Metro City & Southwest connects Sydney Airport T1, T2, and T3 directly to the CBD — Martin Place in 13 minutes, but note the $15.40 airport surcharge.
At a Glance
- Airport
- Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport (SYD)
- Journey time
- ~13 min to Martin Place / ~18 min to Central Station
- Fare estimate
- $18–$20 (distance fare + $15.40 airport surcharge)
- Metro line
- Metro City & Southwest
How to Get from Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport to the City
The Sydney Metro is the fastest public transport option for getting between Sydney city and the airport area. The Metro City & Southwest connect the nearest metro station to the city centre.
Travel Tips
- Tap on with your contactless bank card or phone — no Opal card needed.
- The $15.40 airport surcharge applies on top of the normal metro fare every time you use the airport stations.
- International Terminal (T1) and Domestic (T2/T3) both have Metro stations — follow the M signs on arrival.
- Martin Place is the best exit for the CBD heart, Wynyard for the Rocks and Circular Quay.
- Sundays the travel cap is $2.80 but the airport surcharge still applies on top — budget $18 on Sundays too.
- Taxis and Uber from the airport to the CBD cost approximately $45–$65.
Paying for the Journey
Payment methods: Opal card · Contactless Visa/Mastercard/Amex · Apple Pay · Google Pay · Samsung Pay.
💡 Tap on with any contactless bank card or phone — no Opal card needed. The daily cap ($50 adult) and Sunday cap ($2.80) make weekend travel extraordinarily cheap. The weekly cap ($50 from Monday) kicks in after 8 trips, making all further rides free for the week.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the metro cost from Sydney Airport?
About $18–$20 one way: the normal distance-based metro fare (~$3) plus the mandatory $15.40 airport surcharge. Use a contactless bank card or phone — no Opal card required.
Do I need to tap off when exiting the metro?
Yes — always tap off (touch off) on the reader when you exit. If you forget to tap off, you'll be charged the maximum possible fare for the line. The fare is calculated from tap-on to tap-off distance.
Is the airport surcharge the same for domestic and international?
Yes — the $15.40 surcharge applies at all three airport stations (T1 International, T2 Domestic, T3 Domestic). Whether you use T1 or T2/T3, the charge is the same.
What is the first metro from Sydney Airport?
First train from Sydney Airport is approximately 05:00 (T1 International). Last train is around midnight. Check the Transport for NSW website or the TripView app for exact first/last train times on your travel date.
See also: Sydney Metro ticket prices · Payment card guide · Full Sydney Metro guide
Source: Transport for NSW. Journey times and fares are indicative — verify before travel.