Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport (SYD) to Sydney
The Airport Link train reaches Central station in about 13 minutes and Circular Quay in about 20 minutes. It is the fastest option, though a station access fee makes it pricier than a normal train ride.
Best for most people: Train. Trains run frequently from stations at both the international and domestic terminals and avoid road traffic.
All the options
| How | Time | How often | Price* | Hours | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| train Airport Link (T8 line) from International or Domestic station to Central, Town Hall, Wynyard and Circular Quay | about 13 min to Central, about 20 min to Circular Quay | every 10 min or better | about AUD 20 including the station access fee | about 05:00 to around midnight | Tap on and off with a contactless card, phone or Opal card. |
| taxi Official taxi ranks outside each terminal | about 20–30 min | about AUD 45–65 to the CBD, including airport and toll charges | 24 h | Metered; card payment accepted with a surcharge. | |
| ride-hailing Uber and other apps from signposted rideshare pickup areas | about 20–30 min | about AUD 40–60 | 24 h | Follow the rideshare signs; pickup areas differ between terminals. | |
| shuttle Shared shuttle services to CBD hotels, booked ahead or at the desk | about 30–45 min | varies | check operator | Can be slow because of multiple drop-offs. |
*Approximate 2026 prices and times. Services change: check the operator before you fly, especially for late arrivals.
Sort it before you land
Partner links: TonyPlan may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Tips
- Tap off at your destination station or you will be charged the maximum fare.
- For groups of three or four, a taxi can cost about the same as the train.
- Late arrivals after midnight should plan on a taxi or rideshare, as trains stop overnight.
- Contactless Visa, Mastercard and Amex work on the Opal gates, so you need not buy an Opal card.
Common questions
How much is the train from Sydney Airport to the city?
A single trip on the Airport Link costs about AUD 20, most of which is the station access fee charged at the airport stations. The ride to Central takes around 13 minutes. Pay by tapping a contactless card, phone or Opal card at the gates.
How much is a taxi from Sydney Airport to the CBD?
Expect about AUD 45–65 to the CBD, including airport charges and tolls. The trip takes 20–30 minutes in normal traffic. Use the official ranks outside the terminals. Card payments are accepted with a surcharge.
Is there a train at night?
Airport trains run from about 05:00 until around midnight. Overnight, there are no trains; buses may replace some services, but most late-night arrivals use a taxi or rideshare. Check the Transport for NSW app for the last train.
Can I pay by card on the train?
Yes. You can tap a contactless credit or debit card, or a phone wallet, on the Opal readers. The fare, including the airport station fee, is charged automatically. Remember to tap on and off with the same card.
Compiled by TonyPlan from airport and transport-operator information and travel knowledge; updated 2026-10-05. Anything we could not confirm is marked as approximate.