How to get from Sydney International Airport to Darling Harbour
Darling Harbour, in Sydney's city centre, is an entertainment hub and known for its wonderful waterfront dining. It is a vibrant part of the city and home to Sydney's top attractions including the Sea Life Aquarium, Madame Tussauds Wax Museum, Wild Life Sydney Zoo and the Australian National Maritime Museum.
So when landing at Sydney International Airport, and you wish to make your way directly to this hot spot in downtown Sydney, you have 2 different travel options to get to Darling Harbour; you can either take a taxi or a train. Taking a Sydney airport taxi is the most convenient method, as they provide door-to-door services. Alternatively, if you wish to use Sydney’s public transportation system, you can take the T8 Airport Line train to the Town Hall station, which is a short walking distance away from the Harbour.
Comparison of the options
| OPTION | PRICE | DURATION | AVAILABILITY | |
|---|
| Taxi | €27.80 | 20min | 24/7 | |
| Train | €21.90 | 25min | 05:00–00:00 | |
How to get from Sydney airport to Darling Harbour by taxi
If you are looking to take the fastest and most convenient travel method from SYD airport to Darling Harbour, then taking a Sydney airport taxi is your best option. Taxis provide a door-to-door service, in a comfortable air-conditioned vehicle, taking only 20 minutes to reach the harbour.
Taxi fare from Sydney airport to Darling Harbour
All Sydney taxis calculate their fares using a taximeter, therefore the overall cost of the journey from SYD airport may vary. However, in normal traffic conditions, you can expect to pay around €27.80 ($44 AUD) for your trip to Darling Harbour.
It is important to know that further elements may affect your price, such as night-rates (from 22:00 - 05:59), bringing your fare to Darling Harbour up to €34 ($54 AUD) at this rate. An additional $2.50 AUD will also be added to the final fare on Friday and Saturday nights. Moreover, you will have to pay an airport surcharge of $3.50 AUD for all taxis leaving the airport.
If you wish to travel on a fixed rate fee, with no extra charges, you can always book a private transfer company in advance.
Convenience
Taxis are the most convenient travel method for those who wish to get to Darling Harbour quickly and comfortably. Although it is a more expensive option, it is certainly the best one for those travelling with children or with luggage. Moreover, if you are travelling in a group, taking a taxi and dividing the fare ends up being more cost efficient compared to the train, as the price is per vehicle and not per person.
Editor’s Note
Please note that you will have to pay an extra $3.50 AUD toll fee for all taxis leaving the airport.
Useful Tips
Kerbside managers supervise the airport taxi queues; they can help you with any questions you have, or help you with your luggage and even talk to the driver on your behalf if needed.
Make sure that the taximeter is reset and running before you begin your journey. How to get from Sydney airport to Darling Harbour by train
If you are travelling on a budget, and you wish to take a cheaper travel method, you can take the Sydney T8 Airport train, which stops only a short walk from the Darling Harbour area. If you decide to take the train from the airport you will need to alight at the Town Hall stop. The journey from the airport to the harbour, including the short walk, should take around 25 minutes.
How much is a train ticket from Sydney airport to Darling Harbour?
Train fares from the airport are calculated by the distance travelled, as well as whether you are travelling during peak hours or not. A standard one-way ticket from Sydney airport to the Town Hall stop costs €10.90 ($17.40 AUD), including airport fees associated with station access.
Your ticket will be charged onto a free Opal card which you can purchase at the station before boarding.
Cost
€10.90
Trip Duration
25 Min.
There can be a 10 minute wait for the Sydney airport train.
The trains are available 7 days a week, leaving every 5 to 10 minutes between 05:00 - 00:00.
Where do I get it from?
The airport train stations are located at both the International and Domestic terminals at Sydney airport.
Covenience
Although taking the train is a great option as it is direct to the Town Hall stop, you will need to walk to Darling Harbour, which can get complicated if you are travelling with children and luggage. Moreover, if you are travelling in a group, taking the train ends up being more expensive than a taxi, as the ticket price is per person.
Editor’s Note
If you wish to avoid the walk from the train stop to the harbour, you can take the Lightrail from Central Station in Sydney to any of the following stops: Convention Centre Light Rail Station or the Exhibition Centre Station or The Star (Casino) Station at Darling Harbour.
Useful Tips
Buying a single-journey Opal train ticket is more expensive than using the rechargeable card option.
The Sydney train network peak hours on weekdays are as follows: 07:00 to 09:00 and 16:00 to 18.30.
You can purchase your Opal cards at the train station, or at a Relay store or at WH Smith. 
