Public Transport to our airports - what's cheapest?

[Himeno]

The start times are poor given flights start at 6am they should have at least put on some earlier services.

The last arrival is not that bad - given the last flight is 11pm (to Singapore) and domestic around 9:30ish that time suits.

Most disappointing thing is early last departures from airport... given how hard the gov pushed for international flights, they could at least run a bus to meet the 10:20pm arrival of the SQ jet.

No other buses on the network start that early. Most routes start between 0530 and 0630.
The government ignored almost every comment made about the entire network during the public consultation process last year. No one is happy about this network. A lot of peoples normal commutes have gone from 20-30 mins on the bus to over an hour, while the government claims it is "faster buses, more often".
The sunday airport route is already longer hours then most other sunday routes. The majority are finished by 7pm.

 

[Himeno]

How late does the MEL public transport bus/train option run?
I haven't left MEL airport to head into the city for a few years (and will have to reactivate/replace my Myki next time I'm there).
Just booked a weekend trip to Melbourne for mid Sep.
QF823 in Friday night, QF822 out Sunday night. Accommodation in South Bank a few mins walk from MCEC.
Too late for reasonable bus/train option?

 

[henrus]

The bus/train should work through to the last service which is around 11:30pm ish.

Whilst the busses are every 20 minutes during the day, this drops to 30-40 minutes after 9:30pm. Best to check this with google maps (searching two seperate journeys via the train station).

and will have to reactivate/replace my Myki next time I'm there)

If you've got an NFC android device you can now purchase Myki fares directly on your phone via the Google Pay app.

It's done via the Passes section of the app and gives two options either a money card (with a minimum load fee of $10) or a pass card (with weekly passes the lowest option).

 

[Melburnian1]

Himeno, going to the airport is a quicker connection at Broadmeados railway station, because f you travel in the second last car of a six-car Metro suburban train from Flinders St, you'll be at the best exit and at the bus stop in c.one minute after alighting from the train.

The bus to train connection takes longer because at Boradmeadows,you have to go down a ramp, into the subway under the tracks and up a long ramp to get to the Flinders St-bound platform. I generally allow five minutes with heavy luggage, but if you are a fast walker and not too weighed down it may take only about three - 3.5 minutes. Unfortunately lifts have not been installed.

 

[Melburnian1]

The bus/train should work through to the last service which is around 11:30pm ish.

Whilst the busses are every 20 minutes during the day, this drops to 30-40 minutes after 9:30pm. Best to check this with google maps (searching two seperate journeys via the train station).

The 901 SmartBus runs every 15 minutes during weekdays, not '20.'

Public Transport Victoria's website has a journey planner.

 

[serfty]

I use the 901/Cragieburn train when i can but am reticent re Broadie Station after dark.

There would be PSO's however so maybe ok for someone younger than me.

FWIW having a seniors card and myki means it's $0 on weekends, $2.2 one way otherwise.

 

[Must...Fly!]

I use the 901/Cragieburn train when i can but am reticent re Broadie Station after dark.

There would be PSO's however so maybe ok for someone younger than me.

FWIW having a seniors card and myki means it's $0 on weekends, $2.2 one way otherwise.

PSOs are there from around 1800. Post refurb, the station is very well lit. Toilets spotless too, unbelievably. It's pretty safe at the station, I have been through a few times lately at around 2200-2300.

 

[Deleted member]

How does having baggage effect these options (e.g. walking)?

I did wonder when someone was going to ask that question. IMHO (and this depends upon how long your arriving flight took to get you to this point) the last thing I want to do having just forked out cash or valuable points for. Good seat on the aircraft is to sit in a bus for 30mor 40 minutes struggling to control 2 or more pieces of luggage . Even the dreaded taxi is a better option here. However if I’m day tripping to SYD on business. The train into town suits me (rip off pricing notwithstanding) or hire a car.

 

[Buzzard]

I hear you @GPH
Yes I/we do fly Y interstate, sometimes paying a bit extra for a better seat if it's a longer flight, might pay a bit more for a better room and so on. I also want to maximise my time at the destination. I'm not going to squabble about saving say $30 by not using the convenient Skybus.

 

[jpp42]

I've only walked to one airport- Fukuoka, Japan. The terminal building is 2.7km from the centre of the city and was only 2km from where I was staying.

Some airports in Australia where you can walk to destinations (that I've been to):

Sydney - there are a few office parks in Mascot (such as the Qantas HQ). People who live in Mascot or Wolli Creek can walk home from Domestic or International, respectively, as discussed.

Canberra - some office buildings are within walking distance of airport terminal

Maroochydore / Sunshine Coast Airport - 20 minutes walk to south end of Marcoola beach and its accommodation, plus various other local destinations

Coolangatta / Gold Coast Airport - 10-20 minute walk to numerous Coolangatta accommodation, beach etc.

Merimbula- the town centre is about 30 minutes' walk from the airport terminal. Pleasant walk on a nice day - I've done it.

Cairns - about 20-30 minutes walk to various destinations in Cairns North, such as the Botanic Gardens

Rockhampton - 20 minutes' walk from West Rockhampton, some residential , small business, and accommodation

Hamilton Island - walk to the marina/town centre area.

Any other suggestions? In general it seems like Australia is blessed with airports quite close to the towns in many cases.

 

[Melburnian1]

Some airports in Australia where you can walk to destinations (that I've been to):...Any other suggestions? In general it seems like Australia is blessed with airports quite close to the towns in many cases.

Mildura may be another one. I haven't walked it though, but have walked from Cairns airport and some others mentioned.

 

[Buzzard]

Adelaide too depending on where you live. About 20 years ago when we lived at Brooklyn Park the airport was our local shop. I remember when a friend came to visit we watched his plane land from our balcony then walked over to meet him.

 

[AIRwin]

To celebrate the Queensland border opening, Airtrain is offering $10 fares for a limited time only:

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=3782908861735972&substory_index=0&id=301057116587848&__tn__=%2As%2As-R

 

[Melburnian1]

To celebrate the Queensland border opening, Airtrain is offering $10 fares for a limited time only:..

I have used Airtrain and like it but a disadvantage is its fairly limited frequency, plus hours of operation that in 'normal' times do not allow one to use it for every flight.

 

[henrus]

To celebrate the Queensland border opening, Airtrain is offering $10 fares for a limited time only:

I'm heading out to the airport on Tuesday and you got me excited for a moment however there is always a catch... It's only valid on return fares (so $20 return) and between the inner city stations.

I'm one stop away from Roma Street however the promo doesn't apply and as a result, the one-way fare is $24. It's only $35 for an uber and there are two of us traveling so you can guess what I'll be doing.

Aside from that Brisbane airport has made parking much cheaper with a monthly cap of $99 (up to 28 days travel) and new weekend prices of $19 (drive-in after 12 pm Friday and out before 12 pm Monday).

 

[AIRwin]

Comparison of Fastest and Cheapest Public Transport services to/from major Australian airports. The services must be regularly scheduled (ie. be a timetabled service to count). Prices and times were sourced from each cities transit website.

Tried this on my recent day trip:
Townsville Airport (to CBD)
Cheapest - Bus 205/215 - 17 minutes - $3.10
Note : At least hourly on weekdays and less frequent on Saturdays - stop is located along Meenan Street a short walk outside the airport perimeter.

 

[moa999]

Should also add that Sydney's Opal made some changes which effect airport trips and general tourism.

1. Peak hours expanded - now 6:30 to 10:00 and 15:00 to 19:00 on weekdays
2. Short bus/light rail 0-3km fares increased
3. Off-peak fares now available on buses and light rail. Temporarily off-peak discount will be 50%, reverting to 30% in October
4. Sunday funday $2.50 removed, replaced with $8.05 adult/$4.00 kids/$2.50 pensioner caps on both Saturday and Sunday.

So.
Domestic to CBD via Mascot
Peak = 3.20 + 3.61 - 2.00 = 4.81
Off-peak now = 1.60 + 1.81 - 1.81 = 1.60
Off-peak Oct+ = 2.24 + 2.53 - 2.00 = 2.77

 

[mrsterryn]

So pleased to have the old person's gold card

 

[henrus]

4. Sunday funday $2.50 removed, replaced with $8.05/$4.00 caps on both Saturday and Sunday.

That's probably the biggest disappointment. It was always great to be able to travel around Sydney for just $2.50 on a Sunday.

 

[serfty]

That's probably the biggest disappointment. It was always great to be able to travel around Sydney for just $2.50 on a Sunday.

A couple of years ago travelled from Newcastle to SYD for a similar fare; apparently Woolongong is possible too (but makes for a long day).