Getting Between Sydney Airport Terminals — Domestic to International (and Back)

Last updated: May 2026 — we made this trip this week in both directions.

Sydney Airport has three terminals: T1 International, T2 Domestic (Virgin Australia and Rex), and T3 Domestic (Qantas). They are not connected airside. If you need to get between them — whether you’re on a connecting itinerary, meeting someone, or simply in the wrong terminal — there is one right answer and several wrong ones.

The right answer: The 420 bus. 10 minutes. Standard Opal fare. Done.

The wrong answer: Walking. Don’t do it. The distance between the domestic and international terminals is too far and the route is unattractive. We’ve seen people attempt it with luggage. It doesn’t go well.

Here’s everything you need to know.

In this post:

The 420 bus

The 420 bus runs between Mascot station, the domestic terminals and the international terminal. For a terminal transfer you’re effectively using it as a shuttle.

Domestic to International (T2/T3 → T1):

Catch the 420 from outside the domestic terminal
10 minutes to international
The bus stop at international is closer to the departures entrance than the train station — this surprises most people

International to Domestic (T1 → T2/T3):

Catch the 420 from outside the international terminal
10 minutes to domestic
The bus stops outside T3 (Qantas). If you need T2 (Virgin), walk through the underpass — about 3 minutes, well signed

Cost: Standard Opal fare. No airport access surcharge. Tap on, tap off.

The one rule — pay attention

This is genuinely important: pay attention to your stop.

The 420 also continues to Mascot station after the airport stops. If you’re not watching and you miss your stop, you’ll find yourself at Mascot station, not the terminal. It happens. We know because we’ve seen it happen — including to ourselves on a distracted day.

The fix is simple: Tell the driver where you’re going when you board. Sydney bus drivers are helpful and will tell you when your stop is coming. There is no embarrassment in asking. There is considerable embarrassment in ending up at Mascot with a connecting flight to catch.

Tap on AND tap off

Sydney buses require you to tap your Opal card both when boarding and when exiting. Without a tap-off you’ll be charged the maximum fare for the route. The Opal readers are at the door when you exit — it takes two seconds and matters.

We watched multiple passengers skip the tap-off on both bus trips this week. Don’t be them.

T2 vs T3 — which domestic terminal do you need?

T3 Qantas: The 420 stops directly outside
T2 Virgin Australia and Rex: T2 and T3 are connected via an underground walkway inside the terminal — it’s not immediately obvious but it’s signed. Allow about 5 minutes to walk between them. If you’re arriving by bus at T3 and need T2, head inside and follow the signs underground rather than going back outside.

If you’re not sure which terminal your airline uses, check your boarding pass — it will say T1, T2 or T3.

The train — fast, frequent, and $5 more expensive between terminals

Worth naming clearly: the airport train connects all terminals and runs every 10 minutes. It’s the fastest and most reliable option, particularly if you’re tight on time or travelling with heavy bags in peak hour.

For a terminal-to-terminal transfer specifically, the train access fee is $5.00 per person — modest, but real. The bus saves you that $5 and takes 10 minutes either way. If you’re coming from the city, the saving is much more significant at $17.92 per person per trip — that’s where the bus really earns its keep.

For a terminal transfer: take whichever is more convenient. If the bus is there, great. If the train is easier, $5 is not worth stressing about.

Timing — how long to allow

The transfer itself: 10 minutes on the bus plus a few minutes either end for walking to/from the bus stop. Allow 20-25 minutes total to be comfortable.

Check the timetable: The 420 runs regularly but not on a constant loop. Check the Transport NSW app before you head to the bus stop so you’re not waiting 15 minutes with bags at an outdoor bus stop.

Peak times: The bus can get busy during peak departure periods. If you’re travelling with large luggage during a busy morning, allow extra time — a full bus with multiple large bags is slower to board and alight than you’d expect.

The lounge angle

If you’re transferring between terminals to access a specific lounge, check our Sydney Airport lounge guide first — some lounges are only accessible from their own terminal, and a 10-minute bus ride is worth planning around if there’s a better option in your departure terminal.

Quick reference

Route	Bus	Time	Cost
Domestic → International	420	10 min	Opal fare
International → Domestic	420	10 min	Opal fare
Mascot → International	420	17 min	Opal fare
Mascot → Domestic	420 or 350	7 min	Opal fare