Can we leave sydney airport?

[markis10]

I was mainly referring to the extra 4 kms on the ED not specifically the tolls.

when was this change made to the harbour bridge toll? Hasn't it always been tolled on the north side only.

THe harbour bridge used to have toll gates near observatory hill for northboud traffic, went around 10 years ago however one way tolling was introduced in 1970.

http://www.ozroads.com.au/NSW/Freeways/HarbourCrossings/ConstructionInfo.htm

 

[drewbles]

I was mainly referring to the extra 4 kms on the ED not specifically the tolls.

when was this change made to the harbour bridge toll? Hasn't it always been tolled on the north side only.

The bridge used to be both ways and i'm 99% sure the ED was too. I can't find it online anywhere though. Someone who's lived in SYD longer care to comment? I'm sure the change was in the past decade though...

 

[medhead]

The bridge used to be both ways and i'm 99% sure the ED was too. I can't find it online anywhere though. Someone who's lived in SYD longer care to comment? I'm sure the change was in the past decade though...

See post before yours. The Link indicates that the northbound toll was abolished in july 1970.

i lived there in 2002 for a while and the bridge was one way then.

 

[serfty]

In 1994, I worked for a time in Sydney.

Even then the bridge toll was for South bound traffic only.

If one took a taxi from the CBD to North Sydney, you had to pay the driver a fee to cover the return toll.

 

[harvyk]

In 06 it was south bound only.

If one took a taxi from the CBD to North Sydney, you had to pay the driver a fee to cover the return toll.

Thats a nice trick. Whats the bet they charged the person who then took the taxi back over the bridge the toll as well...

 

[serfty]

... Thats a nice trick. Whats the bet they charged the person who then took the taxi back over the bridge the toll as well...

Well, they did actually pay the toll in that case ...

Once frequented route back is via Linley Point ... (toll free).

 

[drewbles]

In 06 it was south bound only.



Thats a nice trick. Whats the bet they charged the person who then took the taxi back over the bridge the toll as well...

If you get Manly Taxis, they don't charge you the return toll fee as their base is North of the bridge.

And thanks for the update. The ED was tolled both ways until 06

 

[markis10]

If you get Manly Taxis, they don't charge you the return toll fee as their base is North of the bridge.

And thanks for the update. The ED was tolled both ways until 06

The ED was never tolled both ways, it was one way when opened by Carr in 2000, I used it often when I lived at Earlwood and worked in North Sydney. There was never a southbound toll plaza at Wolloomooloo

 

[drewbles]

The ED was never tolled both ways, it was one way when opened by Carr in 2000, I used it often when I lived at Earlwood and worked in North Sydney. There was never a southbound toll plaza at Wolloomooloo

*scratches head*

Hrm I guess I sit corrected. I could have sworn it was both ways at some stage.

I'll go back to MEL now *grumbles about Citylink prices*

 

[Dave Noble]

Thats a nice trick. Whats the bet they charged the person who then took the taxi back over the bridge the toll as well...

Regardless of direction the NSW taxi fares specify that the toll is charged for crossing the bridge/using tunnel in both directions

Dave

 

[Leumas]

Back to answering OP's question...

Time difference between the train and taxi is probably not that great.

Of the dozens of trips I've made to the airport from/to the city, I've never had a major train problem. Of the dozens of trips I've made of the same journey by taxi (regardless of route), I've never had a trip costing less than $40 (one-way).

IMHO, I'd take the train as the variables with taxis are too many and variance too great.

Several comments I'd make:
- Check the 131500 web site for trackwork, especially if your trip is on the weekend.
- Do NOT tell anyone (particularly check-in agents) that you intend to leave the airport at SYD. They often charge you additional fees. I've seen that happen several times.

P.S. I've probably jinxed myself about my train trips now...

 

[markis10]

Back to answering OP's question...

- Do NOT tell anyone (particularly check-in agents) that you intend to leave the airport at SYD. They often charge you additional fees. I've seen that happen several times.

P.S. I've probably jinxed myself about my train trips now...

There are no additional government fees applicable for transits under 24 hours, and the rules do not differentiate between border crossings or remaining within the terminal, if I got charged extra "fees" I would be asking what they are for, as I doubt the fare rules would cover such an occurance.

 

[spunkarooney]

- Do NOT tell anyone (particularly check-in agents) that you intend to leave the airport at SYD. They often charge you additional fees. I've seen that happen several times.

Sorry, what additional fees have you seen charged?

 

[dajop]

IMHO, I'd take the train as the variables with taxis are too many and variance too great.

I think I'd concur here. One familiar with Sydney can firmly and emphatically instruct a taxi drive to take the O'Riordan/Redfern route. To those not familiar there will always be "an accident"/"heavy traffic"/ or any range of other excuses to convince them of the more expensive route. Trains should be OK (with half an hour fat), and taxi's can be a plan B.

And as for the feasibility, I am sure there are many people who've flown up from MEL on a 7:30am flight (arriving at 9am), had a meeting or two then flown back on the 3pm, which is essentially the same thing, allowing extra 30mins for immigration at either end, compared to domestic travel.

 

[Leumas]

There are no additional government fees applicable for transits under 24 hours, and the rules do not differentiate between border crossings or remaining within the terminal, if I got charged extra "fees" I would be asking what they are for, as I doubt the fare rules would cover such an occurance.

I believe they want to charge some airport fees, not necessarily government related. The last time I saw this happen, the passenger said she won't go landside because of the fees, but the agent said, that's tough because she wouldn't trust the passenger now. At that point, the argument got a bit heated and a bit silly.

 

[markis10]

I believe they want to charge some airport fees, not necessarily government related. The last time I saw this happen, the passenger said she won't go landside because of the fees, but the agent said, that's tough because she wouldn't trust the passenger now. At that point, the argument got a bit heated and a bit silly.

There are no airport fees that would be applicable in that situation, just like departure tax etc SACL does not differentiate between a transit passenger ouside the border and one that crosses the border in terms of immigration/customs:

International Aeronautical Fees
International aeronautical fees have been commercially
negotiated by airlines and Sydney Airport. The current
published fees mean that international airlines pay
$26.57 for each arriving and departing international
passenger. There is no charge for infants, transit and​

international-to-international transfer passengers.

http://www.sydneyairport.com.au/SACL/DownloadDocument.ashx?DocumentID=869


For the record departure tax exemptions apply to children under 12 years, 24-hour transit passengers, or transit passengers who stay longer than a day if their departure is delayed by circumstances beyond their control.

Like I said inthe other post, I would be seeking a refund from the airline if they try and extort extra money, as its not something they have to pay to the Government or airport operator.

 

[Leumas]

I rang up QF today posing this question - If I've a through ticket WLG-SYD-HKG, with a transit at SYD, can I leave the airport? If so, will I be subject to additional fees?

The answer was, no, I would not be subject to any fees, as it is a 'transit'. Assuming you've the necessary visa to enter Australia, you can go landside. However, you shouldn't leave the airport without your checked luggage.

The following is my own comment - How will the airline know you leave the airport without your checked luggage?

YMMV

 

[spunkarooney]

I rang up QF today posing this question - If I've a through ticket WLG-SYD-HKG, with a transit at SYD, can I leave the airport? If so, will I be subject to additional fees?

The answer was, no, I would not be subject to any fees, as it is a 'transit'. Assuming you've the necessary visa to enter Australia, you can go landside. However, you shouldn't leave the airport without your checked luggage.

The following is my own comment - How will the airline know you leave the airport without your checked luggage?

YMMV

The response from Qantas is plain wrong.

The airline wouldn't know you had left, until you maybe didn't board, at which point (presumably) your luggage would be "de-planed".

 

[mannej]

How is the answer from Qantas wrong?

If they made it known to everyone that they could leave the airport without their luggage, what is to stop some nut packing something nasty in their luggage, setting it for a time that gives them time to get landside and leaving?

I would have thought it was the obvious answer QF or any airline would give.

 

[anat0l]

I asked a similar thing once (except for MEL, not SYD).

Basically, they ask you not to leave the airport with your bags in transit because it is a security thing. mannej has alluded to this concern.

Of course they can ask you but they cannot stop you (until perhaps someone blows up an Australian airport by using this technique). And naturally, as spunkarooney has said, they would also have no idea.