Sydney Airport to CBD $60 Flat Rate Taxi Fares

[MEL_Traveller]

So does this mean $60 from international to mascot as well ?

I’m sure some taxi drivers would love to tell us Mascot = CBD!

 

[jastel]

Still much cheaper to just take one of the waiting ubers and know the exact fare; no ability for them to make up some reason why the fixed fare does not apply.

So long as they are not already surge pricing...

Here is the maps/info.
I think its a good idea but it only seems to be one way...FROM the Airport.
Anybody know for sure?

Taxi & Rideshare info for Sydney Airport

See where to get a taxi or meet a rideshare car at Sydney Airport

www.sydneyairport.com.au

Fixed Fare Trial | Point to Point

This webpage will be updated with information for service providers and passengers regarding the Fixed Fare Trial.

www.pointtopoint.nsw.gov.au

 

[RB001]

one way...FROM the Airport.
Anybody know for sure?

The language on the Point to Point page is not ambiguous, stating from airport taxi ranks to the defined CBD area - no mention of vice versa, between, or any alternate combinations.

 

[jastel]

I read it as you did. But have also seen multi page arguments on here about T&C's for flights etc.

Plenty of people will assume it works the other way around as well.
IME overseas it works BOTH ways...
Why doesn't it here? The $60 would be an average of day/night, heavy traffic/no traffic fares.
Is nobody overcharged going TO the Airport?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I read it as you did. But have also seen multi page arguments on here about T&C's for flights etc.

Plenty of people will assume it works the other way around as well.
IME overseas it works BOTH ways...
Why doesn't it here? The $60 would be an average of day/night, heavy traffic/no traffic fares.
Is nobody overcharged going TO the Airport?

I feel more confident going to the airport, rather than a taxi driver, who might have been waiting hours at the airport, trying to make some money off me on the way in.

Plus if I’m a tourist, I’ve had time to get familiar with the city and the transport options.

BKK being an example… never had an issue from town to the airport, but several dodgy trips into town

 

[RB001]

I read it as you did. But have also seen multi page arguments on here about T&C's for flights etc.

Plenty of people will assume it works the other way around as well.
IME overseas it works BOTH ways...
Why doesn't it here? The $60 would be an average of day/night, heavy traffic/no traffic fares.
Is nobody overcharged going TO the Airport?

As a trial, it was probably considered best to keep it as written. Don't want to confuse too many poor cabbies...
It's also easier (cheaper) to promote it around the relatively small confines of the airport precinct as opposed to the whole CBD area.

The trial could change along the way, or they could have another trial in the reverse direction in 12 months time.

 

[elanshin]

Might be interesting to see if they will subsidise the Eastern Distributor / Cross City Tunnel tolls. I believe that alone is like $16-18. If not I imagine the cabbies will stop taking that route and just go through botany/redfern.

 

[jastel]

Yeah we will confuse the public instead...
On the way back the fare may be more than $60 especially if they take the toll roads.
Typical Govt stuff up.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Yeah we will confuse the public instead...
On the way back the fare may be more than $60 especially if they take the toll roads.
Typical Govt stuff up.

But you have other options for the return, like ride share. If you’re a tourist, you’ll likely have had the opportunity to suss out which option is best for you.

I think arriving in a strange city is very different to departing… especially if you’re arriving long haul, at night, or unfamiliar with the city.

Many times I’ve pre-booked a car service on arrival, but almost always make my own arrangements back!

 

[moa999]

IME overseas it works BOTH ways

I can only think of NY and Paris as both ways

But NY doesn't includes tolls, or tip, and has a peak traffic hour surcharge

On the way back the fare may be more than $60 especially if they take the toll roads.

Albeit no till southbound on ED.

 

[Aeryn]

But NY doesn't includes tolls, or tip, and has a peak traffic hour surcharge

Are you sure? Last few taxis' ive taken JFK to Manhattan and return have been fixed rate plus tip - never seen extra tolls added. Or are the tolls from EWR (which isnt actually in NYC).

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Are you sure? Last few taxis' ive taken JFK to Manhattan and return have been fixed rate plus tip - never seen extra tolls added. Or are the tolls from EWR (which isnt actually in NYC).

It’s on the port authority website as such… it’s a ‘fixed fare’ + all the additions. Tolls are, apparently, always the responsibility of the passenger.

 

[Denali]

Signs being installed

 

[Aeryn]

It’s on the port authority website as such… it’s a ‘fixed fare’ + all the additions. Tolls are, apparently, always the responsibility of the passenger.

Must have changed since my last trip; that or there arent any tolls between JFK and the LES.

 

[Aeryn]

Signs being installed

They need to properly define "Maxi" and show a picture. The last time I took a taxi from the airport (3 passengers) in station wagon the dodgy driver tried to tell me he was a maxi taxi and charge more.

IME genuine maxi taxis are those mini-bus type i.e. seat more than 4 passengers ; and it used to be if at the rank and next car was a maxi you only paid the maxi rate if you had more passengers/luggage than would have fit in a normal car taxi.

I will be telling my overseas guests to use Uber.

 

[jastel]

It is defined in the articles I linked....5 or more pax or if you request for luggage etc.
Pretty sure that would only be a mini bus/van type thing here in Aust.

The same transport options go both ways to/from the Airport.
Except maybe not 24hours for the public Trains/Buses, so there's the cheapest option gone, but if you arrive at a weird time, you wont be getting a Taxi/Uber in a hurry either.
I agree people may Taxi in and train back for many valid reasons, but it is just as likely people will Train in and Taxi back as well...in a rush, feeling sick, bought 3 bags of souvenirs etc

If I was one of the dishonest taxi drivers going to rip someone off it would be the departing tourist who was leaving town and less likely to complain, Not one that was arriving and the first thing he does is complain to the hotel...who should tell him to call the complaint line.

Stockholm I had a set fare from city TO ARL
New Orleans is another one I remember city TO Airport.

 

[moa999]

Notably those signs don't specifically say - No surcharges, no tolls, no tips required

 

[jastel]

FIXED FARE??

You can scan the barcode for details or ask the rank marshalls.
Only add ons allowed are credit card surcharge and cleaning fee if applicable.

Im pretty sure the drivers WONT use the Toll roads if they cant add the Toll on to the fare.
I wouldn't incur extra expense for nothing....Id expect the trip to be slower.
This will be the next complaint from customers....