this post was submitted on 15 Jul 2025
4 points (100.0% liked)

Ask An Australian

309 readers
1 users here now

founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS
 

We have a 2 hour layover in Sydney before our flight to Brisbane. We need to get through customs from the international terminal to the domestic terminal in less than 2 hours.

Any tips on speed running this thing?

top 2 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[–] mycatsays@aussie.zone 3 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Sydney airport is trickier than some airports. The domestic and international terminals are (iirc) 2km apart, so it's not like you can just hop over to the next terminal in a row. There is a shuttle. https://www.sydneyairport.com.au/info-sheet/get-to-your-next-flight

As far as Customs -- the queue will vary with time of day and how many flights are arriving close in time to yours. Probably your best option is to be intentional with your packing so that you will have nothing to declare. If that's not possible, declare everything. They don't usually need or want to pick through all your things; they will ask you questions and then either scan the bags, ask you to show them the things you're declaring, or just send you straight on your way (depending on what you have).

Food is the main thing. There are many trash bins between your arrival gate and Customs, specifically for the purpose of disposing of food you can't or don't want to declare. Get rid of anything homemade, open packets, fresh produce. (Sealed, store-bought processed food is generally fine.)

If you have bags to collect and re-check, your timing might be too tight. Baggage claim can be slow at any airport, and so can check-in/bag drop. If you're just travelling with carry-ons, it's probably doable.

[–] Chef_Boyargee@aussie.zone 1 points 1 week ago

I appreciate your thorough answer. We’re flying Qantas both into and out of Sydney. It seems like the Qantas transfer desk will be helpful to a degree, but the big bottleneck is customs. Naturally, we’re scheduled to arrive at 0605, so right in the peak of traffic. Plus, we’re moving, so we’ll have more luggage than we normally would, and we’ll have our 6 year old with us too. I’m sure it’ll be spicy.