Sydney – Guide to Sydney Airport (SYD)
Sydney (Kingsford Smith) airport is Australia’s busiest airport and main international gateway, situated on the northern shoreline of Botany Bay.
The airport offers a decent range of shops, restaurants, cafés and bars, plus leisure facilities such as children’s play areas and a pampering salon. A major expansion and upgrade project is currently underway, however, which will see Sydney airport’s facilities improve even further.
Flights from the UK to Sydney
Flights from the UK to Sydney take about 23 hours. Flights from the UK to Sydney are operated by many international airlines including British Airways, Qantas and Etihad. Many of the flights to Australia depart from London Heathrow, but there are also flights from regional UK airports such as Manchester, Birmingham, Newcastle and Glasgow.
Wherever you fly from in the UK Sydney is only a day away.
Location and layout
Sydney Airport is located 6 miles south of Sydney in the suburb of Mascot and has three passenger terminals: Terminal 1, 2 and 3. Terminal 1 is known as the ‘International Terminal’, and an underground ‘Airport Link’ connects the International and Domestic terminals.
Getting from the airport to central Sydney
Trains, buses and taxis are available to get you from the airport into the city centre. Trains from the airport reach Sydney Town Hall in about 13 minutes. By road, the journey takes about 30 minutes.
The State Transit Website at www.131500.com.au has useful information about the various public transport options, including a trip planner providing you with detailed information on how to get to the city centre.
Facilities
When it comes to shopping, Sydney Airport offers more than 150 retail and service outlets, including duty-free, beauty salons, hairdressers, a wine shop, a popular MAC cosmetics shop, an Australian produce shop, international and Australian fashion stores, and a range of speciality boutique shops. This means you can browse and buy the latest electronic gadgets, music, games, books, clothing and accessories, and Australian souvenirs and gifts. For more information on shopping at the airport, visit www.sydneyairportshopping.com.au
Once you’re done shopping, if you still have some spare time on your hands you could pamper yourself at Body Inc. with a massage, a facial or a manicure – and they also offer hairdressing, waxing and body treatments.
On a more practical level, you’ll find Bureaux de change and ATMs in all terminals, plus postal services at Australia Post Shop (Departures level 2) and a post office (in the International Terminal). Internet terminals are available throughout the airport, as well as a public Wi-Fi network throughout both the International Terminal (Terminal 1) and the Domestic Terminal (Terminal 2).
Other useful airport facilities include a medical centre (T1 International Terminal), a pharmacy (Departures area), free showers (both Departures and Arrivals areas of the T1 International Terminal), a prayer room (T1 International Terminal), and children’s activity centres (T1 International Terminal).
Eating and drinking
The airport offers a decent range of restaurants, bars and cafés serving food and drinks, including Australian and international cuisine.
For a quick snack, there are take-away places such as Subway for sandwiches, and McDonald’s for burgers. There are healthier options such as Sumo Salad, bar snacks at places like Bondi Bar, and more substantial dishes at Australian and international restaurants including Nepalese cuisine at Jyona Beli and Italian at Prego trattoria.
Sydney airport hotels
If you need hotel accommodation nearby, there are several within a short distance that offer free or low-cost shuttle services to and from the airport. These include Ibis Hotel Sydney Airport, Airport Sydney International Inn, Holiday Inn Sydney Airport, and Stamford Sydney Airport Hotel, amongst others.
For more information about Sydney Airport (airport code: SYD), visit www.sydneyairport.com.au
