Sydney Airport Bus Guide — the 420 and 350 (Skip the Train Tax)
Last updated: October 2026 — fares refreshed and new Metro connections added. Both buses first checked in person in May 2026.
Most people know you can walk to Sydney Airport from Mascot station to avoid the train access fee. Fewer people know you can also just catch the bus.
The 420 and 350 Sydney buses both serve the airport from Mascot station, both accept Opal card tap-on/tap-off, and neither charges the airport access fee. We caught both this week as part of our regular airport route check. Here’s everything you need to know — including the things that caught other passengers out while we were watching.
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The two buses
420 bus — Mascot to both terminals
The 420 is the one to remember. It serves both the domestic and international terminals from Mascot station, making it the most versatile option.
- Mascot to International (T1): 17 minutes
- Mascot to Domestic (T2/T3): 7 minutes
- Domestic to International: 10 minutes
- Cost: Standard Opal fare — no airport access surcharge
The 420 stops right outside the Qantas terminal (T3) at domestic. T2 (Virgin Australia) and T3 (Qantas) are connected via an underground walkway — it’s not the most obvious connection but it’s there and it’s signed. Allow 5 minutes to walk between them once you’re inside.
For international, the 420 bus stop is actually closer to the terminal than the train station. This surprises people. The train station at international requires a longer walk through the terminal to get to departures — the bus drops you right at the door.
On the new Metro? It doesn’t go to the airport. Change at Central for a T8 to Mascot (Domestic), or at Sydenham for a T4 to Rockdale and the 420 from there (International). The full 420 route, suburb by suburb →
350 bus — Mascot to Domestic only
The 350 goes to domestic only. If you’re flying Qantas or Virgin domestically and you’re coming from Mascot, the 350 is a direct, fast option.
- Mascot to Domestic (T2/T3): 7 minutes
- Cost: Standard Opal fare
Yes, the train works too — here’s the honest case for it
This is a money-saving guide, but we’d be doing you a disservice not to acknowledge the train properly.
The airport train is fast, air-conditioned, runs every 10 minutes, and removes all timing stress from your journey. It’s the right choice when you’re running late, travelling with heavy luggage in peak hour, or it’s tipping with rain. No shame in it.
The cost is the station access fee on top of your Opal fare:
| Station access fee | |
|---|---|
| Adult (Opal) | $18.61 per trip |
| Adult (single trip ticket) | $19.00 per trip |
| Child/Youth | $16.64 per trip |
| Between domestic and international (whole train fare) | $7.30 off-peak / $8.50 peak (420 bus: $1.60–$3.20) |
Two adults travelling from the city to the airport and back is $74.44 in access fees alone. That’s the number worth knowing. If you’re coming from the city with a manageable bag, the bus saves you nearly $18 per person per trip — that’s a genuine saving worth making the effort for.
If you’re only travelling between domestic and international terminals, the train costs about $5 to $6 more per person than the bus ($7.30–$8.50 vs $1.60–$3.20 on Opal) — convenient, but not a reason to reorganise your plans around the bus.
This guide exists so that choice is yours to make consciously — not something that happens by default because you didn’t know the bus existed.
What to know before you get on
Tap on AND tap off. This sounds obvious but we watched multiple passengers on both buses fail to tap off. On Sydney buses the tap-off matters — without it you get charged the maximum fare for the route. There are Opal readers at the door when you exit. Use them.
Luggage is the variable. If you’re travelling with a backpack or a single carry-on, the bus is easy. If you’re travelling with multiple large checked bags, be aware: Sydney buses are not designed for lots of people with large luggage. On a busy service this can get chaotic fast. If you’re travelling light — walk or bus. If you’re travelling heavy and it’s peak hour — budget for the train or an Uber and save yourself the stress.
If in doubt, ask the driver. Particularly relevant when going between terminals — the 420 serves both, but it’s easy to lose track of which stop is which if you’re not paying attention. We speak from experience: get distracted on your phone and you may find yourself at Mascot station instead of the international terminal. The drivers are helpful. Ask.
Check the timetable. Buses run regularly but not constantly. Check the Transport NSW app before you leave so you’re not waiting 20 minutes at Mascot with bags.
Bus vs walk vs train — which should you choose?
| Walk | Bus (420/350) | Train | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | Opal to Mascot/Wolli Creek | Opal to Mascot + bus | Opal + $18.61 access fee |
| International time | 25 min walk | 17 min + travel to Mascot | Fast but expensive |
| Domestic time | 21 min walk | 7 min + travel to Mascot | Fast but expensive |
| Best for | Light bags, good weather | Any bags, any weather | Running late or heavy luggage |
| Worst for | Heavy luggage, rain | Peak hour with big bags | Budget travellers from the city |
Our honest take: Coming from the city with a carry-on and a bit of time — the bus saves you $18.61 per person, worth the effort. Just transferring between terminals — the $5 to $6 saving is modest, take whichever is more convenient.
Getting between terminals
The 420 is the practical option for getting between domestic and international. The train takes 2 minutes but costs $7.30 off-peak or $8.50 peak on Opal, against $1.60 to $3.20 on the 420 — modest but real.
- Domestic to International: 420 bus, 10 minutes
- International to Domestic: 420 bus, 10 minutes
Pay attention to your stop. If you miss it you’ll end up at Mascot station. Ask the driver if you’re not sure — they’ll tell you when your stop is coming.
Full details in our getting between terminals guide →
The SIM card and FX ATM situation
You’ll walk past the SIM card hawkers and foreign exchange ATMs at the international terminal on the way in. Both are worth ignoring completely — tourist SIMs at inflated prices and some of the worst exchange rates in Sydney. Both exist because most travellers arrive underprepared.
Sort your travel data at home with Airalo — here’s why we use it →
Landing in Sydney from overseas? You don’t need the SIM counters in arrivals. Here’s the eSIM to buy before you fly →
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Enter the giveaway →Frequently asked questions
Which bus goes from Mascot Station to Sydney Airport?
The 420 goes to both the Domestic terminals (about 7 minutes) and International (about 17 minutes). The 350 goes to Domestic only. Both charge a normal Opal bus fare, with no airport station fee.
Does the 350 bus go to the International terminal?
No. The 350 stops at the Domestic terminals only. For International, take the 420.
How much is the bus from Mascot to the airport?
A standard Opal bus fare of a few dollars. The train from Mascot to the airport stations adds the $18.61 station access fee per adult, each way.
How often does the 420 run, and how early does it start?
Every 10 to 15 minutes during the day. It runs overnight, seven days a week, but only about once an hour in the small hours. The 350 also runs overnight to the Domestic terminals. Check the Transport NSW app for times on the day.
How long does the bus take between the Domestic and International terminals?
About 10 minutes on the 420, for $1.60 to $3.20 on Opal. The train takes 2 minutes but costs $7.30 to $8.50. Allow 20 to 25 minutes all up on the bus, including the wait.
Can I take the Metro to Sydney Airport?
Not directly. For Domestic, change at Central for a T8 train to Mascot, then the 420 or 350. For International, change at Sydenham for a T4 train to Rockdale, then the 420.
Related reading
- How to walk to Sydney International Airport — the Wolli Creek route
- How to walk to Sydney Domestic Airport — from Mascot station
- Getting between Sydney Airport terminals
- Every lounge at Sydney Airport
- Why we use Airalo instead of roaming
- 420 Bus to Sydney Airport — suburb-by-suburb guide with real timetable data
Verified May 2026. Fares sourced from transportnsw.info — check for current pricing before travel.
