Page 230 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Sydney

228  SUR VIV AL GUIDE
TRAVEL INFORMATION

International travel to Sydney can mean a to take in the sights. Sydney is the major
long and tiring flight. Long-haul flights from gateway to other state capitals, with many
Europe require at least one stop for refuelling. interstate flights daily. Relatively less
Most visitors from Europe fly via Dubai, expensive though more time-consuming
Hong Kong or Singapore. Direct flights from options are the efficient rail and coach
the US west coast and Dallas take about connections, some taking scenic routes
15 hours; some visitors break the journey with stopovers offered by some coach
in Hawaii. A break can mean the difference companies, and a well-maintained highway
between arriving in Sydney jet-lagged or and freeway network for long-distance car
stepping off the plane refreshed and ready travel, again with options for scenic detours.

Arriving by Air Tickets and Fares
The main gateway to the city is International flights to Sydney
Sydney Airport (Kingsford Smith), are often heavily booked,
which has three terminals. T1, especially from December to
the international terminal, is February. December is the most
3 km (2 miles) from the two expensive time to fly. Tickets can
domestic terminals, T2 and the be cheaper from February to
Qantas-only T3. The international mid-April. Airfares purchased
and domestic terminals are in advance are often the best
connected by a shuttle bus priced, though these and other
(fare A$5.50) and train line (fare discounted fares usually come
A$5). Taxis and Über pick-ups with strict no-change and no-
are also available. cancellation rules. Round-the- Taxis lining up to take passengers at
T1 can get busy at peak times world fares can offer good value, Sydney Airport
(usually early morning), which as can flight-comparison web-
can sometimes result in delays sites such as www.webjet.com.au Getting into the City
in immigration and baggage and www.skyscanner.com.
collection. There is a large duty- Sydney airport is about 9 km
free shop for arriving passengers (5 miles) from the Central
and a stand with free Sydney On Arrival Business District. Sydney
guide books. The arrivals lounge International airline passengers Airport Pick-Up lists the
has Airport Ambassadors and are issued with an Incoming designated pick-up zones for
a help desk to answer questions Passenger Card to be filled in various trans port providers. The
(see p219). T1 also has a bureau de before passport control. This card, Airport Link rail line (a private
change, Internet facilities, shops, along with your passport, is line that links with Sydney
ATMs and several car hire desks. presented to immig ration and Trains), takes 13 minutes to get
Australia’s major international customs officials, who will mark into the city and costs A$18.50
and domestic carriers, Qantas and return it. Keep the card safe, from T1. Shuttle bus companies,
Airways, Jetstar and Virgin because you must hand it to such as KST Sydney Airporter,
Australia, link Sydney with other another customs officer once Airport Connect and AirBus
cities and tourist destinations in you have collected your luggage Sydney, run from the airport to
Australia from T2 and T3. Regional and are exiting the customs area. hotels in the city, Darling
carriers, including QantasLink and Packaged food, plant materials Harbour and Kings Cross. Tickets
REX, which connects Sydney to and other goods deemed to be cost from A$16 one way;
New South Wales, also use T2. a risk must be declared (see p218). booking online is cheaper than
buying tickets on the bus.
Catch buses and taxis from
outside the terminals or take
the train from the underground
station at each terminal. A State
Transit bus (Metro route 400)
stops at the airport. It travels to
Bondi Junction and the western
suburb of Burwood (but not
the city; connections to the
city are available along the
route). A taxi from the air port
Qantas flight arriving at Sydney Airport to the city costs A$40–45.

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