Cheapest way from Sydney airport to CBD and return in a day?

[Fruitcake]

You don't even have to ask. Just push a button on the ticket machine. I had the impression that a station can only sell a ticket to/from that station. At least that's what I was told once. Are you sure that wasn't the price from St James?

It is possible for a console operator to sell tickets from any point to another. I do this on occasion to buy tickets to "extend" my periodical zone ticket to a particular station.

I just walked downstairs to Martin Place station, and asked for a single from Mascot to Domestic Airport. The price was $15.90. I could see the operator's screen to verify the price was from Mascot.

I did not know that Cityrail varied fares depending upon the point of sale. Something new learnt from AFF today!

 

[medhead]

It is possible for a console operator to sell tickets from any point to another. I do this on occasion to buy tickets to "extend" my periodical zone ticket to a particular station.

I just walked downstairs to Martin Place station, and asked for a single from Mascot to Domestic Airport. The price was $15.90. I could see the operator's screen to verify the price was from Mascot.

I did not know that Cityrail varied fares depending upon the point of sale. Something new learnt from AFF today!

It could be an airport link thing. Perhaps cityrail has to pay the full gate pass for any tickets sold outside the airport link stations whereas airport link reduce the gate pass charge on tickets sold at the airport link stations.

 

[Fruitcake]

It could be an airport link thing. Perhaps cityrail has to pay the full gate pass for any tickets sold outside the airport link stations whereas airport link reduce the gate pass charge on tickets sold at the airport link stations.

Assuming the pricing is bidirectional (which I will investigate this afternoon) it's perfect for me on afternoons when I have a bit of spare time - catch a train to Mascot using my myMulti. Then if the weather is nice - walk. If not, pay $7, wait for the next train, and I'm still ~$5 ahead.

The only downside is that VA's premium entry is about the longest possible spot to walk to in the domestic terminal complex .

 

[Magpie10]

Any possibility any AFF's heading into CBD who could provide plant with a lift? Cheapest and easiest way for them to get into town.

 

[medhead]

Assuming the pricing is bidirectional (which I will investigate this afternoon) it's perfect for me on afternoons when I have a bit of spare time - catch a train to Mascot using my myMulti. Then if the weather is nice - walk. If not, pay $7, wait for the next train, and I'm still ~$5 ahead.

The only downside is that VA's premium entry is about the longest possible spot to walk to in the domestic terminal complex .

The ticket I purchased was from Mascot. I checked the fares at domestic station yesterday.

 

[Fruitcake]

Perhaps you might like to go and check the price for yourself before claiming my information is wrong.

Challenge accepted. I travelled to Mascot. Upon arrival, I approached the ticket machine, pressed "other stations", pressed "D" and selected "Domestic Terminal." Then pressed 'Adult Single'. The price? $15.90.

Feeling somewhat superior with myself, I went about my business at Mascot. But it still nagged at me, because I didn't believe you (or Ewing) were wrong.

Upon my return to the station, I asked the staff member at the counter for a price to Mascot. He keyed it into his console: Price returned was $7.40.

I asked the operator why there was a discrepancy between the machine fare and the fare he would charge. He said that using the shortcut button on the top level of the ticket machine's menu would show me a $7.40 fare for the airport. But, he said, because of software limitations, selecting Domestic from the detailed menu will indeed result in a fare of $15.90. Because the selection of stations presented in the shortcut screen is not alphabetical, I don't bother using it, and always go straight to the detailed list, because it's quicker for me.

So in short, yes, I did check the fare. And it is $15.90. Sometimes .

 

[medhead]

Oh, you've learnt the alphabet. If it's not on the main screen it takes me forever to find it in the list.

 

[DeKa]

I just did this..
Train from Wynyard to Mascot $3.60
Got off and exited the station gate.
Bought a ticket using the 'transfer to airport' button in the middle at the bottom of the screen - $7.40
Back down the stairs to the platform and caught the next train (which was 10 min behind the one I had been on.

Total $11 saving $4.60

 

[Pollywaffle]

Challenge accepted. I travelled to Mascot. Upon arrival, I approached the ticket machine, pressed "other stations", pressed "D" and selected "Domestic Terminal." Then pressed 'Adult Single'. The price? $15.90.

Feeling somewhat superior with myself, I went about my business at Mascot. But it still nagged at me, because I didn't believe you (or Ewing) were wrong.

Upon my return to the station, I asked the staff member at the counter for a price to Mascot. He keyed it into his console: Price returned was $7.40.

I asked the operator why there was a discrepancy between the machine fare and the fare he would charge. He said that using the shortcut button on the top level of the ticket machine's menu would show me a $7.40 fare for the airport. But, he said, because of software limitations, selecting Domestic from the detailed menu will indeed result in a fare of $15.90. Because the selection of stations presented in the shortcut screen is not alphabetical, I don't bother using it, and always go straight to the detailed list, because it's quicker for me.

So in short, yes, I did check the fare. And it is $15.90. Sometimes .

How ridiculous! Just when I think Sydney transport cannot get any more screwed up, I read things like this and realise I was mistaken.

 

[dandandan]

I suppose if you are an investor in RIO you would be taking a bus/train over a taxi!

Rio AGM 9am. Thursday
Is the Sydney Bus 400 the cheapest way from Airport to CBD?
Time taken?

Can someone give a link or the detailed route/description from Sydney airport to CBD and return.

Regards

 

[docjames]

I just did this..
Train from Wynyard to Mascot $3.60
Got off and exited the station gate.
Bought a ticket using the 'transfer to airport' button in the middle at the bottom of the screen - $7.40
Back down the stairs to the platform and caught the next train (which was 10 min behind the one I had been on.

Total $11 saving $4.60

You must have really wanted to save $4 to bother with that process.....

 

[RAM]

I'd suggest that if the issue is between $7 and $15 each way, you may have problems beyond the share price. How much is your time worth? All the above options are cheap but a huge waste of time IMO.

Sounds as if you must be a bureaucrat (or in-training).

Likely that if someone is flying in to go to an AGM of a poorly performing company then:

• they've lost (unrealised) a decent amount of money already
• they're probably retired or out-of-work to be able to spend a whole day flying interstate to attend
• they've already shelled out for an airfare to get there so cash may be short
• the times of their flights leave at least enough time to contemplate saving money while filling in the time left over
• they are paying for it out of their own pocket (not being reimbursed or using the Govt CC; OPM)

Perhaps a little more due diligence in the first place could have saved them doing this due diligence now but maybe they've learnt something from their earlier mistake.

Who knows they might even gain a health benefit from walking to the train station...

 

[docjames]

Is travelling to a company AGM considered tax deductible?

 

[get me outta here]

Yes, think so as it's a cost of earning income on investments.

 

[RAM]

Yes, think so as it's a cost of earning income on investments.

But - you have to be paying tax and there is the time delay in getting the refund.

All costs involved in the initial acquisition and ongoing management of an investment (no matter how bad it is/was) are deductible. If you don't have sufficient income to be above the tax free threshold then it becomes a carried forward tax loss.

Either way, if time to spare, walk to train station and save 100 cents on the dollar - beats every tax deduction.

 

[Chicken]

Another thing I discovered: Airport Link sell the gate pass as return with discount. This is not available from other normal government train stations.

I have a MyMulti 1 which covers the station, so I get off the train at international station, then pay for a return gate pass which is valid for 2 weeks just to get out of the gate. I think I paid just under $20 for it.

 

[blaz]

I'd suggest that if the issue is between $7 and $15 each way, you may have problems beyond the share price. How much is your time worth? All the above options are cheap but a huge waste of time IMO.

I jog from T1 to mascot to get some exercise (and jog back on return)...make sure you have a change of shirt and a good backpack though..but it's great exercise ...good for the cardiovascular system ,and puts a few more bucks in the bank...what's the downside ?

 

[get me outta here]

I jog from T1 to mascot to get some exercise (and jog back on return)...make sure you have a change of shirt and a good backpack though..but it's great exercise ...good for the cardiovascular system ,and puts a few more bucks in the bank...what's the downside ?

The downside - getting car exhaust gassed!

 

[medhead]

Another thing I discovered: Airport Link sell the gate pass as return with discount. This is not available from other normal government train stations.

I have a MyMulti 1 which covers the station, so I get off the train at international station, then pay for a return gate pass which is valid for 2 weeks just to get out of the gate. I think I paid just under $20 for it.

Are you sure about the return. I thought it was a day return only or a weekly gate pass.

 

[Chicken]

Are you sure about the return. I thought it was a day return only or a weekly gate pass.

Sorry for not being clear (trying to type on the bus on my phone). It's a return gate pass, only, which does not include any actual train ride. It's a return, so only valid for two entries only, not a weekly unlimited gate pass.

As I have a MyMulti 1, which covers the train rides, I arrive at international station, pay for the return, to get out of station, fly out, come back to Sydney few days later, put the pass in again, and go back onto the train.