Landed In

Arrival guide

Landed in Sydney.

Getting from Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport (SYD) into the city, what money to carry, the apps locals use, and how to get online.

Fill in the Australian Digital Passenger Declaration if your airline asks for it, and declare food, plant and animal products. Biosecurity fines are steep.
The airport train station has an access fee added to your fare. It is worth it for the speed into the city center.

From the airport to the city center

Fastest

Sydney Trains Airport Line to Central or Town Hall

A$20 to A$25 ($13 to $17)

15 to 25 min

  1. 1From baggage claim, follow signs to the Train station. It is in the terminal building.
  2. 2Tap on with a contactless bank card or phone at the gates. You can also use an Opal card.
  3. 3Take the T8 Airport & South Line toward the city. Get off at Central, Museum, St James, Circular Quay or Wynyard, whichever is closest to your city center stay.
  4. 4Tap off with the same card or phone you tapped on with.

Early morning to around midnight, with frequent trains

Open in Google Maps
Easiest

Uber or DiDi to city center

A$40 to A$70 ($26 to $46)

25 to 45 min

  1. 1Connect to airport Wi-Fi and open Uber or DiDi.
  2. 2Set your city center hotel or address as the drop-off.
  3. 3Follow in-app signs to the rideshare pickup area. Each terminal has a designated spot.
  4. 4Check the plate number before getting in.
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Cheapest

Official airport taxi rank to city center

A$50 to A$80 ($33 to $52)

25 to 45 min

  1. 1Follow Taxi signs outside arrivals to the marshalled rank.
  2. 2Join the queue and take the next cab. Do not accept offers from people in the terminal.
  3. 3Tell the driver your city center address.
  4. 4Pay by card or cash at the end. Tolls are added to the fare.
Open in Google Maps

Want a driver waiting for you?

Book a fixed-price transfer before you fly and skip the taxi queue.

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Money

Australian dollar

AUD

$1 is about A$1.50

Cards

Cards and tap-to-pay are accepted almost everywhere, including small cafes, taxis and public transport.

Tipping

Tipping is not expected. Rounding up a taxi fare or leaving a few dollars for great table service is appreciated but optional.

Cash

  • You will rarely need cash. Carry a small amount for markets or tiny shops.
  • Skip airport currency exchange counters. Their rates are poor.

ATMs

  • Use ATMs inside banks such as Commonwealth Bank, Westpac, ANZ or NAB.
  • Decline dynamic currency conversion and choose to be charged in AUD.
  • Standalone ATMs in tourist areas often charge extra fees.

Apps to download

Google Maps

Must have

Walking directions and live public transport times

App StoreGoogle Play

Transport NSW (Trip Planner)

Official trains, buses, ferries and light rail routes

App StoreGoogle Play

Uber

Rideshare across Sydney

App StoreGoogle Play

DiDi

Rideshare, often cheaper than Uber

App StoreGoogle Play

Apple Pay or Google Pay

Must have

Tap on and off public transport and pay in shops

App StoreGoogle Play

Uber Eats

Food delivery

App StoreGoogle Play

Stay connected

Mobile coverage is excellent in Sydney. An eSIM set up before you fly is the easiest way to get data on arrival.

  • Buy an eSIM from Airalo or Holafly before departure and install it at home.
  • Visit a Telstra, Optus or Vodafone store or kiosk in the arrivals hall for a prepaid SIM. Bring your passport.
  • Use your home carrier's roaming pass if it is reasonably priced.

Get your eSIM before you fly

Install it at home and you'll have data the moment you land, with no airport SIM queue.

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Good to know

  • Beware of fake or unlicensed airport transfer offers inside the terminal. Use the official taxi rank, train or a rideshare app.
  • Swim only between the red and yellow flags at patrolled beaches. Rips are a real danger.
  • Sun exposure is intense. Apply sunscreen often, even in cooler months.
  • Queue politely and stand on the left on escalators, so people can pass on the right.
  • Tap-water is safe to drink, so bring a refillable bottle.
  • Drink-driving and jaywalking are enforced. Cross at lights and crossings.
  • Be careful with spiders and snakes only in bushland. They are rarely a city issue.

Emergency numbers

  • Police, fire and ambulance000
  • Emergency from a mobile with no signal112
  • Police assistance line (non-emergency)131 444

Prices and tips are AI-written estimates, so double-check anything important.