Taxi from Sydney Airport to Circular Quay: fare and cost
The fare table on this page shows the fixed price to Circular Quay for each vehicle, from a sedan for up to three people to an 11-seat Maxi for a group. That's the full price for the trip. Airport pickups include the A$12 airport access charge, and baby capsules or boosters are A$10 each when booked ahead.
A metered rank taxi or a rideshare to the Quay can cost noticeably more at peak times, because the last few kilometres through the CBD are the slowest part of the trip. If you're flying into the domestic terminal, the taxi fare from Sydney Domestic Airport to Circular Quay is shown when you choose T2 or T3 as your pickup, and the drive is usually a few minutes shorter.
Cruise passengers: airport to the Overseas Passenger Terminal
A lot of our Circular Quay bookings are cruise passengers flying in on the morning they embark. The Overseas Passenger Terminal sits on Circular Quay West, at the edge of The Rocks, and the roads around it get very busy on ship days. We'll plan your pickup so you reach the terminal within your check-in window, and help load suitcases at the kerb.
Not sure which terminal your ship uses? Some lines dock at White Bay in Rozelle instead. Check our Overseas Passenger Terminal transfers page or the Sydney cruise terminals guide before you book.
A private alternative to the shuttle to Circular Quay
If you've been looking at a shuttle bus from Sydney Airport to Circular Quay, it helps to know how shared shuttles work: they wait to fill seats and then drop off at several hotels. The Quay is at the far northern end of the CBD, so it's often one of the last stops. A SkyMiles booking is private, leaves when you're ready, and goes straight to your address. For four to six people with luggage, a Maxi 7 is often better value than paying for individual seats.
Route and travel time to the Quay
Your driver will usually take Southern Cross Drive and the Eastern Distributor north, then come through the CBD's eastern side towards Macquarie Street or along the harbour to Alfred Street.
- Off-peak: 20 to 30 minutes.
- Weekday peaks: 40 to 60 minutes, especially between 4 and 6.30 pm.
- Event nights: New Year's Eve, Vivid Sydney and big shows at the Opera House bring road closures around the Quay. We'll set you down at the closest open street and tell you where to walk.
Where we drop off around Circular Quay
- Harbourfront hotels along Macquarie Street, Alfred Street and East Circular Quay.
- Sydney Opera House and the Royal Botanic Garden, using the nearest permitted set-down point.
- Customs House and the ferry wharves, if you're heading on to Manly or Taronga Zoo.
- The Museum of Contemporary Art and the Overseas Passenger Terminal on the western side.
Staying a few blocks up the hill? See our The Rocks transfers or Sydney CBD transfers.
Circular Quay to Sydney Airport
Heading home? We'll collect you from your hotel lobby or the cruise terminal kerb after disembarkation, so you don't have to queue for a taxi at the Quay with all your luggage. Book online or call 0434 663 034, and give us your flight time so we can plan around peak traffic.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does a taxi from Sydney Airport to Circular Quay cost?
SkyMiles fares are fixed and shown before you book. The fare table on this page has the price for each vehicle, including the A$12 airport access charge for pickups.
How long is the drive from Sydney Airport to Circular Quay?
About 25 minutes off-peak for the roughly 13 km trip, and up to an hour in weekday peaks.
Can you take me from the airport straight to my cruise ship?
Yes. We run direct transfers from both airport terminals to the Overseas Passenger Terminal at Circular Quay, and to White Bay Cruise Terminal.
Is the fare different from the domestic terminal?
The fare is calculated on distance, and T2/T3 is a little closer to the city. Your exact fixed fare is shown when you pick your terminal at booking.
Is there a shuttle bus from Sydney Airport to Circular Quay?
Shared shuttles run, but they stop at several hotels along the way. SkyMiles is a private alternative that goes straight to your address.
Can I book a group to Circular Quay?
Yes. Our Maxi 7 takes up to six passengers and the Maxi 11 up to eleven, both with room for luggage.
