How to Get from Sydney Airport to the City by Bus
Is there a direct bus from Sydney Airport to Sydney CBD?
Not during normal daytime service. The two main public bus routes serving the airport are 420 and 350, but neither goes straight to Central Station, Town Hall or the central business district (CBD). Route 420 connects both the international and domestic terminals with Mascot Station. Route 350 starts at the Domestic Terminal and travels through Mascot towards Bondi Junction.
Late at night, route N20 provides a direct bus option from the T1 International Terminal to the city. Its city-bound stops include Central Station at Railway Square and Town Hall on Park Street. This is an overnight service rather than the usual daytime airport-to-city journey.
How to get to the city using bus 420 and the T8 train
The most straightforward bus-based route is to make one change at Mascot Station. It works from both T1 International and the T2/T3 Domestic precinct.
- From the arrivals area, follow the signs to the public bus stop outside your terminal. At the domestic terminals, use the stop marked Sydney Airport, Terminal 3 Domestic.
- Board route 420 towards Mascot Station, not the bus heading towards Burwood. Check the destination display before getting on.
- Tap on with an Opal card or a supported contactless card or device, and tap off when you leave the bus at Mascot Station on Coward Street.
- Enter Mascot Station and catch a T8 Airport & South Line train towards the city. Tap on for the train using the same payment card or device.
- Get off at the city station closest to your destination. Central is useful for southern CBD connections; other city-bound services continue through the City Circle, with stops that may include Museum, St James, Circular Quay, Wynyard and Town Hall. Check the destination and stopping pattern for your particular train.
This journey avoids using an airport train station. As a result, the special airport station access fee does not apply, although ordinary bus and train fares still apply.
Where to catch the bus at each Sydney Airport terminal
T1 International Terminal
Route 420 stops outside the international arrivals area. The T1 stop for routes 420 and N20 has moved: use Sydney Airport, Terminal 1 International, stop 202077, about a two-minute walk south of the former stop. Follow the current signs rather than relying on an older airport map.
T2 and T3 Domestic Terminals
The public bus stop is identified as Sydney Airport, Terminal 3 Domestic. Passengers arriving at either T2 or T3 can reach the domestic bus stop on foot. Route 420 towards Mascot Station and route 350 towards Bondi Junction both serve this stop.
Allow a little extra time to find the stop if you are arriving for the first time or travelling with large suitcases. Stop locations and boarding arrangements can change, so confirm the current position on airport signage.
Other bus routes worth knowing about
Route 350 from the Domestic Terminal
Route 350 runs from the Domestic Terminal through Mascot, Maroubra and Coogee to Bondi Junction. It can also get you to Mascot Station for a T8 train connection, but it is not a direct bus to Sydney CBD. It does not serve the International Terminal.
N20 overnight bus from T1 to the city
If you are travelling overnight, route N20 runs between Riverwood and the city via T1 International. Transport for NSW lists airport services for approximately midnight to 4 am. Choose a bus showing the city or Town Hall as its destination, and check the exact departure for your travel date. N20 does not use the same terminal stops as the daytime 420/350 network: the airport stop is at T1, not the T3 Domestic stop.
Travelling by bus only during the day
If you do not want to use a train at all, a daytime trip to the CBD generally involves additional bus connections. The best route depends on the part of the city you need to reach, and it is usually less simple than 420 plus the T8 train. Plan a bus-only itinerary for your precise destination rather than assuming 420 or 350 continues into the CBD.
Fares, payment and the airport station access fee
Sydney public buses and trains accept Opal cards and eligible contactless credit or debit cards and digital wallets. Tap on and tap off each time you use a bus or train, and keep using the same physical card or device for the whole journey. Each traveller needs their own payment method.
The fare for bus 420 plus a T8 train from Mascot depends on the applicable distance, time of travel and any transfer benefits. An eligible bus-to-train transfer made within the Opal transfer window may receive a transfer discount. For a precise amount, use the Transport for NSW Trip Planner rather than relying on a fixed advertised price.
The airport station access fee is charged when you use the dedicated train stations at Sydney International Airport or Sydney Domestic Airport. Boarding a bus at the terminal and then entering the train network at Mascot Station avoids that airport station access fee. It does not make the train ride free.
Check your route before leaving the terminal
The best interchange depends on your arrival terminal, time of day and destination in the CBD. Check the direction of bus 420, the next T8 departure and any disruption notices before walking to the stop. The Transport for NSW Trip Planner also shows estimated fares and available connections.
Plan your trip: Transport for NSW Trip Planner
If you have heavy luggage, need step-free access or are arriving close to midnight, allow extra time for the interchange and confirm the service that will actually be operating when you reach the stop.
