South Coast trains and Sydney Airport: the Wolli Creek change
From Sunday 15 November 2026 the new South Coast Line timetable runs through Wolli Creek without stopping — the station where South Coast travellers change for Sydney Airport. Here is what that means for a trip to or from the airport, town by town, checked 15 October 2026.
The short answer: From Sunday 15 November 2026, South Coast Line trains no longer stop at Wolli Creek. To reach Sydney Airport by train you either change at Sutherland or Hurstville for a train that stops at Wolli Creek and change again for the airport line, or stay on to Central and take an airport train back — Sydney Trains suggests Central if you have large luggage or need lifts. Adult Opal fares stay about $23–29 including the $18.61 airport station access fee; journeys get longer, so check Trip Planner (new times from 1 November). A fixed-fare private transfer skips the changes: Wollongong $341, Kiama $408, Nowra $510, Jervis Bay $572 per car.
What is changing on 15 November 2026
A new South Coast Line timetable starts on Sunday 15 November 2026. South Coast trains will run on the express tracks through Wolli Creek, and only two of the four tracks there have platforms — so they will no longer stop at the station most South Coast travellers use to change for Sydney Airport. Transport for NSW says about 2% of South Coast passengers use that connection.
- South Coast trains will finish at Central rather than continuing to Bondi Junction.
- Every Sydney-bound South Coast train will stop at Sydenham, for the Metro.
- More than 200 extra South Coast services a week; in the peak a train every 15 minutes between Wollongong and Sydney, and about every 30 minutes off-peak and at weekends.
- Some trips get longer — reported as about six extra minutes each way for Wollongong commuters.
- The new times appear in Transport for NSW Trip Planner from 1 November 2026.
Getting to Sydney Airport by train from 15 November
Option 1 · Two changes, via Wolli Creek
Change at Sutherland or Hurstville to a train that stops at Wolli Creek, then change again at Wolli Creek for the airport line. Sydney Trains describes this as the quickest way to the airport — but it is two changes with your bags, and three from Gerringong, Berry or Bomaderry, where you first change at Kiama.
Option 2 · One change, via Central
Stay on to Central and take an airport train back out — one change, but a longer ride. Sydney Trains recommends Central for older travellers, anyone with mobility needs and anyone with large luggage, because of its lifts, staff assistance and more frequent airport trains.
Option 3 · No changes
A private transfer picks you up at your door and drops you at the terminal. With OSPIPO the fare is fixed per car for up to 3 passengers, with tolls, GST and the NSW levy included: Helensburgh $242, Wollongong $341, Shellharbour $374, Kiama $408, Berry $480, Nowra $510 and Jervis Bay $572. You pay the driver on arrival.
Town by town
| Station | To the airport, to 14 Nov | From 15 Nov: change at | Adult Opal | OSPIPO, door to door |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Helensburgh | ~50 minutes · one change at Wolli Creek | Sutherland or Hurstville, then Wolli Creek — or ride on to Central | $23–27 | $242 · ~50 min |
| Thirroul | ~1 hour 15 minutes · one change at Wolli Creek | Sutherland or Hurstville, then Wolli Creek — or ride on to Central | $24–27 | $304 · ~1h |
| Wollongong | ~1 hour 30 minutes · one change at Wolli Creek | Sutherland or Hurstville, then Wolli Creek — or ride on to Central | $24–29 | $341 · ~1h 10m |
| Dapto | ~1 hour 45 minutes · one change at Wolli Creek | Sutherland or Hurstville, then Wolli Creek — or ride on to Central | $26–29 | $367 · ~1h 15m |
| Shellharbour Junction | ~1 hour 55 minutes · one change at Wolli Creek | Sutherland or Hurstville, then Wolli Creek — or ride on to Central | $26–29 | $374 · ~1h 25m |
| Kiama | ~2 hours 10 minutes · one change at Wolli Creek | Sutherland or Hurstville, then Wolli Creek — or ride on to Central | $26–29 | $408 · ~1h 35m |
| Gerringong | ~2 hours 30 minutes · two changes, at Kiama and Wolli Creek | Kiama, then Sutherland or Hurstville, then Wolli Creek — or Kiama, then Central | $26–29 | $450 · ~1h 40m |
| Berry | ~2 hours 40 minutes · two changes, at Kiama and Wolli Creek | Kiama, then Sutherland or Hurstville, then Wolli Creek — or Kiama, then Central | $26–29 | $480 · ~1h 50m |
| Bomaderry | ~2 hours 50 minutes · two changes, at Kiama and Wolli Creek | Kiama, then Sutherland or Hurstville, then Wolli Creek — or Kiama, then Central | $26–29 | $499 Bomaderry · $510 Nowra · ~2h–2h 5m |
Train times are station to airport on the timetable running until 14 November 2026, including the change; times from 15 November are not yet published in Trip Planner. Adult Opal fares include the $18.61 airport station access fee ($16.64 for children and concession holders); peak fares apply 6:30–10am and 3–7pm on weekdays. OSPIPO fares are fixed per car; drive times are typical outside peak hours.
With luggage, children or an early flight
Early flights. Sydney Airport suggests being at the terminal 2 hours before a domestic flight if you are checking bags, and 3 hours before an international one. For a 6am domestic flight that means 4am — earlier than any South Coast train can get you there. A pickup for that flight is about 2:40am from Wollongong, 2:15am from Kiama and 1:45am from Nowra.
Late arrivals. Trains run into the night, but services thin out and the connections south of Kiama are less frequent, so check the last connection in Trip Planner before you fly.
Bags and prams. Central has lifts and staff on hand. The new Mariyung trains on the South Coast Line have more space for luggage, charging ports and better accessibility.
Sources: ABC News, “More South Coast trains, but longer trips and airport changes” (15 October 2026); Illawarra Mercury, “Sydney train trip getting longer, not shorter, with new timetable” (15 October 2026); NSW Government, “Intercity Mariyung train enters service on South Coast Line” (14 April 2026); Transport for NSW and Airport Link fare tables (prices as at June 2026). Always check Transport for NSW Trip Planner before you travel.
Common questions
From Sunday 15 November 2026, when the new South Coast Line timetable starts. Until Saturday 14 November, South Coast trains still stop at Wolli Creek.
The new timetable runs South Coast trains on the express tracks through Wolli Creek, and only two of the four tracks there have platforms. Separating South Coast and T4 services is meant to allow more trains and improve reliability.
Either change at Sutherland or Hurstville to a train that stops at Wolli Creek and change again there for the airport line, or stay on to Central and take an airport train back. On the timetable running until 14 November the trip is about 1 hour 30 minutes with one change at Wolli Creek; from 15 November expect it to take longer.
Sydney Trains suggests Central for anyone with large luggage, mobility needs or older travellers — it has lifts, staff assistance and more frequent airport trains. The Sutherland or Hurstville route is quicker but means two changes.
Yes, for most trips. Wollongong commuters were told to expect about six extra minutes each way, and the airport trip — already about 90 minutes from Wollongong — gains an extra change or a longer ride via Central. New times appear in Trip Planner from 1 November 2026.
About $24–29 one way for an adult with Opal from Wollongong and stations south (about $23–27 from Helensburgh and Stanwell Park), including the $18.61 airport station access fee. Children and concession holders pay a $16.64 access fee. Prices checked 15 October 2026.
Yes. From the airport, take the airport line to Wolli Creek and change for a train to Sutherland or Hurstville, then pick up the South Coast service — or ride the airport line to Central and catch the South Coast train there.
Not with checked bags. Sydney Airport suggests being at the terminal 2 hours before a domestic flight if you are checking bags — 4am for a 6am departure — and no South Coast train gets you there that early.
By car, door to terminal, with no changes and no platforms. A private transfer is a fixed fare agreed in advance — OSPIPO is $341 from Wollongong, $408 from Kiama, $510 from Nowra and $572 from Jervis Bay, per car for up to 3 passengers, with tolls, GST and the NSW levy included; a rideshare or taxi price is set on the day.