Sydney Airport
2011 Worst Airport
REGION: SOUTH PACIFIC
Runner-Up
Traveller Comments....
"If you didn't have an onward flight the next morning you got a bit hassled, but I didn't see anyone actually getting moved on." (fuchka)
"Before midnight, I was herded into a cold, drafty cage with about 50 other sleepers." (Millie Mann)
"A good tip: drag one of the hard chairs away from the noisy people, tip it backwards against a wall, and you have a semi-comfortable bed." (tranquilo_traveler)
"Your currency (Pounds Sterling, US$, Euro or Yen) will ensure that your stay at the airport won't be too harsh on your pocket. (Unless you're one of the unwashed, dope-smoking backpacker types with your arse hanging out the back of your pants, tough luck - get a job & a haircut)" (PK)
"The person who suggested making a bed by tipping a seat by a wall is genius. I did this and could lie down and stretch my legs." (Fuchka)
Recent Review
by spinaroundtheworld
I arrived at the domestic terminal at 10:30pm for a 6am flight to Cairns, I decided to get there earlier as I'd read that the airport closed at 11 so I didn't want to be stuck outside. I arrived and there were already a few people lying out across the couches etc, I sat in the large leather chairs where you can pay for a massage and tried to get settled, the police came past and didn't bother us but then a security man came and said the terminal was closing until 4am and our options were to go and sleep in the international terminal, or a 24 hour McDonalds down the road.
I chose to go to the international but it costs 5 dollars to go between terminals on the train and the train doesn't start running until 5am so if you have a 6am flight like me the only option on getting back is a taxi which costs about 20 dollars, luckily there are always people to split it with.
When I got to the international there were lots of people there as it was the day of the Christchurch Earthquake so lots of people had cancelled flights. I went through to arrivals and got settled in a corner when at midnight another security person told us all to move back to the entrance as they were closing until 4am. There were a few rows of chairs but they were mostly taken when I was there so I slept on the floor by the lifts, someone checked everyones passport and they put shutters down around us.
It was annoying to be moved but I found it okay for a couple of hours, the most annoying part was if you have to get back to domestic before the trains run you have to get a taxi and you get a draft through when people keep walking past the exit to go out and smoke etc. On the plus there is free wi-fi so if you have your own computer it's a great way to kill a few hours, there are computers with free internet but once they move you back to the entrance there aren't any.
The last review for this airport was in 2011. Have you been there recently? Tell us about it!
Sydney Airport Guide
Airport Lounges
- Virgin Blue Lounge - Location: 2, airside
- Qantas Club - Location: Terminal 1, airside, towards Gates 8-37 and Terminal 2, airside, opposite Gate 49
- First Class Lounge - Location: Terminal 1, airside, towards Gate 8-37
- Air New Zealand Lounge - Location: Terminal 1, airside, towards Gates 59-63
- Silver Kris Lounge - Location: Terminal 1, airside, towards Gates 59-63
- The Golden Lounge - Location: Terminal 1, airside, towards Gates 59-63
- Emirates Lounge - Location: Terminal 1, airside, towards Gates 59-63
- Rex Lounge - Location: Terminal 2, airside, Gate 47
Airport WiFi / Internet
- Wireless internet access is available at the Sydney Airport for a fee.
- Free internet kiosks are available throughout Terminal 1.
- Internet kiosks are available for rent at Everywhere Internet. Location: Terminal 2, departure level
Airport Hotels
If sleeping in the Sydney Airport does not appeal to you (and we really wouldn't blame you), there are hotels near the airport....
- Stamford Plaza Sydney Airport - shuttle bus available
- Hotel Formule 1 Sydney Airport - 10 minute walk from the airport. Shuttle bus available.
- Holiday Inn Sydney Airport - shuttle bus available
More Services, Facilities and Things to Do at the Airport
- Food
>>Terminal 1
Landside: Boost Juice, Hungry Jacks, McDonalds, Red Rooster, Pie Face, Santos Coffee Subway and more
Airside: McDonalds, China Grand, Seafood Bar, and more
>>Terminal 2
Landside: Santos Cafe
Airside: McDonalds, Bar Ristretto, Subway, Wots in the Wok, Wholefoods by Santos and more - Showers
Free showers are available, but bring your own soap and towel. Locations: Terminal 1 - Landside: Arrivals Level (behind glass lifts), near check-in counter B and check-in counter K. Airside: Gate 24, Gate 25, Gate 31, Gate 51 - Children's Play Areas
Locations: Terminal 1 - Landside, between counters A & B and at the end of check-in counter J / Airside, between Gates 31 & 33 and Gates 58 & 59 in pier C. - Kid's Cinema
A comfortable area for kids to watch kid friendly tv shows. Location: Terminal 1 - Airside, near Gate 33. - Observation Deck
Location: Terminal 1 - walk through Volare Cafe. - Prayer Room
Location: Terminal 1 - Airside, level 3 / Landside, near the taxi holding area. - Baggage Storage
Location: Terminal 1, arrivals level, next to McDonalds and Terminal 2, arrivals level, next to Gate 42
Airport Hours
3am - 1130pm (Terminal 1) / 4am - 1100pm (Terminal 2) / unknown (Terminal 3)
Terminal Quick Tips
- overnight sleepers will be corraled into a crowded and uncomfortable area for the night. You will need evidence of a flight the next day.
Sydney Travel Sites
- Sydney Hotel Deals - search for deals, check availability and read reviews
>>>Read All Sydney Airport Reviews
Last Updated: 14 Nov 2010 | Sources: Sydney International Airport
The information in this Airport Guide is based on information collected and/or received from the airport's and their web sites. When you see "information not available" and "unknown", the airport has a lousy web site and/or has been uncooperative in providing information. The information above is subject to change without notice. Use it for informational purposes only to help you during your stay. To report errors, or to add/change any items quoted in the guide, please email me.
