SYDNEY AIRPORT customer review :  21 November 2009 by A Ong   (Australia)

Customer Rating :  1/5

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Terrible airport. High prices, compulsory pay for parking, disorganised, dirty and inefficient. Oh and did I say disorganised? I am embarrassed to be a Sydney-sider and to be associated with this airport which I unfortunately have to put up with for all international flights.

SYDNEY AIRPORT customer review :  19 November 2009 by M Dorrell   (New Zealand)

Customer Rating :  2/5

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A dire experience in every way. If you have to make transfers from Qantas Domestic to International or vice versa it is simply appalling and to be avoided if at all possible - go to Melbourne if you can! Horrendous chaotic queues for transfer - I already had my onward boarding pass but there was no facility for me to bypass the lines. Cramped hot little area with few seats where you waited for the shuttle bus - many people didn't get on it and I'm sure that many miss their connections. Woeful state of affairs. Also arriving internationally very long slow lines for both Immigration and then Customs - staff pleasant enough but state of chaos. I cannot believe that things could not be improved particularly connections between the 2 terminals.

SYDNEY AIRPORT customer review :  8 November 2009 by Z Johnson   (Australia)

Customer Rating :  5/5

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Transfered from a Pacific Blue flight from Christchurch to a Virgin Blue flight to Perth at SYD. Customs was rocket like in the AU/NZ queue and quarantine chose not to screen us. The virgin transfer desk and transfer bus was very efficient and very little queuing time. If you want a quick transfer, fly Virgin and its associated partners. Qantas's terminal transfer service is hopeless in comparison.

SYDNEY AIRPORT customer review :  26 October 2009 by Robert Kunz   (Australia)

Customer Rating :  3/5

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Arrived into Sydney from LAX. We had a connecting flight to Melbourne. We cleared customs and baggage claim fairly easily and were directed to the domestic transfer gate - a joke! We stood there for over an hour and a half while only 4 people processed hundreds of pax. Then they put all these people into a small crowded room to wait again for buses. One bus per group of 35-40 at a time. The design of this airport borders farcical. Domestic on one side and International on the other. I was really disappointed at how slow and disorganized this major hub really is. I think after finally arriving in Melbourne 6 hours later, that in future I would give this airport a big miss. Try booking flights directly to and from Melbourne in the future to save time.

SYDNEY AIRPORT customer review :  15 October 2009 by Philip Loveder   (Australia)

Customer Rating :  2/5

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I can't imagine anybody transiting through Sydney Kingsford Smith from another Australian capital city could possibly give a favourable review of this airport. My preferred airline (Qantas) uses the 'hub-and-spoke' model of airline movement and tries to schedule as many flights out of Australia through Sydney as possible. This is a pain for passengers from say Adelaide which is ill served by this airline internationally. The last 3 connections for me through Sydney were fraught. On a recent trip to Shanghai, we had a legal transfer time of 55 minutes - crazy - but we made it (just) but our luggage didn't. Arrived a few days later and one item was clearly tampered with. Similar experience from Queenstown (NZ) where one bag made it, the other later and the locks partly cut with pliers. And then another incident with lost luggage to Noumea (which travelled Sydney- Brisbane - Port Vila- Sydney- Noumea) before arriving 4 days late. Some advice. Sydney needs to invest in a free and regular light rail shuttle between international/domestic terminals. The infrequent shuttle bus just doesn't cut it, and baggage handling needs to be improved markedly.

SYDNEY AIRPORT review : 13 October 2009 : by Neil Ramsay

Customer Rating :  3/5

Early morning arrival meant lots of pax but immigration handled the crowds well. Baggage arrived in a reasonable time but they allow bags to pile up on the belt, sometimes three deep which makes it difficult (even dangerous) to try and retrieve them. Contrary to my previous experience a few months ago, customs/aqis seemed to have reverted to their previous mode of operation ie. chaotic queues, which were long and disorganised. Took us longer to get thru this inspection than to deplane, go thru immigration and collect bags. And we eventually were 'shoved' out the door with no inspection at all. Our ride was again forced to pay the exorbitant parking fee due to a non existent pick up facility at T1.

SYDNEY AIRPORT review : 29 September 2009 : by Brian McDonald

Customer Rating :  3/5

Overall, the airport is fine. The customs people here are helpful compared to other airports. But why do they build an excellent rail link to the city, then charge a ludicrous price to use it. Even London, which is regarded as one of the world's most expensive cities is only AUD $8.00 from Heathrow to the city and travels nearly triple the distance.

SYDNEY AIRPORT review : 24 September 2009 : by Philip Reindler

Customer Rating :  1/5

On arrival, tried to use SmartGate electronic system for Australian / NZ electronic passport holders but this did not work (no explanation) so ended up having to join the queue again. Biosecurity was a mess with a long queue and insufficient staff to process passengers. Signage is very poor and confusing! My friend tried to pick me up from departures area but had to take off to avoid approaching security guard and AU$130 fine. I cannot believe there is no pick up area for arriving passengers. Ended up meeting my friend in the hideously expensive car park. This airport is a disgrace.

SYDNEY AIRPORT review : 5 September 2009 : by Kevin Tunnicliffe

Customer Rating :  5/5

I am a great fan of Sydney airport. Each time I use it the experience is excellent. Arrived 06-30 and was in our rental car and away within an hour. That included baggage collection from the carousel. The only criticism is with the parking for people who come to pick up their family and friends. It is expensive and inconvenient. The airport systems and officials are as good as any in the world. When we left Sydney the experience was smooth too.

SYDNEY AIRPORT review : 5 September 2009 : by Bill Atkins

Customer Rating :  3/5

I am always surprised by the downtrodden look of this airport. International baggage claim is tatty and disorganized - no-one to move bags around on the belt so other bags can come out. Also people manning the arrival bag screening are generally unfriendly and unhelpful - if they can make you lift your bag into the belt, they will. Taxi situation rather poor - always a wait, even if only a few people arriving.

SYDNEY AIRPORT review : 17 August 2009 : by Chris Churchill

Customer Rating :  0/5

Some comments here seem to contradict the fare for a domestic to international transfer by train. The fare is $5 one way per person for a "120 second journey" (interestingly not advertised as 2 minutes!). The fare on the website of City Rail advises the fare is $14.60 which, as noted, is a little steep.

SYDNEY AIRPORT review : 17 August 2009 : by A Flounders

Customer Rating :  3/5

Fast processing - I think it is under construction, as once you move through the gates there is only a krispy kreme donut shop and two cafes which are horrendously overpriced ($7.5 AUD for a tiny sandwich). The domestic airport is in better shape with shops and a fully loaded food court!

SYDNEY AIRPORT review : 14 August 2009 : by S Collins

Customer Rating :  2/5

Sydney Airport has gone downhill in recent years - not only do they force you to park to pick up passengers, but they fine you if you pick someone up curbside. I arrived on an A380 flight on a Sunday morning - immigration was painfully slow, as it always is there. Getting your bags is a task - at least in other airports they have people at the bottom of the ramp organising bags so they are not on top of one another. At Sydney it is free for all (so don't pack anything possibly breakable). Then comes Customs - that is an experience. Lines of people everywhere directing you nowhere - no people to guide you, no signage. Sydney Airport will probably blame the renovations but the airport is an embarassment.

SYDNEY AIRPORT review : 29 June 2009 : by Neil Ramsay

Customer Rating :  4/5

Early morning departure was a breeze. We were the only ones checking in for our SQ flight and we then got through emigration and security without any hold up. The current building work has limited the number of places opened for breakfast landside but those airside were a reasonable substitute. But food is still an expensive commodity at Sydney Airport. Arrival back early morning a few days later on a full A380 with other aircraft and surprisingly got through immigration (both foreign and Australian desks) with minimal delay. Baggage was available not long after and AQIS/Customs seem to have finally got their act together and have people organising the queues for quarantine inspection to minimise delays. From touchdown to car park, 40 minutes. Used pre paid long term car park which is a bargain in comparison to exorbitant hourly rates.

SYDNEY AIRPORT review : 10 June 2009 : by R Cooper

Customer Rating :  3/5

Early morning arrival so the airport was very busy - immigration long queues but they moved relatively quickly. Baggage came through quickly - however, customs queues were huge and snaked around the arrivals hall. Once through arrivals halls overcrowded and cramped with people waiting arriving passengers. Evening departure airport fairly quiet quick and friendly check in. Major renovation works being undertaken. Airport looks dirty and messy, most food outlets closed and many shops closed even though there were a number of flight departures. Immigration and security was quick. More shops and sitting area airside. Lots of windows and light and airy feeling. It is amazing how quickly this much renovated airport has aged. Current expansion and modernisation will result in a better airport but at the moment it is not a great experience

SYDNEY AIRPORT review : 6 June 2009 : by S Quek

Customer Rating :  3/5

I am appalled by the fact that I had to pay 15AUD for parking 30minutes 40seconds in the airport car park - implying a rate of over 30AUD an hour! This is even more expensive than Sydney CBD! The pay stations are widely spaced and located in unusual locations - making it a real effort for one to get to if in a hurry or when try to keep within the half hour charge block. On top of this, one has to pay 4AUD for use of trolley which is free in major airports of nearby Asia. This is another one of those blatant Sydney Airport schemes to rip off passengers and guests.

SYDNEY AIRPORT review : 18 May 2009 : by R Hensley

Customer Rating :  2/5

What a welcome after a 14 hour flight - no passenger pick up zone. This forces family members who are there to greet you into the parking garages - pockets emptied once again.

SYDNEY AIRPORT review : 27 April 2009 : by A Whiteman

Customer Rating :  3/5

I have used Sydney airport several times recently. Overall, I think it's OK - it's big enough, reasonably clean and the train service into the city is very good compared with the challenges and cost of getting into town at many other big international airports. One thing that did disappoint me on my last visit was the exchange rate used in the duty free shop. I went to pay for something quite expensive by credit card and they offered me the choice of AUD or my home currency. I chose my home currency and when I checked later, the exchange rate was terrible (and the rate wasn't clearly explained to me before I made the purchase but only appeared on the receipt afterwards). My own fault I suppose (should have known better, but it was an early flight and I wasn't fully awake). I just resent these sneaky little ways that airport operators try to extract every last cent they can from the customers (neatly packaged as providing you with a "service"). Needless to say - I wont be using their duty free shop again and others should be warned about this.

SYDNEY AIRPORT review : 23 April 2009 : by A Ho

Customer Rating :  2/5

Haven't been to the airport in a while & was disappointed at the hum-drum Terminal 1 which has been desperately needing a makeover since forever. Dull & gloomy, it lacks the liveliness of other airports that I've been to. Arriving from HKG, I was startled by the fact that trolleys were $4 & that all pick-ups had to be made through the very inefficient car-park of which incurred another $7 fee. Leaving SYD, I was amazed at the un-extravagence of the entrance to the departure hall. But, the friendly ground staff is the only compliment to this aging establishment.

SYDNEY AIRPORT review : 15 April 2009 : by K Wong

Customer Rating :  2/5

Sydney Airport is one of the worst airports I've been to. The service is terrible and the staff unfriendly. Sydney International is just too small and it would not be able to cope with the amount of passengers in the coming years. Also, usually you can get a trolley for free but now you have to pay $4 for a trolley. The parking is insanely expensive. The only good thing that I can say about Sydney Airport is that at least it has got enough duty free shops. But overall as a Sydneysider, I think the Sydney International Airport needs to improve drastically because passengers from overseas will be shocked by how bad the airport is and the service is just terrible.

SYDNEY AIRPORT review : 7 April 2009 : by J Cobcroft

Customer Rating :  5/5

Sydney airport has improved markedly since our last visit fifteen months ago. Departures was efficient. Food good. Toilets very clean and available. Arrivals was excellent with much more efficiency displayed by all staff. Overall we are very impressed with the improvements. People should remember that this airport is the gateway to Australia and is by far the busiest. Morning arrivals can be problematic but the increase in staff attitude and efficiency is great to see.

SYDNEY AIRPORT review : 6 April 2009 : by Chris McQuaid

Customer Rating :  3/5

If you come by train, there are three long escalator rides from the railway platform to the departure level (lifts/elevators are also available), followed by several hundred metres to walk if you are travelling with an airline (e.g. Emirates) whose check-in desks are at the other end of the terminal (no trolleys were visible to those who came by train). Canberra's food might be overpriced, but their sandwiches are still a dollar cheaper than Sydney! The food court in the check-in area is part of the terminal redevelopment, and it looks well short of being finished (only five or six outlets at the moment). An unsmiling Customs officer who only grunted a perfunctory "Cheers, mate" when he stamped my passport and waved me through was not a good farewell when leaving Australia. Much better attitude at Security, with a scanner that was rather less sensitive than Canberra's. Departure gates well laid-out and no great distance to carry hand luggage. Plenty of toilets, and more food outlets in the centre of the star-shaped gate lounge area. Free internet access - several computers available. Overall impression pretty good, but points deducted for lack of trolleys, food prices and attitude of Customs staff.