Public Transport to our airports - what's cheapest?

[moa999]

It did contribute to massive crowds on ferries on sunny Sundays though. This should now balance out and $8 for an adult is still much cheaper than weekday fares.

 

[openseat]

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).

Bomaderry (Nowra) is included in the senior pass as my elderly relatives tell me - the line south from about Dunmore (Shellharbour) is quite picturesque - sit on the left side going south. The station at Berry is close to the town and is a nice day out.

 

[UP4014]

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.

Yes, I find it annoying the last train is about 9.56pm and there are still flights coming in after that, I have managed to arrive on a 10pm flight and grab a taxi to Bowen Hills station for a train to the Gold Coast (Airport trains run direct to the Gold Coast). It's also annoying that there are no late flights into COO late at night. I guess a very first world problem though.

 

[moa999]

Yes. Any TrainLink Intercity service on Opal.
Far reaches includes Dungog, Bathurst, Scone, Goulburn, Bomaderry

On a $/km basis probably some of the cheapest rail in the world

 

[AIRwin]

Yes, I find it annoying the last train is about 9.56pm and there are still flights coming in after that,

Last train 22:04 from domestic

 

[UP4014]

Last train 22:04 from domestic

AIRwin perhaps we need a narrow gauge BAM.

 

[serfty]

Yes, I find it annoying the last train is about 9.56pm and there are still flights coming in after that,

It wasn't that long ago the last train departed Domestic before 8pm (7:24?).

 

[AIRwin]

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

Any other suggestions?

Broome?

 

[AIRwin]

Broome?

I tried it out recently and it took around 10 minutes from the airport to the Visitor Centre and another 5 to my hotel - see my trip report:

Another Brush with Broome - from BNE to BME

This is my first trip report, but at least I'm guided by what @JohnM has recently posted and will try not to duplicate too much (although you can see the contrast in the weather I experienced): https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/community/threads/a-brush-with-broome.100596/

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

 

[1963transtasman]

Interested by a recent post in the SkyBus discussion, I've just spent too long looking at transport to/from airports. Arguably Adelaide has the easiest/cheapest service at $3.70 and a direct bus to the CBD. Brisbane also takes the cake for cheapest parking with Sydney parking being more than some return flights for a Jetstar/Tiger weekend away. Below are the results:

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.

For comparison the cheapest weekend parking (Friday 6pm until Sunday 9pm searching using a random weekend in May) attached to the terminal (ie. within walking distance) has been included below each airport.

Adelaide Airport (to Rundle Mall)
Fastest - Direct Bus - 21 minutes - $3.70
Cheapest Weekend Terminal Parking - $85

Brisbane Airport (to Queen St Mall)
Fastest - Direct Train - 36 minutes (includes 12 mins walking) - $19
Cheapest - 3x Busses via DFO (free shuttle bus) and Toombul - 1hr 16 minutes - $4.03
Cheapest Weekend Terminal Parking - $39

Cairns Airport (to CBD)
Cheapest - Paid Shuttle ($6) to Bus ($2.20) into CBD - 29 minutes - $8.20
(No other scheduled public transport services operate)
Cheapest Weekend Terminal Parking - $55

Canberra Airport (to Canberra Centre)
Fastest - Direct Bus - 16 minutes - $4.80
Cheapest Weekend Terminal Parking - $73

Darwin Airport (to CBD)
Cheapest - 2x Busses - 1hr 10minutes - $3
Note : Only 5-6 services per day - stop is located at Long Stay Car park 700m from terminal with free shuttle bus to terminal
(No other scheduled public transport services operate)
Cheapest Weekend Terminal Parking - $72

Gold Coast Airport (to Surfers Paradise)
Fastest - SkyBus - ~35 minutes - $21
Cheapest - Bus and Tram - 45 minutes - $4.03
Cheapest Weekend Terminal Parking - $59

Hobart Airport (to CBD)
Fastest - SkyBus - ~30 minutes - $19.75
(No other scheduled public transport services operate)
Cheapest Weekend Terminal Parking - $54

Melbourne Airport (to Melbourne CBD)
Fastest - SkyBus - ~40 minutes - $19.75
Cheapest - Bus and Train via Broadmeadows - 1hr 20 minutes - $4.40
Cheapest Weekend Terminal Parking - $85

Perth Airport (to Elizabeth Quay)
Fastest- Direct Bus - 40 minutes - $4.80
Cheapest Weekend Terminal Parking - $71.15

Sydney Airport (to Circular Quay)
Fastest - Direct Train - 27 minutes - $16.77
Cheapest - 2x Busses via Westfield Eastgardens - 1hr 11minutes - $4.71
Cheapest Weekend Terminal Parking - $114

Sunshine Coast Airport (to Mooloolaba)
Fastest- 2x Busses via Maroochydore - 49 minutes - $3.31
(No other scheduled public transport services operate)
Cheapest Weekend Terminal Parking - $52

If I've missed something, made an error or you've found a better/cheaper way - please feel free to share

Re the Sydney Airport option the best way is to get the 400 bus to Mascot Station and get the train to the City, depending on timing you can be in the CBD within 30 minutes from the Airport .Other buses may include 420 , 42oN , N20 .Just check with the driver that he is going to Mascot station

 

[JeeJee]

Mackay Airport (to Mackay Centre)
Cheapest - Direct Bus - 26 minutes - $2.80

 

[Flashback]

Cheapest is.....

I've walked from town to airport in:

• Hobart
• Launceston
• Toowoomba Wellcamp
• Sydney
• Mildura
• Darwin

And I'm sure a few others I've forgotten!

Broome. A client I used to do work for was a short walk from the airport.

 

[henrus]

Broome. A client I used to do work for was a short walk from the airport.

In summer surely you'd end up in a ball of sweat by the time you made it into town.

 

[AIRwin]

I walked from CTL into town after flying in on the final QF service this morning, and having made pit stops at the WWII Secret Base & Tour, RFDS Visitor Centre and Graham Andrews Park...

 

[Mattg]

I walked from CTL into town after flying in on the final QF service this morning, and having made pit stops at the WWII Secret Base & Tour, RFDS Visitor Centre and Graham Andrews Park...

It's a shame the Cosmos Centre is closed over Christmas - their night sky tours are also worth doing in Charleville.

 

[AIRwin]

It's a shame the Cosmos Centre is closed over Christmas - their night sky tours are also worth doing in Charleville.

And the train is not running so I'll be counting down to New Year on the overnight bus back to BNE...

 

[Mattg]

And the train is not running so I'll be counting down to New Year on the overnight bus back to BNE...

Not staying to take the inaugural Rex flight tomorrow back to BNE?

 

[AIRwin]

Not staying to take the inaugural Rex flight tomorrow back to BNE?

No Rex flights from CTL tomorrow...

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Another option to dodge the Sydney Airport station access fee is to grab an Uber from the airport to Mascot station. The last time I did that the Uber ride was around $11, which doesn't sound like a great cost saving, but often QF offers bonus points for taking Uber from the airport. In my case I happened to get 2000 bonus QF points for the trouble and got to travel in style for a km

-RooFlyer88

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Interested by a recent post in the SkyBus discussion, I've just spent too long looking at transport to/from airports. Arguably Adelaide has the easiest/cheapest service at $3.70 and a direct bus to the CBD. Brisbane also takes the cake for cheapest parking with Sydney parking being more than some return flights for a Jetstar/Tiger weekend away. Below are the results:

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.

For comparison the cheapest weekend parking (Friday 6pm until Sunday 9pm searching using a random weekend in May) attached to the terminal (ie. within walking distance) has been included below each airport.

Adelaide Airport (to Rundle Mall)
Fastest - Direct Bus - 21 minutes - $3.70
Cheapest Weekend Terminal Parking - $85

Brisbane Airport (to Queen St Mall)
Fastest - Direct Train - 36 minutes (includes 12 mins walking) - $19
Cheapest - 3x Busses via DFO (free shuttle bus) and Toombul - 1hr 16 minutes - $4.03
Cheapest Weekend Terminal Parking - $39

Cairns Airport (to CBD)
Cheapest - Paid Shuttle ($6) to Bus ($2.20) into CBD - 29 minutes - $8.20
(No other scheduled public transport services operate)
Cheapest Weekend Terminal Parking - $55

Canberra Airport (to Canberra Centre)
Fastest - Direct Bus - 16 minutes - $4.80
Cheapest Weekend Terminal Parking - $73

Darwin Airport (to CBD)
Cheapest - 2x Busses - 1hr 10minutes - $3
Note : Only 5-6 services per day - stop is located at Long Stay Car park 700m from terminal with free shuttle bus to terminal
(No other scheduled public transport services operate)
Cheapest Weekend Terminal Parking - $72

Gold Coast Airport (to Surfers Paradise)
Fastest - SkyBus - ~35 minutes - $21
Cheapest - Bus and Tram - 45 minutes - $4.03
Cheapest Weekend Terminal Parking - $59

Hobart Airport (to CBD)
Fastest - SkyBus - ~30 minutes - $19.75
(No other scheduled public transport services operate)
Cheapest Weekend Terminal Parking - $54

Melbourne Airport (to Melbourne CBD)
Fastest - SkyBus - ~40 minutes - $19.75
Cheapest - Bus and Train via Broadmeadows - 1hr 20 minutes - $4.40
Cheapest Weekend Terminal Parking - $85

Perth Airport (to Elizabeth Quay)
Fastest- Direct Bus - 40 minutes - $4.80
Cheapest Weekend Terminal Parking - $71.15

Sydney Airport (to Circular Quay)
Fastest - Direct Train - 27 minutes - $16.77
Cheapest - 2x Busses via Westfield Eastgardens - 1hr 11minutes - $4.71
Cheapest Weekend Terminal Parking - $114

Sunshine Coast Airport (to Mooloolaba)
Fastest- 2x Busses via Maroochydore - 49 minutes - $3.31
(No other scheduled public transport services operate)
Cheapest Weekend Terminal Parking - $52

If I've missed something, made an error or you've found a better/cheaper way - please feel free to share

Just thought I'd inquire on a couple other domestic destinations I've got planned in the coming months:

• Launceston
• Lord Howe Island
• Alice Springs

-RooFlyer88