The eye-popping cost of a train fare to Sydney Airport is set to remain, despite a NSW parliamentary inquiry finding the high charge adds to road congestion and unfairly penalises workers and families.

The government has rejected calls by a cross-bench committee to lower the cost of a train trip to the airport for families, groups and airport staff.

Expensive: The $12.60 airport "station access fee" is set to remain, despite calls for a discount. Credit:Simon Alekna

Passengers alighting at the privately run airport stations pay a $12.60 "station access fee" on top of the normal fare. It means an adult return peak ticket from Parramatta to the international terminal costs $35.60. Without the fee, it would cost $10.40.

About 150,000 people travel to the airport each day. Just 15 per cent of trips are made by train – an extremely low figure by international standards.