Sydney Domestic Airport

About the terminals (T2 and T3)

Sydney Airport is also known as Kingsford Smith Airport or Mascot Airport, for the suburb in which it’s found. Sydney Airport is Australia’s busiest, with more than 43 million passengers passing through its gates last year. Domestic flights arrive at and depart from two domestic terminals: T2 and T3 (with T1 being the International Terminal).

Terminal 2 (T2) is the largest domestic terminal in Australia. Virgin, Jetstar, Tiger and Regional Express (REX) flights arrive and depart from this terminal.

Terminal 3 (T3) is the hub for all Qantas and Qantaslink domestic flights.

What facilities are at Sydney Domestic Airport?

Both domestic terminals at Sydney Airport (T2 and T3) are well equipped to cater to the varied needs of all kinds of travellers. Below is an outline of the services and facilities you’ll find at Sydney’s domestic terminals.

Check-in

Where you check-in for a domestic flight at Sydney Airport all depends on which airline you’re flying with. Check-in facilities are located on the Departures Level of each terminal, with all Virgin, Jetstar, Tiger and Regional Express (REX) flights departing from Terminal 2, and Qantas flights departing from Terminal 3.

For a speedier departure, Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin Australia have self-service check-in kiosks. Airlines have strict guidelines regarding check-in times, so make sure you confirm specific times and procedures with your Flight Centre Travel Expert.

Baggage

No matter how often you fly, it’s always good to check the baggage allowances before you depart because sometimes things can change. At Sydney Airport Domestic Terminals T2 and T3, anyone travelling with oversize luggage such as surfboards or musical instruments can drop this baggage off at the oversized baggage services desk near the Virgin Australia and Qantas check-in counters.

Is there a currency exchange?

You’ll find Travelex currency exchange desks at both T2 and T3 of Sydney Domestic Airport. 

What are the other services and facilities?

  • ATMs
  • Free and unlimited Wi-Fi throughout T2 and T3 (via Qantas)
  • Internet kiosks
  • Information desks
  • Charging stations for electronic devices
  • Free showers
  • Water stations
  • Parenting rooms
  • Prayer room
  • Australia Post Office Shop open 6am-8pm daily
  • Airport Ambassadors
  • Lost property
  • Luggage trolleys
  • Tourist refund scheme
  • Sydney Airport medical centre
  • Pharmacy

Transport and terminal transfers

What’s the best way to get to and from Sydney Airport?

There’s a whole lot of choice when it comes to making your way to or from Sydney Airport.

Car: Sydney Airport is only 8km from the CBD, a relatively short distance compared to many other major cities and their airports. Travel time from the city by car is around 25 minutes in off-peak periods, although in the morning and afternoon ‘rush hour’ your journey is likely to take longer.

Sydney Airport parking: You can park at Sydney Domestic Terminals (T2 and T3) in the multi-storey car parks (P1 and P2), which are just a 5-minute walk to the terminals. A third option is the multi-storey P3 car park which is roughly an 8-minute walk to the terminals. There are a variety of booking options such as Express Pick-Up, Guaranteed Space and Valet Parking which can be arranged directly online. An additional option is the Blue Emu car park, which is offers open-air or shaded parking and is a 15-minute bus ride from Domestic Terminals T2 and T3. There’s a free shuttle bus from this car park to the airport approximately every 15 minutes.

Taxi: The only place that taxi drivers are allowed to pick up passengers at Sydney Airport is at one of the designated taxi ranks. Each terminal has its own sheltered taxi rank, with kerbside supervisors on hand to assist with a seamless transition from the taxi waiting area into a taxi. The supervisors can also help you with special requests such as ordering a taxi with a baby capsule or wheelchair access. Customers who require accessible taxis are advised to pre-book where possible.

Below you’ll find some one-way fare estimates provided by Sydney Airport. Note that these fares include the $4.60 airport toll payable by all passengers taking a taxi from any of Sydney Airport’s taxi ranks, as well as any bridge or road tolls included in the journey. (These estimates are for times outside of the peak periods.)

Airport to Sydney City $45-$55

North Sydney $55 - $65

Parramatta $100 - $120

Cronulla $75 - $85

Rideshare and Uber: If you prefer rideshare to taxis, you can get Uber and other rideshare pick up services at all terminals within Sydney Airport. Simply send the request after you’ve exited the terminal, and follow the green signs to the Priority Pick-up zone where you can wait for your driver.

Train:  A fast and convenient way to travel from Sydney Airport to the city and the suburbs is via Sydney’s Airport Train, AirportLink. Trains run approximately every ten minutes, with the journey taking less than 15 minutes. To use AirportLink, you’ll need to purchase an Opal Card from the station or WHSmith, which you can then use on the rail network anywhere from the Blue Mountains to Bondi. As a general guide, an AirportLink ticket from Sydney Airport to Kings Cross or any of the city stations, one-way, is around $19 for an adult and $15 for a child, with children under the age of 4 travelling free.

Door-to-door transfer: If being dropped off at the gate is more your thing, a number of bus and limousine transfer services operate out of Sydney Airport and provide transport between the airport and most Sydney suburbs and regional areas. Talk to your Flight Centre Travel Expert for more information.

Bus: Sydney Buses operate Route 400 between Bondi Junction and Burwood, which stops at both the T3 Domestic Terminal and T1 International Terminal. Bus stops are outside the terminals, on the Arrivals level and you’ll need to purchase an Opal Card from the train station or WHSmith to travel.

Rental car: You’ll find all the well-known car rental companies located at the arrivals level at T2 and T3 Domestic Terminals. To hire a car, simply ask your Flight Centre Travel Expert to arrange it for you.

How do I transfer between terminals?

You have a few options. Sydney Airport’s complimentary shuttle bus service, T-Bus, runs between the T2/T3 Domestic Terminals and the T1 International Terminal. The service operates frequently and takes about 10 minutes. T-Bus stops are located on the Arrivals level outside each terminal.

Alternatively, AirportLink enables you to hop between T1 International and T2/T3 Domestic terminals. It’s a 2-minute journey, with frequent services between 5am and midnight, 7 days a week, and costs only $6.40 per person, one way.

Additionally, if you’re transferring between a domestic or international service with either Qantas or Virgin, you may be eligible for the Seamless Transfer service from your designated airline.

 

 

What restaurants and bars are at Sydney Domestic Airport?

From quick eats to casual dining, cafes and bars, Sydney Airport’s domestic terminals give you a whole lot of choice when it come to a little sustenance before your flight. Each domestic terminal offers something different:

Cafes, bars and restaurants at Sydney Airport Domestic Terminal T2:

  • Beer DeLuxe
  • Bistro 2020
  • Brasserie Bread
  • Chur Burger
  • Coopers Alehouse
  • Krispy Kreme
  • Mad Mex
  • McDonald’s
  • MoVida
  • Mrs Fields Bakery Cafe
  • Nourish Cafe
  • Pete’s Pies
  • Quickshots Coffee
  • Red Rooster
  • Roll’d
  • Sahara Grill
  • Soul Origin
  • SumoSalad Green Label
  • Toby’s Estate
  • Veloce Espresso
  • YO! Sushi

Cafes, bars and restaurants at Sydney Airport Domestic Terminal T3:

  • Bar Corretto
  • Bar Roma
  • Black Cafe & Bar
  • Gloria Jeans
  • Hudsons Coffee
  • Hungry Jack’s
  • Krispy Kreme
  • Mad Mex
  • NRG Express
  • Red Rooster
  • SumoSalad
  • Toby’s Estate
  • Velocity Espresso & Bar
  • Viaggio Espresso & Bar
  • Wok On Air

Shopping at Sydney Airport?

Shopping at Sydney Domestic Terminals T2 and T3 presents a number of options, from Australian souvenirs and gifts to homegrown brands such as Country Road and Rip Curl.  You can also pick up your travel essentials here, whether that be the latest magazines from WHSmith, something from the pharmacy or stamps from Australia Post.

Shops at Sydney Airport Domestic Terminal T2 include:

  • Amcal Pharmacy
  • AMUSE Beauty Studio
  • Australian Way
  • Baggage Storage
  • Blue Illusion
  • Country Road
  • Desigual
  • Edge
  • French Connection
  • Guardian Pharmacy
  • Kaboom
  • Lorna Jane Active Living Room
  • Mimco
  • Newslink
  • Origani
  • Oxford
  • Perfect Potion
  • Peter Alexander
  • Rip Curl
  • Seed Kids
  • Sportscraft
  • Sunglass Hut
  • Surf Dive’n’Ski
  • Think Sydney
  • Travelex
  • Victoria’s Secret
  • WHSmith
  • Witchery

Shops at Sydney Airport Domestic Terminal T3 include:

  • Australian Way
  • Australia Post
  • Baggage Storage
  • Blue Illusion
  • Calvin Klein Underwear
  • Carry On
  • French Connection
  • Kikki.K
  • L’Occitane
  • MAC Cosmetics
  • Mimco
  • Newslink
  • Nine West
  • Oroton
  • Oxford
  • Pandora
  • Peter Alexander
  • Rip Curl
  • Seed Kids
  • Seed Woman
  • Sunglass Hut
  • T3 Pharmacy
  • The Chocolate Box
  • Trader Convenience Store
  • Travelex
  • Victoria’s Secret
  • Watermark Books & Cafe
  • Witchery

What lounges are at Sydney Airport’s domestic terminal?

The airport lounge is a welcome and relaxing place to retreat to before a flight, whether you’re working or simply taking it easy. Lounges offer complimentary drinks, snacks, newspapers and magazines, and all airlines have their own set of guidelines for entry. At Sydney Domestic Airport you’ll find three lounges:

T2 Virgin Australia Lounge, Level 3, after security

The Virgin Australia Lounge at Sydney Domestic Airport offers a welcome space in which to work, relax or socialise before your flight. If you’re only travelling with carry-on luggage, you can bypass the queues and check in at the Virgin Australia Lounge. While you’re there you can also enjoy barista-made coffee, complimentary snacks anytime of day, generous buffets for breakfast, lunch or dinner, and some great Australian wine. You can also make use of the shower facilities and freshen up before you fly. If you have any queries regarding lounge access, contact your Flight Centre Travel Expert.

T2 Regional Express Lounge, Level 2, after security, near Gate 47

This simple lounge offers an alternative to waiting for your flight in the terminal, with one-off access available for purchase to all Rex passengers. Rex Lounge is also now accessible to all Priority Pass members.

T3 Qantas Club Lounge, Departures Level (2), opposite Gates 4 and 5

The Qantas Club Lounge in Sydney’s T3 Domestic Terminal provides all the services and facilities you would expect from Qantas: barista coffee, bar service, free Wi-Fi, refreshments and more. You can also make use of QView when you’re in the lounge – this is the Qantas digital content channel, which serves up news, personalised stories of interest and real-time boarding notifications to your own device.

What hotels are near Sydney Airport?

You’ll find plenty of choice amongst the hotels at Sydney Airport, from simple, budget options to premium places to rest up. An airport hotel can be a smart choice for a number of reasons, especially if your flight leaves early in the morning and you’d rather avoid that trip to the airport in peak-hour traffic.

Your Flight Centre Travel Expert will be able to let you know about our cheap Sydney Airport hotel deals, or you can browse through our Sydney Airport accommodation options right now. Here’s a brief introduction to three of the hotels at Mascot.

Ibis Sydney Airport Hotel

If convenient and economical accommodation is top of your list, the ibis Sydney Airport Hotel is a great choice. Located less than 1km from Sydney Domestic Terminals, the hotel offers 24-hour reception, super-comfortable beds called ‘sweet beds’, 24-hour food and beverage options plus a daily breakfast buffet. Parking is available for a fee, and there is an airport shuttle to and from the domestic and international terminals.

Holiday Inn Sydney Airport

Another popular hotel near Sydney Airport is the Holiday Inn, on the corner of O’Riordan Street and Bourke Road. This hotel is only minutes from Sydney Airport, 450 metres from Mascot train station, and has car parking, an airport shuttle and flexible meeting spaces. Good to know if you’re travelling with kids: children aged 12 years and under stay and eat free when sharing a room with their parents. Your Flight Centre Travel Expert can give you all the details on the deals currently available at the Holiday Inn Sydney Airport and other airport hotels.

Mantra Hotel at Sydney Airport

Mantra offers stylish, premium accommodation just a few minutes’ walk to Sydney Airport’s T2 and T3 Domestic Terminals. There’s a 24-hour reception team on hand to help you with all your travel needs, a 24-hour room service menu, as well as well-equipped rooms and express check-out.