Editing Sydney (section)

==By Plane==
Sydney Airport is the only international airport in New South Wales. It is located quite close to the city, you can catch a train via [http://svc058.bne150v.server-web.com/index.html Airport Link] into the city, but you should be aware, while this is convenient, it is very overpriced! If you are an international visitor, the closest train station is 'International Airport'. If you are arriving on a domestic flight the closest train station is 'Domestic Airport'. To catch the train you want the [http://www.cityrail.info/timetable/ttable.jsp?line=eh&dir=up&day=wd Airport and East Hills] train line.

Did you know you can catch a bus from Sydney airport? It's a lot cheaper than the train, see the [http://www.131500.com.au Transport Infoline] to search your public transport options. Alternatively, search the [http://www.yellowpages.com.au Yellow Pages] for Airport shuttles - searching 'Bus and coach services' as well as 'Airport shuttles' in the 'Sydney CBD' is a good start! 

You can visit the [http://www.sydneyairport.com.au/SACL/default.htm Sydney Airport] website, here you will find information on international and domestic arrivals, flight information, security procedures and more! 

Finally you should know [http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=4224 Australian Customs] places restrictions on plant and animal goods entering and leaving Australia. You can find a useful list [http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=4725 here] of things you should be aware of. Australia is an island, it has a fragile ecosystem and needs to be protected, we do not need more rabbits, cane toads, cane beetles and so on! Please leave your native plants and animals at home!

'''<font color="red">Tip!</font>''' Sydney (Kingsford Smith) International Airport has three free internet terminals on the way to gates 24-28 and several more in the airside shopping area on the way to gates 50-63 (just by the open space looking down to the transit screening area) - perfect for last-minute updates to hosts if you have some minutes to spare and the machines are available.

'''<font color="red">Tip!</font>''' Our cheap domestic carriers are listed on the [[Australia]] cs wiki!

===To and from the airport===
'''By car'''
Domestic pick-ups, domestic drop-offs and international drop-offs at the airport via car are easy, they are well sign-posted as well. There are 5 or 10 minute parking bays where you can drop people off, get the luggage out of the car and so on. In the case of domestic pick-ups get your guest to specify if you are picking them up from Terminal 2 (T2) or Terminal 3 (T3).

International pick-ups are more tricky, as the airport tries to funnel everyone into extortionate parking! If you are picking someone up, it is best to go in as a two-man (or woman) team. One person stays in the car and does loops of the airport or parks if they are lucky (note: unless you pay for it, parking is not for you! Just be prepared to move along, just don't wait in a taxi bay, bus zones or the limousine parking, use common sense!). While one drives the other person should go in and wait at the arrivals gate.

For the international airport, follow the signs to arrivals and you will be funneled into a car park, just before the car park on the left is another road, go down there and you'll end up doing a loop around the car park and you can do a quick drop-off and pick up. Prepare yourself by searching [http://www.maps.google.com Google maps]. To pick one person up from here who is unfamiliar with the place is not a great idea as people simply spew out of the airport in all directions.

If this is too complicated, just wear the cost of parking and wait at the gate for the person you are picking up to arrive.

'''By Train - The Airport Link'''
Using the [http://svc058.bne150v.server-web.com/index.html Airport Link] is a very convenient way to get to and from the airport if you are trying to get to or from the international and domestic terminals. The stations (Green Square, Mascot, Domestic Airport and International Airport) are managed by a private company, and therefore catching a train to and from the airport is more expensive than the state run train stations. 

You should avoid going from the city into the airport during the afternoon from 4pm-6pm as this is peak time. If you have no choice you can avoid pushing and shoving your way onto the train by getting on the 'Macarthur via Airport and East Hills' train line at Town Hall. Town Hall is where this service starts. See the [http://www.cityrail.info/timetable/ttable.jsp?line=eh&dir=dn&day=wd train timetable] for the airport service.

If you are arriving or leaving from a train station that is not on the City Circle, you will need to change at Central Station.