| Major international airports
Major international airports are at Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane,
Perth and Darwin, however facilities for international flights
also exist at Cairns. Even though we're 'down under...' Australia
is not as far as you think. From the West Coast of North
America, flight times to Sydney are equivalent to flights
to Rome or Hong Kong... It's only a couple of meals, a movie
and an in-flight nap.
Many airlines offer competitive fares to Australia on a
regular basis. You can fly direct or island hop across the
Pacific to a number of international gateways... with Sydney,
Melbourne and Brisbane being the most popular... Adelaide,
Perth, Darwin, Cairns and Hobart also have international
terminals.
Peak times for airfares are in the summer months - between
November and January - and especially around Christmas. If
you are planning a summer trip, book well in advance.
Customs and immigration queues are generally short. The
departure and arrival areas include several fine restaurants
and bars.
A departure tax of AUD$38 is charged on leaving the country
but it is usually incorporated into your airline ticket.
If in doubt, ask at the information desk.
For the latest flight information, check out the information
below about flights in your area.
Queensland
Brisbane International Airport (BNE)
Full name:
Brisbane International Airport
Location:
The airport is situated eight miles (13km) northeast of Brisbane, and within easy driving distance of the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast.
Time:
GMT +10.
Contacts:
Tel: +61 (0)7 3406 3000.
Transfer between terminals:
The Domestic and International terminals are located one mile (2km) apart; an Airtrain service and taxis link the two terminals.
Transfer to the city:
The Airtrain Rail Link departs every 15 minutes to and from the Brisbane Central Business District, taking around 20 minutes. There is also a direct link to the Gold Coast that takes 90 minutes. Coachtrans connects to Brisbane, as well as to the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast. Taxis, limousines and airport buses are also available from both terminals.
Car rental:
The main car hire companies represented at the airport include Avis, Budget, Hertz, Europcar and Thrifty.
Facilities:
There are cafes, bars, and restaurants; bureaux de change and ATMs; duty-free shopping facilities, and a variety of other shopping opportunities. Hotel reservation and visitor information services are also available.
Parking:
Short-term and long-term parking is available at both terminals.
Departure tax:
None.
Website:
www.brisbaneairport.com.au
Cairns International Airport (CNS)
Full name:
Canberra International Airport
Location:
The airport is situated five miles (8km) north of Cairns.
Time:
GMT +10.
Contacts:
Tel: +61 (0)7 4052 3888.
Transfer between terminals:
A covered walkway connects the Domestic and International terminals (about a five minute walk).
Transfer to the city:
There is an airport shuttle bus service to hotels and the city centre and taxi ranks are located directly outside the arrival halls. Most major hotels operate courtesy bus services to and from the airport.
Car rental:
Avis, Red Spot, Budget, Hertz, Europcar and Thrifty are represented at the airport and can be found in the international arrivals hall or in the central concourse of the domestic terminal.
Facilities:
Shops, restaurants, bars, currency exchange and ATMs, baby-changing facilities, showers and baggage storage are available in domestic and international terminals. Duty-free shops are also available, and mobile phone rental is available in the international terminal. Facilities for the disabled are good.
Parking:
Long-term and short-term car parking is located adjacent to the International and Domestic terminals.
Departure tax:
None.
Website:
www.cairnsport.com.au
Gold Coast Airport (OOL)
Full name:
Gold Coast Airport
Location:
Gold Coast Airport is located on the Gold Coast Highway, one mile (3km) from Coolangatta.
Time:
GMT +10.
Contacts:
Tel: +61 (0)7 5589 1100.
Transfer to the city:
A free Airport Link shuttle links to public transport outside the airport on the Gold Coast Highway. The Gold Coast Tourist Shuttle operates from the airport to most accommodation along the Gold Coast strip, but services must be pre-booked. Taxis are available outside the terminal building, and several limousine hire companies operate from the airport. A Transport and Information desk is located outside the International Arrivals hall.
Car rental:
Car rental companies, including Avis, Hertz, Budget, Thrifty and Europcar, are located opposite the check-in counters.
Facilities:
A Travelex currency exchange booth is located in the International terminal. Other facilities include cafes, bars and snack bars, Internet kiosks, various shops and duty-free stores. Facilities for the disabled are good.
Parking:
Short and long-term parking is available adjacent to the terminal building. Disabled parking spaces are available in both lots with direct access to the walkway linking to the terminal building.
Departure tax:
None.
Website:
www.goldcoastairport.com.au
New South Wales
Kingsford Smith (Sydney) Airport (SYD)
Full name:
Kingsford Smith (Sydney) Airport
Location:
The airport is situated six miles (9km) south of Sydney.
Time:
GMT +10 (GMT +11 from the last Sunday in October to the first Saturday in March).
Contacts:
Tel: +61 (0)2 9667 9111.
Transfer between terminals:
The Airport Rail Link connects the international (T1) and domestic terminals (T2 and T3), and the T-Bus provides a frequent service between T1 and T2. Some passengers may qualify for the Qantas Seamless Transfer service, which is the easiest way to transfer between the Domestic and International terminals. The Domestic terminals are walking distance apart.
Transfer to the city:
The Airport Rail Link is the fastest and most convenient way to reach the city centre and the suburbs. Trains run every 10 minutes and the journey to the centre takes 13 minutes from where connections can be made for all suburban services. The International rail station is located directly below T1 International Terminal and is reached from inside the terminal on the arrivals level; the Domestic rail station is between the Domestic terminals. A taxi rank is located outside the Arrivals hall in both International and Domestic Terminals; passengers must pay a A$2 airport toll if taking a taxi from any of the airport taxi ranks. Public bus 400 runs between the airport and Bondi Junction. Shuttle bus companies provide direct transport to and from the airport and must be pre-booked; hotel buses are also available.
Car rental:
All the main car hire companies are represented at the airport.
Facilities:
There are a wide variety of shops, bars and restaurants throughout the terminals, as well as shower facilities, Internet kiosks, cell phone rental and duty-free shopping. T1 and T2 also has wireless Internet access. Foreign exchange and ATMs are available throughout the airport. Medical facilities and baggage storage are also available in T1. The airport is non-smoking but there are some designated smoking areas. Business services in Terminals 1 and 2 offer meeting rooms, fax and Internet facilities. Disabled facilities and access are good.
Parking:
There are both short-term, long-term and Quickpark car parks, and Pronto! Valet parking is also available for an additional fee.
Departure tax:
None.
Website:
www.syd.com.au
Australian Capital Territory
Canberra International Airport (CBR)
Full name:
Canberra International Airport
Location:
The airport is situated five miles (8km) east of Canberra.
Time:
GMT +10 (GMT +11 from last Sunday in August to last Saturday in March).
Contacts:
Tel: +61 (0)2 6275 2222 / 2236.
Transfer to the city:
There is an Airliner shuttle bus service during the week to the city centre, which departs hourly from outside the main doors of the central terminal building. Taxis are available at all times to the city centre. Limousines are also available.
Car rental:
Avis, Budget, Hertz, Delta Europcar and Thrifty are represented in the central terminal area.
Facilities:
There is a bar, a restaurant, post office and ATM available in the terminal. There is a foreign exchange bureau on the ground floor of the central terminal. Those with special needs are well catered for.
Parking:
Short- and long-term parking is available at the airport close to the terminal.
Departure tax:
None.
Website:
www.canberraairport.com.au
Victoria
Melbourne Airport (MEL)
Full name:
Melbourne Airport
Location:
The airport is located 15 miles (25km) from Melbourne to the north of the city.
Time:
GMT +10 (GMT +11 from third Sunday in October to third Saturday in March).
Contacts:
Tel: +61 (0)3 9297 1600.
Transfer to the city:
The SkyBus offers a frequent 24-hour shuttle bus service between the airport, the city centre and city hotels. Several public bus services also link the airport to different parts of the city and surrounds. Taxis are available from outside both domestic and international terminals.
Car rental:
Car hire companies include Avis, Budget, Hertz, National and Thrifty; information desks are located in the domestic terminal areas and offices are on the ground floor of the short-term car park.
Facilities:
The airport has excellent facilities, with a bank, currency exchange, and a variety of bars and restaurants available throughout. The wide variety of airport shopping opportunities includes duty-free. Showers, mobile phone rental, luggage storage and Internet connection are also available. Facilities for the disabled are good.
Parking:
The airport has both long-term open and undercover parking, and short-term car parks, as well as a business car park abutting the South Terminal. A courtesy bus service operates between the open long-term parking and the terminal buildings.
Departure tax:
None.
Website:
www.melair.com.au
Tasmania
Hobart International Airport (HBA)
Full name:
Hobart International Airport
Location:
The airport is situated 11 miles (17km) east of Hobart.
Time:
GMT +10 (GMT +11 from first Sunday in October to last Saturday in March).
Contacts:
Tel: +61 (0)3 6216 1600.
Transfer to the city:
The Airporter shuttle bus service meets flights for transport to the city centre. Taxis and limousines are also available.
Car rental:
Avis, Budget, Hertz, Europcar and Thrifty are represented at the airport.
Facilities:
The airport has a Domestic and an International Terminal. Facilities include a bar, ATM, restaurant, wireless Internet access, newsagent and gift shop.
Parking:
Secure and valet parking is available at the airport.
Departure tax:
None.
Website:
www.hobartairpt.com.au
South Australia
Adelaide Airport (ADL)
Full name:
Adelaide Airport
Location:
The airport is situated four miles (6km) west of Adelaide.
Time:
GMT +9.5 (GMT +10.5 from last Sunday in October to third Saturday in March).
Contacts:
Tel: +61 (0)8 8308 9211.
Transfer to the city:
The Skylink Airport Shuttle services the Terminal and provides transport at a reasonable fare to the Adelaide CBD and major city hotels. A public bus service is also available to the city with connections to rail and other bus routes. There are three taxi ranks at the airport with metered taxis taking about 20 minutes to the city centre.
Car rental:
Avis, Budget, Hertz and Thrifty are represented at the airport.
Facilities:
The retail mall at Terminal 1 is one of the most modern in Australia, providing passengers with a wide range of shopping opportunities, as well as duty-free shopping. Currency exchange, free wireless Internet access, luggage storage and bars and restaurants are also available.
Parking:
Long-term and short-term car parking is available at the airport. The long-term car park is serviced by a shuttle bus.
Departure tax:
None.
Website:
www.aal.com.au
Western Australia
Perth International Airport (PER)
Full name:
Perth International Airport
Location:
The airport is located seven miles (12km) from Perth's city centre.
Time:
GMT +8.
Contacts:
Tel: +61 (0)8 9478 8888.
Transfer between terminals:
A bus service links the international and domestic terminals daily.
Transfer to the city:
An Airport-City Shuttle meets domestic and international arrivals and services the city and many hotels. There is also a regular shuttle service to Fremantle and Scarborough, and bus 37 runs a service to the city centre from the domestic terminals. Taxis are available outside both the Domestic and International terminals, and a trip from the International terminal to Perth city will cost approximately AUD$33.
Car rental:
Avis, Budget, Thrifty, Hertz and Europcar are all represented at the airport.
Facilities:
Facilities include a selection of bars and restaurants, various retail stores and a duty-free shop. ATMs and bureaux de change are also available. There is also an information centre, Internet access, mobile phone rental, showers and a post office. Wireless Internet access is available at Terminals 1 and 3. Access to all terminal facilities is provided for disabled visitors.
Parking:
There is plenty of parking at both the Domestic and International terminals; both short and long-term parking is available. Disabled parking bays are available, situated at the top end of the car parks, closest to the terminal buildings.
Departure tax:
None.
Website:
www.perthairport.net.au
Northern Territory
Darwin International Airport (DRW)
Full name:
Darwin International Airport
Location:
The airport is situated eight miles (13km) northeast of Darwin.
Time:
GMT +9.5.
Contacts:
Tel: +61 (0)8 8920 1811.
Transfer to the city:
Taxis take around 20 minutes to the city centre. There is also an airport-city shuttle bus between the airport and city accommodation. which departs hourly from outside the main doors of the central terminal building. Taxis are available at all times to the city centre. Limousines are also available.
Car rental:
Avis, Budget, Hertz, Europcar and Thrifty are represented at the airport.
Facilities:
The airport terminal has ATMs and foreign exchange, several food and drink options, duty-free shopping, Internet kiosks, wireless Internet access, shower facilities, as well as a variety of general shops. Facilities for the disabled are good. The airport is a smoke-free zone, but smoking areas are provided.
Parking:
Short and long-term parking is available adjacent to the airport.
Departure tax:
None.
Website:
www.ntairports.com.au 
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