Sydney Airport to Circular Quay in short
Sydney Airport (SYD) has the International Terminal T1 and the domestic terminals T2 and T3. The train runs from the airport stations to Central and the city, and the timetable has direct trips to Circular Quay, where the ferries to Manly, Watsons Bay and the islands leave. Timetable examples show 21 minutes from the International station and 19 minutes from the Domestic station, without a change.
Those are sample trips, not a promise for every service. Planned trackwork can end airport trains at Central at nights and weekends, so check the timetable on the day you travel and allow time for a change. If you land in the morning, a harbour cruise from Circular Quay makes an easy first afternoon: see Sydney Harbour cruises. Fares below are in Australian dollars (A$), in June 2026.
Train fares from the airport
Per person and single trip to the city stations, in June 2026.
| Fare | Adult | Child 4 to 15 |
|---|---|---|
| Off-peak: train fare + airport fee | A$3.03 + A$18.61 = A$21.64 | A$1.51 + A$16.64 = A$18.15 |
| Peak: train fare + airport fee | A$4.33 + A$18.61 = A$22.94 | A$2.16 + A$16.64 = A$18.80 |
| Single ticket at a machine, at most | A$5.20 + A$19.00 = A$24.20 | A$2.60 + A$16.90 = A$19.50 |
Children under 4 travel free. The airport station fee is A$18.61 for adults and A$16.64 for children and concession holders. It does not count toward the normal daily and weekly Opal caps. A separate airport weekly cap of A$37.75 for adults and A$33.83 for children and concessions applies. Check whether it applies to a contactless card or only to an Opal card before you rely on it. Pay with an Opal card, a contactless card or a digital wallet, and use the same card or device for linked trips.
Our pick: a shuttle back to the airport
Our take: with heavy bags, a shared shuttle from your hotel is simpler than the train.
Hand-picked tours, booked through Viator. Prices are indicative starting prices in Australian dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Sydney Harbour cruises and tours after you land
Sightseeing cruises, ferries to Manly, kayaks and bridge tours from Circular Quay and Darling Harbour, with live prices and availability.
Train, bus or taxi
The three ways to reach the harbour compared.
| Option | Price | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Train (T8 Airport & South Line) | A$21.64 to A$22.94 adult | Via Central and the City Circle. Direct trips to Circular Quay in the timetable. Check trackwork notices |
| Bus 420 or 350 | – | The 420 serves both terminals towards Mascot station and Burwood. The 350 serves the domestic terminals towards Mascot and Bondi Junction. Change to the train at Mascot for the city |
| Night bus N20 | – | International terminal to the city, roughly from midnight to 04:00 |
| Taxi | A$60 fixed fare, A$80 for a maxi taxi | Only for an unbooked trip from the airport taxi rank to the CBD trial zone |
For most visitors, the train to Circular Quay is the best choice: it is direct, it avoids road traffic and the fare is known in advance. Take a taxi if you arrive late with heavy luggage, and a group of five or more can use the maxi fixed fare.
Taxi and bus details
What the fixed fare covers and where the buses go.
Taxi fixed fare
Since 3 November 2025 a fixed-fare trial applies to an uninterrupted, unbooked taxi trip from the airport taxi rank to a defined zone in the CBD: A$60 for a standard or wheelchair-accessible taxi, A$80 for a maxi taxi or five or more passengers. Taxes and tolls are included. A card payment fee or a cleaning charge can be extra. Confirm that your address lies inside the trial zone.
What it does not cover
The fixed fare does not apply to the trip back to the airport, to trips with stops, to ride-hail cars or to destinations such as Manly or North Sydney. Check the current terms before you travel, because the trial can change.
Buses
Buses 420 and 350 go to Mascot station, from where trains reach the city. For the harbour, the train is the simpler choice. The N20 runs at night between the International terminal and the city.
Arriving late or early
Services at night are thinner, and trackwork often falls at night and on weekends. Check the first and last trains and the N20 times for your arrival, and book your first night near Circular Quay so you do not need a long transfer. See where to stay.
After you reach Circular Quay
Ferries, Opal fares and entry rules.
Ferries from the quay
Circular Quay is the hub for the harbour ferries. The F1 goes to Manly and the F9 to Watsons Bay, and the F3 and F8 go to Cockatoo Island. Read the ferries page for lines and Opal fares. The fast ferry to Manly takes about 20 minutes.
Opal caps
Adult Opal fares are capped at A$19.30 a day on Monday to Thursday and at A$9.65 on Friday to Sunday and public holidays, with a weekly cap of A$50. The airport fee is not part of those caps.
First day on the water
If you land in the morning, a harbour cruise or a ferry to Manly is a simple first afternoon. A cruise ticket and a ferry fare are separate products, so pick one for the day.
Entry permits
Many European passport holders use the eVisitor (subclass 651), which has no charge and allows visits of up to 3 months within 12 months. Other eligible passports use the Australian ETA app, which has an app fee of A$20. The two are different permits, so check which one fits your passport before you fly.
Circular Quay itself is covered in the Sydney Opera House guide: Circular Quay has the station, the quays and the walk to The Rocks.
Plan the rest of your trip
Pages for your first days in Sydney.
Sydney Airport to Circular Quay: frequently asked questions
How do I get from Sydney Airport to Circular Quay?
Take the train from the International or Domestic station. Timetable examples show direct trips to Circular Quay in about 19 to 21 minutes. If trackwork ends the airport line at Central, change there for the city.
How much is the train from Sydney Airport?
In June 2026 an adult pays A$21.64 off-peak or A$22.94 at peak times, including the airport station fee. A child aged 4 to 15 pays A$18.15 or A$18.80. Children under 4 travel free.
How much is a taxi from the airport to the city?
An unbooked trip from the airport taxi rank to the CBD trial zone has a fixed fare of A$60, or A$80 for a maxi taxi or five or more passengers. It does not cover the return trip, stops or ride-hail.
Is there a bus from the airport to Circular Quay?
The 420 and 350 go to Mascot station, where you change to the train. The N20 runs at night from the International terminal to the city.
Does the airport fee count toward the Opal daily cap?
No. The airport station fee is charged separately and does not count toward the normal daily or weekly caps.
Is this an official airport or transport site?
No. This is an independent guide to Sydney Harbour. It is not run by the airport, a transport authority or a tour company. Check the current timetable before you travel.