Blue Mountains Transport

Sydney International Airport is the chief international gateway to the Blue Mountains and is located just over five miles south of the centre of Sydney. The airport is a modern dual-terminal facility with Terminal 1 serving international flights and Terminal 2 serving domestic ones.

The airport offers a comprehensive selection of services and amenities covering all essentials and a variety aimed at comfort and convenience. ATMs and bureau de change counters can be found in both terminals, as can dining and shopping outlets.

For shopping, there are some 130 outlets on hand selling everything from designer clothing to convenience goods. Duty-free shopping is available on the airside of the international terminal.

Information desks manned by knowledgeable staff known as Gold Ambassadors can be found in both terminals. Additional facilities include a medical centre and a pharmacy in Terminal 1 and a play centre and cinema for children in the VIP lounge.

Getting to Sydney from the airport is uncomplicated with an onsite train station giving passengers access to speedy train services. Trains run at 10-minute intervals and connect with the city centre in just 13 minutes. Access to the station is available via the Arrivals level at the northern end of the international terminal

There are shuttle bus services operating from outside the terminals to the city, its suburban areas and beyond to neighbouring cities in the region. Advance booking is necessary to make use of these services. The regular public bus service operated by Sydney Buses runs from Bondi Junction to Burwood, travelling via the airport. Access to the bus stops is via the Arrivals levels of both terminals.

Taxis can be hired from outside of the Arrivals hall of the international terminal (Terminal 1) and similarly outside of the domestic terminal (Terminal 2). The journey to downtown Sydney normally takes just 30 minutes in ordinary traffic conditions.

Travelling by train from Sydney to the Blue Mountain is a speedy and convenient option, with services running almost hourly from Central Station to major Blue Mountains stations such as Wentworth Falls, Leura, Katoomba, Medlow Bath, Blackheath, Mount Victoria, Bell, Zig Zag and Lithgow. The journey can take up to two hours depending on your final destination. Some stations stop short of the towns or villages and it’s necessary to walk or take a taxi for the remaining distance.

There are no regular public bus services running to the Blue Mountains from Sydney, although one-day trips by coach from Sydney are available. Once in the Blue Mountains region, there are a number of private companies offering bus tours that take in some of the major sights and destinations.

Travelling to the Blue Mountains by road, the M4 motorway provides principle access from Sydney, bringing drivers to Lapstone which is located at the bottom of the mountain range. Alternatively, drivers can travel via Bells Line of Road, starting at Richmond and travelling to Mount Tomah, Bell and Mount Victoria. From the west, drivers should follow signs first for Lithgow then Hartley, eventually entering the region via the Victoria Pass which leads directly to Mount Victoria.