bus stops are located on the Arrivals level outside each terminal.
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.
Additionally, 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.
