How to use the Airport Link to Sydney Airport

Of the three main ways to get to Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport SYD (taxi, bus & train), the Airport Link is the easiest and fastest.

Where to get Sydney Airport Link

Leaving from Sydney Airport to City Centre

There are two stations at Sydney Airport: International and Domestic.

Sydney International Terminal has its own Airport Link station. From the Arrivals Hall, follow the signs to the train station (very clearly marked).

Sydney Domestic Terminals (T2 &T3) have their own Airport Link station. It is positioned between the terminals. Follow the signs in the Arrival Hall.

You can buy a ticket, use an Opal Card or simply use your contactless credit card to swipe in / tap in at the entrance to the station. The price will be calculated automatically when you exit at your arrival station.

Leaving from City Centre to Sydney Airport

The Airport Link route passes through many of Sydney's busiest city centre stations, as per this list:

• Town Hall
• Wynyard
• Circular Quay
• St James
• Museum
• Central
• Green Square
• Mascot
• Domestic Airport
• International Airport

If your station is not shown, you'll need to find your way to one of the connected stations. See My Journey Experience later on this page.

How much is a Sydney Airport Link ticket?

The price of a Sydney Airport Link ticket is different for Adults and Children, and whether you're travelling during Peak or Off-Peak hours. Airport Link's website does some wittering about gate price plus a rail component. All I want to know is the price I have to pay… The following prices are the same for Opal Card or regular Contactless Card payments and are the total price per passenger depending on the time of travel:

Adult (Off Peak): $19.48

Child (Off Peak): $16.32

Adult (Peak): $20.68

Child (Peak): $16.92

Note: a "child" is aged 4-16. Under 4s travel for free Also: simply use the NSW Transport planner which will show you your price for your route.

My personal Airport Link journey

As I had arrived in Sydney by ship, my first Airport Link trip was from the city centre to the airport. I used NSW Transport's travel planner to work out my route.

Kings Cross to Sydney Airport

I took the train from Kings Cross to Central Station to pick up the Airport Link. I used my contactless credit card at Kings Cross and tapped out again at Sydney Airport Domestic Terminal. See the section on Prices for how much this cost me for an off-peak journey one-way.

If you're arriving into the Airport, you'll simply be doing the same thing, but in reverse. It's worth checking with the NSW Transport planner to check if there are works on your planned route.

Related: Virgin Australia: Sydney to Ballina Byron Gateway Airport

Choose the right Sydney Airport Link Station!

Don't forget that there are TWO Airport Link train stations at Sydney Airport! Make sure you know which terminal you need to use for your specific flight.

The Domestic Airport Station serves both Sydney Airport Terminal 2 and Terminal 3.

The International Airport Staton serves Sydney International Airport.

---