How to Take a Public Bus from Sydney Airport

How to catch a public bus from Sydney Airport

Taking a public bus is straightforward once you know which terminal you are using and which direction you need to travel. Buses follow their published routes rather than taking passengers directly to individual hotels.

1. Use the Transport for NSW Trip Planner to enter your terminal and final destination. Check the route number, direction, departure time and any connection.
2. After arriving, follow signs for Public Bus rather than the taxi, rideshare or shuttle pick-up areas. At T1, check the current stop location before leaving the terminal.
3. Read the destination on the front of the bus. Route 420, for example, travels in two directions: towards Mascot Station or towards Burwood.
4. Tap on with an Opal card or an accepted contactless card or device when you board.
5. Follow your journey on the trip planner, press the stop button before your stop and tap off with the same card or device when you leave.

Checking the live departure rather than relying on a general timetable is particularly useful for late-night trips or when your flight has been delayed. Plan a journey with Transport for NSW.

Which public bus routes serve Sydney Airport?

Three routes are especially useful to air travellers. They have different terminal stops and destinations, so the route number alone is not enough: always check the direction shown on the bus.

Route 350: Domestic Airport to Bondi Junction

Route 350 runs from the domestic terminal to Bondi Junction via Mascot, Maroubra and Coogee. Transport for NSW lists services at least every 10 minutes during the day, seven days a week. It is a useful option when your destination is along the eastern-suburbs corridor. It does not serve T1 International.

Route 420: Mascot Station to Burwood via both terminal areas

Route 420 links Mascot Station and Burwood, travelling via the airport, Rockdale, Bexley North and Campsie. It serves T1 International and the domestic bus stop at T3. From the airport, choose a Mascot Station-bound service if you want to connect to the rail network there; choose a Burwood-bound service for stops on the other side of the airport. Route 420 is also a public-transport option between the international and domestic terminals.

Route N20: Late-night service through T1

The N20 runs between Riverwood and the city via T1 International, generally in the overnight period between midnight and 4 am. It provides a direct city-bound bus option from the international terminal at times when the regular daytime services are not operating. Check the individual departure and travel direction: it is not a standard all-day airport-to-city bus service.

Where are the public bus stops at the airport?

T1 International: Use the relocated public bus stop

Public buses serving the international terminal use the signed stop outside T1. A stop change took effect on 9 June 2026: the former T1 stop (202015) closed, and routes 420 and N20 now use stop 202077, approximately a two-minute walk south of the previous location. Follow current Public Bus signs and allow time to reach the relocated stop.

T2 and T3 Domestic: Follow signs towards the T3 bus stop

The domestic public bus stop is listed by Transport for NSW as Sydney Airport, Domestic Terminal (T3). Routes 350 and 420 call there. If you arrive at T2, follow ground-transport signs through the shared domestic terminal precinct towards the public bus stop near T3. Do not assume the stop is directly outside your baggage-claim exit.

Airport terminal signage and temporary operating arrangements can change. Use the stop shown in your current journey plan, especially if an alert indicates a relocation.

How much does a Sydney Airport public bus cost?

Public buses charge normal Opal-network fares based on the journey and applicable fare rules. The amount depends on the distance travelled, whether you qualify for a concession, the time of travel and any eligible transfers. Use the Trip Planner for a journey-specific fare rather than relying on a fixed airport bus price.

You can pay with a valid Opal card or an accepted contactless debit or credit card, phone or watch. An adult traveller can usually use a contactless payment method without buying an Opal card first. Each passenger needs their own valid payment method. Some concession discounts require advance linking of an eligible payment card or the appropriate concession Opal card.

Tap on when boarding and tap off when leaving, using the same card or device. Opal single-trip tickets are not a bus-ticket alternative. If you forget to tap off, a default fare may be charged.

The separate Sydney Airport station access fee is charged for using the airport train stations, not for boarding a public bus. This distinction matters if you are comparing a direct airport train journey with a bus connection to a station outside the airport precinct.

Can you use a public bus to reach Sydney city centre?

Routes 350 and 420 are not direct daytime buses to the Sydney CBD. For a bus-and-train journey into the city, take route 420 towards Mascot Station, then change to a city-bound T8 Airport & South Line train at Mascot. This involves a bus fare and train fare, with Opal transfer rules applied where eligible, but you do not enter an airport train station and therefore avoid its station access fee.

This journey can be economical, but it is less convenient than the direct airport train if you have several bags or need the fewest changes. Compare the complete journey in the Trip Planner, including waiting time and walking between the bus stop and station platforms.

At night, the N20 serves T1 International and runs towards City Town Hall in the appropriate direction. If you arrive at T2 or T3 or travel outside the N20 operating period, you may need a different connection.

Can you travel between the international and domestic terminals by public bus?

Yes. Route 420 serves both T1 International and the domestic stop at T3, so you can use it to travel between the two terminal areas. Check the direction and stop sequence before boarding, because route 420 also continues beyond the airport.

This scheduled public service is different from the airport’s T-Bus terminal shuttle and from the T8 train. The 420 uses the ordinary Opal/contactless fare system, while the train journey through the airport stations includes its applicable train fare and airport station access fee.

If you are connecting between flights, allow time for baggage collection, the walk to the stop, the bus wait and the journey back through security. Check your airline’s transfer arrangements before choosing a public bus as your connection.

When do the buses run, and what should you check before travelling?

Routes 350 and 420 generally run from early morning until around midnight, seven days a week. The 350 is especially frequent during the day; the N20 serves the international terminal overnight. Exact first and last departures depend on the stop, date, direction and timetable in force.

Before setting out, check the Trip Planner for the next departure and see whether temporary stop changes or disruptions affect your service. For passengers with large luggage or mobility requirements, review the planned service and stop accessibility rather than assuming every journey has the same boarding conditions. Check current service alerts.