Minimum time for Domestic to International transfer at Sydney - Separate Tickets

D

drcam

Member
Joined
Apr 14, 2008
Posts
277
Decided that I am finally due for a trip home to see my family.
Flying MEL-SYD domestically and then SYD-KUL-HGH on AirAsia flatbed, leaving SYD at 2045.

What is the LATEST time my domestic flight can arrive in Sydney for me to make the connection?
What is your recommended time? I don't want to have to take a whole extra day off work.
 
For international flights, need 2 hours to connect with connected tickets - even more for you because you don't have connecting ticket, thus you need to take your bags and re-check in at Sydney... I would say around 4 hours at a minimum because Domestic and International are different buildings

Edit - I stand corrected... should be 4 hrs instead of 3 hours for you because of your non connected tickets
 
Last edited:
I wouldn’t even contemplate this on less than 3hr connection, and would be aiming for more like 4.

You have no protection separately ticketed, and you are connecting to a LCC So need to allow for checkin cutoff. You’ll need to wait for luggage on your inbound flight to arrive, then get it to the train, and then train to the other terminal. If your inbound flight is late, you’re snookered. So the extra hour is really to “protect” you from a late arrival On MEL-SYD.

On connected tickets (luggage checked through), I still like ~2hrs but it’s bookable down to 90min I believe.
 
I agree with the posts above, you could get lucky but I also wouldn't risk it under 4 hours. A delayed inbound flight could really screw you over. So unfortunately you may have to take that extra day / half day leave for peace of mind.

Doing the transfer the other way around a few weeks back (which should take even longer) the stars aligned and I reckon we made it from the plane (Bamboo from SGN) to the VA lounge in under an hour. Everything just worked out perfectly and was the opposite of a previous experience in SYD a few years earlier where everything took forever and had massive queues. This time we were in J so off the plane first, had to see a human at immigration due to having an infant but there was no queue. Bags came out quickly, no queue at customs. Checked in bags with VA down the far end and then a walk all the way back to near the Rydges for the T bus. Got lucky again as the bus departed within 5 mins. No queue at dom security. So we got to spend 3.5 hours in the lounge, nice and relaxed.
 
I agree with the consensus, 4 hours minimum.

All it would take is a weather delay and anything shorter will suddenly end up feeling very short.

You've also got the terminal transfer which takes time.

On a connected ticket, I don't book anything less than 2 hours connection time for DOM to INT in SYD. So two separate tickets I would double that at a minimum.
 
4 hours sounds good:
  • 30 mins arrival, deplane + bag collect
  • 20 mins transfer terminal (train)
  • 30 mins bag drop off (and check in)
  • 30 mins security
  • 1hr starts boarding priority customers early
Add 1 hr contingency for late arrival or any other residual delays.
 
Last edited:
If travelling hand luggage only, so no bag to collect or drop off, what would be a realistic MCT? I am inbound from MEL on Jetstar then onto DPS with Batik, separate tickets, 1h40 connection time.

Edit: Flying into SYD
 
Last edited:
aussietravel said:
If travelling hand luggage only, so no bag to collect or drop off, what would be a realistic MCT? I am inbound from MEL on Jetstar then onto DPS with Batik, separate tickets, 1h40 connection time.
Click to expand...
Which airport you connecting at, SYD?
1 hour 40 minutes is a quick connection, esp DOM-INT and on different tickets.

Could you pull it off? Sure, but all it would take is for something not to go your way and you be stuck somewhere you don't want to be.
 
harryhv said:
Jetstar isn't the sort of airline you'd want to be using for a critical connection. Could be you'd get there the same day, or maybe not.
Click to expand...
Yeah, lots of much-this ... my experience of air-travel is a lot more limited than most others around here, but the Jetstar flights I've been on have been late more frequently than on-time/early.
 
Hmm. Thanks for the responses! Follow up question, do airlines typically doc check on the way out of Australia or can I rely on the ability to get a boarding pass through online check-in so I can head straight to security?
 
Check out the latest credit card signup bonus point offers
Read our AFF credit card guides and start earning more points now.

AFF Supporters can remove this and all advertisements

Depends on many factors. Maybe or maybe not. What’s your destination, visa requirements, what passport you’re travelling on, further ongoing connections.

FWIW, I think you’re crazy contemplating a 1hr 40 unprotected connection in SYD from DOM to INT on an outbound leg. You miss it and your entire ticket is forfeit. I’d sometimes be prepared to risk a tight unprotected connection on the last flight of my itinerary, especially if the last leg was Domestic. But NEVER on an outbound leg. Especially between Jetstar and Batik.
 
aussietravel said:
Hmm. Thanks for the responses! Follow up question, do airlines typically doc check on the way out of Australia or can I rely on the ability to get a boarding pass through online check-in so I can head straight to security?
Click to expand...
Depends on the airline and destination. For best chances make sure the API info matches your passport and ticket exactly, even a missing middle name can sometimes throw things off.

To your earlier question, Jetstar domestic to Batik international at SYD, the official minimum connection time is 2 hours:

STANDARD.D/D...D/I...I/D...I/I.
ONLINE .30 1.00 1.15 1.00
OFFLINE .30 1.00 1.15 1.00
** OR * ARE ALL
JQ-** DI 2.00 CDS ** - N/A
JQ-** DI 2.00
 
I agree 1.40 connection time is tight. JQ flight might arrive on time that day but maybe it has to wait for a gate. Or the gate staff take 10 min to open the bridge. You could be the last person off the plane. You might need to stop for a quick toilet break. The Batik desk could be understaffed with the people in front of you are having a long debate about luggage. Security may have a large influx, be slow and you could be the person being stopped for explosive check. And finally you have to get to the gate well before departure.
Let us know how it goes
 

Become an AFF member!

Join Australian Frequent Flyer (AFF) for free and unlock insider tips, exclusive deals, and global meetups with 65,000+ frequent flyers.

AFF members can also access our Frequent Flyer Training courses, and upgrade to Fast-track your way to expert traveller status and unlock even more exclusive discounts!

AFF forum abbreviations

Wondering about Y, J or any of the other abbreviations used on our forum?

Check out our guide to common AFF acronyms & abbreviations.

Recent Posts

Currently Active Users

Total: 162 (members: 12, guests: 150)
Back
Top