Train or Bus for Dom-Int trnsfer at Sydney

[kevviek]

I'm heading to Tokyo this weekend (MEL-HND) and need to transfer from domestic T1 to international T3 at Sydney, with about 90 minutes in between. I expect luggage to be checked through and know there is a bus transfer, but since that only runs every 30 minutes I'm wondering if it's viable to jump on the train instead if the bus schedule doesn't suit.

I'm assuming I need to clear customs outbound either way?

 

[Mwenenzi]

I'm heading to Tokyo this weekend (MEL-HND) and need to transfer from domestic T1 to international T3 at Sydney, with about 90 minutes in between. I expect luggage to be checked through and know there is a bus transfer, but since that only runs every 30 minutes I'm wondering if it's viable to jump on the train instead if the bus schedule doesn't suit.

I'm assuming I need to clear customs outbound either way?

What airlines?
All 1 ticket?
SYD T1 = international
SYD T2 = domestic VA, JQ, REX and others
SYD T3 = domestic QF
QF has a free bus from T3 Gate 15 (airside) to T1 (landside)
And the free T-bus (by airport) and the $$$$$ train. [per km one of the most expensive public transport routes in the world]
Customs is only in entry to AU.
AU has emigration and security leaving the country

 

[Captain Halliday]

I'm heading to Tokyo this weekend (MEL-HND) and need to transfer from domestic T1 to international T3 at Sydney, with about 90 minutes in between. I expect luggage to be checked through and know there is a bus transfer, but since that only runs every 30 minutes I'm wondering if it's viable to jump on the train instead if the bus schedule doesn't suit.

I'm assuming I need to clear customs outbound either way?

I’m going to assume you mean T3 to T1 given you’re heading to HND.

If you’re on the morning flight to HND I’d stick with the bus because it runs every 15 min during the morning.

We did the transfer on Thursday and it was still running every 15 mins at 11:15am.

If you’re on QF25 in the evening is less clear cut but my instinct would still be to take the bus because:

1. When you board the transfer bus you’ll be required to scan your boarding pass so the QF system will show you are on the way.

2. When you get off the bus it’s about 90 seconds to the self serve immigration gates (one flight of stairs plus a 50 metre walk).

 

[kevviek]

I’m going to assume you mean T3 to T1 given you’re heading to HND.

If you’re on the morning flight to HND I’d stick with the bus because it runs every 15 min during the morning.

We did the transfer on Thursday and it was still running every 15 mins at 11:15am.

If you’re on QF25 in the evening is less clear cut but my instinct would still be to take the bus because:

1. When you board the transfer bus you’ll be required to scan your boarding pass so the QF system will show you are on the way.

2. When you get off the bus it’s about 90 seconds to the self serve immigration gates (one flight of stairs plus a 50 metre walk).

Yes, correct, I had them the wrong way round. QF domestic and international, same booking.

8 pm on a Sunday night. Thinking about it, there's probably fewer trains at that time too.

Bus it is.

 

[Flyfrequently]

We did Dom to International 2 weeks ago on a Saturday lunchtime, took us an hour from disembarking QFd to Lounge.

We were slowed down by checking in oversize luggage and minor hiccup at scanning and brief delay with secondary security check.
Bus was crowded, standing room only (pax for USA/LHR )
My suggestion would be not to dawdle @kevviek
Happy travels

 

[gaz0303]

On Wednesday morning, the QF bus transfer had the biggest queue I had ever seen in the domestic terminal. I quit the queue, estimating it would take 3 buses to clear it, and headed to the other bus transfer service. After 5 minutes, a transfer bus went straight past as it was full. Someone said that the 2nd full bus to go past without stopping. I went back to the train station and coughed up the $9 as I wanted to make sure I got some breakfast in the first lounge. Immigration was busy but kept flowing at full capacity.

On the return today, my delayed flight made the gate at 5:46pm. Despite being in row 12 and watching in anguish at how slow some people disembark, I made to the domestic terminal on the QF bus by 6:15pm to board at 6:30pm. Now delayed due to ATC.

 

[clifford]

Bus it is.

I would keep my options open, depending on when the next bus is, and the number of pax waiting.

Trains on a Sunday evening are every 15 mins and cost $7.30 for an adult using Opal ($5.90 for concession).

 

[kevviek]

I would keep my options open, depending on when the next bus is, and the number of pax waiting.

Trains on a Sunday evening are every 15 mins and cost $7.30 for an adult using Opal ($5.90 for concession).

There was a bus waiting for the group from our flight, only ~20 on the bus and we were at T1 within 20min, no queue in customs. Just not enough time to enjoy the lounge :-(

 

[DC3]

Just not enough time to enjoy the lounge

There’s never enough time to enjoy the lounge. Although some may tell you that 7+ hours is too long, it seems

 

[JackMiles]

Hi folks,
My partner is travelling PER-SYD (QF644, scheduled arrival 15:10) in J, then SYD-LAX (QF11) in F, on an imminent Friday. One ticket, bags checked through.
She has not done the terminal transfer at SYD before (neither have I); sounds like the basic idea is to grab the QF bus from Gate 15 in T3...but also sounds like this method can vary a fair bit in how busy it is and how long it takes.
So was just hoping for any extra advice or suggestions, especially in regards to any special treatment that might be available to her as an F pax?

 

[gaz0303]

At that time, the QF transfer will be fine.

 

[JackMiles]

At that time, the QF transfer will be fine.

Thanks gaz.

 

[Blinky]

A slightly different question as I’m not going from domestic io international to fly, but to stay at Rydges overnight. When I used to do this years ago, the bus was free and no boarding pass asked for. It sounds from earlier replies that I might have to pay for the bus?

 

[gaz0303]

A slightly different question as I’m not going from domestic io international to fly, but to stay at Rydges overnight. When I used to do this years ago, the bus was free and no boarding pass asked for. It sounds from earlier replies that I might have to pay for the bus?

Nope…did it a few weeks ago without issue. The international stop is at the complete opposite end of the terminal to Rydges, so be nice to the driver and ask to be dropped a little closer if possible.

 

[Blinky]

Nope…did it a few weeks ago without issue. The international stop is at the complete opposite end of the terminal to Rydges, so be nice to the driver and ask to be dropped a little closer if possible.

Thanks. I don’t mind the walk from the bus stop to Rydges. I plan to do a lot of walking that day