Sydney Airport (SYD), officially Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport, is Australia's busiest airport and the main hub of Qantas. It sits in the suburb of Mascot on the edge of Botany Bay, about 8 to 9 km south of the Sydney CBD in New South Wales, and is operated by Sydney Airport Corporation Limited (SACL). There are three passenger terminals. T1 International handles flights overseas, while T2 Domestic and T3 Domestic handle flights within Australia. The international and domestic terminals are in separate precincts, so knowing yours before you leave home saves a transfer later.

Sydney Airport is also one of the world's longest continuously operated commercial airports, and today it runs on three runways beside the bay. This guide walks through each terminal and the airlines that use it, the ways into the city, parking, facilities, opening hours and the overnight curfew, plus a few tips that make departure day smoother.

Terminals and airlines at Sydney Airport

Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport splits neatly into two halves. The international precinct holds T1. The domestic precinct holds T2 and T3, which sit next to each other. You cannot walk between the two precincts, but there are several quick ways across, covered below. Terminal assignments do change from time to time, so always check the terminal printed on your e-ticket before you travel.

T1 International

T1 International is the only international terminal at Sydney Airport. Every overseas passenger flight departs and arrives here, including the international services of Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin Australia. If your booking takes you out of Australia, T1 is where you check in. The airport's airline directory lists these passenger airlines as international operators at SYD:

• Air Canada
• Air China
• Air India
• Air New Zealand
• Air Niugini
• AirAsia X
• Aircalin
• Alaska Airlines
• ANA
• American Airlines
• Asiana Airlines
• Batik Air Malaysia
• British Airways
• Capital Airlines
• Cathay Pacific
• Cebu Pacific
• China Airlines
• China Eastern Airlines
• China Southern Airlines
• Delta Air Lines
• Emirates
• Etihad Airways
• Fiji Airways
• Garuda Indonesia
• Hainan Airlines
• Hawaiian Airlines
• Hong Kong Airlines
• Japan Airlines
• Jetstar
• Juneyao Air
• Korean Air
• LATAM Airlines
• Malaysia Airlines
• Batik Air
• Philippine Airlines
• Qantas
• Qatar Airways
• Scoot
• Sichuan Airlines
• Singapore Airlines
• SriLankan Airlines
• Thai Airways
• Tianjin Airlines
• Trinity Airways
• Turkish Airlines
• United Airlines
• Vietjet
• Vietnam Airlines
• Virgin Australia
• Xiamen Airlines

The list is long because Sydney connects Australia with the Pacific, Asia, the Middle East and the Americas. On a codeshare ticket, the airline that sold your seat may not be the one operating the aircraft. Your e-ticket names the operating carrier, and that is the one whose check-in counter you need.

T2 Domestic

T2 Domestic is home to Jetstar and Virgin Australia for flights around Australia. It also serves the regional carriers Rex (Regional Express) and FlyPelican. T2 is currently being upgraded, and while the works continue, Rex and FlyPelican depart from T3 but still arrive into T2. That arrangement is temporary, so confirm the departure terminal on your booking close to your travel date.

• Jetstar (domestic flights)
• Virgin Australia (domestic flights)
• Rex (arrivals at T2; departures temporarily from T3)
• FlyPelican (arrivals at T2; departures temporarily from T3)

T3 Domestic

T3 Domestic is the Qantas domestic terminal. Qantas flights within Australia depart and arrive here, and its international flights use T1 instead. During the T2 works, T3 also handles departures for Rex and FlyPelican.

• Qantas (domestic flights)
• Rex (departures, temporary during T2 works)
• FlyPelican (departures, temporary during T2 works)

Moving between terminals

Walking from T1 to the domestic terminals is not possible, but the ride is short. The free Terminal Transfer Bus runs regularly through the day, and the trip takes around 10 minutes. The Airport Link train links the International and Domestic stations in about 2 minutes. Sydney Buses route 420 also calls at T1 and T2/T3, and taxis and rideshare are available at every terminal.

Moving between T2 and T3 is much simpler. A walking path through the P1 car park joins them, and the stroll takes about 5 minutes. If you are connecting between an international and a domestic flight, build in extra time for the transfer and for re-checking bags where your airline requires it.

Getting to and from Sydney Airport

Because Sydney Airport sits so close to the city, the trip into town is quick by most modes. Fares are shown at the station, at the counter or in each operator's app, so check them there before you set off.

Train (Airport Link)

The Airport Link train is the fastest way to the city in most traffic. At T1, the International station is on the arrivals level, past Arrivals Hall A. For T2 and T3, the Domestic station is reached from the arrivals level of T2/T3. The train reaches the city in about 13 minutes.

Taxi and rideshare

Taxi ranks sit at the front of all terminals, and rideshare pick-ups use the signposted priority pick-up area. In light traffic the drive to the CBD takes about 20 to 25 minutes. Allow more time in the morning and evening peaks.

DART Express shuttle

The DART Express shuttle leaves from T1 International. Its kiosk is in T1 Arrivals A. The shuttle runs directly to Central, Hyde Park, Kings Cross, Darling Harbour and The Rocks, which suits travellers with heavy bags heading straight to an inner-city address. Journey times depend on the stop, so ask at the kiosk.

Public bus (route 420)

Route 420 is a regular public bus that runs between Mascot and Burwood via T1 and T2/T3. It stops on the arrivals level outside each terminal. It is slower than the train but useful if you are heading to suburbs along its route rather than the CBD.

Car rental

Rental car desks are on the arrivals level at both T1 International and T2/T3 Domestic. The drive into the city takes about 25 minutes in light traffic. If you are collecting a car after a long-haul arrival, give yourself a moment to rest before driving.

Parking at Sydney Airport

Sydney Airport offers short-term parking for drop-offs and pick-ups and long-term parking for longer trips. Valet and premium valet are also available if you would rather hand over the keys at the kerb. T2 and T3 share the domestic car parks. The P1 car park sits between the two domestic terminals, which makes it a handy choice for either one.

Parking rates change and vary by length of stay, so check current prices and book ahead on the airport's own parking pages.

Opening hours and curfew at Sydney Airport

Sydney Airport is not open around the clock. T1 International opens daily from the early hours and closes to the public at 11pm. Customs opens for departing passengers at 4am. T2 and T3 Domestic open daily from 4am to 11pm and are closed to the public overnight.

The terminal hours follow the airport's legislated curfew. Under the Sydney Airport Curfew Act, a curfew runs from 11pm to 6am every day. Most aircraft operations are prohibited during those hours. Emergency aircraft, some small low-noise jets, propeller aircraft and limited freight movements may still operate, and other flights need a ministerial dispensation. During the curfew, aircraft take off and land over Botany Bay. A limited number of international passenger arrivals are allowed between 5am and 6am.

For travellers, the main effect is that there is no waiting overnight inside the terminals, because they close to the public. If you land late or fly out early, plan where you will spend the night.

Facilities at Sydney Airport

All three terminals have the essentials for a long wait or a quick connection. Here is what to expect, starting with the things travellers ask about most.

Shopping and duty free

Tax and duty free shopping is after security in T1 International, along the departures piers, and there is also a duty free store in T1 arrivals for travellers landing from overseas. T2 and T3 have duty free stores after security too. If you are leaving Australia and want to claim tax back on eligible purchases, the Tourist Refund Scheme offices are in T1 departures after security and in the arrivals hall.

Terminal layout

Each terminal at Sydney Airport is split into a departures level and an arrivals level. In T1 International, check-in counters are on the departures level, and the arrivals level is divided into areas before and after passport control. T2 has separate check-in, departures and arrivals areas, while T3 has a departures level and an arrivals level. In every terminal, baggage claim and the train station entrance are on the arrivals level.

Lounges

Sydney Airport has both airline lounges and pay-per-use lounges. Airline lounges are open to eligible passengers depending on ticket class or frequent flyer status.

• T1 International, after customs: Air New Zealand Lounge, Emirates Lounge, Qantas International First and Business lounges, SilverKris Lounge, Centurion Lounge and SkyTeam Lounge
• T1 International, pay-to-use: The House and the Plaza Premium Departures Lounge after security, plus the Plaza Premium Arrivals Lounge landside in arrivals
• T2 Domestic: Virgin Australia Lounge and Rex Lounge
• T3 Domestic: Qantas Club Lounge, Qantas Business Lounge and Rex Lounge

Food and drink

T1 International and T2 Domestic both have cafes, bars, quick eats and casual dining before and after security, so you can eat with friends seeing you off or wait until you are through. T3 Domestic has a smaller choice, and most of it is after security.

Smoking areas

Smoking is not allowed inside any terminal at Sydney Airport. There are designated smoking areas outside each terminal, on both the departures and arrivals levels. There is no smoking area for passengers transiting through T1 International.

Currency exchange and ATMs

In T1 International, currency exchange is available before security on the departures level near check-in, and again in the arrivals hall. T2 Domestic has currency exchange and ATMs on the check-in, departures and arrivals levels.

Souvenirs

Souvenir shops are after security in T1 International, handy for a last-minute gift before an overseas flight.

Prayer rooms

There is a prayer room on Level 3 of T1 International, before security, and T2 Domestic has a Multi-Faith Room.

Free wifi

Sydney Airport Free WiFi is available throughout T1 International and T2 Domestic. It is useful for checking gate changes or messaging whoever is collecting you.

Showers

T1 International has showers on Level 3 before security and airside on the departures level. They are a welcome stop after a long-haul arrival or before an overnight departure.

Pharmacies and medical centre

Pharmacies are in T1, before and after security, and in T2 and T3. T1 International also has a medical centre on Level 3, open during weekday hours.

Families and accessibility

Parents' and baby change rooms are in T2 and T3, both before and after security. Changing Places adult change facilities are in all three terminals, for travellers who need a larger accessible change space. Wheelchair-accessible indoor routes through the terminals are available in Google Maps Live View.

Tips for departing and arriving at Sydney Airport

For an international flight, Sydney Airport suggests reaching check-in 3 hours before departure, unless your airline says otherwise. For a domestic flight, arrive 1 hour before departure with hand luggage only, or 2 hours if you have bags for check-in. Your airline also sets its own check-in and bag-drop cut-off, shown on your booking. International departures pass through check-in, then security and outbound customs in T1. Domestic departures in T2 and T3 go through check-in or bag drop and then security screening.

If you are flying out of T1 very early, remember that customs only opens for departures at 4am. For arrivals from overseas, you will pass immigration and customs in T1. Entry requirements for Australia are set by the government, not the airport, so check the official guidance for your passport well before you fly.

Confirm your terminal, especially for Rex and FlyPelican while the T2 works continue, and for Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin Australia, which use different terminals for domestic and international flights. For live departure and arrival information, use the Traveloka flight status page.

Flights and flight schedule from Sydney Airport

This page also helps you plan a trip from SYD. The fare cards show fares from Sydney to popular destinations, so you can see at a glance which routes suit your budget. The flight schedule tables list upcoming departures and arrivals at Sydney Airport by date, with the airline and the scheduled times. They show a selection of flights rather than every service, so use them as a starting point.

To pick a flight, choose a route, compare airlines and departure times for your dates, and check which terminal your flight uses. If the fare is not right yet, set a Price Alert and Traveloka will tell you when it moves. Once you book, your e-ticket arrives by email and in the app, with your terminal shown on it.

Popular routes from Sydney Airport include:

• Sydney to Melbourne flights
• Sydney to Brisbane flights
• Sydney to Gold Coast flights
• Sydney to Perth flights
• Sydney to Auckland flights
• Sydney to Bali flights
• Sydney to Singapore flights

Whether you are heading interstate or overseas, compare flights from Sydney Airport on Traveloka and book the trip that suits you.