Australia airport exit guides
Australian airports are safe and expensive. Uber, DiDi, and Ola all work at SYD, MEL, BNE, PER. Taxis are metered and honest but pricey — SYD to CBD easily hits AUD 60.
Common exit risks
- • AUD 60+ taxi from SYD when the Airport Link train is AUD 22
- • Card surcharges of 5–10% added silently
Cash & card advice
- • Silver Service and 13cabs run meters, accept card (with ~5% surcharge). Sydney has a AUD 5.50 airport access fee added to every taxi/rideshare.
Ride-hailing status
- • Uber, Ola, DiDi, Bolt — all operate at major airports. Pickup from designated rideshare zones.
AIRPORTS IN AUSTRALIA
- ADLlow riskAdelaideAdelaide AirportFare AUD 5.30–AUD 35Read →
- BNElow riskBrisbaneBrisbane AirportFare A$22–A$55Read →
- CNSlow riskCairnsCairns AirportFare AUD 15–AUD 30Read →
- OOLlow riskGold CoastGold Coast AirportFare AUD 30–AUD 50Read →
- MELlow riskMelbourneMelbourne TullamarineFare A$23–A$65Read →
- PERlow riskPerthPerth AirportFare A$5.10–A$55Read →
- SYDlow riskSydneySydney Kingsford SmithFare A$21–A$55Read →
FAQ
- Does Uber work at airports in Australia?
- Uber, Ola, DiDi, Bolt — all operate at major airports. Pickup from designated rideshare zones.
- Should I pay an airport taxi in cash or card in Australia?
- Silver Service and 13cabs run meters, accept card (with ~5% surcharge). Sydney has a AUD 5.50 airport access fee added to every taxi/rideshare.
- What currency do I need for a taxi in Australia?
- Australia uses the AUD (A$). Card accepted everywhere; contactless is standard. Avoid changing money at airport kiosks — the rate is usually 5–15% worse than a bank ATM inside the terminal.
- Do I tip taxi drivers in Australia?
- Not expected. Drivers do not rely on tips the way US drivers do, and inflated "tips" are sometimes used to justify an overcharge — pay the metered fare first, then decide.
- What airport scams are common in Australia?
- The three most reported on arrival: AUD 60+ taxi from SYD when the Airport Link train is AUD 22; Card surcharges of 5–10% added silently. See the individual airport guides for terminal-specific details.
- Which airports in Australia have exit guides?
- We cover 7 airports in Australia — including ADL, BNE, CNS, OOL, MEL. Each guide has the official taxi rank location, fair fare, ride-hailing status and the scams to watch for on arrival.