Layover in Sydney on NZ Passport - can I leave the airport?
I'm travelling soon to Auckland going to Manila and has a layover way back in Sydney for 12 hrs. Can I leave the airport? Or do I need a transit visa or whatsoever? I'm a first time traveller with NZ passport holder.
Best Answer
I'm a Kiwi too, and I assure you, you're totally fine to leave the airport.
Evidence? Just 6 weeks ago I was flying through Sydney enroute back to NZ, and had 10 or so hours to kill. I caught the train into town, met up with a couple of friends for lunch and wandered around a bit, and then headed back to the airport.
I didn't even need to collect my luggage - it was checked right through, so when I checked in for the next flight, I just confirmed that with them. No problems whatsoever.
If you have the new NZ black passports, you can even use the Smart Gates - where you just walk through with a photo taken of you and a scan of your passport, don't even need to queue for the customs. It's all set up to be very straightforward for Kiwis and Aussies to visit and / or work in each others' countries.
Enjoy Sydney. It's a bit expensive to get into downtown, but check out the Wikitravel page about how to get around that if you want to, otherwise take the train - it's pricey, but it's so easy to get in and out of the city.
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Can you leave the airport during a layover in Sydney?
If you are an international passenger in transit and would like to leave Sydney airport, you will need a visa to enter Australia. There are a few options; a free transit visa is available to travellers from some countries that will let you into Australia for up to 72 hours.Do I have to go through customs for a connecting flight in Sydney?
For those arriving internationally and connecting to a domestic flight: You will need to clear customs and immigration, which can take upwards of an hour if busy. You will need to transfer on the airside bus, which can take ten minutes when it arrives.Can you walk from the domestic to international terminal in Sydney?
Please be aware that it is not possible to walk between the Domestic and International terminals. The T-Bus is Sydney Airport's complimentary shuttle bus service between the T1 International and T2/T3 Domestic terminals. The service currently operates every 30 minutes. The journey takes approximately 10 minutes.Can I transit in Sydney?
All international arrivals are permitted to transit via NSW to another state or territory. In Australia, states and territories have their own rules and restrictions in place. You should check the rules and requirements of the jurisdiction you are travelling to and ensure you are permitted to enter.A Basic Guide to Layovers
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