Driving to Sydney Airport

[VPS]

I remember the days when if you were from the country our local RAA would meet you on the outskirts and you could follow them to your destination. Sorry - I know that's not helpful but good luck getting to Sydney airport. I don't think people who have grown up with city traffic realise how daunting it is for some

 

[Denali]

I remember the days when if you were from the country our local RAA would meet you on the outskirts and you could follow them to your destination. Sorry - I know that's not helpful but good luck getting to Sydney airport. I don't think people who have grown up with city traffic realise how daunting it is for some

Friend is from a small Tassie town. She got her drivers license because she promised the tester (who was the local police officer) that she would never attempt another reverse park.

 

[VPS]

Friend is from a small Tassie town. She got her drivers license because she promised the tester (who was the local police officer) that she would never attempt another reverse park.

I did mine in my brother's car - small country town - cop said he could have cleaned it first. Did a few things then he said go out the highway and do 100kph - umm the speedo is broken so I can't tell. Big sigh - OK let's go back to the cop shop and here's your licence. I had been driving since I was about 6

Sorry for going OT @wendlle

 

[Forg]

How long are you away for?

Sometimes there’s value in the at-terminal airport parking., maybe worth a look.

As someone who grew-up in Sutherland Shire, with grandparents at Narooma, and who had to drive past the airport to get to the city ... I personally think it’s an easy drive. Signs are everywhere. Traffic might be heavy, depending on time-of-day, but the drive itself is IMHO simple.

 

[wendlle]

How long are you away for?

Sometimes there’s value in the at-terminal airport parking., maybe worth a look.

As someone who grew-up in Sutherland Shire, with grandparents at Narooma, and who had to drive past the airport to get to the city ... I personally think it’s an easy drive. Signs are everywhere. Traffic might be heavy, depending on time-of-day, but the drive itself is IMHO simple.

We are away for 2 weeks. I'm happy with the at terminal price, Canberra airport is more expensive so was happy with the prices at Sydney especially if pre-booking in advance.

I think I'll be fine actually, yes I'll be nervous, but last year in QLD I drove from Bundaberg to the Gold Coast and was on the big freeways etc and it was all fine. I think I'm just making it more than what it is - just fear of the unknown.

 

[only4tehlulz]

As others have mentioned, there are many hotels much closer to domestic - All of these below are maximum 25 minutes walking with kids, more like 10 minutes normal walk.

Plenty of parking options around the airport around this time, obviously airport is the closest one but depends on your budget. Traffic is light, you should not have any issues.

 

[angella44]

I live and drive in Sydney, but I wouldn't drive to the airport. Even in a taxi it's horrible. As others have said, why not take a train from Canberra or Bomaderry? The airport train link is easy.

It's scandalous that there is still no proper transport to Bermagui, though I suppose it helps to keep it quieter.

 

[Forg]

I live and drive in Sydney, but I wouldn't drive to the airport. Even in a taxi it's horrible. As others have said, why not take a train from Canberra or Bomaderry? The airport train link is easy.

Because "in the middle of a pandemic", I would suspect ...

 

[Chicken]

Because "in the middle of a pandemic", I would suspect ...

I am still using public transport every few days, and buses are getting pretty bad, but trains are totally fine.

I would take the train from Bomaderry into Domestic, so you would not have to walk, drag your luggage, and the whole train trip is 3 hours to the check in gates. You are guaranteed to miss a turn or two around the airport, then having to park, wait for the shuttle bus, you would end up wasting so much time and energy just in the airport precinct, lost an hour in your car doing circle before you knew, getting on the plane tired and coughpy.

 

[Ekka]

Friend is from a small Tassie town. She got her drivers license because she promised the tester (who was the local police officer) that she would never attempt another reverse park.

Everyone from a small town in every state has a similar story, and has had for sixty years or more.

 

[itchy feet]

Used to regularly drive to Sydney airport from my small town (<1000) in southern NSW. Easy peasy. Book online to park at airport’s Blue Emu cat park. So much cheaper than P2. Access is soon after end of M5. Transfer bus goes every few minutes from car park to domestic terminals. I also used this car park when travelling overseas. Bus to domestic terminal then another bus to international terminal

 

[clod]

The are three daily trains from Canberra railway station (in Kingston) that also stop at Queanbeyan. From memory both have car parks.

NSWTrainLink, the government-owned operator has special spacing (you know the term) on its trains while coronavirusaus is with us. Book online or by calling 13 22 32 0700-2200 hours daily.

The XPlorer railcar set has a buffet car on board. Seats are far more comfortable than the bus, and scenery away from the freeway/highway is pleasant.

More relaxing than driving!

You can change at Central to go to Sydney Airport.

I don't know why so many Canberra area residents seem unaware that there's trains to Goulburn, Bowral, Campbelltown and Sydney.

There are also NSW TrainLink road coaches from the south coast (such as Eden) than connect in Canberra with the train. See the 'southern NSW' timetable at the Transport for NSW site.

Alternatively, you could join the other rail line's train at Bomaderry station (Nowra, just over the river) where there is a good service to Wollongong and then on to Wolli Creek, where one can change for Sydney Airport trains. Easy - I've done it.

If you're coming from the south it's probably easier to change at Campbelltown and take the train via East Hills than going all the way to Central and having to navigate the construction works for the new CCP robot train. Jump off at Campbelltown Platform 2, jump on the next train (same platform) to Central via Holsworthy. Seemples.

 

[parsonstrish]

If you decide to drive, going to areas, including airports, unknown to me, I go online & study the route. I familiarise myself with names of different roads, roundabouts, etc. I treat the exercise like a quiz. The method decreases my anxiety, of course I use gps. I allow lots of time & am prepared for gps ‘recalculating route’. Best of luck in what you decide, enjoy your holiday.

 

[Chicken]

If you're coming from the south it's probably easier to change at Campbelltown and take the train via East Hills than going all the way to Central and having to navigate the construction works for the new CCP robot train. Jump off at Campbelltown Platform 2, jump on the next train (same platform) to Central via Holsworthy. Seemples.

Sounds too complicated? This is the quickest suggested by Transport for NSW trip planner:

Bomaderry Station, Platform 1
2 stops
Kiama Station, Platform 1
Kiama Station, Platform 2
14 stops
Wolli Creek Station, Platform 3
Wolli Creek Station, Platform 1
1 stop
Domestic Airport Station, Platform 1

Total trip time between 2 hr 35 min and 2 hr 42 min

 

[Forg]

If you decide to drive, going to areas, including airports, unknown to me, I go online & study the route. I familiarise myself with names of different roads, roundabouts, etc. I treat the exercise like a quiz. The method decreases my anxiety, of course I use gps. I allow lots of time & am prepared for gps ‘recalculating route’. Best of luck in what you decide, enjoy your holiday.

In my opinion, and in this particular circumstance, this won't make much difference. The only place it gets kinda confusing is when you get to the airport ... especially if parking AT the domestic terminal. There are 3 or 4 lanes, there are signs above those lanes telling you which lane you should be in for access to parking, but with taxi drivers around it adds to the confuddlement.
I don't think it's possible to prep for that.

Note to the OP: you can do laps of the domestic terminal carpark, so if you get confused the first time you can loop back & try again. Plus there are many entrances to the car-park, it's unlikely you could miss them all!

 

[psmall]

Your experience will be unpleasant compared to Canberra airport. We live an hour north of Canberra and 2 hours south of Sydney and I will always pay a reasonable amount more to travel out of Canberra because of the ease of the airport and getting there. I am confident in driving there as well but you just can predict the traffic delays. Park at the Blu Emu carpark (Ross Smith Ave, Mascot) which is immediately left after the BP service station or just turn at the service station if fear of missing it if you want cheaper parking and catch the courtesy bus to the airport. Alternatively, park at P2 and pay more money. Walk the 8 minutes to the terminal. For your first time, plan to get to Sydney airport at least 3 hours before your flight leaves. You will need the extra hour for traffic delays or your wrong turns. If you catch a train, to get off at the airport, it costs heaps more, though it is an easy experience. Just be mindful of only taking enough bags that you can handle to carry if catching the train or courtesy bus, especially if you have younger children. If you have younger children, go straight to P2 parking.

 

[Flanjam1]

Feel your pain but also may I say that the drive really isn't that bad. Straight up the Pacific Highway just following the signs. Once you've done the crawl up from Wollongong the difference from highway travel is in the first 15 mins as you come to the "shire" and traffic starts to build just keep your eyes open and take your time. Airport is clearly sign posted. As you are going up the day before because of your early flight may I suggest that you stay at the Holiday Inn. Rooms are clean and well maintained, tariff is reasonable, you can secure parking for a fee of course for the duration of your journey and as a guest you are entitled to "free" transport to and from the airport at the times to meet your flights. The fee for the parking and the transport is in the hotel package Drive Fly Stay package. The price also includes free breakfast in the morning which is a bit of a bonus. The hotel has a bar which also serves family friendly meals so you don't have to go out to source food. Have been travelling from Canberra for 43 years and used this method many times when flight departures meant early morning starts as you can't guarantee flights out of Canberra during the winter months due to fog. The Holiday Inn is not airside so it's quieter but close enough so that the bus (courier vehicle) only takes about 10 mins and will drop you at the door. No worries about parking, no hassles about dragging bags (let someone else load and unload for you) you've got enough to manage with two small children. Enjoy the break and have a ball. Hope this helps.

 

[wendlle]

As others have said, why not take a train from Canberra or Bomaderry? The airport train link is easy.

Because there is no where to safely leave my car for two weeks at the train stations.

Park at the Blu Emu carpark (Ross Smith Ave, Mascot) which is immediately left after the BP service station or just turn at the service station if fear of missing it if you want cheaper parking and catch the courtesy bus to the airport. Alternatively, park at P2 and pay more money. Walk the 8 minutes to the terminal. For your first time, plan to get to Sydney airport at least 3 hours before your flight leaves. You will need the extra hour for traffic delays or your wrong turns. If you catch a train, to get off at the airport, it costs heaps more, though it is an easy experience. Just be mindful of only taking enough bags that you can handle to carry if catching the train or courtesy bus, especially if you have younger children. If you have younger children, go straight to P2 parking.

It's my Understanding that Blue Emu is closed, as is another one of the carparks.
As stated we will be coming up the day before because my flight is early so we will be getting an airport hotel for the night.

I've contacted Stamford, they said we can park there for free on the nights we stay there and then it is $15 per day to leave our car there for as long as we want. Thinking this is the way to go.

 

[Drakecula]

When we travelled to NZ a couple of years ago, we drove up to Sydney and stayed at a hotel where there was a deal which included 7 days free parking (we paid extra for the other days) and there was a free shuttle bus to/from the airport. It was the Quality Hotel, but Google maps says it's now CKS Sydney Airport Hotel. My info probably won't be of much use now, but perhaps the deals are similar even if the hotel has changed hands.

I'm not a fan of Sydney driving either (I avoid going into the city where I can), but it's not too bad to get to that part of town, like others have said, just take it slow and allow plenty of time.

 

[Chicken]

Because there is no where to safely leave my car for two weeks at the train stations.

What if you park at Berry station, or one of the quiet side streets at Berry station?