Sydney Airport

Landed from KUL at 2015 left the terminal at 2035! The place was totally deserted quite a comparison to the morning rush of arrivals. Totally recommend evening arrivals if at all possible.

Arrived from Melbourne at domestic terminal. Relatively short walk from gate to exit and going downstairs to await luggage. Late change of luggage carousel had everyone scurrying. Unimpressed though that there were no signs up saying that airport train was only going to central and that you then needed to take a bus to your final station if we'd know that we'd have taken a taxi straight to hotel. Different story though when flying out to NZ. Taxi dropped us off near Air NZ check in desks so that part was a breeze then headed through to the horror of passport control and security. I'll never moan about queuing in the UK/US again after what we faced here 12 lanes of snaking back and forth to get through passport control (4 lanes) and security (7 lanes). I'm so glad we had checked in early enough unlike others around us who hadn't and were panicking they'd miss their flight. Then we had a very long hike through duty free/other shops to where our gate was.

Arrived from Melbourne at domestic terminal. Relatively short walk from gate to exit and going downstairs to await luggage. Late change of luggage carousel had everyone scurrying. Unimpressed though that there were no signs up saying that airport train was only going to central and that you then needed to take a bus to your final station if we'd know that we'd have taken a taxi straight to hotel. Different story though when flying out to NZ. Taxi dropped us off near Air NZ check in desks so that part was a breeze then headed through to the horror of passport control and security. I'll never moan about queuing in the UK/US again after what we faced here 12 lanes of snaking back and forth to get through passport control (4 lanes) and security (7 lanes). I'm so glad we had checked in early enough unlike others around us who hadn't and were panicking they'd miss their flight. Then we had a very long hike through duty free/other shops to where our gate was.

My latest arrival here was pretty ordinary. Long queues for immigration a mess with smart gate. The long queues for customs were also a dog's breakfast. 50 minutes to get out then there was the would experience of the transfer bus. The queue there sneaked right outside the buses were irregular and very inefficient waiting 20 minutes. No apologies and the usual curt comments from staff.

My latest arrival here was pretty ordinary. Long queues for immigration a mess with smart gate. The long queues for customs were also a dog's breakfast. 50 minutes to get out then there was the would experience of the transfer bus. The queue there sneaked right outside the buses were irregular and very inefficient waiting 20 minutes. No apologies and the usual curt comments from staff.

I could not believe there is not a free shuttle between Domestic and International. I have been to hundreds of airports worldwide and surprised to find out that you have to pay for a train that is very far from departures. Terrible service limited signs and I eventually took a $15 cab since I would be late if I took this train that is too far to connect!

I could not believe there is not a free shuttle between Domestic and International. I have been to hundreds of airports worldwide and surprised to find out that you have to pay for a train that is very far from departures. Terrible service limited signs and I eventually took a $15 cab since I would be late if I took this train that is too far to connect!

Arrived in Sydney on 8th June (morning). We followed the sign to the immigration counter. We saw a long queue inside the immigration area. It is only after passing through the glass door that I realised that the queue snaked outside the immigration area. We followed the line and realised that this was the same queue that we saw while walking towards the immigration area. Though the queue was long it was moving there were officers whom we assumed to be immigration officials did some checks and chatted with us. It was all rather pleasant until we reached the immigration area. New arrivals who couldn't be bothered to join the queue has started another queue on the left and cut into our queue. When we asked the immigration officer to control the crowd she went to 2 gentlemen who were dressed in security uniforms. He just looked and walked away. The airport allowed 2 queues to form.

Arrived in Sydney on 8th June (morning). We followed the sign to the immigration counter. We saw a long queue inside the immigration area. It is only after passing through the glass door that I realised that the queue snaked outside the immigration area. We followed the line and realised that this was the same queue that we saw while walking towards the immigration area. Though the queue was long it was moving there were officers whom we assumed to be immigration officials did some checks and chatted with us. It was all rather pleasant until we reached the immigration area. New arrivals who couldn't be bothered to join the queue has started another queue on the left and cut into our queue. When we asked the immigration officer to control the crowd she went to 2 gentlemen who were dressed in security uniforms. He just looked and walked away. The airport allowed 2 queues to form.

Having used this airport for both domestic and international flights I don't think it's as awful as it is made out to be and frankly better than a few other airports I've used in Europe and Asia. My biggest issue is definitely the queues during busy periods and the incredibly rude customs and immigration staff. No matter how I often I am there the staff in customs and immigration completely lack courtesy ie never smile are impatient and talk down to people. Although I recommend Sydney Airport on the basis of facilities I can understand why overseas visitors would be turned off by the attitude of staff.