• Sydney for events
• About Sydney
  • Sydney snapshot
  • Flights to and from Sydney
  • Things to see and do
  • Roads and maps
  • Google maps
  • Public transport and walking Sydney
  • Money matters
• Green Sydney
• Beyond Sydney
• Business Events Calendar

• Home
• Why Sydney
• About Sydney
• » Flights to and from Sydney

Flights to and from Sydney

Australia is a world away from just about everywhere. It can be a long flight, but once visitors discover Sydney’s stunning harbour and beaches, fine restaurants, cosmopolitan shopping and nearby mountains, wineries and coastal areas, they never want to leave.

Visiting Sydney from overseas

Visas

Most overseas visitors need a valid visa before they can travel to Australia. Travellers should arrange their visa well ahead of time (at least four to six weeks before leaving their home country) to ensure entry into Australia is seamless. Travel agents or airlines can arrange visas. For more information visit the Australian Department of Immigration's website.

Incoming passenger cards

Most visitors need to complete and present a passenger card when they enter or leave Australia. On the way in, airline crew give visitors this card to complete before they land.

Luggage

At Sydney Airport, visitors can pick up a free luggage trolley after they pass through Immigration, before retrieving their luggage to move through Customs.

Quarantine inspections

Australia’s distance from the rest of the world protects it from a number of diseases. To keep things this way, our quarantine process is extremely strict. Almost all bags are X-rayed, many are searched, and trained dogs sniff luggage.

Visitors may not bring any food, flowers or other prohibited items (visitors will be given a list) into Australia.

Visiting Sydney from other Australian regions

If visitors are coming to Sydney from anywhere else in Australia, the process is simple. There are five domestic airlines flying to Sydney: Qantas, Jetstar, Virgin Blue, Aeropelican and Rex. The Sydney domestic and international terminals are separate buildings, next to each other. There are no formalities when visitors arrive, other than to collect their luggage and head off to enjoy the city.  You can find out more information about getting to Sydney from the airport here.