Flights to Sydney (SYD)

Why You Should Take a Flight to Sydney

Sydney, the state capital of New South Wales, is the largest and most cosmopolitan city in Australia – its large immigrant population means it is ethnically and culturally diverse, making it a truly exciting destination to visit. Sydney’s sandy surf beaches attract crowds from all parts of the world, while the iconic Sydney Opera House draws culture vultures from far and wide. Booking a cheap flight to Sydney will enable you to enjoy everything the city has to offer.

When to Book Flights to Sydney?

The best time to visit Sydney for comfortable temperatures and manageable tourist crowds are in spring and fall – from September to November and from March to May, avoiding peak-season summer and low-season winter. Air fares should also be cheaper during those months.

Sydney is fun all year round, however. The summer months of December-February are the optimum time to enjoy the Australian outdoor lifestyle of beaches, barbecues and surfing, with highs of around 80F. Winter is from June to August and it can be cool and damp – temperatures are in the low 60s. It’s a good time to explore all the best indoor attractions, such as the museums and the opera house.

How to Find the Best Flight Deals to Sydney?

With regular flights from many US cities, finding cheap flights to Sydney won’t be difficult and when booking with Orbitz there are plenty of ways to find the best deals.

Having some leeway in your schedule can help track down cheap flights to Sydney. Use the ‘Show flexible dates’ option to look at the cost of air fares to Sydney on different days. The ‘Show options’ button and menu on the left of the results screen allow you to filter and sort your results, so you can search by airlines, flight duration, price, ticket type and look for direct or connecting flights.

US Departures to Sydney

• Los Angeles to Sydney – 15 hours
• Honolulu to Sydney – 10 hours, 45 minutes
• Dallas to Sydney – 17 hours, 15 minutes
• San Francisco to Sydney – 14 hours, 40 minutes
• Houston to Sydney – 17 hours, 20 minutes

Main Airports in Sydney

Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport (SYD)

Sydney Airport is the main international airport serving Sydney in Australia and the busiest in the country. Located five miles south of Sydney city center in the suburb of Mascot, it is also known as Mascot Airport or Kingsford Smith Airport. Sydney Airport has three terminals and handles 43 million passengers a year. Terminal 1 is the main arrival hub for international flights, of which more than 40 are direct connections. The terminal is separated by a runway from terminals 2 and 3, so if you have connecting flights you should allow longer to transfer.

Which Airlines Fly to Sydney?

• Delta
• United
• American Airlines
• Qantas
• British Airways

How to Get to and Around Sydney

Connection to the city center is easy – it’s only a 13-minute journey by train, with trains running approximately every 10 minutes. The railway station is directly below Terminal 1. Note that there is no express service and the trains do not have special baggage space. Sydney Buses also operates regular services from Terminals 1 and 3, or you can rent a car at the airport for your convenience.

Public transport in Sydney itself is well served by trains, buses and ferries, with a new Metro set to open in early 2019, and the most popular way for Sydney’s residents to get around. Get an Opal Card contactless smartcard to make your travel easy – it’s valid on all public transport in Sydney and some neighboring areas. You tap in and tap out on each journey and there is a daily cap on fares, making it great value for money.

What Are the Must-Sees in Sydney?

No trip to Sydney would be complete without heading to the Harbour area. Hop on a ferry to take photos of the Sydney Harbour Bridge or sign up for a bridge climb experience for panoramic views of the harbor, the Sydney skyline and the Opera House. The sailboat-shaped Opera House, designed by Danish architect Jørn Utzon, boasts six theatre and music venues with outstanding acoustics. There are daily tours.

Darling Harbour is a pedestrianized district filled with entertainment – the LG IMAX Theatre Sydney, the Harbourside Shopping Centre and the Australian National Maritime Museum, as well as many child-friendly attractions and a multitude of cafés and restaurants. The Maritime Museum exhibits include 14 different ships docked in Darling Harbour, which you can board and explore.

Sydney has a significant LGBT population. The annual Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras takes place in February-March and boasts pride parade, drag shows, LGBT film festival and more.

Sydney’s cosmopolitan nature makes it a fabulous foodie destination. Enjoy top Chinese cuisine in Chinatown and sample the Greek restaurants. Fusion food is popular, with Asian styles abounding. It’s also a great city for high quality seafood, including shrimp, tuna and oysters.

Tips and Tricks for Traveling in Australia

Australian sun is fierce, so take care. Wear light cotton clothing and sunglasses, drink plenty of water throughout the day and use a high SPF sun-block.

Sydney is in the AEST time zone, making it 17 hours ahead of Los Angeles.

*Savings based on all package bookings with Flight + Hotel made on Orbitz.com from January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2018 as compared to the price of the same components booked separately. Savings will vary based on origin/destination, length of trip, stay dates and selected travel supplier(s). Savings not available on all packages.