SydneyCruise Port
Cruising out of Sydney? Start here. Find your terminal, park in the city or book a bed a short walk from the ship, and get in from the airport.
Bon voyage from Sydney
- Terminals
- 2
- Cruise lines
- 14
- Azamara, Carnival, Celebrity, Cunard, Holland America, MSC, Norwegian, Oceania, Princess, Regent Seven Seas, Royal Caribbean, Seabourn, Silversea and Viking
- Nearest airport
- SYD
- Sydney Airport (Kingsford Smith), about 10 mi (16 km), about 30 to 35 min
- Port parking
- None
- The port runs no cruise lot; see the parking section
Last checked
Terminals by cruise line
Sydney has two cruise terminals. The Overseas Passenger Terminal sits at Circular Quay, opposite the Opera House. White Bay is about 7.5 km west by road, in Rozelle. The port decides the berth for each ship, and some ships use both across a season. Check the terminal on your cruise documents.
Overseas Passenger Terminal
Cruise lines
Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Princess, Celebrity, Norwegian, Cunard, MSC, Holland America, Viking, Oceania, Regent Seven Seas, Azamara, Silversea
Most sailings leave from here: Carnival Splendor, Royal Caribbean, Princess and Celebrity are mostly at the OPT. Circular Quay station is a 450 m walk.
Circular Quay West, corner of Argyle and George streets, The Rocks NSW 2000
White Bay Cruise Terminal
Cruise lines
Carnival, Norwegian, Holland America, Viking, Oceania, Regent Seven Seas, Silversea, Azamara, Seabourn
Carnival Adventure and Norwegian Spirit split their calls with the OPT. Holland America, Viking and other smaller lines are mostly here. There's no train, so plan on a taxi.
James Craig Rd, Rozelle NSW 2039
| Terminal | Cruise lines | Address | Map |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overseas Passenger TerminalMost sailings leave from here: Carnival Splendor, Royal Caribbean, Princess and Celebrity are mostly at the OPT. Circular Quay station is a 450 m walk. | Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Princess, Celebrity, Norwegian, Cunard, MSC, Holland America, Viking, Oceania, Regent Seven Seas, Azamara, Silversea | Circular Quay West, corner of Argyle and George streets, The Rocks NSW 2000 | Map of Overseas Passenger Terminal |
| White Bay Cruise TerminalCarnival Adventure and Norwegian Spirit split their calls with the OPT. Holland America, Viking and other smaller lines are mostly here. There's no train, so plan on a taxi. | Carnival, Norwegian, Holland America, Viking, Oceania, Regent Seven Seas, Silversea, Azamara, Seabourn | James Craig Rd, Rozelle NSW 2039 | Map of White Bay Cruise Terminal |
Hotels the night before
Fly in the day before so a late flight can't cost you the ship. Every hotel here is a walk from the Overseas Passenger Terminal, so you won't need a shuttle. We found none near White Bay; sailing from there, stay in the city and take a taxi. "Check rates" opens the hotel on Booking.com. "Hotel website" opens its own page.
Hotel
The Russell Boutique Hotel
Small heritage hotel on George Street in The Rocks. A walk down George Street to the Overseas Passenger Terminal.
- 0.32 mi walk to Overseas Passenger Terminal, about 7 min
Hotel
Rendezvous Hotel Sydney The Rocks
On Harrington Street, a few streets back from the Overseas Passenger Terminal. You walk to the ship.
- 0.33 mi walk to Overseas Passenger Terminal, about 7 min
Hotel
Four Seasons Hotel Sydney
Tall tower at the top of Circular Quay with harbour views. A walk to the Overseas Passenger Terminal.
- 0.43 mi walk to Overseas Passenger Terminal, about 9 min
Hotel
Pier One Sydney Harbour, Autograph Collection
A converted wharf at Walsh Bay, past the Harbour Bridge. Walk along Hickson Road to the Overseas Passenger Terminal.
- 0.49 mi walk to Overseas Passenger Terminal, about 10 min
Hotel
Sydney Harbour Marriott Hotel at Circular Quay
A block back from Circular Quay station. Walk around the quay to the Overseas Passenger Terminal.
- 0.51 mi walk to Overseas Passenger Terminal, about 11 min
Hotel
Shangri-La Sydney
High above The Rocks on Cumberland Street. Downhill walk to the Overseas Passenger Terminal.
- 0.56 mi walk to Overseas Passenger Terminal, about 12 min
Sydney cruise parking
Neither terminal has parking for cruise guests. Both only let you stop to drop off. Wilson Parking sells prepaid cruise rates at city garages instead, for trips of 4 to 30 days. Book online or in the Wilson app before you drive in, or you'll pay the casual rate.
Prices are Wilson's prepaid rates per calendar day, in Australian dollars.
Walk to the terminal
Wilson Sydney Opera House Car Park
WalkCoveredPrivate
0.8 mi walk (about 17 min) around Circular Quay to the Overseas Passenger Terminal
Covered parking
Wilson Clocktower Car Park
WalkCoveredPrivate
0.3 mi walk (about 7 min) to the Overseas Passenger Terminal
Covered parking
Wilson Darling Park Car Park
TaxiCoveredPrivate
About 3 mi by road to White Bay; Wilson calls it a short taxi or ferry ride
Private lots nearby
| Lot | To the terminal | Cover | Price | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Wilson Sydney Opera House Car ParkUnder the Opera House forecourt. The garage Carnival and Royal Caribbean name.For Overseas Passenger Terminal+ More− LessIt has the tallest clearance of these garages at 2.2 m. The walk to the OPT goes around Circular Quay. Australian dollars per calendar day, prepaid online or in the Wilson Parking app, cruises of 4 to 30 days; transaction fee included. | WalkCovered0.8 mi walk (about 17 min) around Circular Quay to the Overseas Passenger Terminal | Covered | $30a day | Check rates → for Wilson Sydney Opera House Car Park |
Wilson Clocktower Car ParkClosest garage to the OPT, in The Rocks. 2 m height limit.For Overseas Passenger Terminal+ More− LessAt 55 Harrington Street, a few minutes downhill to the terminal. Australian dollars per calendar day, prepaid online or in the Wilson Parking app, cruises of 4 to 30 days; transaction fee included. | WalkCovered0.3 mi walk (about 7 min) to the Overseas Passenger Terminal | Covered | $51a day | Check rates → for Wilson Clocktower Car Park |
Wilson Quay West Car ParkHarrington Street in The Rocks. 2 m height limit.For Overseas Passenger Terminal+ More− LessA short walk down through The Rocks to the terminal. Australian dollars per calendar day, prepaid online or in the Wilson Parking app, cruises of 4 to 30 days; transaction fee included. | WalkCovered0.45 mi walk (about 10 min) to the Overseas Passenger Terminal | Covered | $40a day | Check rates → for Wilson Quay West Car Park |
Wilson The Domain Car ParkUnder the Domain parkland. 1.9 m height limit, the lowest here.For Overseas Passenger Terminal+ More− LessIt's the longest walk of these garages, so with bags you may want a taxi for the last stretch. Australian dollars per calendar day, prepaid online or in the Wilson Parking app, cruises of 4 to 30 days; transaction fee included. | WalkCovered1.3 mi walk (about 28 min) to the Overseas Passenger Terminal | Covered | $25a day | Check rates → for Wilson The Domain Car Park |
Wilson Darling Park Car ParkWilson's cheapest cruise rate, on Sussex Street. Taxi to White Bay.For White Bay Cruise Terminal+ More− Less2.1 m height limit. Wilson suggests a taxi or ferry to White Bay. Australian dollars per calendar day, prepaid online or in the Wilson Parking app, cruises of 4 to 30 days; transaction fee included. | TaxiCoveredAbout 3 mi by road to White Bay; Wilson calls it a short taxi or ferry ride | Covered | $20a day | Check rates → for Wilson Darling Park Car Park |
Wilson Harbourside Car ParkPyrmont, by Darling Harbour. Five-day minimum, limited spaces.For White Bay Cruise Terminal+ More− Less2 m height limit. Wilson suggests a taxi or ferry to White Bay. Australian dollars per calendar day, prepaid online or in the Wilson Parking app, cruises of 4 to 30 days; transaction fee included. Minimum 5 days. | TaxiCoveredAbout 2.75 mi by road to White Bay; Wilson calls it a short taxi or ferry ride | Covered | $40a day | Check rates → for Wilson Harbourside Car Park |
Getting there
Sydney Airport (SYD) is the one to fly into. The Overseas Passenger Terminal is about 16 km away, roughly 30 to 35 minutes by car. A taxi to the city centre is a flat $60 under a NSW trial. The train is cheaper: ride to Circular Quay and walk 450 m to the terminal. For White Bay, take a taxi; there's no station.
Sydney Airport (Kingsford Smith) SYD
Sydney's main airport at Mascot, south of the city, with international and domestic terminals.
- Distance
- about 10 mi (16 km)
- Drive
- about 30 to 35 min
Ways to the port
- Taxi · $60 — Flat fare for uninterrupted trips from the airport to the Sydney CBD under a NSW trial that began 3 November 2025 ($80 for a maxi taxi); other trips use the meter. Ranks outside every terminal. White Bay isn't in the CBD, so that trip is metered. Operator site →
- Train: Sydney Trains (T8 Airport South Line) · $18.61 — Adult station access fee, charged on top of the train fare with Opal or contactless. Train to Circular Quay station, then a 450 m walk to the OPT. Runs 5am to midnight. Not useful for White Bay, which has no station. Operator site → for Sydney Trains (T8 Airport South Line)
- Shared shuttle: DART Express Shuttle — No fare published on Sydney Airport's page. From T1 (International) to CBD stops including The Rocks. Operator site → for DART Express Shuttle
- Cruise-line transfer: Princess — Booked through Princess; no fare on the page. A representative meets you after baggage claim, even if you didn't fly with Princess. Operator site → for Princess
Pre-book a private airport transfer
A driver booked ahead meets you at arrivals with room for bags. Check that SYD, your terminal and your date are covered first.
Ports you'll visit from Sydney
Cruises from Sydney mostly head to the South Pacific, New Zealand or up and down Australia's coast. Carnival and Princess sail to New Caledonia and Vanuatu. Royal Caribbean runs to New Zealand. Princess also sails to Tasmania and Queensland. Check your own booking for your ports.
Read the guide →Sailing to
Hobart
The walk from Macquarie Wharf to Salamanca, plus tours sized to your time ashore.
- Guide coming
Sailing to
Noumea
- Guide coming
Sailing to
Lifou
- Guide coming
Sailing to
Mystery Island
- Guide coming
Sailing to
Port Vila
- Guide coming
Sailing to
Dunedin
- Guide coming
Sailing to
Wellington
- Guide coming
Sailing to
Cairns
Quick answers
How we checked these answers
Every answer is built from facts we checked against the sources below and cross-checked with recent port guides. Where sources disagreed, the answer says so instead of guessing a number.
- Port Authority of NSW: cruise
- Port Authority of NSW: Overseas Passenger Terminal FAQs
- Port Authority of NSW: White Bay Cruise Terminal FAQs
- Port Authority of NSW: Sydney Harbour cruise schedule
- Carnival Australia: cruises from Sydney
- Princess Cruises: cruises from Sydney
- Royal Caribbean: driving directions to the Port of Sydney
- Wilson Parking: Sydney cruise parking
- Royal Caribbean: cruises from Sydney
- Princess Cruises: 14-Day Fiji & South Pacific
- Princess Cruises: 7-Day Tasmania
- Princess Cruises: 9-Day Queensland with Great Barrier Reef
- Carnival Australia: port information
- Transport for NSW: getting to and from Sydney Airport
- Sydney Airport: transport options
- Carnival Australia: online check-in and arrival appointment
- Carnival Australia: latest check-in time
- Royal Caribbean: when should I arrive at the cruise port terminal?
- Princess Cruises: Arrival Groups
- Celebrity Cruises: getting on board
- Norwegian Cruise Line: embarkation day
Terminals & cruise lines
Where do cruise ships dock in Sydney?
Cruise ships in Sydney dock at two terminals: the Overseas Passenger Terminal (OPT) at Circular Quay, opposite the Opera House, and White Bay Cruise Terminal in Rozelle, about 7.5 km west by road. The Port Authority of NSW's schedule puts most sailings at the OPT. It sets each ship's berth, and some ships use both terminals in a season, so check the terminal on your cruise documents. See both terminals.
Which Sydney cruise terminal do Carnival, Royal Caribbean and Princess use?
Carnival, Royal Caribbean and Princess usually sail from the Overseas Passenger Terminal at Circular Quay in Sydney. Royal Caribbean and Princess both name it on their own pages, and the Port Authority of NSW's schedule lists Anthem of the Seas and the Princess ships there. Carnival Splendor is mostly at the OPT, but Carnival Adventure splits its sailings between the OPT and White Bay. Confirm yours on your cruise documents. See the terminals.
Where is White Bay Cruise Terminal?
White Bay Cruise Terminal is on James Craig Road in Rozelle, about 7.5 km by road west of Sydney's Circular Quay. On cruise days the Port Authority of NSW only lets cars in via The Crescent and James Craig Road, not Robert Street in Balmain. There's no long-term parking and no station, so most people arrive by taxi; the rank is right outside. Carnival Adventure, Norwegian Spirit and smaller lines use it. See the terminals.
Where do cruises from Sydney go?
Cruises from Sydney mostly head to the South Pacific, New Zealand or along Australia's coast. Carnival's 10-day Vanuatu and New Caledonia trip calls at Mystery Island, Port Vila, Lifou and Noumea. Royal Caribbean's 12-night New Zealand cruise visits Dunedin, Wellington and Picton, with scenic cruising at Milford Sound. Princess also runs a 7-day Tasmania trip to Hobart and Melbourne. See the ports.
Hotels
Which hotels near the Sydney cruise port have a shuttle?
No hotel near the Sydney cruise port runs a cruise shuttle that we could confirm, and none needs one for the Overseas Passenger Terminal. Six hotels are a walk of 12 minutes or less from it: The Russell, Rendezvous The Rocks, Four Seasons, Pier One, the Sydney Harbour Marriott and Shangri-La. Princess sells Cruise Plus Hotel Packages with transfers if you'd rather be driven. See the hotels.
Can I walk to the Sydney cruise terminal from my hotel?
Yes, from hotels in The Rocks and Circular Quay you can walk to Sydney's Overseas Passenger Terminal. The Russell and Rendezvous The Rocks are about 7 minutes away (0.3 miles), and the Four Seasons about 9 minutes. Pier One, the Sydney Harbour Marriott and Shangri-La are 10 to 12 minutes. Coming by train, Circular Quay station is a 450 m walk. See the hotels.
Are there hotels near White Bay Cruise Terminal?
We found no hotel within a walk of Sydney's White Bay Cruise Terminal in Rozelle, about 7.5 km by road from Circular Quay. Most people sailing from White Bay stay in the city and take a taxi on the morning; the rank is right outside the terminal. The hotels we list are all a walk from the Overseas Passenger Terminal instead. See the hotels.
Parking
How much is parking for a cruise in Sydney?
Sydney's cruise terminals have no cruise parking, so you pay a city garage. Wilson Parking's prepaid cruise rates run from $20 a day at Darling Park to $51 a day at the Clocktower garage in The Rocks. The Sydney Opera House Car Park is $30 a day. Rates are per calendar day for 4 to 30 days, and only apply if you prepay online or in the Wilson app. See the parking table.
Where do you park for a cruise out of Sydney?
For a Sydney cruise, park in a Wilson garage: neither terminal has cruise parking, and the Port Authority of NSW allows only short drop-off stops. For the Overseas Passenger Terminal, the Clocktower and Quay West garages in The Rocks are under a 10-minute walk, and the Opera House Car Park is about 17 minutes. For White Bay, Wilson suggests its Darling Park or Harbourside garages, then a taxi. See the parking table.
Getting there
How far is Sydney Airport from the cruise terminal?
Sydney Airport (SYD) is the closest airport to Sydney's cruise terminals. Royal Caribbean puts the Overseas Passenger Terminal about 16 km away, roughly 35 minutes by car; Princess says about 30 minutes. White Bay is a little closer by road, about 12 km from the international terminal. See getting there.
How do I get from Sydney Airport to the cruise terminal cheaply?
The cheapest way from Sydney Airport to the Overseas Passenger Terminal is the train. The T8 line runs to Circular Quay, then it's a 450 m walk, but adults pay an $18.61 station access fee on top of the fare. A taxi to the CBD is a flat $60 under a NSW trial. White Bay has no station, so take a taxi there; the flat fare doesn't cover it. See getting there.
Embarkation day
What time should I arrive at the Sydney cruise terminal?
Arrive at your Sydney cruise terminal at your line's check-in time, and at least an hour before departure, the Port Authority of NSW says. Carnival has you pick an Arrival Appointment in online check-in, by midnight the night before, and closes check-in an hour before sailing. Royal Caribbean, Princess and Celebrity have you pick a time in their apps, and early arrivals don't board sooner. Norwegian asks you not to come more than an hour early. See the terminals.
Can I drop my bags early or store luggage at the Sydney cruise terminal?
Yes, you can drop bags early at both Sydney cruise terminals. The Port Authority says bag drop opens around 9am. At the Overseas Passenger Terminal it runs until about 90 minutes before departure; at White Bay, until an hour before. White Bay has no luggage storage at or near the terminal. Princess lets early arrivals drop bags but enter at their Arrival Group time. See the terminals.