Sydney Airport

I used to think this airport was among the worst I had experienced but things seem to have definitely improved over the years! On the way in I was able to use SmartGate and my luggage was off nearly first so the time between me stepping off the plane and being in the arrivals hall was an unprecedented extraordinary 9 minutes! On the way back out though the SmartGate facility was not available and I had to stand in quite a long queue. I was delayed nearly 3 hours so I had plenty of time to look around. Found the food options plentiful and was happy with quality (a bit pricey perhaps) and I really liked the Observation Deck although it needs a bit of an update with the TV screens and a few more seats would be good. Impressed with the bathrooms I used - best I have ever come across.

Much has been said about Sydney Airport. To their credit travel through Sydney Airport is never an unpleasant experience. It may not be the size of HKG KLIA and may seem squeezed on occasions. But the immigration staff and people running the port are generally polite and helpful. Everything is in its place and everything works. Late night departures are better as the airport has a light feel. Sydney airport goes through periodic refurbishment's and everything looks and feels fresh and new. It is an expensive airport.

Much has been said about Sydney Airport. To their credit travel through Sydney Airport is never an unpleasant experience. It may not be the size of HKG KLIA and may seem squeezed on occasions. But the immigration staff and people running the port are generally polite and helpful. Everything is in its place and everything works. Late night departures are better as the airport has a light feel. Sydney airport goes through periodic refurbishment's and everything looks and feels fresh and new. It is an expensive airport.

I use Sydney on a regular basis and I like the airport but it does have its drawbacks. I have to mention the staff Check in and passport staff have always been friendly and helpful however that cant be said for the security staff who always are surly and unhelpful. International departures can get crowded and its not helped by a needless shopping area. There's far too many of them and they are all of the expensive variety including the food outlets. Once checked in you head for security and line up via a maze of lanes that are roped off. Fine when its busy but when its quiet why they don't provide a more direct route to the desks is beyond me. Once through security you head through yet more expensive shops to the gates. Your departure gate will dictate how much walking you have to do. If you need food or drinks be prepared because it is expensive. International arrivals is much the same but in reverse. You head through a shopping complex to reach passport control via another roped off maze and then onto the baggage hall. I've always been lucky and got my bags swiftly. Arrivals hall is always busy and its not helped by more shops! Depending on your destination will dictate what happens next. Buses / taxis etc are within easy reach and the hall is underneath International departures. If you have arrived off an International flight and want domestic its not so easy as the domestic terminals are the other side of the airport. These can be reached in a variety of ways and this is where Sydney lets itself down (other than the shops!). There is a train that you pay for that takes two minutes but you have to walk the length of the terminal and down a set of escalators because of where the arrival exit has been placed. You can also get a bus which are often crowded. The third option is a taxi. Whatever option you choose try and give yourself plenty of time it gets very busy at peak times. I should also mention that the approaches to the airport like the rest of Sydney can get very busy so also leave yourself plenty of time. In summary I like Sydney but there's far to many shops and arrivals especially if you need to transfer could definitely be improved. Walking the length of the terminal to get to the bus / train is not ideal - maybe they designed it that way to get you to walk past the shops!

I use Sydney on a regular basis and I like the airport but it does have its drawbacks. I have to mention the staff Check in and passport staff have always been friendly and helpful however that cant be said for the security staff who always are surly and unhelpful. International departures can get crowded and its not helped by a needless shopping area. There's far too many of them and they are all of the expensive variety including the food outlets. Once checked in you head for security and line up via a maze of lanes that are roped off. Fine when its busy but when its quiet why they don't provide a more direct route to the desks is beyond me. Once through security you head through yet more expensive shops to the gates. Your departure gate will dictate how much walking you have to do. If you need food or drinks be prepared because it is expensive. International arrivals is much the same but in reverse. You head through a shopping complex to reach passport control via another roped off maze and then onto the baggage hall. I've always been lucky and got my bags swiftly. Arrivals hall is always busy and its not helped by more shops! Depending on your destination will dictate what happens next. Buses / taxis etc are within easy reach and the hall is underneath International departures. If you have arrived off an International flight and want domestic its not so easy as the domestic terminals are the other side of the airport. These can be reached in a variety of ways and this is where Sydney lets itself down (other than the shops!). There is a train that you pay for that takes two minutes but you have to walk the length of the terminal and down a set of escalators because of where the arrival exit has been placed. You can also get a bus which are often crowded. The third option is a taxi. Whatever option you choose try and give yourself plenty of time it gets very busy at peak times. I should also mention that the approaches to the airport like the rest of Sydney can get very busy so also leave yourself plenty of time. In summary I like Sydney but there's far to many shops and arrivals especially if you need to transfer could definitely be improved. Walking the length of the terminal to get to the bus / train is not ideal - maybe they designed it that way to get you to walk past the shops!

It's a hopeless airport indeed. The queue in the customs area was long and horrible. When I arrived I felt that I wanted to get myself out of there as soon as possible. Of course I have to mention that the parking fee was ridiculously high. It is the most expensive airports for parking.

It's a hopeless airport indeed. The queue in the customs area was long and horrible. When I arrived I felt that I wanted to get myself out of there as soon as possible. Of course I have to mention that the parking fee was ridiculously high. It is the most expensive airports for parking.

Agree with J Osborne. Basics of modern travel have bypassed Sydney somewhat. Not a great first impression of Australia's gateway Airport. Instead of debating and discussing Sydney should build a large modern and spacious second Airport forthwith. There is enough traffic to make the present Airport seem cramped and squeezed at peak hours. Arrivals immigration and customs area wear a very depressing look for a sunny bright and bubbly town. Don't bring food into Australia and if you do then do declare it. Also bring along prescriptions and Physicians letter for medicines. Don't bring wooden leather or soiled objects. When in doubt declare. Airport shopping is expensive. Sydney Airport unlike some third world Airports has no nasty surprises. But it doesn't wow either. On the upside the Airport is clean and tidy like most things in Australia and there are quiet zones upstairs in the Airline office area. The Airport is refurbished periodically so it avoids looking run down. Its neat tidy reasonably well organized and a bit boring. There are similar airports in the western world. Then again its not too bad either.

Do not compare with Changi KLIA or Dubai. No automated transfer here. No multilingual customer service staff not spacious. Just works fine.

Agree with J Osborne. Basics of modern travel have bypassed Sydney somewhat. Not a great first impression of Australia's gateway Airport. Instead of debating and discussing Sydney should build a large modern and spacious second Airport forthwith. There is enough traffic to make the present Airport seem cramped and squeezed at peak hours. Arrivals immigration and customs area wear a very depressing look for a sunny bright and bubbly town. Don't bring food into Australia and if you do then do declare it. Also bring along prescriptions and Physicians letter for medicines. Don't bring wooden leather or soiled objects. When in doubt declare. Airport shopping is expensive. Sydney Airport unlike some third world Airports has no nasty surprises. But it doesn't wow either. On the upside the Airport is clean and tidy like most things in Australia and there are quiet zones upstairs in the Airline office area. The Airport is refurbished periodically so it avoids looking run down. Its neat tidy reasonably well organized and a bit boring. There are similar airports in the western world. Then again its not too bad either.