Cheapest time to fly to Sydney
Sydney flights are usually most expensive in the Australian summer when the sun is sizzling all day long. So, if budget is your priority, you should aim to fly from May through to August. If you can’t wait any longer to go in 2024 / 2025 (and we don’t blame you), prices in August are still not too pricey and will come down again in June next year. If you’re hoping to travel on a shoestring, be flexible with dates and times of flights to get the best possible price.
Best time to book your flight to Sydney
When’s the best time to book flights to Sydney? In short -the sooner the better. Ideally, you want to give yourself a gap of seven to eight months between booking that ticket and getting on the plane, to give you time compare flight prices over a few weeks and make the most of the deals. If you’re hoping to watch the world-famous New Year fireworks in Sydney Harbour, we’d recommend booking any December flights as far in advance as possible. It’s a favourite amongst locals and travellers alike – so don’t miss out!
How long is the flight to Sydney?
You’ll spend about 21.5 hours in the air flying from London airports to Sydney, plus the time for a stopover which changes depending on the airline. If you’re starting your journey in Scotland, you’ll be looking at a slightly longer journey, with a flight from Glasgow taking around 25 hours flight time. It’s not exactly a speedy journey but it’s definitely worth the wait.
Flying to Sydney Airport (SYD)
As you can imagine, there is no shortage of flights to Sydney, and Sydney airport is the busiest in Australia. 16.7 million passengers use the international terminal each year, and it’s one of the oldest continually operating airports in the world since the first flight took off in 1919. The airport is located only 8 km from the city, so whether you choose to have a quick city break for a few days before heading somewhere else in the country, or a longer holiday basking in the sun, you won’t be wasting any of your precious holiday time trying to get around.
All flights to Sydney from the UK include a stopover, so there’s no escaping that, but you can always choose to extend your holiday by making the most of whichever city you fly through. Whether you’re staying in Dubai, Tokyo or Kuala Lumpur, your stopovers can be just as exciting as your Sydney holiday! If you want to do this, look for flights that have a bigger gap between the two legs of your trip, and make sure you have the right visa so you can leave the airport to explore. Your choice may affect the cost of your flight, so bear that in mind when shopping around.
We check thousands of deals each day so finding a cheap flight to Sydney that works for you will be a breeze. Generally, we find that Lufthansa and SWISS offer the best deals.
All flights to Sydney from the UK include a stopover, so there’s no escaping that, but you can always choose to extend your holiday by making the most of whichever city you fly through. Whether you’re staying in Dubai, Tokyo or Kuala Lumpur, your stopovers can be just as exciting as your Sydney holiday! If you want to do this, look for flights that have a bigger gap between the two legs of your trip, and make sure you have the right visa so you can leave the airport to explore. Your choice may affect the cost of your flight, so bear that in mind when shopping around.
We check thousands of deals each day so finding a cheap flight to Sydney that works for you will be a breeze. Generally, we find that Lufthansa and SWISS offer the best deals.
Getting around Sydney Airport
Arriving at Sydney airport can be a holiday in itself! Depending on your route, you may get to take in views of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House before you land, and who wouldn’t want to tick that off their bucket list? You’ll enter the airport through one of the 42 arrivals gates and go straight through passport control before collecting your luggage. There are 15 carousels to keep the baggage claim crowds moving, but if you’ve brought your surfboard, skis or any other large items with you you’ll need to head to carousels 16 and 17 to retrieve them. Once you’re in the arrival hall, you can grab a bite from one of the cafes or head off to find your transport and get your dream trip started. As you exit the airport building, turn right to the bus or train stations, or left if you’re looking for the taxi rank.
Getting to Sydney from the airport
Your best bet is to catch the train. The journey to the city takes only 13 minutes and trains leave every 10 minutes or so - getting to your hotel will be a breeze. You can’t use cash so tap your contactless card as you get on or buy an Opal travel card in the terminal. Opal is a pre-paid card you can use on all public transport in the city, so definitely worth getting on for your trip. Driving, the 8 km journey will take only 20 minutes to the centre of Sydney, and there are taxi ranks outside all terminals.
Why visit Sydney?
Sydney is one of the most iconic cities in the world and is no doubt on most people’s bucket lists. Whether your ideal trip includes sightseeing, adventure sports or sunbathing on the beach, Sydney has it all.
Often mistaken as being Australia’s capital, it is the most populated city in the country and is also home to over 2 million internationals. It’s no surprise that this melting pot of different cultures and cuisines has a talent for making anyone feel like they belong. And of course, everyone wants a photo in front of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge, we recommend getting to know them even better by taking a guided tour. Or better yet, why not climb the bridge for an amazing view over the harbour?
If you’re looking for a hidden gem to catch the skyline, try the giraffe enclosure at Taronga Zoo, which sits on a hill opposite the city centre. For a taste of luxury, Darling Harbour is a beautiful and thriving neighbourhood, with shops, restaurants and museums to suit everyone. Beachgoers shouldn’t miss the opportunity to see Bondi, of course, but we would also suggest catching the ferry over to Manly for a beach day and to sample the laid-back vibe Sydneysiders escape there for.
From Sydney, you can take day trips to see the famous Blue Mountains, Hunter Valley’s vineyards, or go whale watching. In the winter months, use the city as a base to get to the best ski resorts in Australia (yes, really!).
Often mistaken as being Australia’s capital, it is the most populated city in the country and is also home to over 2 million internationals. It’s no surprise that this melting pot of different cultures and cuisines has a talent for making anyone feel like they belong. And of course, everyone wants a photo in front of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge, we recommend getting to know them even better by taking a guided tour. Or better yet, why not climb the bridge for an amazing view over the harbour?
If you’re looking for a hidden gem to catch the skyline, try the giraffe enclosure at Taronga Zoo, which sits on a hill opposite the city centre. For a taste of luxury, Darling Harbour is a beautiful and thriving neighbourhood, with shops, restaurants and museums to suit everyone. Beachgoers shouldn’t miss the opportunity to see Bondi, of course, but we would also suggest catching the ferry over to Manly for a beach day and to sample the laid-back vibe Sydneysiders escape there for.
From Sydney, you can take day trips to see the famous Blue Mountains, Hunter Valley’s vineyards, or go whale watching. In the winter months, use the city as a base to get to the best ski resorts in Australia (yes, really!).
Visa requirements for Australia
You’re most likely to need a basic eVisitor visa, unless you’re staying for more than three months. If you’re planning a longer trip, you will need a different visa depending on whether you want to work or study while you’re there. Make sure you know what you can and can’t take into the country, particularly when it comes to food items and residual sand or mud on your clothing. Australia is strict about this so check the rules before you fly.
