Qiuckest way from Sydney domestic to international terminal

[mfhau]

Just wonderibg what the quickest way from Sydney domestic to International is?

I have done it before using the transfer bus airside a few times with time up my sleeve, what i noticed was that contrary to the 10 mins or frequent as indicated on the Qantas website - you can wait close to half an hour for the bus then 10 or so mins travel and a walk at the other end.

So I am doing BNE-SYD 06:30 arr 08:05 Domestic

then

SYD-Guangzhou at 09:50 International

If there's a half hour wait for the bus and no delays it's still very fine.

and I will need to check-in at International as Qantas and China Southern aren't friends so no boarding pass until then.

Just curiuos how others transfer in a hurry.

 

[markis10]

Train - Bus is not an option for you and Taxi's are a risk assuming no line which is unlikely at 8.05AM.

 

[anat0l]

With a 1 hr 50 min margin, that's technically plenty of time, assuming no delays. Even if you are "delayed" 30 minutes, that gives you 1 hr 20 min.....

It would be better if QF and CZ interline so you could check through your baggage, otherwise that is a bummer (claim bags then recheck at T1). If you can't check through then 80 min (i.e. 1 hr 20 min) is going to be a fine push. Mind you, if you are not offered check-through then your only options for transferring to T1 are landside options (not the QF transfer bus, unless your checked bag can make it past security and into airside).

In this case, the fastest option is not necessarily the easiest one to predict:

• Transfer bus (outside T2): Same risks as QF tarmac transfer bus w.r.t. timing/waiting, but this one uses the public road rather than the relatively traffic-free ride on QF transfer bus
• Taxi: Most expensive option, but if taxi line isn't long then you could get a ride straight away. Traffic dependent. Taxi driver may get very annoyed at being given a trivial job.
• Train: Notwithstanding possible incompetence on the part of CityRail, schedules are fairly fixed and reliable. I think it is 10-15 minutes in between train times. Need to work fast to get down to the train station, however (go down quite a few stairs, get a ticket, through the barrier, down to the platform then onto the train).

If time is the only factor you would consider for options, then you need to keep in mind the schedules of each of the above and select the mode which will leave as soon as possible after you get to the stop/platform/rank. Notwithstanding this, the taxi would probably be the fastest, as long as the line at the rank is not long.

IIRC the nominal schedule for QF's transfer bus is either every 10 or 20 minutes (the former for the "peak" times), which is timed dead on the hour (i.e. on the hour there will always be a service). If you are allowed to check-through your baggage for your CZ flight, then just use the QF transfer bus. Unless it really has a hissy fit (not often in my experience), it is most likely the fastest / most pain free choice.

You may not get your boarding pass at BNE, but that's relatively easy once you arrive at SYD. The main problem will be bags - don't forget if you can't check-through, you have to wait to claim your bags at SYD before making your way to T1; that is the one that will eat up your time.

 

[thewinchester]

I'd go with the Train, it's only $5 to transfer between terminals and far less hassle/waiting than all other options.

 

[JohnK]

Train would be the quickest but do not discount the 400 bus. At peak times I think this runs every 20 minutes (if not more frequently) so if you happen to get out at the right time you could be at international in <10 minutes with a maximum of 25 minutes if you have missed the last bus.

 

[serfty]

Train - Bus is not an option for you and Taxi's are a risk assuming no line which is unlikely at 8.05AM.

If the OP is inbound on a QF flight then the Bus is an option.

Normally at the time of the morning the bus should run from near gate 1 every 10 minutes at least (often more frequently).

The only issue may be checked luggage. It may be possible to check the luggage through from the "Domestic Connection to International Flight" check in counter in BNE.

 

[markis10]

If the OP is inbound on a QF flight then the Bus is an option.

Normally at the time of the morning the bus should run from near gate 1 every 10 minutes at least (often more frequently).

The only issue may be checked luggage. It may be possible to check the luggage through from the "Domestic Connection to International Flight" check in counter in BNE.

The luggage will be the issue.

 

[samh004]

Not to hijack this thread but I have a similar question regarding my travel next week. I’m flying BNE-SYD on QF, earliest flight of the day, and then from SYD-ZQN I’m on Pacific Blue.

I will of course have to collect my baggage from the carousel, so went to the SYD airport website and saw that there was the T-Bus and a Virgin Seamless transfer bus, but I couldn’t find any info on DJ’s website regarding this terminal transfer, to see if I’d be eligible.

I did try phoning their call centre (straight through) where I was told I could take an airside transfer bus, but I said that wouldn’t be possible with my bags, however the SYD airport website doesn’t mention that so I’m not sure if I was given the right information there.

So basically, what’s my best option for getting to the international terminal. Assuming all flights are on time, I should have a 3 hour connection.

 

[anat0l]

Not to hijack this thread but I have a similar question regarding my travel next week. I’m flying BNE-SYD on QF, earliest flight of the day, and then from SYD-ZQN I’m on Pacific Blue.

I will of course have to collect my baggage from the carousel, so went to the SYD airport website and saw that there was the T-Bus and a Virgin Seamless transfer bus, but I couldn’t find any info on DJ’s website regarding this terminal transfer, to see if I’d be eligible.

I did try phoning their call centre (straight through) where I was told I could take an airside transfer bus, but I said that wouldn’t be possible with my bags, however the SYD airport website doesn’t mention that so I’m not sure if I was given the right information there.

So basically, what’s my best option for getting to the international terminal. Assuming all flights are on time, I should have a 3 hour connection.

The Virgin group have a transfer desk at Gate 37 in T2, i.e. also airside, so subject to similar restrictions re access with checked bag to airside.

If you can't get your checked bags airside (and you would be able to use the QF transfer bus as well) and/or check through (seems unlikely with QF to DJ), you'll have to use one of the landside options.