SYD · Layover Guide
Sydney
Confirm visa rules before you plan Sydney.
Best layover: 8–48h
LayoverScore™
Base city score. Your route score varies by savings and timing.
Exit realism
Tight window
Visa is not cleared for your passport in our data. Check requirements before you plan landside.
Your Sydney connection is short for a real out-and-back. Airside is the safer bet unless you know this airport cold.
Landside playbook
If time slips
- Drop the last stop. Go straight to the train, taxi rank, or ride pickup you already chose.
- Add 15 minutes to map ETAs for the return leg at rush hour.
- One ticket for the whole trip protects you when the inbound is late. Separate tickets do not.
Worth knowing
- Do not stack three stops. One solid block in the city beats a rushed loop.
- Do not treat one map time as gospel for immigration lines. Pad on your first pass through this hub.
Planning a stop in Sydney?
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Places to stay
Search hotelsLayoverScore™ breakdown
Score 78 · Discover 53 · Ease 5
Why Sydney scores 78
Getting there
Airport Link Train $12 · Taxi $35
min to center
metro- 01Airport Link train to Central (13 min, A$19)
- 02Taxi/Uber to CBD (20-35 min, A$45-65)
- 03Bus 400 to Bondi Junction (45 min, A$5)
69 min by Macarthur to City Circle via Airport
- 01Walk across the Sydney Harbour Bridge with Opera House views
- 02Explore the historic Rocks district and weekend markets
- 03Take the ferry to Manly Beach for surf and fish & chips
- 04Wander through the Royal Botanic Garden to Mrs Macquarie's Chair
- 05Sample flat whites and avocado toast in Surry Hills cafes
Experiences in Sydney
Timed tours and tickets for Sydney are listed on our partner site.
Open listingsOpens in a new tab.
- Sa Law~60 min1 min walk
- Schnitz~60 min1 min walk
- Theatre Royal~75 min1 min walk
- The International~75 min1 min walk
- Theatre Royal~90 min1 min walk
- Fun over 50 Holidays~90 min1 min walk
- Sydney Opera House4.8
- Taronga Zoo Sydney4.5
- Darling Harbour4.7
- Sydney Fish Market4.2
- Art Gallery of New South Wales4.7
Need a room for your layover? Browse hotels near the airport.
Where to stay →Drop your luggage. Don't drag it around the city.
Smarte Carte Lockers
T1 International arrivals hall
$12/day
2 min walk
Stasher at Central Station
Central Station shops
$8/bag
3 min walk
Rydges Sydney Airport
Adjacent to T1
$89/day
5 min walk
From the terminal to the good part.
Airport Link Train
city-center
Runs every 10 min, direct to Central/Circular Quay
13 min
$12.00
Taxi
city-center
Metered, add $4 airport surcharge
25 min
$35.00
Uber/DiDi
city-center
Pickup from designated rideshare area
25 min
$30.00
Ferry from Circular Quay
manly-beach
Scenic route to Manly Beach
30 min
$6.00
Sydney Attraction Pass
Sydney Tower, SEA LIFE, Madame Tussauds, Wildlife Zoo
Better value for 2+ day stays
$89
per day
Getting there
Get an Uber from the airportAt the airport
- 01Heinemann Duty Free with Australian wine selection
- 02The House by Qantas lounge (business class)
- 03Sydney Airport T1 rooftop terrace with plane views
Read more about Sydney
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