Western Sydney International Airport Opened on 25 October 2026: Open 24 Hours, but No Direct Train Yet
Western Sydney International Airport (WSI) began passenger flights on 25 October 2026, according to the Prime Minister of Australia, and runs 24 hours with no curfew; there is no direct train yet, so travellers reach it by a free shuttle bus from St Marys station, by public bus or by car.
On Sunday 25 October 2026, Jetstar flight JQ362 to the Gold Coast became the first commercial passenger flight from the new airport. ABC News reported that the flight, due at 11am, took off just before 11:30am and was sold out. The airport’s full name is Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport, and it sits at Badgerys Creek in Sydney’s south-west.
This guide uses the opening as a starting point to set out which flights use WSI, how to get there, what parking costs, and how it compares with Sydney Airport (SYD) at Mascot.
Key Points
- Who should pay attention: families and workers in Western and South-Western Sydney (around Penrith, Liverpool, Campbelltown and Mount Druitt), and travellers flying to or from Melbourne, Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Auckland or Singapore.
- Few routes at first: Jetstar domestic flights from opening day, Air New Zealand from 26 October, Singapore Airlines from 23 November, and Qantas from 28 March 2027.
- Plan the trip there: there is no direct train; the free WSI Link bus from St Marys is the simplest option, and the airport metro line has no official opening date.
- The big advantage is no curfew: Sydney Airport generally has no take-offs or landings from 11pm to 6am, while WSI is open around the clock.
WSI Flights: Airlines, Destinations and Start Dates
The routes, frequencies and start dates below are according to the Prime Minister of Australia’s announcement of 10 June 2026, with Air New Zealand’s weekly frequency from the Minister for Infrastructure’s media release:
| Airline | Destination | Frequency | Starts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jetstar | Melbourne | Up to 14 a week | 25 October 2026 |
| Jetstar | Gold Coast | 4 a week | 25 October 2026 |
| Jetstar | Brisbane | 3 a week | 25 October 2026 |
| Air New Zealand | Auckland | 3 a week | 26 October 2026 |
| Singapore Airlines | Singapore Changi | Daily | 23 November 2026 |
| Qantas (operated by QantasLink) | Brisbane and Melbourne | 4 a week each | 28 March 2027 |
The Singapore Airlines service gives Western Sydney residents a way to fly to Singapore, and on to other Asian cities, without crossing the city first. Schedules and fares change, so check the airline before booking. The government says the first stage of the airport can handle up to 10 million passengers a year, with room to expand.
Getting to WSI: Shuttle, Buses, Driving and Parking
There is no direct train to WSI. The options below are set out according to Transport for NSW’s guide to getting to and from WSI (parking rates are covered separately below):
| Option | From | Frequency and hours | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| WSI Link shuttle bus | St Marys station | Every 30 minutes; 4:30am–midnight Sunday to Thursday, 4:30am–1am Friday and Saturday | Free |
| Route 772 | Mount Druitt (via St Clair) | Every 30 minutes, 5am–10pm daily | Opal or contactless card |
| Route 790 | Penrith (via Kingswood) | Every 30 minutes, 5am–10pm daily | Opal or contactless card |
| Route 825 | Liverpool (via Bonnyrigg) | Every 30 minutes, 5am–10pm daily | Opal or contactless card |
| Route 845 | Campbelltown (via Oran Park) | Every 30 minutes, 5am–10pm daily | Opal or contactless card |
| Route 860 | Liverpool (via Leppington) | Every 30 minutes, 5am–10pm daily | Opal or contactless card |
| Driving | M12 Motorway (links the M7 and The Northern Road) | 24 hours | M12 is toll-free; parking extra |
| Taxi or rideshare | Ranks and pick-up zones outside the terminal | 24 hours | No fixed taxi fares; meter must run |
Getting to WSI from the Sydney CBD
From the city, take a train to St Marys and change to the free WSI Link, or take a train to Penrith, Liverpool, Campbelltown, Leppington or Mount Druitt and change to the matching bus above. Transport for NSW does not publish a single journey time, so check the Trip Planner before you go. Between midnight and 4:30am, NightRide buses replace some train lines.
Parking at WSI: Launch Rates
According to rates announced by the airport and reported by The Moodie Davitt Report on 10 September 2026, these launch drive-up rates apply from 25 October 2026 until April 2027:
| Car park | Location | Launch drive-up rate (per day) |
|---|---|---|
| Long-stay (P4) | Free shuttle bus to the terminal | From A$15 |
| Saver (P2, uncovered) | About a 2–3 minute walk | From A$29 |
| Premium (P1 and P2, covered) | About a 2–3 minute walk | From A$49 |
There are more than 6,000 spaces, with further discounts for online bookings and longer stays, and a free 15-minute express zone for drop-offs and pick-ups. Rates after April 2027 have not been announced; check the airport’s website for current prices.
When Will the Airport Metro Open?
Sydney Metro – Western Sydney Airport is still under construction. The 23km line will have six stations, running from St Marys through the airport to Bradfield. Transport for NSW gives no opening date and says the line will replace the WSI Link shuttle once it runs. Until an official date is announced, do not plan trips around the metro.
WSI or Sydney Airport (SYD): Curfew, Transport and Flights Compared
WSI details are from the Prime Minister of Australia and Transport for NSW, the distances from ABC News, the Sydney Airport curfew from the Department of Infrastructure, and SYD transport from Transport for NSW:
| Western Sydney International (WSI) | Sydney Airport (SYD) | |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Badgerys Creek, about 45km from the Sydney CBD and 18km from Penrith’s centre | Mascot, south of the city |
| Curfew | None; open 24 hours | Generally no take-offs or landings 11pm–6am (Sydney Airport Curfew Act 1995) |
| Train | No direct train; free shuttle from St Marys | T8 line under the terminals; adult station access fee A$18.61 on top of the fare |
| Taxi to the CBD | No fixed fare; metered | Flat fare trial of A$60 (standard taxi) |
| Flights | Few routes at first: Jetstar domestic, Auckland, Singapore; Qantas from 2027 | Wide choice of domestic and international routes |
| Driving | Toll-free M12 | Depends on your starting point and route |
In short, if you live in Western or South-Western Sydney, your route is on offer, or you need a very early or late flight, WSI may be easier. If you live in the CBD, the eastern suburbs or the North Shore, or your destination is only served from Sydney Airport, SYD is still more convenient for now.
Before You Fly From WSI
- Check the airport code: make sure your booking says WSI or SYD. The two airports are far apart, and switching on the day is not realistic.
- Leave extra time: buses and the shuttle run every 30 minutes, less often than city services; the WSI Link starts at 4:30am and regular buses at 5am.
- Plan late arrivals: the last regular buses run at 10pm and the WSI Link runs until midnight Sunday to Thursday; after that you need a car, taxi or rideshare.
- Expect crowds at first: Transport for NSW suggests non-travellers visit in the afternoon or later during the first week.
Common Misconceptions About Sydney’s New Airport
- “The new airport has a metro, so it is quick from the city.” The metro is still being built and has no official opening date; for now the options are shuttle, bus, car or taxi.
- “Sydney’s international flights are moving west.” At first only Air New Zealand to Auckland and Singapore Airlines to Singapore fly international routes from WSI. Sydney Airport keeps operating and still handles most international flights.
- “Open 24 hours means plenty of overnight flights.” No curfew means airlines can schedule night flights, but whether they do depends on each airline’s timetable.
- “A$15 a day is the permanent parking rate.” It is a launch drive-up rate until April 2027; later rates have not been announced.
Scenarios: How Three Travellers Might Use WSI
- A Penrith office worker flying to Melbourne for work can take route 790 straight to the airport or drive on the M12. With up to 14 Jetstar flights a week to Melbourne, a suitable time may mean no need to cross the city to Mascot.
- A parent from Taiwan visiting a student in Sydney via Singapore can fly Singapore Airlines to WSI daily from 23 November. If family lives around Liverpool or Campbelltown, WSI may be closer, but check the arrival time: after the last bus, someone will need to drive or you will need a taxi.
- A CBD resident flying Qantas to Brisbane will have to wait until 28 March 2027 for Qantas at WSI, and the airport is about 45km from the CBD, so Sydney Airport remains the easier choice for now.
Western Sydney International Airport: Frequently Asked Questions
When did Western Sydney International Airport open?
WSI began passenger flights on 25 October 2026, with Jetstar JQ362 to the Gold Coast as the first commercial passenger flight. The government says freight flights started earlier, in July 2026. The airport has no curfew, runs 24 hours and can handle up to 10 million passengers a year in its first stage.
Can I take a train to Western Sydney International Airport?
Not directly. Take a train to St Marys and change to the free WSI Link shuttle bus, which runs every 30 minutes, or take a train to stations such as Penrith, Liverpool or Campbelltown and change to a bus. The airport metro line is still being built and has no official opening date.
What international flights use WSI?
At first there are two international routes: Air New Zealand flies to Auckland three times a week from 26 October 2026, and Singapore Airlines flies daily to Singapore Changi from 23 November 2026. Other routes are Jetstar domestic flights to Melbourne, the Gold Coast and Brisbane, with Qantas starting on 28 March 2027.
How much is parking at WSI?
According to the airport’s announced launch rates, as reported in the media, drive-up parking from 25 October 2026 until April 2027 starts at A$15 a day in long-stay, A$29 a day in saver and A$49 a day in premium, with further discounts online. Long-stay has a free shuttle bus to the terminal. Check the airport’s website for current prices.
What is the difference between WSI and Sydney Airport?
The main difference is the curfew: Sydney Airport generally has no take-offs or landings from 11pm to 6am, while WSI has no curfew. Sydney Airport is at Mascot with T8 trains to the terminals; WSI is at Badgerys Creek, about 45km from the CBD, with no direct train yet. Sydney Airport also has far more routes.
If I live in Western Sydney, should I always fly from WSI?
Not always. If your destination is served from WSI at a suitable time, leaving from around Penrith, Liverpool or Campbelltown is usually easier, and the M12 is toll-free. But WSI has few routes for now, so if your destination is only served from Sydney Airport, you will still need SYD. Compare flights and travel time at both airports before booking.
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Important Disclaimer
This article is general information and does not constitute legal, tax, financial or travel safety advice. It is based mainly on 2026 information from the Prime Minister of Australia, the Minister for Infrastructure, the Department of Infrastructure and Transport for NSW, and on media reports from September and October 2026; parking rates are as announced by the airport and reported in the media. Flights, frequencies, fares and parking rates can change at any time, so check the airlines, the airport and Transport for NSW for the latest information.
The flight and transport information in this article is current as of 25 October 2026; check Transport for NSW and the airport for the latest updates.
References
Prime Minister of Australia – It’s official – Western Sydney to open to passengers on 25 October and freight on 26 July 2026 (10 June 2026) / Minister for Infrastructure – Kia ora! Air New Zealand three times weekly flights between Auckland and Western Sydney begin October 26 / Transport for NSW – Getting to and from Western Sydney International Airport (WSI) / Transport for NSW – New bus services for Western Sydney / Transport for NSW – Getting to and from Sydney Airport / Department of Infrastructure – Guidelines for the granting of dispensations at Sydney Airport / ABC News – Western Sydney International Airport opens to passengers, with its first commercial flights (25 October 2026) / The Moodie Davitt Report – Western Sydney International Airport announces car park offers ahead of 25 October opening (10 September 2026)
