International transfer in Sydney or Melbourne?

[Travelqueen]

Hi there,

Very exciting DSC just landed and now booking some flights.

Coming back internationally thru either Syd or Melb and need to then get another domestic leg.

Question is, do I come thru Sydney which I have done before and know you need to lug your bags to the transfer desk to check in before getting the bus over to the domestic terminal.

Or, come thru Melb where I know it is an easy walk from international to domestic terminal. However, what happens with your bags in Melb? Is there a transfer desk / bag checkin after customs ? Or do you need to take your bags yourself to the domestic terminal and check in again for the domestic leg?

Thanks for your help, and once I've got the info I will book my flights

Happy travelling

TQ

 

[MelbFlyer]

If transitting between an international and domestic flight - Melbourne is undoubtedly the better option.

As you've mentioned, it's an easy walk between terminals, rather than having to get transport at Sydney.

If you enter Australia via Melbourne, you'll have to pickup your bags and go through immigration / customs in Melbourne before checking in / hopping onto your connecting domestic flight.

I recently came back from Singapore to Melbourne via Brisbane, and I had to collect my bags / go through immigration and customs at Brisbane Airport, then transfer terminals to the domestic one to hop on my connecting flight.

 

[Travelqueen]

If transitting between an international and domestic flight - Melbourne is undoubtedly the better option.

As you've mentioned, it's an easy walk between terminals, rather than having to get transport at Sydney.

If you enter Australia via Melbourne, you'll most likely have to pickup your bags and go through immigration / customs in Melbourne before checking in / hopping onto your connecting domestic flight.

Thanks MelbFlyer,

I thought that Melb would be the better option as well.
Do you mean that you have to take your bags with you after you clear customs to the domestic terminal and check them in again?

Thanks

TQ

 

[jpp42]

Do you mean that you have to take your bags with you after you clear customs to the domestic terminal and check them in again?

Yes, but it's only a couple of hundred metres walk. About the same distance that you may have to walk in Sydney just to reach the domestic transfer check-in area.

 

[Travelqueen]

Fantastic, Thank you jpp42 for your reply

Have a good day

TQ

 

[docjames]

You don't state where the domestic connection is to, but assuming equal scheduling option, MEL is a no brainer.

If there are heaps more options ex-SYD, may be worth considering as you'll get home sooner (even with the PITA transfer).

 

[Travelqueen]

Hi docjames,

Transferring to Gold Coast. Melb flight gets into Aust 1/2 hour later and then back to QLD about and hour after the Syd flight, but having done the Syd transfer in Jan, and missed my connection then as soooo busy, I thought Id look at the Melb option.

TQ

 

[docjames]

Hi docjames,

Transferring to Gold Coast. Melb flight gets into Aust 1/2 hour later and then back to QLD about and hour after the Syd flight, but having done the Syd transfer in Jan, and missed my connection then as soooo busy, I thought Id look at the Melb option.

TQ

Probably a wash between the two. In which case I'd choose MEL for the better transit experience.

 

[TheInsider]

MEL 100%. No bussing, no trains. Get the bags and off you go from T2 to T1. Not even a 5min walk after exiting the international baggage hall.

 

[serfty]

Hi docjames,

Transferring to Gold Coast. Melb flight gets into Aust 1/2 hour later and then back to QLD about and hour after the Syd flight, but having done the Syd transfer in Jan, and missed my connection then as soooo busy, I thought Id look at the Melb option.

TQ

Yes, but it's only a couple of hundred metres walk. About the same distance that you may have to walk in Sydney just to reach the domestic transfer check-in area.

The MEL walk is completely indoors on polished floors with maybe 25% on a travellator as you head up to Departures where you will find dedicated baggage drop counter(s).

 

[justinbrett]

Without lounges, probably MEL

With lounges, SYD for outbound, MEL for inbound.

That said, going to BNE/OOL, far more options for missed flights ex SYD.

 

[Travelqueen]

Thank you everyone for your replies.

Just booked, out via Sydney and back via Melb.

Have a great day

TQ

 

[AIRwin]

Just booked, out via Sydney and back via Melb.

A tale of 2 cities and double status credits with a happy ending!

 

[encryptededdy]

I'd personally go MEL both ways - extra status credits

(SYD-OOL is 40 SCs in business, MEL-OOL is 60 SCs)

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Remember too that the Melbourne QF lounges are substantially better than those in SYD

 

[RooFlyer]

you need to lug your bags to the transfer desk to check in before getting the bus over to the domestic terminal.

I'd go Melbourne every time, but know that you don't have to lug your bags to the Sydney transfer desk. You can take them on the train with you to the DOM terminal and re-check there. People have been reporting large and frustrating delays at the transfer station at SYD INT.

 

[Daver6]

ABS - Anywhere But Sydney.

 

[justinbrett]

ABS - Anywhere But Sydney.

For outbound, the SYD lounges makes up for it in spades (both F and J are better than their counterparts). In fact, it's a good excuse for a 5 hour connection

Remember too that the Melbourne QF lounges are substantially better than those in SYD

Beginning to think you're paid by AFF to increase post count with your outlandish statements

 

[kangarooflyer88]

For outbound, the SYD lounges makes up for it in spades (both F and J are better than their counterparts). In fact, it's a good excuse for a 5 hour connection

SYD and MEL are comparable when it comes to lounges. Both feature the excellent EK lounge.

 

[MelbFlyer]

Remember too that the Melbourne QF lounges are substantially better than those in SYD

Really? I've been to the Melbourne QF international business lounge and it was very average. Not even a single window to plane spot or just see natural light!

I've also been to the AMEX Centurion lounge - even worse than the QF one with little options available. Not even worth a visit even if you have AMEX invites imo.

I haven't been to the Emirates lounge though, would like to visit one day.