Driving to Sydney for a Cruise: Drive, Park and Sail
Not a fan of flying? You're not alone. Every cruise season, travellers drive to Sydney from all over the country to start their holiday at the harbour. Here's how to plan the drive, where to park and how to get to the ship.
Don't like to fly? Drive to your cruise
No airport queues
Skip check in lines, security queues and flight delays. Your holiday starts when you pull out of your driveway.
Pack the car your way
Load your luggage into the boot and bring it with you to the terminal. Check your cruise line's luggage guidelines before you pack.
Travel at your own pace
Stop for breaks, explore along the way or stay overnight before your cruise.
Your car is waiting
After your cruise, ride back to your car park, collect your car and drive home.
Approximate driving times to Sydney
| Driving from | Usual route | Approx. drive time |
|---|---|---|
| Central Coast | M1 Pacific Motorway | About 1 to 1.5 hours |
| Newcastle and the Hunter | M1 Pacific Motorway | About 2 to 2.5 hours |
| Wollongong and the Illawarra | M1 Princes Motorway | About 1.5 hours |
| Southern Highlands | Hume Motorway | About 1.5 hours |
| Blue Mountains | Great Western Highway and M4 | About 1.5 to 2 hours |
| Canberra | Federal Highway and Hume Motorway | About 3 to 3.5 hours |
| Port Macquarie and the Mid North Coast | Pacific Highway | About 4.5 to 5 hours |
| Brisbane and the Gold Coast | Pacific Highway | About 9 to 11 hours, often over two days |
| Melbourne | Hume Highway | About 9 to 10 hours, often over two days |
| Adelaide | Sturt Highway and Hume Highway | About 14 to 15 hours, usually over two days |
Times are approximate and depend on traffic, roadworks and stops. Always check a live map before you leave.
Planning a long drive to your cruise
- Staying in Sydney the night before? Book your entry date as the day you drop your car off. Parking is charged from your entry date to your exit date.
- Mascot is open from 5am to 11pm and keys are left with the office. Turrella is secure gated parking accessible 24 hours. Plan your arrival time around your car park.
- Allow extra time for Sydney traffic, especially on weekday mornings.
- Take regular breaks on long drives and share the driving if you can.
- Keep your booking confirmation on your phone. At Mascot you must have it printed or on your phone.
Where to park when you arrive in Sydney
All three are offsite car parks for cruise passengers, a short ride from both Sydney cruise terminals.
Mascot
286a Coward Street, Mascot NSW
$25.00 per day + GST
- Open 5am to 11pm
- Keys are left with the office
- 2 day minimum
- White Bay: About 15 minutes
- Circular Quay: Up to 25 minutes
Turrella
75 Henderson Street, Turrella NSW
$25.00 per day + GST
- Secure Gated 24 Hours
- Take your keys with you
- White Bay: About 15 to 19 minutes
- Circular Quay: About 15 to 19 minutes
Marrickville
100 Marrickville Road, Marrickville NSW
$35.00 per day + GST
- Secure Gated
- Take your keys with you
- White Bay: About 15 to 19 minutes
- Circular Quay: About 15 to 19 minutes
From the car park to the ship
Most cruise passengers arrange their own Uber or taxi from the car park to the terminal, approx. $25 to $65 depending on vehicle type. You can also add our private return transfer when you book: a flat $250.00 including GST for up to 5 cruise passengers, to the terminal on departure day and back to your car park after your cruise.
From Mascot it's about 15 minutes to White Bay Cruise Terminal and up to 25 minutes to the Overseas Passenger Terminal at Circular Quay. Turrella and Marrickville are about 15 to 19 minutes from the terminals, depending on traffic.
Frequently asked questions
Can I drive to Sydney and park for my cruise?
Yes. We're an independent offsite car park for cruise passengers in Mascot, Turrella and Marrickville. Drive to your car park, then arrange your own Uber or taxi, or use our private return transfer, to get to the terminal.
Can I drop my car off the day before my cruise?
Yes. Book your entry date as the day you drop your car off and your exit date as the day you collect it. You pay the daily rate for each day.
What if I arrive in Sydney late at night?
Coward Street at Mascot is open from 5am to 11pm. Turrella is secure gated parking accessible 24 hours. If you're unsure about your arrival time, call us on 1800 462 445.
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Read guideBook parking for your drive and cruise holiday
Reserve your spot online in a few minutes and get instant email confirmation with directions to your car park.