This was published 5 years ago
Airport review: Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport, Australia
It might be cheaper to take a taxi or Uber to Sydney International Airport than use the rail link.Credit: Shutterstock
IATA CODE
SYD
THE FLIGHT
Passengers in the departure terminal of Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport, Sydney.Credit: Shutterstock
SQ222 to Singapore, economy class
THE ARRIVAL
There's a rail link to Sydney Airport – but the expense is a killer. Why would you take public transport when it's cheaper to take a taxi or Uber? That's the reality for anyone travelling from the city with more than one person in their party. Thanks to the "station access fee" of $14.30 charged to use the airport train stations, a one-way journey from Central Station costs a whopping $18.70. Double that and you've easily got your cab fare.
The Jo Malone duty-free store in Sydney International Airport. Credit: Shutterstock
THE LOOK
Sydney's Terminal 1, its international facility, has been treated to numerous renovations in the past decade, and now appears, if not finished, then at least static. The focus of recent tweaks seems to have been on the shopping experience, which begins the minute you're spat out of security straight into a giant duty-free store. The airside of the terminal is looking sharp though, with a spacious food court and plenty of luxury stores (with no one in them).
CHECK-IN
You'll need to pass all the duty-free shops to get to your gate.Credit: Shutterstock
I'm travelling with a baby, so wasn't able to check-in online, which results in my standing with said child in a painfully slow queue to get rid of my bags and grab a boarding pass. It's a good 25 minutes before I'm on my way.
SECURITY
No dramas here: I'm ushered into a special line for parents with infants, stamped and sent through to the baggage scanners in no time.
FOOD AND DRINK
There's plenty of food available at SYD these days – at a food court landside, and two food and beverage areas airside – but is it any good? I've sampled plenty of the outlets and I can say that, mostly, it's not. The meals at Kitchen By Mike are hearty and delicious, if fairly pricey. Aside from that you're looking at average sushi, tepid Thai, or the usual line-up of burgers, burritos, kebabs and salads.
RETAIL THERAPY
Once you get over the indignity of being force-fed into a duty-free store the second you clear security, you will find some decent shopping opportunities. The luxury brands are all here, plus there are travel accessories, books and magazines, souvenirs, a post office and a pharmacy.
KILLING TIME
There are seven airline lounges in SYD, including one, the Skyteam Lounge, that allows paid, single-entry access. There's also free Wi-Fi throughout the terminal, a "light and hydration studio" offering light-therapy facial treatments (whatever they are), plus public-access showers both land- and airside. SYD also has three hotels at various price points within striking distance.
ONE MORE THING
Did I mention the duty-free shop straight after security? This is a sprawling facility that's built to ensure every passenger is forced through a maze of cosmetics, electronics and alcohol before they can enter the terminal proper. It's seriously annoying.
THE VERDICT
SYD could be a lot worse – and honestly, it used to be. Customs and security is now mostly a breeze, and there are plenty of shops, restaurants and other facilities to help while away the hours. The two major downfalls are the expense of trains to get here, and the forced duty-free experience.
OUR RATING OUT OF FIVE
★★★
See also: Airport review: Melbourne T4 is modern, spacious, and infuriating
See also: Airport review: Dubai International, UAE
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