We are considering a flight to Australia that has an 8 hour layover in Sydney. Is the public transportation such that we could get into the downtown area to look around and get back to the airport in plenty of time? Would you recommend any places to see in such a short amount of time?

Yes, that's no problem at all.... the airport in Sydney is only a few kilometres from the centre of the city (there have been plans to move it into the nether regions, but so far they have come to nothing), and transport is good. Fastest is a train (the station is directly underneath the international terminal), which will take no more than fifteen minutes. There are also buses and taxis (the taxi might actually work out cheaper if "we" means three or more of you).

You should head directly for Circular Quay. There's a railway station there, and, as you alight from the train, you will be looking at just about everywhere you will want to visit in a half-day: the Harbour Bridge on your left, the Opera House on your right, the ferry wharves directly in front.

Walking towards the bridge, you will pass through an area known as "the Rocks", which is to Sydney what the French Quarter is to New Orleans. It's worth an hour of strolling around. The footway entrance to the Bridge is in this area, and, frankly, I think a walk onto the Bridge (maybe all the way across, and come back on a ferry -- they leave from just near the entrance to the amusement park) is a nice idea... the view is great. There is a lookout a fifth of the way across -- Pylon Lookout -- which is worth doing, since you probably wouldn't have the time to organise a Bridge climb.

Assuming you have returned by ferry to Circular Quay (you will pass under the Bridge and get some amazing views of the Opera House), your next stop should be the Opera House; on the other side of this building is the entrance to the Botanical Gardens, which is a nice place to stroll to get to Macquarie Street, our historic street of fine government buildings. First up will be Government House (sometimes open for inspection)-- the signs will show you where to go. Virtually next door is the Conservatorium of Music, and going up Macquarie Street from there, you will pass the State Library, Parliament House, the old Mint, the Barracks, and Sydney Hospital, all within a few paces of each other.

The Art Gallery is just down the road at the left of St Mary's Cathedral, and it's not a bad visit; however, you may prefer to go on into Hyde Park ( not, in spite of the name, anything to compare with Hyde Park in London, but there's a nice fountain near the entrance), and then turn right (at that fountain) and walk down through the shopping area to the Queen Victoria Building, Sydney's only real "Belle Epoque" building, which has been very nicely restored. It's now full of boutique shops, and (on the lower level) food courts.

Walking through there, heading away from the harbour, you will emerge to find yourself in the very centre of the city: the Town Hall. If you have a hankering to do some shopping, this is the area to hang around. Ask anyone to point you (back) to David Jones and the Pitt St Mall. You'll see the park again as you walk, and you'll be surprised at what a small city this is, really..... you can see a lot in a half-day. When you've spent your budget allowance in David Jones (don't neglect to visit the "Food Glorious Food" area in the basement), you will want to hire a taxi to return to the airport, I guess. Or, there is a railway station (St James) entrance opposite David Jones.

This itinerary misses Darling Harbour, which is no great loss, and doesn't give you much time to travel around the harbour in the ferries, which is a pity (if you had an extra hour and a half I would recommend a round trip on the Manly Ferry... it travels the full length of the harbour), but I think you'll be happy with your use of time!

Have a nice half-day!

Yep! Alan's nailed it exactly. Only thing I'd add is that while you're near the Queen Victoria Building, you might like to nip across George Street into the newly opened Hilton. Go to the Bar (Zest, I think) on the 4th floor. It has a fabulous open air section which gives sensational views of that part of town and especially the upper floors of the QVB & Town Hall. I was there last night and it really is a great addition to our town.

I hope you have a great stay.

Thank you for the excellent, detailed replies. Sounds like something we must do! How long should it take to go back through customs since we are leaving the airport and will have to go through again? Is it much of a hassle?

Unless I've misread your plans, if Sydney is your port of entry to Australia you'll have cleared Customs and Immigration on arrival; so if you're proceeding to another Australian city after your 8-hour layover you won't have to see them again (not until you leave Australia, anyway). You'd return to the domestic terminals, which are some distance from the international terminal.

Or is your Sydney layover on the way out of Australia? In that case, reverse the above - you'll be coming in from another Australian city and won't have to undergo exit procedures until you leave from the international terminal.

If you want to look up regular trains at www.cityrail.info/, note that you'll need the green Airport & East Hills Line, boarding at the International Airport from where it takes 22 minutes to Circular Quai.

An alternative is the private www.airportlink.com.au/ that requires you change at Central. You can buy the tix online.

There's just one problem - as has been pointed out, if your onward flight is to an Aussie destination, you'll be flying out from the Domestic Terminals (2 or 3) a couple of miles down the road from the International (T1) where you arrived, and what will you do with your bags? Circular Quai train station has no lockers. Nor does Central (no longer, for security reasons). You could walk around the corner from Circular Quai station, into George street, and into one of the huge hotels there, the "bell boys" probably take care of it, you can always say you just checked out but you're not leaving just yet.

WK

Sometimes your luggage can be checked through, or you can re-check at the airport for the ongoing flight. Your travel agent should be able to confirm this for you.

We will be connectint to a flight to Darwin, so I am assuming we will not be handling our luggage until Darwin. How do people get from the International Terminal to the Domestic Terminal?
No travel agent, we are booking on our own. We have done quite a lot of international travel so are not timid about getting out and about, but some places are more easily accessed than others. How does the Sydney Airport compare to the Brisbane airport should we decide to stop there instead of Sydney on the was home to the US?

You can travel the short distance between domestic and international terminals at Sydney by the bus or train. Not sure about Brisbane.

In Brisbane everything's under the same roof (or was when I was last there) and it's compact. The airport is also not a long way from the city centre, maybe 20 minutes by cab from memory.

The procedure I'm used to us that you go through Customs and Immigration at Sydney as port of entry. The airline then re-checks your bags, gets them to your domestic flight, and takes you to the domestic terminal by tarmac bus. But I transit to Canberra, which isn't a Customs port - maybe the Darwin situation is different.

Either way, I can't see how you'll have to worry about your bags in Sydney. As you'll have gone through Immigration you should be free to explore Sydney for a few hours. Just check with the airline staff who'll be on hand to help with your transit when you arrive in Sydney.

there is heaps to see and do in Sydney. if you are in sydney in daylight hours totally, then i would investigate the chance to do the bridge climb. of course money comes into this idea. it is expensive. but depending on the time of day, and how busy it is, you could be able to leave on the next tour. tours start every 15 minutes. they do take three hours. but you could travel to the rocks, walk up and ask the desk about the times and chances. it really is a unique way to see sydney and a world class experience. the views from there are to die for.