What is the experience with Domestic -> International (Qa and Em) and vice/versa via Sydney/Melbourne?

[SteppedOnADuck]

I've booked a flight in a single booking through Qantas that goes Canberra -Qa> Melb -Em> DXB and comes back DXB -Em> Syd -Qa> Canberra and the booking has 90 mins between landing and take-off for both of the international/domestic transfers. I am concerned about navigating the transfer in such a small time and hoped an experienced flyer could tell me what I'll need to do to successfully do this at both airports? Also wondered what happens if I miss due to the short window, is that entirely my responsibility if I got held up at customs/baggage despite it being a single booking they offered?

I do intend to call Qantas and hopefully get something in writing about this to put me at ease, but I'd prefer to ask experienced customers rather than relying purely on the seller.

Thanks

 

[SYD]

I've booked a flight in a single booking through Qantas that goes Canberra -Qa> Melb -Em> DXB and comes back DXB -Em> Syd -Qa> Canberra and the booking has 90 mins between landing and take-off for both of the international/domestic transfers. I am concerned about navigating the transfer in such a small time and hoped an experienced flyer could tell me what I'll need to do to successfully do this at both airports? Also wondered what happens if I miss due to the short window, is that entirely my responsibility if I got held up at customs/baggage despite it being a single booking they offered?

I do intend to call Qantas and hopefully get something in writing about this to put me at ease, but I'd prefer to ask experienced customers rather than relying purely on the seller.

Thanks

Welcome to AFF.

The transfer in MEL should be straight forward. Bags will be checked through and I would expect you will get boarding passes for both flight in CBR. So just head to international departures and clear security and customs. If your flight from CBR to MEL is delayed, you are protected but someone more familiar with that scenario might know what the options are.

The SYD transfer can be more problematic because you need to clear immigration, customs and collect bags then head to the transfer area to get from T1 to T3. 90 mins might be a little tight and you might want to consider the next flight to CBR but note the comment below.

I believe you’re entitled to use the SYD QF transfer bus (someone will correct me if I’m wrong). Being on one booking, if your inbound EK flight is delayed, they should rebook you on a later flight down to CBR - which at least there are many between SYD and CBR.

 

[jpp42]

I reckon if you're going to have short transfer times and can't go via MEL both ways (which would be ideal to avoid terminal transfer), this is the right way to do it - outbound via MEL and return via SYD, since there are many other Qantas (QF) SYD-CBR flights if you miss the scheduled one. But you don't want to miss your long-haul flight on Emirates (EK).

Note that I have used the correct IATA two-letter codes for the airlines above, this is the shorthand typically used here.

 

[Ade]

Hello @SteppedOnADuck - Welcome to AFF

Re: onward leg CBR-MEL-DXB - As @SYD mentioned, you won't have an issue at MEL. The security is relatively quicker/easier/less-crowded than SYD. However, if you are concerned about CBR-MEL getting delayed and potentially impacting MEL-DXB, depending on what flight you are booked on (and/or your QF FF status, seats availability etc), you may be able to rock up early to CBR and request to be put on an earlier flight. I have tried this at least twice before and I have been successful in boarding an earlier flight. Given all the legs are under one booking, your bags will be checked thru to DXB and BPs issued at CBR

Re: inbound leg - SYD might get a bit tricky, depending on the time of the day. My experience arriving into SYD around 11 am, it was very empty and I was able to go from stepping off the plane and to the taxi rank within 15 mins. I also had checked bags AND there have been times where it took me over 40 mins to go to the front of the smart gate queue, so depends on when you arrive I guess. I'm not sure what time you are arriving into SYD, but 90 mins is cutting it fine. However, given the one booking, if your inbound from DXB is delayed, QF will have to re-book on to a later SYD-CBR. This shouldn't be an issue.

Re: SYD transfer bus - I always thought that this is only from Dom to Int? It would be great if it is bi-directional. More seasoned folks here might know

Good luck!

 

[jpp42]

Re: SYD transfer bus - I always thought that this is only from Dom to Int? It would be great if it is bi-directional. More seasoned folks here might know

Not sure where you got that impression, there is definitely a transfer bus at Sydney from International T1 to Qantas Domestic (T3), there is a whole separate building at SYD for it and even a brand for this called "Seamless" transfer (ha, nothing is ever quite seamless with Qantas). From arrival at SYD after passing through Customs/Quarantine you turn right and follow the signs to this "Qantas Domestic Transfer" area, which is just past the entrance to the Airport Line trains. Except for temporary arrangements earlier during the pandemic (see this thread: “Seamless Light” and Recent Experiences with QF’s new terminal transfer at SYD ) , you re-check your bags and pass through security in this small building, and then the bus out the back takes you to the airside of T3. There can sometimes be queues here as well as extended waiting times for the bus, so seasoned travellers in that thread have sometimes suggested taking the train or taxi might be faster. However I think that has eased recently as staffing levels have improved.

 

[Ade]

re-check your bags and pass through security in this small building, and then the bus out the back takes you to the airside of T3.

Ah! I now understand... in the last few times I went from SYD Int to Dom using QF, after checking in the bags etc, I was always directed to the bus stop outside international (the same bus stop for 400/420 buses), where a designated bus takes pax from Int to Dom. This is a bus contracted by QF. I have never used the airside QF transfer bus so far ... Now I get it. Thank you @jpp42

 

[SteppedOnADuck]

Welcome to AFF.

The transfer in MEL should be straight forward. Bags will be checked through and I would expect you will get boarding passes for both flight in CBR. So just head to international departures and clear security and customs. If your flight from CBR to MEL is delayed, you are protected but someone more familiar with that scenario might know what the options are.

The SYD transfer can be more problematic because you need to clear immigration, customs and collect bags then head to the transfer area to get from T1 to T3. 90 mins might be a little tight and you might want to consider the next flight to CBR but note the comment below.

I believe you’re entitled to use the SYD QF transfer bus (someone will correct me if I’m wrong). Being on one booking, if your inbound EK flight is delayed, they should rebook you on a later flight down to CBR - which at least there are many between SYD and CBR.

Thanks! The Melbourne one is my main concern because paying for a replacement flight would be ridiculously expensive, but if bags are checked through then I don't think there is much to worry about as I believe you are correct with the delay protection. In case I have misunderstood, checked through means I check my bags in at Canberra, and won't need to touch them again until the end of my Emirates flight?

Sydney will be riskiest but at least if we miss it, a couple of Murray's bus tickets back to Canberra won't break the bank. That said, will I need to collect bags in Sydney, making it through Immigration/Customs and get to the check-in counter in T3 with 30 mins before take-off for baggage check.... or is there a domestic-transfer baggage check in T1 meaning I just need to make it to the T3 gate before boarding closes? I read something about a T1 baggage domestic transfer check during googling but haven't seen anything official from Qantas or Sydney Airport.

 

[AIRwin]

In case I have misunderstood, checked through means I check my bags in at Canberra, and won't need to touch them again until the end of my Emirates flight?

Yes, just make sure you have the baggage tag which shows the final destination

I read something about a T1 baggage domestic transfer check during googling but haven't seen anything official from Qantas or Sydney Airport.

MEL - https://www.qantas.com/au/en/qantas...ides/melbourne-t1-domestic-airport-guide.html
SYD - https://www.qantas.com/au/en/qantas...es/sydney-t1-international-airport-guide.html

The Qantas Seamless Transfer service is available for customers connecting to/from a Qantas flight, subject to capacity restrictions and operational requirements.

For international arrivals, a Seamless service is available for customers arriving on international flights and connecting to a Qantas domestic flight. Customers should collect their luggage on arrival at Sydney International terminal. Follow the signs in the arrivals hall to the Qantas Domestic Transfer area. Baggage will be rechecked and you will proceed to the domestic terminal on our airside buses.

 

[SYD]

Thanks! The Melbourne one is my main concern because paying for a replacement flight would be ridiculously expensive, but if bags are checked through then I don't think there is much to worry about as I believe you are correct with the delay protection. In case I have misunderstood, checked through means I check my bags in at Canberra, and won't need to touch them again until the end of my Emirates flight?

Correct.

Although, even if you missed your connection if your CBR-MEL flight was delayed/cancelled, QANTAS should do what that can to rebook you on an alternative.

Sydney will be riskiest but at least if we miss it, a couple of Murray's bus tickets back to Canberra won't break the bank. That said, will I need to collect bags in Sydney, making it through Immigration/Customs and get to the check-in counter in T3 with 30 mins before take-off for baggage check.... or is there a domestic-transfer baggage check in T1 meaning I just need to make it to the T3 gate before boarding closes? I read something about a T1 baggage domestic transfer check during googling but haven't seen anything official from Qantas or Sydney Airport.

Again, you shouldn’t need the bus ticket, QF should rebook you at no cost if your EK flight is late arriving.

Also, you shouldn’t need to recheck luggage at SYD T3. Again, your bags will be tagged to CBR but collect at T1 and drop them at the transfer desk before catching the airside bus to T3 (you arrive airside at T3 - so can head directly to your departure gate).

During and shortly after the Covid chaos, the Int<->Dom transfers weren’t operating as per pre Covid. I believe they’re back to some sort of normal. Perhaps someone with recent experience arriving on QF purchased EK->QF can comment?

 

[SteppedOnADuck]

Correct.

Although, even if you missed your connection if your CBR-MEL flight was delayed/cancelled, QANTAS should do what that can to rebook you on an alternative.

Again, you shouldn’t need the bus ticket, QF should rebook you at no cost if your EK flight is late arriving.

Also, you shouldn’t need to recheck luggage at SYD T3. Again, your bags will be tagged to CBR but collect at T1 and drop them at the transfer desk before catching the airside bus to T3 (you arrive airside at T3 - so can head directly to your departure gate).

During and shortly after the Covid chaos, the Int<->Dom transfers weren’t operating as per pre Covid. I believe they’re back to some sort of normal. Perhaps someone with recent experience arriving on QF purchased EK->QF can comment?

Thanks again everyone. Apologies I missed all but the first reply from @SYD when I wrote my last message.

In regards to the bus ticket, this was a back-up for if the flight is on time but I still don't make it to my domestic connection in time (e.g particularly long Customs line).

The penny has just dropped on the different situation with collecting luggage and dropping at transfer check, I've assumed that if you collect you must recheck at check-in! That is a relief!

 

[RichardMEL]

OK forget your backup bus plan. Whatever happens it's up to the airlines to sort it out for you to get you to CBR. (I'm talking about the return)

When you arrive at SYD on EK (Emirates) and get through customs you take yourself and your bags over to the domestic transfer as explained (which is a 7-10ish min walk depending on speed). Anyway once there you do re-check in in a sense. If you're late or delayed QF will either have already rebooked you at that point or the agents at the transfer will rebook you, give you new boarding pass etc. They'll take your checked bag, you go through security there and get on the bus which drops you at gate 15 at T3.

ie: QF *should* take care of it if there is an issue.

As noted QF have multiple SYD-CBR flights during a day so while it may be a few hours delayed (if you don't make it in time) it shouldn't be too long.

The key is being on the same ticket as your EK flight - which it is so no issue.

I understand it's confusing but it should be pretty easy in practice - even if you are delayed by the inbound flight or cutoms.but you shouldn't be. The staff there at International are well used to dealing with this kind of thing.

 

[CorporateFlyerMEL]

Used Syd seamless transfer last week Syd international to Syd domestic. Landed Syd international 6.05am (had to circle to comply with curfew), first plane to land, so a quick walk through immigration, bags took about 30 mins, was at transfer check in 6.45am and was on first bus to domestic at 7am. All quite seamless...

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

I think going out via MEL and returning via SYD are all a good measure.
MEL airport T1 to T2 is just a few mins walk, and as QF would most likely have swiped your passport in CBR and issued you a whole trip of Aust BP, you don't have to approach QF in MEL, just go straight from getting off plane at T1, walk to the auto gate prior to security screening at T2, scan your BP onto the reader, and the swing gate will open for you, here you might be picked for a bomb residue wand test in group of 5, or go straight to outgoing passport control, then int security screening, then to the duty free area.
Coming back via SYD, you would have more chances of getting home to CBR, even with the 717 or the Dash8.
If you come in from DXB during the day, there are a lot of planes to take you back to CBR, small or large!
Don't worry, what you are about to do, a lot of us on here have done it many times.
Since 2013, I must have done at least 10/15 ADL - MEL/SYD/BNE trips to NZ, have made QFF SG 3 years in a row!
No QF flights direct from ADL internationally now, so have go through eastern states to get any where world wide.
Coming back, T1 SYD to T3, the QF seamless transfer bus can be a sardine can, stuffed full, try to have HLO only if you can.
Good chance to look out the bus windows at aeroplanes, very close look, if you are an av geek.
Closer than any other airport in the world, as the bus travels on the inner secure road, very close to the rear of planes parked at the int terminal and also the cargo area, before the swing around to the bottom of gate 15.
DXB might or might not issue the BP SYD - CBR, but the T1 staff at SYD int should be able to issue one to you, if DXB EK staff don't.
Edit: for incoming into SYD T1, all bags will have to be physically taken off the carousels by the traveller, even if through tagged, and you will have to pass incoming customs and quarantine checks, most of the time, they don't pull people aside, if you travel is one of the norms.
OffT
On my trip out to NZ and back into MEL, out via SYD 29/12 Dec, and returning via MEL 01/01/23, no one asked to see my tripled vaxxed cert, I was carrying my own blood pressure meds, with cert, on coming into MEL T1 int, the ABF guy looked at my IPD (incoming pax declaration), and mentioned casually, you travel very light, (I thought oh poo), but when he saw it was NZ, and I said I travel light, he just took the small printed self processing slip and IPD and that was it, I was clear.
Don't bring back food, don't bring back alcohol, don't bring back duty free, be honest on the IPD, and the incoming process can be easy.
Granted that if a person came in from China/Vietnam with 1 huge trolley load of items, they might want to check the contents of the bags.
OnT.
For MEL, QF1527 arr 19:15
EK407 dep 22:00
2.75 or 2hrs45mins, for MEL is enough time, on the same PNR.
For SYD, hope your EK is the one arr at 07:00, and not the 22.30.