Arriving In Sydney

By Air

Sydney's Kingsford Smith Airport, commonly referred to as "Mascot" after the suburb where it's located, near Botony Bay, is barely 8km south of the city (international flight arrivals and departures TEL 0055 51850, 75 cents per min). Domestic and international terminals are on opposite sides of the airport, linked by a free shuttle service running every fifteen minutes .

A taxi ride from the airport to the city centre or Kings Cross costs AU$17 - 20, depending on traffic; between the domestic and international terminals it's around AU$6. Bureau do change offices at both terminals are open daily from 5am until last arrival, although exchange rates tend to be worse than at city banks. On the ground floor of the international terminal, the helpful travellers' information service (TEL 02 9667 6050 daily 5am until last arrival) can arrange car rental and onward travel - it's licensed to sell train and bus tickets - and book hotels (but not hostels) anywhere in Australia free of charge. Hostels do, however, advertise on a noticeboard; there's a free phone line for reservations, and many of them will also provide free pick-ups or else refund your bus fare.

By train or bus

All local and interstate trains arrive at Central Station on Eddy Avenue, south of the city centre. From here, and neighbouring Railway Square, you can hop onto nearly every major bus route, and from within Central Station you can take a City Rail train to any city or suburban station.

All buses to Sydney now arrive and depart from Eddy Avenue and Pitt Street bordering Central Station. The area is well set up with decent cafes, a 24-hour police station and a huge new youth hostel, as well as Sydney Coach Terminal on the corner of the two streets (daily 6am - 10pm; TEL 02 9281 9366), where you can purchase bus tickets and passes. The terminal also has expensive luggage lockers (AU$4, AU$6, AU$8 per 24 hrs, depending on size), toilets, showers and a waiting room. Greyhound Pioneer and McCafferty's also have separate ticket offices / departure lounges on Eddy Avenue.

For bus, ferry and rail details, TEL 131 500

All visitors require a passport which is valid throughout their stay. Apart from New Zealanders, all visitors also require a valid visa in order to enter Australia. Find out from your doctor which vaccinations you will need, if any.