Western Sydney International Opens Today

As of today, Sydney has two international airports. Western Sydney International, officially Nancy-Bird Walton Airport at Badgerys Creek, joins Sydney Kingsford Smith, and the choice between them can change your travel costs and travel time. Here is what you need to know before you book.

Sydney Kingsford Smith at Mascot

Sydney Kingsford Smith sits about 8 kilometres from the CBD and has a train line straight into the city. It is a short train or taxi ride to central Sydney, which makes it the easy choice for most visitors. The airport operates under a curfew between 11pm and 6am, so late night and early morning flights are restricted.

Western Sydney International at Badgerys Creek

Western Sydney International sits 44 kilometres west of the CBD and operates 24 hours with no curfew. Launch airlines include Qantas, Jetstar, Singapore Airlines and Air New Zealand, although each airline starts services on its own timetable, so check when your carrier begins flying from the new airport.

Distance Matters!

The gap between the two airports is significant. Kingsford Smith is close to the city, while Western Sydney is better positioned for travellers heading to Parramatta or greater western Sydney rather than the CBD. If your accommodation or plans are in the city centre, a flight into Western Sydney could add a long transfer at the end of your trip.

Cheaper Fares Do Not Always Mean Cheaper Trips

Budget carriers may offer cheaper fares at Western Sydney thanks to lower airport fees. That is worth watching, but always factor in the extra transport cost and time to get there before assuming it is the better deal. A fare that saves $30 can easily disappear once you pay for a longer taxi ride or rideshare into the city.

How to Choose

Start with where you are actually going in Sydney, then compare total journey cost and time from each airport. If you are heading to the CBD, Kingsford Smith will usually win on convenience. If you are staying in the west or want a flight outside the curfew hours, Western Sydney becomes more attractive.

Which Sydney airport will you be using? Drop it in the comments and follow 5 Star Trip for more destination guides.