FAQs

Designated smoking areas are very limited at Sydney Airport.  The only designated smoking areas are landside as follows:

International Terminal (T1)

Before Customs - The outdoor deck at Terrace Bar (not accessible for travellers waiting in transit)

After Customs - No smoking is permitted

Note: If you are a traveller in transit between flights at International Terminal (T1) there is no area in the terminal where smoking is permitted.

Domestic Terminal (T2)

Before Security - No smoking is permitted inside the terminal

After Security - No smoking is permitted 

There are shower facilities located near Gate 24 after Customs on Departures level.

Please note there is no facility to rent towels. 

It may be possible to leave Sydney Airport and return for a connecting flight, depending on your circumstances.  However it is your responsibility to ensure you satisfy all potential requirements in order for you to be able to board your connecting flight.  These requirements include but are not limited to:

• Satisfying all security, quarantine, customs and border protection requirements for entering and exiting Australian borders (e.g. appropriate passport, visa, outbound flight documentation as required).
• Satisfying all specific requirements of your airline providing the connecting flight.
• Ensuring you have sufficient time to return to Sydney Airport and complete all steps in order to board your flight on time.
• Ensuring you make appropriate arrangements for any luggage.

As a traveller in transit you are advised to defer any purchase of duty free items upon arrival at the SYD Airport Tax and Duty Free stores on Arrivals level until after you pass through security screening and into the Departures area. There are restrictions in place for taking Liquids, aerosols and gels (LAGs) into the Departures area.

You can purchase duty free items at the SYD Airport Tax and Duty Free stores and other shops on Departures level.

If you are not sure which departure gate your flight leaves from, use the flight information display screens located throughout the terminal to confirm your departure gate.  

Once you know your departure gate, use the directional signage inside the terminal to help direct you to your gate. You can also use our interactive map to help find the location of your departure gate.

Specific opening and closing times for different outlets vary slightly, however the standard trading times for most retail stores at both International Terminal (T1) and Domestic Terminal (T2) are 6am to 10pm daily.

Visit our Relax page for opening times of specific retailers

There are Airport Guardian Pharmacies at both International Terminal (T1) and Domestic Terminal (T2).  For more information about the Airport Guardian Pharmacies and view their locations please visit out Airport Guardian Pharmacy page.

There are several airline lounges located at International Terminal (T1) and Domestic Terminal (T2) that service passengers and also some passengers of partner airlines.  For specific information on Lounges and eligibility requirements, please contact your Airlines. 

International Terminal (T1)

After Customs on airside Departures Mezzanine level via escalators

The Qantas Club - Qantas Airways
Qantas First Lounge - Qantas Airways

After Customs on airside Departures level near gates 50 - 63, via lift or escalators
Air New Zealand Lounge - Air New Zealand
Silver Kris Lounge - Singapore Airlines
The Golden Lounge - Malaysia Airlines
Emirates Lounge - Emirates Airlines

Domestic Terminal (T2)

After Security

The Qantas Club - Qantas Airways 
The Lounge - Virgin Australia

The Rex Lounge - Rex Airlines

You need to check the duty free allowances for all destination countries that you are travelling to with the duty free purchased items, as duty free allowances vary depending on where you are going.

To purchase duty free items and check the duty free allowances for your destinations visit one of our SYD Airport Tax and Duty Free Stores.

For your safety, there are rules which restrict the amount of liquids, aerosols and gels (LAGs) on flights into and out of Australia. These rules also apply when transiting on international flights within Australia.

The rules help protect you from the threat of liquid explosives. For further information on the restrictions visit the Travel Secure website.

Use the flight information display screens in the check-in area on the departures level to identify the check-in counters for your flight. The check-in counters are positioned in sequential order from A to K. 

Use the directional signage inside the Terminal to help direct you to your check-in counter area. You can also visit our Map page to help you locate your check-in counter.

There is a large range of eating and drinking options located after Customs at International Terminal (T1), including cafes, bars and casual dining options.

If you have sufficient time before your flight departs, there is a food court and other cafes and bars in the main shopping area located before Customs which also offers an extensive range of eating and drinking options to choose from.

To view the range and location of eating and drinking options at Sydney Airport please visit our Eating and Drinking page.

Please note that the liquids, aerosols and gels (LAGs) restrictions for carry on baggage applies through security screening at International Terminal (T1) and this may also apply for specific flights to security-heightened destinations.