Sydney to Los Angeles flights at a glance
| Distance | about 12,060 km (great-circle) |
|---|---|
| Typical flight time | about 13–14 hours eastbound and 14–15 hours westbound |
| From | Sydney Kingsford Smith (SYD) |
| To | Los Angeles International (LAX), plus Burbank, Long Beach and Ontario |
| Service | A long transpacific route with nonstop flights from several airlines. |
Times are typical and vary with winds, routing and schedules; connections add time. The search above shows real options for your dates.
When it gets busy
Australian summer holidays (December–January) and the northern summer are busy. When your trip falls in a busy period, it helps to start watching fares a few months ahead and to stay flexible by a day or two either side.
Tips for flying Sydney to Los Angeles
- Flying east, you cross the Date Line and arrive “before” you left on the calendar.
- Long overnight flights are easier if you sleep on the local night schedule of your destination.
- Check US entry rules (such as ESTA) well before you fly.
Getting to and from the airports
Sydney: The Airport Link train reaches the city centre in about 15 minutes.
Los Angeles: At LAX, free shuttles link the terminals with the ride-share and taxi area; the FlyAway bus runs to some city areas.
Always confirm transport times on the official airport or transit website, especially for late-night arrivals.
Reading the search results like a pro
Sort by price, then by duration, and compare the two lists. The quickest option is not always the most expensive, and the lowest headline price can hide a very long layover or an early-morning airport change. Use the filters for stops, departure times and airlines, and open the fare details to see what is included. If you travel with family, price the whole group, as the last few seats at one price may not cover everyone.
Setting a price alert lets you relax and decide when a fare suits you, instead of checking every day.
Before you book: documents and rules
Check that your passport is valid for the whole trip (many countries ask for six months beyond your return date), and look up visa or electronic travel authorisation rules on the official government website of every country you will enter, including any you only connect through. Baggage allowances differ by airline and fare type, so read our baggage rules guide and pack using our travel checklist.
Seeing the sights in Los Angeles
Ads/affiliate: we may earn a commission if you book through this link, at no extra cost to you. Affiliate disclosure.
Planning several paid attractions? A sightseeing pass from Go City can bundle entry to many of them. Check that Los Angeles and the attractions you want are included, and compare with single tickets before you buy.
Related: Los Angeles to Tokyo, New York to Los Angeles. See all international routes, domestic routes and flights by month.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the flight from Sydney to Los Angeles?
About 13–14 hours eastbound and 14–15 hours westbound. Exact times depend on the airline, routing and winds.
Which airports serve this route?
Sydney Kingsford Smith (SYD), and Los Angeles International (LAX), plus Burbank, Long Beach and Ontario.
When is it busiest?
Australian summer holidays (December–January) and the northern summer are busy.
Where do the prices come from?
Prices come only from our partner’s live search. We do not set or guarantee fares.
Data and credits: Written by ViralScopeHub. Flight times and airport details are approximate and for general planning; schedules, airlines and rules change, so always confirm with the airline, airport or official government sites before you travel. Airline and airport names are used only to describe routes; we are not affiliated with them. See all Live Earth & Space tools and our credits page.