Frequently asked questions
- What is Airport Link?
- Do I need to pre-purchase a train ticket?
- Where does the train go to?
- When I arrive at Sydney Airport, how do I then get to King’s Cross?
- After I arrive at Sydney Airport, how do I get to Manly?
- I am joining a cruise liner from the Sydney Overseas Passenger Terminal. How can I get there?
- I am joining a cruise liner from Darling Harbour Passenger Terminal, Wharf 8, Darling Harbour. How can I get there?
- How much is a Train Ticket?
- How often does the train come?
- How long does it take?
- Where are the train stations at Sydney Airport?
- I am a frequent traveller to and from the Airport. Do you give frequent travellers a discount?
- I’m just in Sydney for the day, what would you recommend?
- Why should I take the train?
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What is Airport Link?
Airport Link is Sydney Airport Train, which is the train connection between Sydney Airport and Sydney City and beyond.
The Airport Link comprises a 9 kilometre rail tunnel linking Sydney Airport to Sydney City and other locations.
Each year, nearly 4 million passengers use this train connection to travel to or from Sydney Airport.
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Do I need to pre-purchase a train ticket?
No. When you arrive at Sydney Airport, just purchase a train ticket at either the Sydney Airport Domestic Station or Sydney Airport International Station.
If you are travelling to the Airport from Sydney, you can purchase a train ticket at any of the 305 train stations in the Railcorp Network.
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Where does the train go to?
Airport Link can connect you to train services throughout Sydney and country New South Wales.
Many people catch the Airport Link train to or from Sydney City.
This City District is accessible via Central Station, Museum Station, St James Station, Circular Quay Station, Wynyard Station and Town Hall Station. These Stations are known as the City Circle. View the AirportLink Sydney City Map.
If you are travelling to other parts of Sydney, or outside Sydney, or country NSW, purchase a train ticket at either of the Sydney Airport stations, and then change at Central Station for those train connections. View the CityRail Network Map.
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When I arrive at Sydney Airport, how do I then get to King’s Cross?
Purchase a train ticket to Kings Cross at either the Sydney Airport Domestic or Sydney Airport International Train Station. Then change at Central Station. Go to Central Station’s Platform 24. Kings Cross Station is the third station from Central Station on the Bondi Junction Line.
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When I arrive at Sydney Airport, how do I then get to Manly?
Purchase a combined train and ferry ticket to Manly at either the Sydney Airport Domestic or Sydney Airport International Train Station. If you are staying longer, you may wish to purchase a Sydney Pass or Travel Pass. These tickets are available at Airport Link ticket offices.
Catch the train to Circular Quay station. Then go to Wharf 3 and take the ferry to Manly.
There are many other ferry destinations. These include Neutral Bay, Mosman, Rose Bay, Watsons Bay and Paramatta. All these ferries leave from Circular Quay.
Check out the Sydney Ferry website www.sydneyferries.info for more information.
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I am joining a cruise liner from the Sydney Overseas Passenger Terminal. How can I get there?
Purchase a ticket to Circular Quay at either the Sydney Airport Domestic or International Train Station. Catch the train to Circular Quay. The Sydney Overseas Passenger Terminal is a very short walk from the Circular Quay Station, towards the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Make sure you check where your cruise ship is travelling from. Remember that some ships also leave from Wharf 8, which is in Darling Harbour. If that is the case, one option is to get off at Wynyard Station, exiting right into York Street, then take the first right into Erskine Street. It is a short downhill walk to Wharf 8 at Darling Harbour.
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I am joining a cruise liner from Darling Harbour Passenger Terminal, Wharf 8, Darling Harbour. How can I get there?
Purchase a ticket to Wynyard Station at either the Sydney Airport Domestic or International Train Stations. Catch the train to Wynyard Station. The Darling Harbour Passenger Terminal at Wharf 8 is a very short walk from the Wynard Station, towards Darling Harbour.
Exit Wynyard Station turning right into York Street, then take the first right into Erskine Street. It is a short downhill walk to Wharf 8 at Darling Harbour.
Make sure you check where your cruise ship is travelling from. Remember that some Ships also leave from the Overseas Passenger Terminal at Circular Quay. If that is the case, catch the train to Circular Quay. The Sydney Overseas Passenger Terminal is a very short walk from the Circular Quay Station, towards the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
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How much is a Train Ticket?
It depends on where you are going to.
A full adult same day return ticket to the city circle stations is $25.00.
As a more general indication, from Sydney Domestic Airport Station to any of the City Stations, or Kings Cross, a single one way ticket is:
Adult Single $15.00 AUD Child Single $10.00 AUD Pensioner Single $10.00 AUD From the International Airport Station, to any of the City Stations, or Kings Cross, a one way ticket is:
Adult Single $15.80 AUD Child Single $10.40 AUD Pensioner Single $10.40 AUD Our line connects with all of the 305 stations on the Sydney metropolitan train network including destinations such as:
Bondi Junction, Sydney Olympic Park, Parramatta, Strathfield, Hornsby, Gosford, Katoomba, Chatswood, Macquarie Park, Wollongong, Campbelltown.
View the CityRail Network Map.
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How often does the train come?
Trains operate from 5am to midnight, every day.
On weekdays, there are 125 daily train services from the airport stations to Sydney City, and 125 from Sydney City to the Airport. Combined, this is 250 daily weekday services. At peak hours, the trains operate every 8 minutes.
On weekends, there are 75 daily train services from the airport stations to Sydney City, and 75 from Sydney City to the Airport. Combined, this is 150 services each Saturday and Sunday.
Check our Timetable page on this website for further information.
View the Airport Link timetables page.
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How long does it take?
From Sydney Airport to Sydney City destinations (or vice versa) the train approximately takes:
- 10 minutes to travel to Central Station
- 12 minutes to travel to Museum Station
- 14 minutes to travel to St James Station
- 18 minutes to travel to Circular Quay Station
- 20 minutes to travel to Wynyard Station
- 12 minutes to travel to Town Hall Station (if you change at Central Station, or 22 minutes if you stay on the train from Central Station)
- 26 minutes to travel to Kings Cross Station – (change at Central Station)
- 26 minutes to travel to North Sydney Station – (change at Central Station)
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Where are the train stations at Sydney Airport?
There are two train stations at Sydney Airport. One is below the Domestic Passenger Terminals (T2 & T3) and the other is below the International Passenger Terminal (T1).
At Sydney International Airport Terminal 1, the Station Entrance is at the north (city) end of the terminal. When you come out of the arrivals hall, into the public area, turn right and walk for about 150 metres. The station entrance is down past the Macdonalds Restaurant.
At Sydney Domestic Airport Terminal 2, the Station Entrance is near Virgin Airlines Baggage Carousel 1.
At Sydney Domestic Airport Terminal 3, the Station Entrance is near Qantas Airlines Baggage Carousel 1.
In all cases, look for the train direction signs in the terminals.
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I am a frequent traveller to and from the Airport. Do you give frequent travellers a discount?
Yes. We offer a discount to passengers purchasing ten or more tickets at one time via our website. Click here to be directed to this page.
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I’m just in Sydney for the day, what would you recommend?
Many people purchase a same day return train ticket from Sydney Airport to Circular Quay. From the Airport, you will be in Circular Quay in around 18 minutes. From Circular Quay, you can easily catch a ferry, or walk to the Sydney Harbour Bridge, or Sydney Opera House, or the Royal Botanic Gardens, or into the city.
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Why should I take the train?
When in Sydney, Airport Link’s Sydney’s Airport Train is a great way to travel to or from Sydney Airport.
It’s quick, efficient and good for the environment. It gets you out of the traffic, and on your way to downtown Sydney and beyond.
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Please note that ticket prices in this FAQ section are as at October 2009 and are subject to change.