Driving to Sydney Airport

[PineappleSkip]

I can understand your concerns if you have never driven in a city before. My suggestion would be to go via Clyde Mountain and Goulburn and use the M31/M5. The driving time is comparable and coming from that direction you are on the motorway right to the airport.
cheers skip

 

[odysseus]

If you're driving that way, and as you say you haven't drive to Sydney before, keep in mind there are tolls on that road so you might want to get a toll brick for your car.

Alternatively you can pay afterwards, though there are surcharges. But then to set up an account there are deposits as well, so it may be easier just to do the single payments as you go. Something to think about...

 

[Chicken]

If you're driving that way, and as you say you haven't drive to Sydney before, keep in mind there are tolls on that road so you might want to get a toll brick for your car.

Alternatively you can pay afterwards, though there are surcharges. But then to set up an account there are deposits as well, so it may be easier just to do the single payments as you go. Something to think about...

Jesus.

The train ride is 2 hours 40 min to the check in counters. $23.73 per person and kids half price, that's well under $100, and you could sleep on the train.

Don't need to drive, fall asleep on the highway, feeling tired, have the kids bugging you while you watch the road, need to pay toll after toll, paying for multiple speed cameras on the highway, having to pay toll notices when you come back, battling the traffic, then missing turns doing circles at the airport, making mistake ending up on the other side which is international terminal then have to drive all the way back to domestic, then find the carpark, then wait for the shuttle bus. Holy cow.

And since OP is planning to sleep in Sydney overnight, OP could train to Sydney CBD, stay in a cheaper hotel than those at the airport, then just train into airport the next morning! Train from Sydney to domestic is 15 minutes. It takes you take long just to wait for a hotel shuttle bus.

 

[Denali]

Jesus. ......

 

[clod]

Sounds too complicated? This is the quickest suggested by Transport for NSW trip planner:

Bomaderry Station, Platform 1
2 stops
Kiama Station, Platform 1
Kiama Station, Platform 2
14 stops
Wolli Creek Station, Platform 3
Wolli Creek Station, Platform 1
1 stop
Domestic Airport Station, Platform 1

Total trip time between 2 hr 35 min and 2 hr 42 min

Changing at Wolli Ck means negotiating lifts/stairs and a change of platform. My suggestion is the same as yours without the extra steps. Don't assume the automated trip widget was programmed by someone who actually works on the railways.

 

[Chicken]

Changing at Wolli Ck means negotiating lifts/stairs and a change of platform. My suggestion is the same as yours without the extra steps. Don't assume the automated trip widget was programmed by someone who actually works on the railways.

I know Wolli Creek is a massive station, but it does have lifts, and I think it's less confusing.

 

[wendlle]

THanks for all the suggestions guys.
the train is 100% no go, I am not comfortable leaving my car on the streets for two weeks. There is no safe parking at any of the train stations.

And just to follow up, I actually don't need to drive to Sydney anymore. Virgin updated their schedule and I was able to change my Sydney - Sunshine Coast flights to Canberra - Brisbane for the same dates. A little more cash, but a lot less stress.
So now I just have to work out how to get out of Brisbane airport
I'm thinking with the driving to canberra and the flight my kids might appreciate a night in an Air b and b or hotel close to the Brisbane airport before we do the 4 hour drive up to Bundy. I can't see them wanting to get back into the car for a long drive after the 3 hour drive to Canberra and flight to Brisbane (even though it is a pretty short flight)

So what's Brisbane airport like? Will be picking up a car from Europcar.

 

[trooper]

The are three daily trains from Canberra railway station (in Kingston) that also stop at Queanbeyan. From memory both have car parks.

NSWTrainLink, the government-owned operator has special spacing (you know the term) on its trains while coronavirusaus is with us. Book online or by calling 13 22 32 0700-2200 hours daily.

The XPlorer railcar set has a buffet car on board. Seats are far more comfortable than the bus, and scenery away from the freeway/highway is pleasant.

More relaxing than driving!

You can change at Central to go to Sydney Airport.

I don't know why so many Canberra area residents seem unaware that there's trains to Goulburn, Bowral, Campbelltown and Sydney.

There are also NSW TrainLink road coaches from the south coast (such as Eden) than connect in Canberra with the train. See the 'southern NSW' timetable at the Transport for NSW site.

Alternatively, you could join the other rail line's train at Bomaderry station (Nowra, just over the river) where there is a good service to Wollongong and then on to Wolli Creek, where one can change for Sydney Airport trains. Easy - I've done it.

The car park at Kingston station is completely open and unsecured. I wouldn't leave even my OLD car there overnight let alone for a week. (Not even sure long stay parking is allowed anyway)

As to Canberra residents "not knowing" about the train? The train takes 4 hours...to Central. And leaves from Kingston...fine if you live near there but for Northsiders its an awkward location. The Coaches leave from Civic...take 3 hours, and drop you off at International departures.

 

[PineappleSkip]

So what's Brisbane airport like?

It’s fine. Recommend staying at the Ibis, which is right opposite the Virgin end of the domestic terminal, and picking up your car next morning. There is a pullman next door to the ibis, but it’s usually $90 a night more, for not much difference in the room.

Might save you a bit in car hire and will save you the $40 a night parking fee at those hotels. That’s it for the hotels at the domestic terminal. There are other hotels in the area to navigate to, but leaving from one of those you drive straignt onto a dual carriageway that leads you onto the motorway north.

cheers skip

 

[clod]

I know Wolli Creek is a massive station, but it does have lifts, and I think it's less confusing.

Less confusing than standing in place to get the next train to arrive?

 

[wendlle]

It’s fine. Recommend staying at the Ibis, which is right opposite the Virgin end of the domestic terminal, and picking up your car next morning. There is a pullman next door to the ibis, but it’s usually $90 a night more, for not much difference in the room.

Might save you a bit in car hire and will save you the $40 a night parking fee at those hotels. That’s it for the hotels at the domestic terminal. There are other hotels in the area to navigate to, but leaving from one of those you drive straignt onto a dual carriageway that leads you onto the motorway north.

cheers skip

Fantastic thankyou. I think we will get two rooms at the Ibis, is there anywhere we can walk to from here for the kids for the afternoon? Playground, shops etc

 

[PineappleSkip]

Um, not a lot I can think of. Shopping at the domestic airport is pretty limited. You could get a free orange bus from the terminal to the Skygate shoppping centre or for more serious shopping with some entertainment options a taxi or uber to Chermside shopping centre (largest in Qld, 20 mins drive). They only airport play zone I know is on level 4 of the international terminal, and it's currently impossible to get into that terminal.

Cheers skip

 

[AIRwin]

Ahhh I thought you had to have a connecting flight to use that bus
Thanks for that information

Unfortunately the T-Bus service is currently available:
https://www.sydneyairport.com.au/parking-and-transport/arriving/international/get-to-your-next-flight