The start of the Christmas season and summer holidays means heavier than usual traffic on roads in and around Sydney Airport.

Motorists are advised that traffic in and around the airport will be heavier than usual during most of December and January.

Large numbers of travellers are expected at the airport, particularly on weekends.

Peak periods

The start of the summer holidays will be especially busy, with heaviest traffic from Friday 14 December through to Sunday 6 January. During this period traffic will be heaviest:

• between 6.00am and 10.30am at the T1 International terminal and T2/T3 Domestic terminals
• between 5.00pm and 10.00pm at the T2/T3 Domestic terminals

If you are travelling by car to the airport, it’s important to allow plenty of additional travel time, particularly if you are planning to arrive at the airport to catch a flight or pick up passengers during the above peak periods.

Travellers should also strongly consider catching the train to the airport to avoid traffic congestion. Information on train services to and from Sydney Airport can be found here.

Whichever mode of transport you will be using to travel to Sydney Airport, you should plan to arrive at least three hours before your flight if travelling internationally and 90 minutes beforehand if flying domestically.

Overflow Drop-Off Zone

Sydney Airport has an Overflow Drop-off zone at T1 International which operates during peak morning periods. All traffic approaching T1 International Departures from Airport Drive will be directed into Overflow Drop-off between approximately 6.00am and 10.30am every day during December. Traffic approaching from the M5/Marsh Street will be directed onto the Departures Plaza as usual. Motorists are asked to follow all signage and directions from airport staff.

Drop-off stopping times at the terminals are limited to one minute in order to keep traffic flowing.

Thanks you for your patience and co-operation. We wish you a happy and safe Festive Season.