Sydney Trains from the Airport

[markis10]

OT:


John, why don't you:

• book online or
• purchase a CBD Ticket Books? (I used to when I travelled up there twice a month.) or
• Get yourself a GO card (10 trips in a week = ½ price Airport Ticket)

More here: Brisbane's Airtrain - Buying Tickets

Not necessarily OT serfty since similar options are also available for Sydney yet have not been mentioned:

AirportLink

Some of these deals would be worthwhile for interstate companies to provide tickets to staff.

There are also some good pass options for those new to Sydney

Ticketing :: Airport Link

 

[NM]

Maybe Brisbane will catch up one day and accept credit cards at the ticket machines. Some mornings I have had to wait 10+ minutes to get a train ticket at the counter.

Surely someone using public transport in Brisbane on a regular basis would be better off using a GO Card?? You can top-up the GO Card from a credit card over the internet, so no waiting to purchase tickets and no need to carry change for the machine.

The only exception I am aware of is the use of daily tickets if making lots of journeys in the same day. For example, my son made 17 trips in one day (combination of lots of trains and buses) everywhere from Redcliffe to Cleveland and many points in between on a Zone 1-6 daily ticket for some ridiculous concession fare of about $3.50 which was cheaper for him than using his GO Card.

 

[JohnK]

OT:


John, why don't you

For the airtrain I purchase a book of 10 tickets. I also purchase a weekly, zones 1-1, from Central, as they accept Amex for weekly tickets, and I can renew it before expiry. So tonight in Central I will renew my weekly ticket with a new expiry of 26/01/2009.

The problem occurs when I am only working in Brisbane for a few days or I return from holidays. The ticket machines only accept cash and only issue daily tickets and if I have to line up at Central in the morning to get a weekly the wait is 10+ minutes. I guess it does not happen that often so only a minor inconvenience.

Further off topic:

There are very valid reasons I do not use Go cards.

One reason is the weekly tickets allow unlimited trips in a day and weekend trips are free. The other reason is a secret and I am not posting it on the internet. Remind me to tell you next time.

Even further off topic:

Central Station accepts Amex.
Toowong Station does not accept Amex.

 

[docjames]

Well, the 5tx/5kpts has finished so just use cash?


i think the go pass is the way to go (you can top up as you like and only pay for travel you actually do)

 

[wallacej]

Not necessarily OT serfty since similar options are also available for Sydney yet have not been mentioned:

AirportLink

Some of these deals would be worthwhile for interstate companies to provide tickets to staff.

There are also some good pass options for those new to Sydney

Ticketing :: Airport Link

And once again, I learn something new from this site!! Not only does it save a few dollars, but the time in buying a tickets, and keeping the receipt for each trip!

Cheers Markis10

 

[chrisb]

A short trip report on the trains.

According to Qantas.com, my flight landed at 16:37. I was in my hotel room at the Menzies Hotel in the city at 17:14. I'm impressed.

The flight arrived at a low numbered gate (near gloria jeans) so it was a quick walk out the exit and down to the train. Directly in front as you walk in to the station there are 2 Credit/EFTPOS ticket machines that only issue tickets to the city. These machines are nice and easy since they only have 2 options - To city or From city. They also automatically give out a receipt. $14.60 for a one way trip is a bit rich but I guess someone has to pay for the stations.

Once i headed downstairs, there was a 2 minute wait for a train heading towards Wynyard (and there was another 5 mins after that). The train was old, coughpy and hot, however it was empty so the trip wasn't all that bad. I used the time to catch up on the news, email and the forecast thanks to total mobile coverage in the tunnels. We arrived at Wynyard at 5.05pm, and from there it was a short trip up the escalators and across the road to the hotel.

I'm not sure i'll do this for my 11pm arrivals, but when coming in at more sane times I'll definitely give this a go.

 

[docjames]

Nice work chrisb.

I'd pass the observation that this worked well because:
- you had a close gate
- little to carry (i presume, as you dont mention waiting for bags)
- empty train
- no train change
- hotel near station


Take out one of those factors and the train's not so rapid. Add in luggage and >1 person, and taxi is better value (not cheaper, bettter value).

 

[chrisb]

Take out one of those factors and the train's not so rapid. Add in luggage and >1 person, and taxi is better value (not cheaper, bettter value).

Value is definitely the key here, since I'm not paying either way. Today the train provided a brilliant experience.

While I agree with your points, the taxi queue at SYD can also sway things back in favour of the train.

It's all a balance really - I've always used a taxi before but it seems the train can (sometimes) offer a better experience.

 

[medhead]

Nice work chrisb.

I'd pass the observation that this worked well because:
- you had a close gate
- little to carry (i presume, as you dont mention waiting for bags)
- empty train
- no train change
- hotel near station


Take out one of those factors and the train's not so rapid. Add in luggage and >1 person, and taxi is better value (not cheaper, bettter value).

Distance to the gate is going to make very little difference between taxi and train. The train is the same distance further than the taxi rank regardless for arrival gate.

IME the taxi is cheaper to Central Station for 2 people. I suggest it is very likely that the price will be cheaper as well as better value in the case of >1 person.

 

[D&D]

Even at night and on weekends, while flights are operating, the wait for the train on the airport line to/from the city will never be longer than 15 minutes, unless there's an operational problem. I believe the PPP contract to build the stations included a mininum frequency that CityRail has to adhere to.

The only time the train is a pain in the proverbial is when there is weekend trackwork and buses are substituting. I got caught out once going to the airport from my local station. At the time I was very suprised that the ticket machine automatically deducted the 'Gatepass' component and I paid the regular CityRail fare for the distance travelled, which is significantly cheaper than the airport train fare with the 'Gatepass' loaded in. This is when I became sus about the trackwork, and sure enough ended up on a bus from Central.

Otherwise, I find the train a good option to/from the airport at any time, although they can be quite full during the peak periods. If you're travelling during the peak, stand at the very front or rear of the platform. There seems to be a bit more room in the front/rear carriages.

 

[medhead]

Otherwise, I find the train a good option to/from the airport at any time, although they can be quite full during the peak periods. If you're travelling during the peak, stand at the very front or rear of the platform. There seems to be a bit more room in the front/rear carriages.

But be careful not to get caught out by the occassional 4 car train - especially during off-peak like night and weekends.

 

[brissyflyer]

Just an OT correction:

In Brisbane the GO Card does not give a discount for airtrain, it did for a while last year but no more. And go card is always cheaper than a single ticket elsewhere though.

Peter

 

[D&D]

But be careful not to get caught out by the occassional 4 car train - especially during off-peak like night and weekends.

Too true!! I suppose the sight of someone madly dashing along the platform with suitcases in tow would provide brief amusement to the driver.

 

[wallacej]

Last time I used the swipe terminal located at the Dom terminal to buy a train ticket, it accepted my Diners Card (Jan 13) However, this Monday (9th Feb) I had my Diners card at the ready, and of course it would not accept.

The message read Visa or MC only - anyoe had any experience with their Amex? With the line growing behind be I didn't want to try...

 

[coco50]

I've usually caught a taxi from Sydney Airport to our hotel just outside Wynyard train station. it's just habit.

How full are the trains from the Airport to Wynyard at about 5pm on a weekday? Is it a good option for someone with a suitcase?

I'm wondering if the train might be easier and quicker than the taxi queue at SYD. Cost isn't an issue - either way I'm not paying.

Thanks.

Because I'm usually staying in a hotel around Wynyard, I always get the train from SYD. The taxi queues are daunting and the fare is way too much. Also at that time of night the train trip is usually much quicker. Why would you have to change at Central? Unless it's the weekend and they are doing trackwork on the City Circle. To me the only drawbacks to getting the train are that some of those in service are not airconditioned and the ride is cough and quite often the wide barrier is not open at Wynyard making it difficult to get your luggage though the "hungry" turnstiles

 

[rwatts]

Last time I used the swipe terminal located at the Dom terminal to buy a train ticket, it accepted my Diners Card (Jan 13) However, this Monday (9th Feb) I had my Diners card at the ready, and of course it would not accept.

The message read Visa or MC only - anyoe had any experience with their Amex? With the line growing behind be I didn't want to try...

My Amex card is the only one I've used at the Domestic terminal station - but not since before Christmas. I shall be a little disappointed if I cant use it there any more.

Richard.

 

[Flashback]

I may be training from SYD Dom today, so will let you know.....