The train from the Airport to Circular Quay is about $14. I think that would make a lot more sense than doing this incredibly circuitous route from Bondi Junction to UNSW to the city. You don't want to be hopping on and off buses with bags particularly if you have just gotten off a long flight.

I've been on the 400 going to the domestic airport, going back some years. It goes from the airport to Bondi Junction, from where you might catch a train on the Eastern Suburbs Line and transfer at Town Hall for Circular Quay, if you don't want to change buses at UNSW. Many if not all buses at UNSW would be going to Circular Quay as buses are the only form of transport between the city and UNSW along Anzac Parade, so don't worry about the bus number too much. However, you might benefit from this:

http://www.sydneyairport.com.au/find/service-categories/service-listing/service-detail.aspx?ser=%7BAEC2C58D-1956-428D-B625-C64A8DC1DD99%7D

http://www.sydneybuses.info/routes/400_20101128_tt.pdf (explore this website for more info on buses / bus routes)

Yes, you might save some money but it is as Susan7 says, circuitous and not very time-economical. I would probably opt for the airport train also; fewer changes with baggage - just one change at Central. $14 is not a big ask in my book, and not a whole lot more than the government buses with all the changes.

Lavandula

You can also take the 400 bus to either Rockdale or Mascot and then pick up the airport train into the city thus avoiding the gatepass charge. However, as has been said, this is a long way around to save a few dollars.

If there are 2 or more of you, it's probably about line-ball $ wise to get a cab to your hotel if it's in the CBD.

Otherwise, if you're arriving on an international flight, I'd just get the Airport train. Who wants to spend an hour messing about over less than $20?

I'm with Bokhara - after a long haul flight, you need to choose an easy option, I think.

Another alternative is to take one of the city shuttle services between the airport and your hotel. If you Google 'airport shuttle to city sydney' a number of different businesses are listed. You should be able to get a quote from them and compare costs with the Airport train. At least with a shuttle vehicle it would be door-to-door and hassle free. Di

Not sure about the shuttle services, Di - the feedback seems to be "ordinary to awful" on them, unfortunately.

If it goes well, and you're one of the first to be dropped off, it can be ok, but if not it's an irritating milk run.

Thanks everyone. We arrive around 6 a.m. on our International flight. Then 4 days later we need to go to the domestic airport for our flight to Cairns. I thought a week pass would cover both trips plus ferries and train while we're in Sydney so it would save $ overall.

Yes, there are 2 of us.

So bus 400 goes all the way to Bondi Beach before UNSW along Anzac Parade? That would be much out of the way.

Get a cab or take the airport train.

Thanks

No it does not go to Bondi beach ( Bondi Junction only ) but if you catch it you would only go as far as Mascot and then transfer to the train. Also the shuttle bus which indeed is not often recommended will cost roughly the same as the train. No, forget the gatepass save and take a cab!

It would seem that your choice of pass would be a great option provided that you are able-bodied, and don't have more than a carry-on and one piece of checked luggage per person.

You might like to take a look at www.131500.com.au - here you can check on timetables, connections, etc. You wouldn't want to be waiting a long time for the right connecting buses to come along . . . murphy's law says that for any long wait, it's sure to be raining!!! Di

You can catch the 400 bus in the Bondi Junction direction. You get off well before BJ at NSW uni & then you will be able to change to a Circular Quay bus at the same bus stop. It's quite doable but may be a bit of a pain if you have a lot of luggage & are running into morning peak hour. At that time of the morning I'm sure there will be buses coming very frequently at UNSW for the Quay

Thanks aussiesue, That's what I'm looking for. We would buy a MyMulti pass to cover our trip to Circular Quay, and for our 4 days in Sydney, then our return to the domestic airport.

We only have one carry on and one small suitcase each.

Which MyMulti Pass would be best? 1 for local buses and ferries, light rail, or 3 since we're going to the Blue Mountains one day?

Trip Advisor explains how to do this. I just discovered this link. Thanks Peteralan for the heads up on Rockdale and Mascot options.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g255060-c119393/Sydney:Australia:Sydney.Airport.Transport.html

Just did this two weeks ago and the train from the airport to Circular Quay was so fast and easy, I would not mess with buses at 600 AM.

Same thing for the trip back the trains run every 15 mins or so and I sure would not chance the buses or weather on the return trip. The Domestic and international terminal are just one stop apart.

The only day it rained for my entire month was on the way to the airport, but it had no impact on me. Best $14 I spent in Australia, that whole place was outrageously expensive, you can skip a cup of coffee and about break even on the train ride.
Would also look into staying in Port Douglas instead of Cairns. To me it was like being in Key West instead of Miami.

We want to buy the weekly transportation pass, which is the reason to skip the expensive airport train. We're traveling for a month total, so each savings add up. We'll see, once we arrive. We aren't staying in Cairns, but in the Tablelands, Mosseman, Cape Trib, and Port Douglas. Moving around a lot, I know.

Hopefully Grocery Stores will be easy to find and we can buy food as we go instead of dining out each day.

Sydney taxi drivers are speedsters! You'll be at your hotel in no time. How exciting!

I don't know where you're staying in Sydney but we can certainly let you know where to restock on supplies. If nowhere else, there is a massive Woolworth's at Town Hall, which has a supermarket in the basement level. We can tell you more if that's not handy.

Lavandula

I just visited the Woolworth's at Town Hall. Man it was busy!!

Thanks for the tip. Were staying at the russell, in the rocks, then in several places in queensland. Need to stock up in darwin for several days out also.

Bus 400 left the airport at area 22. We took it to mascot. Driver was helpful in showing us were the train was. It was quite simple. The system here are trains, not metros like in Paris. You need to check for the right platforms.

Well see if its as easy returning to domestic terminal tomorrow.

Hi images2, thanks for reporting back! Hope you enjoyed Sydney!

Lavandula