Travelling to Wollongong

Airport Pickup Service

The University provides a free airport pickup service from Sydney International Airport for all new international students arriving at Sydney Airport (International or Domestic terminals) and traveling to Wollongong. This must be requested in advance. Visit Airport Pick Up Services to submit your airport pick up request.

Your booking must be made no less than 48 hours prior to your arrival. If you are arriving on a Saturday or Sunday, your request should be made by no later than 4pm on the Thursday before. This also applies to any changes in your arrival schedule. Remember: if you do not let the University know when you are arriving, you cannot expect to be met.

If you have requested this service, you will be transported to your Hall of Residence or pre-arranged temporary accommodation in Wollongong by a driver from Leisure Coast Limousines: please follow the instructions below.

When you enter the Arrivals Hall after clearing Customs, look for a driver with a University of Wollongong sign or a sign with your name on it. Note that there are two exits from the Customs Hall (Gates AB and CD) so take your time looking for the sign, and you may have to walk a little way to see it. If you still do not see a sign, the Traveller’s Advisory Bureau may be able to assist you in locating the driver.

Should your arrival times change whilst you are in transit (or if you have pre-booked a pickup and there is no driver waiting for you) please contact Accommodation Services on telephone (02) 4221 5656 on your arrival in Sydney. If you have been delayed and arrive at the airport outside of office hours (9am - 5pm Monday - Friday), you may contact Leisure Coast Limousines directly on (02) 4261 7393. A driver will collect you as soon as possible and take you directly to your accommodation.

Train

Trains connect the International and Domestic terminals of Sydney Airport with Central Station, where you can change to a Wollongong train. Wollongong is located on the "South Coast" train line. The destination is shown as Port Kembla, Dapto or Bomaderry (Nowra). Trains depart from Central approximately each hour and the journey will take around 80 minutes.

You will need to get off the train at Wollongong train station and take a taxi to your accommodation. A one-way train ticket between the airport and Wollongong station will cost approximately AUD$20 to AUD$25. Taxi fares from Wollongong to any of the Halls of Residence will be approximately AUD$5 to AUD$15. All taxis in Australia are metered and you must pay the amount shown on the meter. You are not required to tip the taxi driver.

We do not recommend that you hire a taxi from Sydney Airport to Wollongong as it will be extremely expensive - minimum $150 but up to several hundred dollars!

Visit City Rail for train timetable information.

Last reviewed: 22 May, 2009