Sydney, Australia Hotels and City Guide

Sydney - Getting There

Many visitors opt for the speed and convenience of air travel when travelling to Sydney, but some enjoy the scenic, and slow, route and come into the city via bus, train, or car.

Arriving in Sydney from Sydney International Airport

Almost 32 million people come through the Sydney Airport each year, making it the busiest in Australia. It has connections with all major airports, however flights usually include stop-overs, most often in the Middle East or Asia. For more detailed information on Sydney Airport see our dedicated Sydney Airports page.

Getting into town from Sydney Airport: Rail
By far the easiest way to access Sydney city center from the airport is by the Airport Link train. It takes under 15 minutes and runs every ten minutes. You can travel to the suburbs by catching the Airport Link train into town and changing at Central Station.

Getting into town from Sydney Airport: Buses/Shuttles
'Sydney Buses' has connections between T1 and T3 of the airport, and Bondi Junction and Burwood. The bus stops are clearly marked outside of these terminals. Some hotels also offer a transfer service - you should arrange this with your hotel prior to your departure though.

Getting into town from Sydney Airport: Taxis
Taxis are not the cheapest option but are the most convenient. A trip from the airport to Sydney city center will cost about AUS$50, with any tolls payable on top of the fare, as well as a AUS$3 'airport toll'.

Arriving By Sydney by Rail

Many visitors come into Sydney by train and arrive at Central Station, on Eddy Avenue, in the southern end of the Business District. It is the largest railway station in the city and handles interstate travelers. New South Wales is serviced by CountryLink for long distance travels. There are daily services from Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra, the North Coast, New England, and Central West and Southern Highlands, which connect with visitors from further afield. Train terminate at Sydney’s Central Station on platforms 1, 2, and 3. From there, travelers can get further into the city via CityRail, buses, and taxis.

Local rail service Country Link operates several routes within New South Wales and further afield. Although more time consuming than flying (and sometimes more expensive than discount airfare), rail travel is considerably quicker than driving and is a great way to see the varying and breathtaking landscapes of Australia.

Arriving By Sydney by Road

Several bus companies operate in New South Wales, connecting Sydney with nearby towns as well as towns in other states. Be forewarned though that overland travel between state cities can take several hours, sometimes even over a day. Flying, although more costly, is by far the quickest way to cover these long distances.

Hotels in Sydney, Australia