SYD: Sydney Airport - Guide, Terminal map, lounges, bars & restaurantsSydney Airport GuideSydney Airport was upgraded for the 2000 Sydney Olympics with a view to improving services and accessibility, however, security and border control restrictions have also increased, with the potential for long delays. Ensure that you have left plenty of time to meet your flight, particularly if you are making a transfer between the international and domestic terminals. Sydney Airport is the longest continuously operated commercial airport in the world, and the busiest airport in Australia (with 35 million passengers a year), and yet all three terminals are large clean and modern, with good facilities. No planes arrive or depart between 11pm and 5:30am, due to noise restrictions, and the airport terminals are firmly closed. Sydney Airport has three passenger terminals. Transfer between domestic terminals T2 and T3 is on foot: it is an easy short walk across the car park. Sydney Airport International Terminal - T1Sydney Airport International Terminal 1 handles all international flights, and now it has gone through a mid-life revamp, it isn't quite the zoo it used to be. Alas, many of the seating areas airside have made way for shops, but it still has a pleasant atmosphere inside. However, there is no getting away from it being two terminals merged into one, with a long walk from the 'Qantas' side to get to the old 'Star Alliance' pier C. A major problem with the Sydney International Terminal is that there are only two bars airside, and both of these shut early in the evening. If you are after a beer at the airport, it is much better to get a beer landside, in the open air beer garden and bistro by check-in Bay A on the departure level. There is also a better and cheaper choice of food before going through security. If you are on one of the few very rare domestic flights from Sydney Terminal 1, that connect to international destinations, you will need photo ID, and you will need to check in at a desk. Your boarding card is then stamped 'D', and you can enter the international terminal, without exiting Australia. Sydney Airport Domestic Terminal 2There are two 'wings' to the terminal, connected by a food court and shopping area. There are vastly more bars in Terminal 2 than in T3 or the International terminal - which could reflect the differing nature of patronage. Sydney Airport Domestic Terminal 3Terminal 3 also has the famous Sydney Qantas Museum on the upper level, which isn't to be missed if you like aircraft. Admission is free. First & Business Class lounges at Sydney AirportSydney Airport transportationTravellers should know that many bus, limousine and shuttle bus services operating to and from Sydney Airport usually require pre-booking. Sydney Airport trainCityRail trains leave every 10 minutes from the Domestic and International rail stations, which are connected to the airline terminals via lifts and pedestrian subways. A single ticket to the city is $15.40 (day-return ticket $25.80), which includes an airport station surcharge (GatePass) of $12 ($19 for a day-return GatePass). The airport is located on the Airport & East Hills line, and takes about 15 minutes to reach Central Station in the city, from where you can take another train to Circular Quay. Sydney Airport suburban bus servicesThe route is the 400 local bus. The bus costs $3.30. At the airport, the bus stops are located outside T1 and T3 (but not T2). Sydney Airport taxi servicesA taxi from the airport to the city centre costs about $40. You have to pay a $3.80 airport taxi levy and a $6 Eastern Distributor toll on top of the metered fare. On a Friday evening there are long queues for taxis, of over an hour. Car Hire at Sydney AirportSydney Airport HotelsThere are no hotels at either domestic terminals, but it is only a 15 minute walk along O'Riordan Street to the nearest hotel, the Stamford Plaza (which has the La Boca Argentine Restaurant), or the Quest Mascot. Another 10 minutes up the road is the Ibis Sydney Airport. Sydney Airport Bars and RestaurantsSydney International Bars & RestaurantsHowever, things are changing, with the opening of a new Heineken bar in departures, and a Coopers Alehouse in arrivals. Terrace BarThe Terrace Bar at Sydney Airport is one of the best places to drink at the airport. It is before security, and perhaps because of that it has a nice vibe, with a contemporary style offering. The beer selection is remarkable, with 12 on draft and a further 15 in bottles. It also has a large outdoor area - near the observation deck. If you have time and want to wander, you can take a beer up in the lift, and watch the planes take off and land. Food is pretty good here too, with a general Asian influenced style, plus some (rather expensive) pizzas. Heineken HouseThe brand new Heineken House at Sydney International Airport is the brand's very first flagship venue in Australia, hot on the heels of the similar bars in Dublin, Dubai, Hong Kong, and Amsterdam. The Sydney Airport Heineken bar has as you would expect all the beers, including Extra Cold and Heineken 3 (86 calories per bottle, 3.3% ABV). The new venue, which features an eight metre high bottle wall and floor-to-ceiling window, also sells food, including wood-fired gourmet pizzas. Studio ModeAs the name suggests, this is a modern and achingly trendy drinking and dining experience, right in the centre of the concourse. Main products are martinis, G&T, & champagne. Downside is service, which is curt to the point of being direct. Food is pretty good, with ham and eggs benedict a delight. The club sandwiches are pretty good too, and make a decent breakfast. Slipstream Cafй BarNot one of my favourites, but it has an amazing view over the runway with the city beyond. Melt-in-the-mouth cakes, Turkish pockets and a salad bar which is ok. A choice of bistro style hot meals, plus a good selection of Aussie beers. Decent food with New York style pizza, and a full cooked breakfast. Santos coffee BarA pretty standard airport coffee bar with gourmet sandwiches, focaccias and baguettes. Sydney Domestic Terminal 2 Bars & RestaurantsTerminal 2 TaphouseOne of the best airside pubs at Sydney feels just like a real, decent, local pub. The taphouse advertises it's wine store - with pretty good bottles of plonk to buy post security - but it also has a very comfy lounge bar, and the only tap beer in Terminal 2. Decent pub grub too with burgers and pies. The earliest opening coffee shop in Terminal 2 is around the corner from the Rex lounge, and has a striking wall of tea and coffee. Describing itself at 'The Espresso Taste of Life' Schibello's Coffee uses the best Arabica beans plus Italian biscottis, friands, slices, muffins, cookies, cakes, pastries, wraps, focaccias and salads. Movida BarThe Movida is a bit of an institution in Sydney, with Australian / Spanish fusion. The airport bar serves a selection of Spanish tapas, including 'Bomba', a Catalan potato and chorizo dish; 'Carrillera de Buey', slow braised beef cheek in Pedro Ximenez on cauliflower puree; and Jamon and Manchego Bocadillo. The design of the bar is also striking, with solid Blackwood bar tops, chunky steel footrests, terracotta tiles and rustic steelwork stamping MoVida's Melbourne laneway heritage. You won't be able to keep your eyes off the eye-jolting LED scrolling signage over the bar and a vast TV screen. It serves Spanish beers and Spanish & Australian wines. Early in the morning it does a decent coffee too. Bistro Bar 2020There is what the bar says is 'up-market pub dining' including a decent fry up, and fish and chips. The wine list is worthy of note, with a decent drop or two. Sydney Domestic Terminal 3 Bars & RestaurantsVelocity BarVelocity's sleek design and stainless steel furnishing is the trademark of ARE's flagship brand. There's an Oyster bar, plus loads of different coffees, and a tolerable bar service. Toby's EstateToby's Estate is not a bar, but a premium coffee roaster, and tea and chocolate merchant, which source its beans from the best plantations and estates all over the world. Cometto BarAt the end of the domestic terminal, in the 'circle' area by the museum is a small coffee shop, which also offers a bar with beer, wine and spirits in front of large TV screens. It does some snacks too. Coopers AlehouseThe bespoke bar features the full range of Coopers brews, together with an assortment of local and imported beers, fine wines, pre-mixed drinks and a bar snacks and meals menu.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |