Key Takeaways
- Western Sydney International (WSI) opened on Sunday 25 October 2026. Jetstar flew first, to the Gold Coast; Air New Zealand brought the first international passengers, from Auckland, the next day.
- Seven airlines have signed up, but two fly there today. Singapore Airlines starts on 23 November 2026, Vietjet in January 2027, Fiji Airways and Qantas in March 2027, and Qatar Airways on 15 December 2027.
- There is no train yet. A free WSI Link bus runs to St Marys station every 30 minutes while the metro is built.
- WSI has no curfew. Kingsford Smith's runs from 11pm to 6am. At least three of the five international airlines have scheduled a WSI flight inside those hours.
- For a stay in central Sydney, Kingsford Smith is still closer: 8 km and 13 minutes by train, against about 44 km and roughly an hour from WSI.
Western Sydney International (WSI) opened to passengers on 25 October 2026. Two airlines fly there today: Jetstar to Melbourne, the Gold Coast and Brisbane, and Air New Zealand to Auckland three times a week. Five more have start dates through December 2027. There is no train yet; a free bus links the terminal to St Marys station.
Flying into WSI? Build a free day-by-day Sydney plan in Navoy, starting at WSI.
Is Western Sydney Airport open yet?
Yes. Jetstar flight JQ362, a full Airbus A320, left for the Gold Coast on Sunday 25 October 2026, scheduled for 11am. Air New Zealand's NZ165 from Auckland landed the next morning, carrying the airport's first international passengers. Cargo flights had already started in July.
The full name is Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport, and its code is WSI. It sits at Badgerys Creek, about 44 km west of the Sydney CBD, according to Destination NSW, on a site picked for Sydney's second airport back in 1986. One terminal handles domestic and international flights, with more than 40 check-in kiosks and 34 bag drops, and the airport is designed for up to 10 million passengers a year at first.
Which airlines fly from Western Sydney Airport?
Seven airlines have signed up, according to the Prime Minister's opening-day statement, but only Jetstar and Air New Zealand fly there today. Singapore Airlines starts daily flights to Singapore on 23 November 2026. Vietjet, Fiji Airways and Qantas follow in early 2027, and Qatar Airways comes last, on 15 December 2027.
Here is every confirmed route, with the start date each airline or the government announced:
| Airline | Route from WSI | First flight | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jetstar | Melbourne | 25 Oct 2026 (flying now) | Up to 14 a week |
| Jetstar | Gold Coast | 25 Oct 2026 (flying now) | Daily |
| Jetstar | Brisbane | 25 Oct 2026 (flying now) | 3 a week |
| Air New Zealand | Auckland | 26 Oct 2026 (flying now) | 3 a week, economy only |
| Singapore Airlines | Singapore | 23 Nov 2026 | Daily |
| Vietjet | Ho Chi Minh City | 10 Jan 2027 (first WSI departure) | 2 a week |
| Fiji Airways | Nadi | 19 Mar 2027 | 3 a week |
| Qantas (QantasLink) | Melbourne and Brisbane | 28 Mar 2027 | 4 a week to each |
| Qatar Airways | Doha | 15 Dec 2027 | 3 a week |
A few details that matter when you book:
- Jetstar flies the busiest schedule: up to 24 return flights a week, after it raised the Gold Coast route from four a week to daily. Flying to Melbourne for the tennis in January? See our Australian Open 2027 hotel guide.
- Air New Zealand is economy only at WSI. Its daily Kingsford Smith flights keep the premium cabins.
- Qatar Airways tickets go on sale on 19 December 2026, almost a year before the first flight. For how early is early enough on long-haul routes, see how far in advance to book international flights.
- Two more routes are only plans. Jetstar to Bali, daily from 15 March 2027, still needs government approval. Vietjet Thailand intends to fly to Bangkok four times a week, details to be confirmed.
Ready to pick a flight? Search flights into Western Sydney (WSI).
Should you fly into Western Sydney or Sydney Kingsford Smith?
For a stay in central Sydney, Kingsford Smith (SYD) is still the easier airport: 8 km from the CBD and 13 minutes by train. WSI makes sense if you are staying in Western Sydney or heading to the Blue Mountains, if you want a late-night flight, or if your airline only flies there.
How the two airports compare, from the airports', airlines' and Transport for NSW's own figures. Prices in this guide are in US dollars at the European Central Bank reference rate of 28 October 2026 (A$1 = $0.7033), with Australian dollars in brackets.
| Western Sydney (WSI) | Kingsford Smith (SYD) | |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Badgerys Creek, about 44 km west of the CBD | 8 km from the CBD |
| Time to the city | About 60 minutes (Air New Zealand's estimate) | 20 to 30 minutes (Air New Zealand); 13 minutes by train (Sydney Airport) |
| Rail link | None yet: free WSI Link bus to St Marys station, every 30 minutes | Airport Link train, about every 10 minutes |
| Hours | 24 hours, no curfew | Curfew 11pm to 6am |
| Airlines | 2 flying now, 7 signed up | A record 54 (Sydney Airport, September 2026) |
| Terminals | One terminal, domestic and international together | Separate international and domestic terminals |
| Taxi to the CBD | Metered, no fixed fare; a private coach costs $39 (A$55) one way | About 20 minutes, $32 to $39 (A$45 to A$55) |
The short version: pick the airport that is closer to where you sleep. Penrith and the Blue Mountains line are on the WSI side of the city; the Harbour, the CBD and the eastern beaches are on the SYD side.
Pick your base first, then your airport: compare Sydney hotels with live prices.
Is Western Sydney Airport really open 24 hours?
Yes. WSI has no curfew, while the Sydney Airport Curfew Act 1995 restricts take-offs and landings at Kingsford Smith from 11pm to 6am. In practice, no passenger flights were operating or planned at WSI between 1am and 4:30am when it opened, according to SBS News, and public transport thins out late at night.
We checked the published launch schedules of the five international airlines. At least three have a WSI flight timed inside Kingsford Smith's curfew hours:
| Flight | Route | Scheduled time at WSI |
|---|---|---|
| Singapore Airlines SQ202 | WSI to Singapore | Departs 11:55pm |
| Fiji Airways FJ990 | WSI to Nadi | Departs 11:55pm |
| Qatar Airways QR906 | Doha to WSI | Arrives 11:45pm |
That means a full last day in Sydney before a midnight departure. Times can shift with daylight saving, so check yours when you book.
Plan the ground leg around the clock. The route buses stop at 10pm, and the free WSI Link runs until midnight from Sunday to Thursday and until 1am on Friday and Saturday. After that, it is a taxi, rideshare or a pre-booked transfer.
How do you get from Western Sydney Airport to the city?
There is no train to the terminal yet. The free WSI Link bus runs every 30 minutes to St Marys station on the T1 Western Line, where trains continue to the city. Five Opal bus routes link the airport with Penrith, Mount Druitt, Liverpool, Campbelltown, Oran Park and Leppington. Taxis, rideshare and a private coach cover the rest.
Your options today, from Transport for NSW unless marked:
- WSI Link (free bus): St Marys station to the terminal every 30 minutes, 4:30am to midnight Sunday to Thursday and 4:30am to 1am on Friday and Saturday. It is temporary and runs until the metro opens.
- Route buses (Opal or contactless card): every 30 minutes, 5am to 10pm daily. Route 772 to Mount Druitt via St Clair, 790 to Penrith via Kingswood, 825 to Liverpool via Bonnyrigg, 845 to Campbelltown via Oran Park, and 860 to Liverpool via Leppington.
- Super Shuttle WSI (private coach): one way to Parramatta $18 (A$25), to the Sydney CBD $39 (A$55) and to Kingsford Smith $46 (A$65), adult launch fares from, in WSI's announcement of 1 October 2026.
- Taxi and rideshare: dedicated ranks and pick-up zones sit right outside the terminal. There are no fixed taxi fares, and the meter must run unless you pre-booked.
- Driving: the toll-free M12 Motorway runs from the M7 at Cecil Hills to the airport. Drop-off zones are a one-minute walk from the terminal.
- Parking: more than 6,000 spaces. Launch drive-up rates, valid to the end of April 2027, start at $11 (A$15) a day for long-stay, with a 5-minute shuttle, $20 (A$29) for saver and $34 (A$49) for premium (WSI's announcement of 10 September 2026).
Landing late or carrying bags? Book an airport transfer from WSI before you fly, so a car is waiting even after the last bus.
Still choosing your flights? Search flights into WSI.
When will the Western Sydney Airport metro open?
Not yet, and not soon. Transport for NSW lists the Sydney Metro Western Sydney Airport line as under construction: 23 km and six stations from St Marys to Bradfield. The airport says it is due in 2027, but NSW Premier Chris Minns said in June that services may not start until mid-2028, according to SBS News.
Until the line opens, the free WSI Link bus covers the same corridor to St Marys. Neither the government nor Transport for NSW has published an official opening date, so treat any date you read as a forecast.
Where should you stay if you fly into Western Sydney Airport?
Near your plans, not near the runway. Penrith is about 23 km from WSI, a 20 to 25 minute drive, and Parramatta about 40 km by road, 40 to 50 minutes, according to Destination NSW. For the Harbour, the CBD and the beaches, stay in the city and allow about an hour each way.
- Penrith: the closest big town, on bus route 790, with trains on toward the Blue Mountains.
- Parramatta: $18 (A$25) one way on the Super Shuttle WSI coach, a middle ground between the airport and the city.
- Central Sydney: the Harbour, the Opera House and the beaches. If your airline also flies to Kingsford Smith, that is the shorter ride.
Still deciding where in the city? Browse hotels across Sydney.
Frequently asked questions
What is the airport code for Western Sydney Airport?
WSI. The full name is Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport, at Badgerys Creek. Sydney's older airport, Kingsford Smith, is SYD. Check the code before you pay: Air New Zealand flies to both airports, Singapore Airlines will from 23 November 2026, and a WSI ticket lands you about 44 km west of the CBD instead of 8 km away.
Is there a train to Western Sydney Airport?
Not yet. No train runs to the terminal. The free WSI Link bus connects it with St Marys station on the T1 Western Line every 30 minutes, from 4:30am to midnight Sunday to Thursday and until 1am on Friday and Saturday. The Sydney Metro airport line is under construction and due in 2027, though the NSW Premier has said it may slip to mid-2028.
Does Qantas fly from Western Sydney Airport?
Not yet, but its low-cost airline Jetstar does. Qantas starts on 28 March 2027, with QantasLink Embraer E190 jets flying four times a week to Melbourne and four times a week to Brisbane. Jetstar has flown from WSI since opening day, to Melbourne, the Gold Coast and Brisbane.
Which international flights go from Western Sydney Airport?
Today, only Air New Zealand to Auckland, three times a week. Singapore Airlines starts daily flights to Singapore on 23 November 2026, Vietjet flies to Ho Chi Minh City from January 2027, Fiji Airways to Nadi from 19 March 2027, and Qatar Airways to Doha from 15 December 2027.
How far is Western Sydney Airport from Sydney city?
About 44 km west of the Sydney CBD, according to Destination NSW, and roughly an hour by road, according to Air New Zealand's own airport comparison. Kingsford Smith is 8 km from the CBD and 13 minutes by train. From Parramatta, WSI is about 40 km by road, a 40 to 50 minute drive.
Plan this trip
- Plan your own for free: planning a trip at navoy.io is free. Tell Navoy your dates and budget and it builds the day-by-day plan. Start your Sydney plan
- Hotels in Sydney: compare live prices for your dates
- Flights: search flights into Western Sydney (WSI), 3 to 6 December 2026
- Airport transfer: book your ride from the airport
Flying into Sydney's new airport? Plan the trip free, then compare live hotel prices - Navoy: your AI Travel Agent
Sources
- Prime Minister of Australia, "First Passengers Lift Off from WSI" (25 October 2026) - opening day, JQ362 at 11am to the Gold Coast, the 1986 site decision, one terminal for domestic and international, 40+ check-in and 34 bag drop kiosks, the seven airlines signed up
- Prime Minister of Australia, "It's official: Western Sydney to open to passengers on 25 October" (10 June 2026) - Jetstar launch routes, Qantas from 28 March 2027 with E190s, Air New Zealand from 26 October, Singapore Airlines from 23 November 2026, curfew-free operation, the intended 1 November 2026 night-movement date, capacity of 10 million passengers a year
- Sydney Airport Curfew Act 1995, section 6 - the 11pm to 6am curfew at Kingsford Smith
- Transport for NSW, getting to WSI - no train to the airport, WSI Link hours, the five bus routes, fares, taxis, the metro's 23 km and six stations
- Transport for NSW, "Discover your way to WSI" brochure (October 2026, PDF) - M12 Motorway, drop-off zones, more than 6,000 parking spaces, long-stay shuttle, metro under construction
- Destination NSW, Western Sydney International Airport - 44 km west of the CBD, Parramatta 40 km by road, Penrith 23 km, drive times
- Air New Zealand, Western Sydney International - three flights a week to Auckland, economy only, about 60 minutes to the city vs 20 to 30 from SYD
- Vietjet, Ho Chi Minh City to Western Sydney announcement (10 August 2026) - start date, two flights a week, schedule, WSI's 82 million passenger target
- NSW Tourism Association, Fiji Airways to take off from WSI (8 September 2026) - Nadi from 19 March 2027, three a week, Boeing 737 MAX 8
- AeroRoutes, Fiji Airways WSI schedule (9 September 2026) - FJ990 departure at 11:55pm
- The Milelion, Singapore Airlines to Western Sydney (25 March 2026) - SQ202 departure at 11:55pm, A350 daily service
- Qatar Tribune, Qatar Airways to Western Sydney (20 October 2026) - start on 15 December 2027, three a week, QR906 arrival at 11:45pm, tickets on sale 19 December 2026
- Sydney Airport, transport options - 8 km from the CBD, 13 minutes by train, trains about every 10 minutes, taxi about 20 minutes and $32 to $39 (A$45 to A$55)
- Sydney Airport, EgyptAir announcement (9 September 2026) - a record 54 airlines
- SBS News, getting to WSI (27 October 2026) - no flights between 1am and 4:30am, the Premier's mid-2028 comment
- Jetstar newsroom, first passenger flight from WSI (25 October 2026) - up to 24 weekly return flights: Melbourne up to 14, Gold Coast daily, Brisbane 3; Qantas from 28 March 2027
- 1News, first international passengers (26 October 2026) - Air New Zealand NZ165 from Auckland on 26 October
- Executive Traveller, Qantas eyes new flights to Indonesia (2 October 2026) - the proposed Jetstar WSI to Bali route and its approval status
- Executive Traveller, Vietjet launches Western Sydney flights (10 August 2026) - Vietjet Thailand's planned Bangkok service
- Western Sydney International, launch car parking offers (10 September 2026) - more than 6,000 spaces, launch rates from $11, $20 and $34 (A$15, A$29 and A$49) a day, valid to April 2027
- Western Sydney International, shuttle bus service (1 October 2026) - Super Shuttle WSI launch fares from $18, $39 and $46 (A$25, A$55 and A$65)
- Western Sydney International, Fiji Airways tickets on sale - Nadi from 19 March 2027, three a week, Boeing 737 MAX 8, 11:55pm departure
Related articles
- Australian Open 2027: Hotels, Costs and Where to Stay in Melbourne
- How Far in Advance Should You Book International Flights?
- 6 Airlines That Give You a Free Hotel on a Layover (2026)
All figures verified 29 October 2026 and re-checked 9 November 2026. Airline start dates are as announced and can change, so check your booking.
About the Author
Ranym Garali
Ranym is the Marketing and Content Lead at Navoy. She's been writing about travel for two years and digs into the data behind each piece, flight prices, visa rules and what people are actually searching for , so the advice holds up in practice.
