Parking Restrictions FAQ's
Commonly asked questions:
Q. Why are the parking restrictions at the Airport so strict?
A. Parking restrictions are in place to ensure the safety and security of all visitors and provide for the efficient operation of the airport. Security requirements at all Australian airports have been upgraded since recent terrorist attacks around the world and this includes controlling access by motor vehicles.
Q. Can I stop in a bus zone if there are no buses waiting?
A. No. Vehicles parking and stopping in bus zones create an ever-increasing problem for bus drivers pulling into and out of these bays. The danger created by buses forced to double park and manoeuvre into and out of an inadequate space is of great concern. You should note that it is irrelevant how long your vehicle remains stationary in the area - simply stopping the vehicle in a bus zone constitutes an offence.
Q. What if I parked in a disabled parking space because my passenger had injured their leg and needed assistance?
A. It is an offence to park in an area designated for people with disabilities without the correct authorisation.
Q. What if my passenger’s flight or baggage was delayed and I was waiting for them to arrive?
A. There are no designated pick up areas at the International Terminal outside the Car Park facilities. Domestic Terminals ( T2 and T3) - Sydney Airport's T2 passenger pick-up area has been relocated to provide more spaces, more free pick-up time and less congestion. The new passenger pick-up area is located across Keith Smith Avenue from T2 and across Shiers Avenue from T3. It provides space for 51 vehicles with a free 10 minute pick-up period. Drivers will be able to leave their vehicles unattended.
The change will benefit passengers using T2 – the Domestic Terminal used by Virgin Blue, Jetstar, Tiger Airways, Qantaslink, Regional Express (REX) and other regional carriers. T3 Qantas Domestic passesngers may also elect to use the new pick up facility. There is no change to arrangements at T1 (International Terminal) or T3 (Qantas Domestic).
A map detailing the new arrangements is available here. T2 New Pick-up Zone (100.55kB)
Q. Why am I allowed to drop off passengers on Departures but not able to collect passengers in the same area ?
A. If people try and pick-up in the drop off area it causes congestion and makes the entire process much more difficult and significantly inconveniences departing passengers.
The provision of a kerbside pick-up facility at the International Terminal has been investigated and is not feasible due to increasing passenger volumes and motor vehicle congestion. In peak periods there are 4,000 people an hour exiting the International Terminal and while only a proportion of these would use a pick-up facility the numbers involved mean that it is not practical.
Q. Why does Sydney Airport allow pick ups on the Arrivals level of the Domestic Terminals but not at the International Terminal?
A. The arrangements at the International Terminal have been in place since mid-1990.
International passengers are required to be processed through immigration, customs and quarantine. They also typically travel with more luggage than domestic passengers. Together this means that the transit time through the terminal is not easy to predict and vehicles waiting for passengers could easily be delayed causing additional congestion.
Most of our passengers do not use the car park. To get to and from Sydney Airport people can use public transport such as the train, taxis, bus and shuttle bus services and limousine services and rental cars. There are lots of choices available for people to consider and evaluate on both price and convenience.
Q. What happens if I enter the car park by mistake?
If you have entered the car park in error proceed directly to the exit where staff will let you out at no charge.
Q. What if I own the vehicle but I was not driving at the time of the offence or I have recently sold the vehicle?
A. If you receive a parking infringement notice but were not the driver or you did not own the vehicle at the time of the offence complete a statutory declaration stating the name and address of the driver or owner of the vehicle, and send it to Sydney Airport Corporation Limited by emailing pins@syd.com.au or sending to PINS C/- Finance Department, Locked bag 5000, Sydney International Terminal NSW 2020
Q. If I want to appeal an infringement what do I do?
A. All appeals must be in writing and either posted to PINS C/- Finance Department, Locked bag 5000, Sydney International Terminal NSW 2020 or emailed to pins@syd.com.au
Q. How many parking spaces are there at Sydney Airport?
A. There are about 13,000 parking spaces available at Sydney Airport, so there is a lot of supply available to match the demand.
Q. How else can I get to Sydney Airport if I don’t want to drive?
A. To get to Sydney Airport people can use public transport such as the train, taxis, bus and shuttle and limousines services.
There are a lot of choices available for people to consider and evaluate on both price and convenience.