hero media

Travellers get relief as Sydney Airport introduces flat-rate taxi fares

By Emily Murphy
Travellers will soon pay a flat fare from Sydney Airport to the CBD in a bid to end overcharging and confusion.

Sydney Airport is set to roll out a major taxi fare shake-up that promises to bring relief to travellers tired of unpredictable costs.

From 3 November, a 12-month trial will introduce a $60 flat fare for all taxi trips from the airport to the CBD. The cap is designed to put an end to complaints of overcharging and “meter refusal" that have plagued the airport’s taxi ranks for years.

Sydney Airport CEO Scott Charlton said the move would give passengers certainty at one of the city’s busiest gateways.

“The fixed fare trial puts Sydney on par with cities like New York and Paris and is an important step in improving the passenger experience for travellers to our city," he said.

“More than 40 million people pass through Sydney Airport every year, and, for many, their first experience of Australia is when they get into a taxi.  Knowing how much they will pay to get to the city is a positive step."

Taxis lined up in Sydney

Travellers knowing how much they will pay to get to the city is a positive step. (Image: Getty Images / Janwell)

For many, the change is long overdue. Airport taxi fares have long been inconsistent, with some travellers reportedly paying upwards of $150 for the 13-kilometre ride into the city.

I know the pain first-hand. I’ve been hit with a $100 fare from the airport on multiple occasions, one where the driver had even obscured the meter so that I couldn’t see the price. That’s the kind of sting that leaves travellers wary of hopping in a cab at all.

Under the new scheme, the $60 price tag is all-inclusive. Passengers will not have to worry about extra tolls or airport surcharges being tacked on once the meter stops. Clear signage will be installed at the airport and inside taxis to avoid confusion, while inspectors will be on patrol to enforce compliance.

This trial comes off the back of a recommendation by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal, and it has backing from Sydney Airport and the Taxi Council. The Point to Point Commission has already handed out over 1100 fines since late 2022 for meter refusal and overcharging.

If the trial proves successful, the NSW Taxi Council says it would like to see flat fares extended to other common routes, giving travellers greater confidence and making taxis a more appealing option once again.

“Pending the success of the trial, we would like to see the set fares extended to other locations across Sydney, as well as reciprocated for trips coming back to the Airport," NSW Taxi Council CEO Nick Abrahim said.

Emily Murphy is Australian Traveller's Email & Social Editor, and in her time at the company she has been instrumental in shaping its social media and email presence, and crafting compelling narratives that inspire others to explore Australia's vast landscapes. Her previous role was a journalist at Prime Creative Media and before that she was freelancing in publishing, content creation and digital marketing. When she's not creating scroll-stopping travel content, Em is a devoted 'bun mum' and enjoys spending her spare time by the sea, reading, binge-watching a good TV show and exploring Sydney's vibrant dining scene. Next on her Aussie travel wish list? Tasmania and The Kimberley.
See all articles
A hotel bathroom with a freestanding bath overlooking Sydney Harbour Bridge
Sydney

I’ve stayed in 21 hotels in Sydney and this is my favourite

Welcome to the first instalment of Hotel Addict, a monthly column where I check into Australia’s best hotels, exploring not just the rooms, but the stories, service and settings that make each stay unforgettable and worth adding to your wishlist.

Read more
Soft Forest: A free, immersive show is on in Sydney’s historic garden
Sydney

Soft Forest: A free, immersive show is on in this historic Sydney garden

An immersive puppet show in Sydney's Paddington Reservoir Gardens is tackling environmental issues with a playful performance. Best of all, this spellbinding all-ages production is free to see. 

Read more
soluna sydney restaurant people eating wood fired pizza and drinking wine
Sydney

Be transported to an Italian summer at this new Sydney restaurant

Wood-fired pizzas and tableside lasagne: it's time to discover Soluna in North Sydney.

Read more
Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel exhibition is coming to Sydney!
Sydney

Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel exhibition is coming to Sydney!

The Italian Renaissance has just arrived on our doorstep.

Read more
hero media

This iconic Bondi venue is about to land at Sydney Airport

    By Emily Murphy
    Continue
    It’s leading a fresh wave of foodie openings at T3 that will make dining before take-off a destination in itself.

    If you’ve ever sipped a spritz while gazing out over Bondi’s famous ocean pool, you’ll know there’s only one place that does coastal Italian with as much swagger as the surf below: Icebergs Dining Room and Bar. And now, the Sydney dining institution is packing its bags for an unlikely new home – Sydney Airport.

    As part of a major redevelopment of the T3 Domestic terminal, Sydney Airport has unveiled a bold new food and drink line-up, featuring none other than Icebergs. For the millions of travellers who pass through the terminal each year, that means airport dining is about to get a serious glow-up.

    A delicious seafood platter served at the Icebergs Dining Room and Bar, Bondi.

    Enjoy Icebergs’ signature fare at Sydney Airport. (Image: Destination NSW)

    Forget limp sandwiches and forgettable food court fare. Soon, you’ll be able to sit down to a plate of Icebergs’ signature spaghetti vongole, made with Goolwa pipis and Pilu bottarga, or start your morning with folded eggs on sourdough topped with pesto, finger lime and whipped ricotta. Families will love the kid-friendly options – think lasagne, burgers and pasta – proving this isn’t just a treat for the grown-ups.

    Tres Tacos venue at T3 Domestic terminal, Sydney Airport

    Tres Tacos from acclaimed chef Frank Camorra is also opening in T3.

    And Icebergs’ opening is just the beginning. Joining the line-up is Tres Tacos, a brand-new Mexican concept from acclaimed chef Frank Camorra (the man behind Melbourne’s legendary MoVida), bringing market-fresh tacos, burritos and margaritas to the terminal. RaRa Ramen, the cult Japanese noodle bar, will be ladling up steaming bowls of house-made broth and fresh noodles – the perfect pre-flight comfort food. Lotus Dumpling Bar will serve up contemporary Cantonese dumplings and share plates, while Slim’s Quality Burgers and Loulou will bring retro burgers and viennoiserie, respectively.

    RaRa Ramen venue at T3 Domestic terminal, Sydney Airport

    Devour a bowl of RaRa Ramen before your flight.

    If you’re more about grab-and-go, you’re covered too: Stitch Coffee and Espresso@T3 will be pouring excellent brews, Top Juice will keep things fresh with juices and wraps, and Krispy Kreme is on hand for that last-minute sugar hit. To top it all off? Azúcar, a Latin-inspired dessert bar, will tempt travellers with churros and hot chocolate.

    Sydney Airport says the transformation is about creating a world-class experience that reflects Sydney’s own diverse dining culture. According to Mark Zaouk, the airport’s Group Executive Commercial, the line-up was carefully curated to combine “homegrown favourites” with global names, giving passengers more than just a pit stop on their way to somewhere else.

    Loulou venue at T3 Domestic terminal, Sydney Airport

    Loulou will bring French pastries to the terminal.

    The new venues will open progressively from late 2025, alongside a wider refresh of T3 that includes new shopfronts, greenery and improved wayfinding. Until then, travellers can still grab coffee and snacks from pop-up carts dotted throughout the terminal.

    So next time you’re dashing to a domestic flight, don’t be surprised if you’re tempted to arrive early. With Icebergs, ramen, tacos and dumplings waiting at the gate, Sydney Airport is about to become one of the city’s hottest dining precincts – whether you’re travelling or not.