Transit in Brisbane airport - can I stay at a hotel?

[MikeG]

Does Brisbane have hotels setup for transit use only? Or are people expected to sleep on the seats in the airport?

Considering a status run.

 

[ChrisMars]

so was there any kind of supervision on departure? Could you leave for the airport whenever you wanted or was there a set time? If you “happen” to run into family or friends in the terminal, was there anyone watching to ensure you stay away?

Zero supervision on departure.
The last check I had from an official was in front of the lift to leave the ibis hotel, which is 5 min walk from the terminal. No one knows what I did after that, except Qantas when I scannned my boarding pass, and NT as I gave them the arrival paperwork. I doubt there is any datamatching occuring in the background. I could have unlawfully go to brisbane city, or even catch a flight to Cairns unnoticed...

 

[Mattg]

Zero supervision on departure.
The last check I had from an official was in front of the lift to leave the ibis hotel, which is 5 min walk from the terminal. No one knows what I did after that, except Qantas when I scannned my boarding pass, and NT as I gave them the arrival paperwork. I doubt there is any datamatching occuring in the background. I could have unlawfully go to brisbane city, or even catch a flight to Cairns unnoticed...

One of the Canberrans quoted in the Canberra Times last week (who couldn't go to their parent's funeral) said something similar. After leaving the hotel, she was free to just wander around the airport.

 

[p--and--t]

The issue occurred as I understand because some tu$d from Sydney flew to QLD from CBR to escape the ban. QLD decided it wouldn't take the risk of infection coming in via that route.
Piainful but that's what it is.

Couldn't they just check to see if people coming from CBR have an ACT address/driver's licence?

Painful might be your adjective. Mine would include irrational illogical and embarrassing.

 

[DC3]

Zero supervision on departure ...

You must have an honest face.

 

[MrHyde]

Another question on the BNE transit side of things. How does it work if you have a domestic to international transfer. A friend has got approval to leave the country and is looking at MEL-BNE-YVR flights. in BNE, the website says that if you are transiting, you are not allowed to leave the airport. Does taking the transfer bus from domestic to international terminal count as being within the airport? Does the police take you to the other terminal? Does any one have any experience or information on this.

Following on this topic, is a MEL - BNE - MEL flight possible if you don't leave the domestic terminal. The reason I ask is my friend is travelling alone with two kids under 2 and she has mental issues and suffers from migraines when stressed and on top of that is afraid of flying. I was wondering if I could atleast accompany her to upto BNE to help support her knowing there is not much I can do to help once she is on the longer flight to Canada. She will have family to receive her in Canada, so will be fine after she lands there.

 

[ChrisMars]

I

Another question on the BNE transit side of things. How does it work if you have a domestic to international transfer. A friend has got approval to leave the country and is looking at MEL-BNE-YVR flights. in BNE, the website says that if you are transiting, you are not allowed to leave the airport. Does taking the transfer bus from domestic to international terminal count as being within the airport? Does the police take you to the other terminal? Does any one have any experience or information on this.

Following on this topic, is a MEL - BNE - MEL flight possible if you don't leave the domestic terminal. The reason I ask is my friend is travelling alone with two kids under 2 and she has mental issues and suffers from migraines when stressed and on top of that is afraid of flying. I was wondering if I could atleast accompany her to upto BNE to help support her knowing there is not much I can do to help once she is on the longer flight to Canada. She will have family to receive her in Canada, so will be fine after she lands there.

It should be fine, I guess there will be a police escort bus to go to the international terminal. Might be worth calling the airport and / or the qld covid19 line to confirm.

For your MEL BNE MEL, you should be able to help your friend up to the declaration processing at the domestic terminal. After that I imagine you will get separated. Again best to call to confirm.

 

[ChrisMars]

A few more info following my return DRW -> BNE -> CBR with overnight Quarantine in Brisbane.

- 1h from landing to hotel room, with only 5 pax ,from a mostly full flight, needing to quarantine overnight.
- Staff processing our border declaration still a bit uncertain about things, I happily helped them a bit where I could
- I got the feeling that QLD police was a bit fed up of processing pax that come from a politically declared hotspot, instead of focusing on medicaly definet hotspot, as is done in NT I guess...
- Still Ibis hotel. This time we arrived early enough to get an evening meal. We asked for a breakfast box due to early morning flight.
- Escort from airport to ibis was a walk this time.
- No escort from ibis to airport on the departing morning.
- No check from the police officer stationed at our level. It could be because this floor was only for overnight quarantine?

Overall no issue doing this trip. Glad to see QLD opens to ACT this week though, this should result in more flight options.

 

[justinbrett]

Chris, were you made to wear a mask at all times or was it optional like it was on the flight?

also for the Ibis, could you order room service and/or Uber eats etc?

I’m passing through on Friday night.

 

[ChrisMars]

Chris, were you made to wear a mask at all times or was it optional like it was on the flight?

also for the Ibis, could you order room service and/or Uber eats etc?

I’m passing through on Friday night.

I wore the mask from boarding till hotel room. I don't know if this is a requirement or not (it's optional in the flight). I think all passengers and officials were wearing a mask in Brisbane airport.

I am pretty sure you can uber eat etc... You won't know your room number until you check in. The hotel provides you with meals for your stay. First time I arrived late (maybe 10pm) and only got basic triangle sandwich. Second time arrived around 5.30 and could choose a meal from their list. The only anoying bit is that they provided a large time window, I think 6pm to 9pm, to give you a meal, so you have to wait. If you have an early flight, call reception to ask priority. I think it worked for us (flight around 6am). You can also ask for your breakfast pack in the evening if you have an early flight.
I didnt look for room service, I imagine you can for a fee.
Good luck J.

 

[justinbrett]

Chris, your account was spot on. Had the exact same experience. Police on arrival were very relaxed, the guy who processed me wasn’t wearing a mask (nor was I) and a chatty bloke. He was within 1.5m of us for over an hour so I don’t think he was too concerned. Masks were not required at any point and majority of pax weren’t wearing them (we came from Newcastle and we haven’t had a case in months so the city is somewhat relaxed now)

Stayed at the Ibis, hotel does offer room service but dinner offering included a full size pizza and I packed a bottle of wine and nibbles so didn’t need to use it. Very basic room but it’s free so can’t complain.

On departure from the hotel I was set free and left to my own devices.

Overall pleasant experience. Don’t think it does anything to reduce the spread and if I were coming from a real hotspot I don’t think this would be sufficient. This is clearly smoke and mirrors for the election.