Time to allow from Sydney International to Domestic

[sanne]

We will be arriving into Sydney from JNB at 2:05pm on a Tuesday and need to fly to either BNE or MCY on QF or Jetstar. How long should we comfortably allow between these flights. We're not young and can't rush. Having said that we will be wanting to get home as soon as possible. Thank you for any help with this. I read this forum regularly and it has been a wonderful source of excellent information.

 

[Boris spatsky]

Hi sanne

I do it frequently and absolute minimum is 1 hr 45, but i prefer 2 hrs 30 just in case your inbound flight runs late, or customs takes a long time. If you get bag searched randomly, that can take 30 minutes.

 

[harvyk]

2 hours would be the min I'd do. the absolute quickest I've done is 1 hour, but that was with no bags, and running from plane to immi to aqis to transfer bus, to then been put on to earlier flight. (I did actually have more time up sleeze, but didn't want to sit around SYD for longer than I needed)

 

[moa999]

Ideally would also book a connecting flight on the same pnr/ticket
(I ignore my own advice regularly )

 

[nonpop]

Ideally would also book a connecting flight on the same pnr/ticket
(I ignore my own advice regularly )

+1
So whatever the booking engine dishes up ... then you should be safe in theory. It is how we work. Then it is up to the airline to get you there.

 

[amaroo]

I like a minimum of two hours.....& thats only when I'm connecting to a QF flight on the same PNR.......separate bookings including J* I would allow more.

 

[Simo]

Ideally would also book a connecting flight on the same pnr/ticket
(I ignore my own advice regularly )

+2

I like 2 hours and that gives you enough time to have a quick shower or a bit of time to have a look around duty free.

Last month it took just under an hour to get off the plane and into the Melb J lounge.

I did declare something and that was the quicker line.

 

[medhead]

I would also suggest 2 hours as well. In terms of picking your onwards flight, either JQ or QF, I would pick QF. This is because you are allowed to use the "free" transfer bus if connecting to a QF flight but not allowed to use it when connecting to JQ. Clearly, this choice will also be determined by the time factors when getting to BNE or MCY. But for ease of transfer in SYD, QF to BNE might be best. QF will also let you drop off luggage on the international side just before getting on the transfer bus.

http://www.qantas.com.au/travel/airlines/airport-guide-sydney-domestic-terminal3/global/en#transfer

Having said that the train transfer for $5 each is also pretty easy, if you don't mind dragging your luggage with you.

 

[Boris spatsky]

Simo

The OP was asking about Sydney which is far worse in connecting international to domestic.

Melb is a breeze!

 

[docjames]

I'd be booking the onward flight as part of the same ticket (same pnr) to make life easier for you if the inbound international flight is late. And I personally won't allow less than 2hrs, and aim for a flight around 2.5hrs post scheduled arrival of the inbound flight.

In this situation I'd also be booking Qantas for the onward leg (if possible) and avoiding Jetstar.

 

[Simo]

Simo

The OP was asking about Sydney which is far worse in connecting international to domestic.

Melb is a breeze!

I did SYD in July last year and still did it just over an hour.

The other thing that can make it worse is how many flight are coming in at the same time.

 

[eric2011]

The time of the flight and luggage are a major factor for getting through quickly. Last week I got of a J class flight at 3.30pm with carry-on baggage, went straight through the electronic passport control, straight through immigration and was exiting the terminal before baggage was even on the carousol, jumped straight into a taxi and was booked into the Intercontinental hotel, upto my room back down and starting to walk to the rocks by 4.15pm. (and the bloody taxi went the long way).

I would allow 45 mins for the transfer only however the big question is on time flights. Do you allow an extra 10 mins for a late arrival or an extra 2 hours. Its all a big lottery but definately get the flights on the same ticket. If there is a stuff up then at least qantas will to look after you, even if you are delayed to the following day.

 

[sanne]

Thank you all so much for your advice. I was so amazed at how many people take the time and trouble to reply. I can understand that putting the flights SYD to BNE on the same ticket is the best way to go but I have already got the flights to JBN return as a classic award so am not sure that is possible. Anyone have any suggestions with that? We are of an age that we like seamless travel if possible plus we will have luggage......doing a safari holiday. So I can see from the replies that a QF flight to BNE with at least a 2 hour gap, with limo to pick us up at Brisbane to drive us up to the Sunshine Coast maybe the best way to go. Once again thanks for all your help.

 

[yo yo ma]

So I can see from the replies that a QF flight to BNE with at least a 2 hour gap, with limo to pick us up at Brisbane to drive us up to the Sunshine Coast maybe the best way to go.

If the tickets are not on the same booking, I would probably go for 2-3 hours between flights to be safe. There are 2 bus companies that pick you up at the airport and go to the Sunshine Coast (door-to-door). Just another option.

Brisbane Airport Sunshine Coast Shuttle Bus Transfers

SunAir - Brisbane and Sunshine Coast Airport Shuttle Bus Transfers

 

[medhead]

I would allow 45 mins for the transfer only however the big question is on time flights. Do you allow an extra 10 mins for a late arrival or an extra 2 hours.

From memory the minimum connection time for QF in SYD is 90 minutes, so at least 45 minutes is required for the late arrival.

 

[TonyHancock]

Thanks to QF's marginalization of MEL I get the opportunity to do this exercise five or six times a year.

My best time has been 35 mins from doors opening to reaching the Domestic terminal. I don't check luggage and I am sitting near enough to the door to be amongst the first 20 pax to disembark! My last experience was 45 mins - I waited 25 for the bus!! I was first through customs with no checks.

Realistically I would allow 2-3 hours, customs, baggage collection and immigration can be painful and you have to allow for the possibility of the flight being late. If your domestic flight is on the same PNR you should be fine.

 

[amaroo]

Thank you all so much for your advice. I was so amazed at how many people take the time and trouble to reply. I can understand that putting the flights SYD to BNE on the same ticket is the best way to go but I have already got the flights to JBN return as a classic award so am not sure that is possible. Anyone have any suggestions with that? We are of an age that we like seamless travel if possible plus we will have luggage......doing a safari holiday. So I can see from the replies that a QF flight to BNE with at least a 2 hour gap, with limo to pick us up at Brisbane to drive us up to the Sunshine Coast maybe the best way to go. Once again thanks for all your help.

If your arriving flight allows sufficient time to connect to J* then maybe a direct flight to MCY is preferable. IMO, a direct flight home after a LH flight is always better.....even if it's on J*.

 

[serfty]

I would also suggest 2 hours as well. In terms of picking your onwards flight, either JQ or QF, I would pick QF. This is because you are allowed to use the "free" transfer bus if connecting to a QF flight but not allowed to use it when connecting to JQ. ....

Since the OP is likely inbound on QF64, the free bus would be available.¹

The only issue is luggage which would be checked through on QF but not on JQ.

¹ Inbound on oneworld/Qantas is sufficient.

 

[medhead]

Since the OP is likely inbound on QF64, the free bus would be available.¹

The only issue is luggage which would be checked through on QF but not on JQ.

¹ Inbound on oneworld/Qantas is sufficient.

That isn't exactly clear on the link I provided:

Transferring from T1 (International Airport) to T2 and T3 (Domestic Airports)

We now offer a more seamless experience for customers transferring to a domestic flight with a brand new transfer facility at Terminal 1. The purpose-built facility is almost 50% larger than the previous facility, and has been specifically designed to help get you to your domestic flight faster. The facility includes an increase in counters and security lanes, and hosted entry for more personalised customer care. A shuttle bus service is available to passengers that are connecting to a Qantas or QantasLink operated flight only. After you clear customs, recheck your baggage at the Domestic Transfer Facility and then board the shuttle bus for the Domestic terminal. It operates from 6am to 12noon every 10 minutes and from 12noon until 9.00pm AEST every 20 minutes. The bus arrives at T3 opposite Gate 1. Check the screens for departure gate information. Passengers connecting to a flight not operated by Qantas or QantasLink should refer to the Sydney Airport website for further information on transfer options.

http://www.qantas.com.au/travel/air...y-international-terminal1/global/en#transfers

 

[serfty]

That isn't exactly clear on the link I provided ...

That appears to have changed in wording since I last looked at it.

Note the following in the section below:

Transferring from T2 and T3 (Domestic Airports) to T1 (International Airport)
...
A shuttle bus service is available to passengers that are travelling or have travelled on a Qantas flight (including codeshare flights^) or oneworld flight.

Here's what used to be published:http://www.australianfrequentflyer....antas-seamless-transfer-17269.html#post235050

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....s/syd-terminal-transfer-13140.html#post170291