Exploring Sydney Airport: Gates And Terminals

Sydney Airport, also known as Kingsford Smith Airport, Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport, or Mascot Airport, is the busiest airport in Australia, handling over 43 million passengers annually. It is located 8km from the CBD and is the primary airport serving Sydney. The airport has three terminals: T1, the international terminal, and T2 and T3, the domestic terminals. T1 has 25 gates, T2 has 16 dedicated gates and several bus-accessible gates, and T3 has 22 gates.

Sydney Airport terminals

Sydney Airport, also known as Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport, has three terminals: one international terminal (T1) and two domestic terminals (T2 and T3). The international terminal is separated from the domestic terminals by a runway, so passengers connecting between international and domestic flights need to allow for longer transfer times, ranging from 30 minutes to an hour or more. The airport provides a shuttle bus service between the terminals, and taxi and train services are also available.

T1 International Terminal

The International Terminal has 25 gates served by aerobridges, with thirteen in Pier B and twelve in Pier C. Qantas, all Oneworld members, and all SkyTeam members (except Delta Air Lines) use Pier B, while Pier C is used by Virgin Australia and its partners (including Delta) as well as all Star Alliance members. The terminal building has three levels, with one level each for arrivals, departures, and airline offices. The departure level has 20 rows of check-in desks, each with ten single desks, making a total of 200 check-in desks. The terminal hosts eight airline lounges: two for Qantas, and one each for The House, Air New Zealand, Singapore Airlines, Emirates, American Express, and SkyTeam.

T2 Domestic Terminal

The Domestic Terminal has 16 dedicated gates and several bus-accessible gates. It serves FlyPelican, Jetstar, Link Airways, Rex Airlines, and Virgin Australia. There are lounges for Rex Airlines and Virgin Australia. The terminal was first opened in 1939-1940 as the terminal building for Australian National Airways (ANA) and was later expanded and upgraded several times.

T3 Qantas Terminal

The Qantas Terminal has 22 gates and is dedicated solely to Qantas and QantasLink domestic flights. It features a large Qantas Club lounge, along with a dedicated Business Class and Chairman's lounge. The terminal is located adjacent to Terminal 2, with which it shares an underground train station.

Transport to and from the airport

Sydney Airport is located just 8km from the Sydney CBD and is easily accessible by train, bus, taxi, rideshare, car, or bicycle. The airport is served by three terminals: T1 (international), T2 (domestic), and T3 (Qantas domestic).

By Train

The airport train stations are located directly under the terminals, with trains running to and from the airport every day from 5 am to midnight. The International station can be accessed from the arrivals level of Terminal 1, and the Domestic station can be accessed from the arrivals level of Terminals 2 and 3. To pay for the train, you can use an Opal card, a contactless card or device, or purchase an Opal single ticket. Please note that there is an additional station access fee for using the privately-owned airport stations.

By Bus

Several bus routes connect the airport with surrounding suburbs and nearby areas, including Bondi Junction, Coogee, Maroubra, Eastgardens, Mascot, Rockdale, Bexley North, Campsie, and Burwood. Route 350 bus services run between the Domestic Terminal and Bondi Junction via Mascot, Maroubra, and Coogee, while Route 420 bus services connect Burwood and Mascot Station via Campsie and Rockdale, serving both the International and Domestic Terminals.

By Taxi or Rideshare

Taxi ranks are available outside each terminal, and rideshare services can also be arranged to pick you up from the priority pick-up area. An airport road toll is added to your fare when travelling by taxi from the airport.

By Car

Sydney Airport is located just 8km from the Sydney CBD, with driving taking about 25 minutes in light traffic. Most routes to the airport are clearly marked with the universally recognisable aeroplane symbol. Several car rental companies are located at the arrivals level of Terminal 1 (International) and Terminals 2 and 3 (Domestic). Undercover bicycle racks are also available at both ends of Terminal 1 and adjacent to the public pick-up area in the Domestic precinct.

Qantas and QantasLink

Qantas is a primary hub for Sydney Airport, with QantasLink being the regional airline for the Qantas Group. Qantas operates both domestic and international flights, with QantasLink flights operating from Qantas Terminal 3. Qantas flights numbered QF0400-1599 depart from Terminal 3, while Qantas flights numbered QF001-399 depart from Terminal 1. Qantas also offers a seamless transfer service for customers connecting to or from a Qantas flight, subject to capacity restrictions and operational requirements.

Qantas Terminal 3 is dedicated solely to Qantas and QantasLink domestic flights. QantasLink operates over 2,000 flights each week to metropolitan and regional destinations across Australia. QantasLink flights also depart from Qantas domestic terminals in Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Darwin, Hobart, Melbourne, and Perth. QantasLink offers Qantas points and status credits, seamless connections to Qantas domestic and international flights, and online check-in. QantasLink codeshares with Airnorth services from Kununurra to Broome, Darwin, and Perth.

Qantas Terminal 3 features a large Qantas Club lounge, a dedicated business class lounge, and a chairman's lounge. There is also a 'Heritage Collection' located adjacent to Gate 13, dedicated to Qantas and including collections from the airline's 90-plus years of service.

Qantas passengers transferring between Terminals 2 and 3 (domestic) and Terminal 1 (international) can make use of the Qantas shuttle bus service, which operates between terminals every 10 minutes.

Virgin Australia

Sydney Airport, also known as Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport, is the busiest airport in Oceania. It is the primary airport serving Sydney and is a hub for Qantas, Virgin Australia, and Jetstar. The airport is located in the suburb of Mascot, 8 km (5.0 mi) south of the Sydney central business district.

Sydney Airport has three terminals: one international (T1) and two domestic (T2 and T3). Virgin Australia uses both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, with most flights arriving at and departing from Terminal 2. Terminal 2 is also used by Jetstar, Regional Express (Rex), Aeropelican, Air Link, Big Sky Express, OzJet, and Qantas flights QF1600 and above. Terminal 1 is the international terminal, and Terminal 3 is dedicated solely to Qantas and QantasLink domestic flights.

The Virgin Australia lounge is located in the Sydney Domestic Airport Terminal, through security, immediately to your right, or via an escalator from the food court on the concourse level. The lounge is open daily from 60 minutes before the first Virgin Australia flight departure until the last Virgin Australia flight departure.

Sydney Airport facilities

Sydney Airport, also known as Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport, is the primary airport serving Sydney, Australia. It is the busiest airport in Oceania, handling over 40 million passengers annually. The airport has three terminals (T1, T2, and T3) and three runways.

Terminal 1 (T1)

Terminal 1, also known as the International Terminal, handles all international flights. It has 25 gates served by aerobridges and is located in the airport's northwestern sector. T1 offers a range of amenities, including dining options, duty-free boutiques, lounges, shops, baggage storage, and medical services. It also provides free Wi-Fi and facilities for passengers with disabilities, such as accessible toilets, changing places bathrooms, and hearing loops.

Terminal 2 (T2)

Terminal 2 is a domestic terminal serving several domestic airlines, including Virgin Australia, Jetstar, and Regional Express. It has 16 dedicated gates and several bus-accessible gates. T2 offers similar amenities to T1, including dining, shopping, lounges, baggage storage, and medical services. It also provides free Wi-Fi and accessible facilities.

Terminal 3 (T3)

Terminal 3 is dedicated solely to Qantas and QantasLink domestic flights. It has 22 gates and is located adjacent to Terminal 2. T3 features Qantas lounges, a 'Heritage Collection' dedicated to Qantas, and various other amenities.

Other Facilities

Sydney Airport offers a range of ground transport options, including bus, train, shuttle, taxi, ride-sharing, rental cars, limousines, self-drive, and bikes. The airport also provides short-term and long-term car parking options. For guests staying overnight or those with extended layovers, there are hotels located close to the terminals, including the Aerotel within the Arrivals hall at T1.

Frequently asked questions