Recent Experiences with Qantas' terminal transfer at SYD

[Cossie]

If this is the case on Friday when arriving from Adelaide off the 6am flight
This would cause potential havoc with our very tight MCT onto QF63 to Jo’burg

Not sure how it works going the other way, if your bag is checked through to final destination, I'd be tempted to take the train as mentioned by some.

 

[kiwitripper64]

Are there different security areas at the Int side for peope getting the QF transfer bus Vs catching the train? I thought that getting the bus often had a a quicker security line at the Int teminal.

 

[Warragul]

Are there different security areas at the Int side for peope getting the QF transfer bus Vs catching the train? I thought that getting the bus often had a a quicker security line at the Int teminal.

No, you go through Immigration before security currently (planned to change I believe). You do enter that area closer to the priority security lanes, but there can be people checking boarding passes for that

 

[Beano]

Are there different security areas at the Int side for peope getting the QF transfer bus Vs catching the train? I thought that getting the bus often had a a quicker security line at the Int teminal.

No, you completely leave the INT terminal after customs to do either. The only differences are that you re-enter the clean area by going through security on the internal bus side at INT, after checking your bags at the transfer desk, whereas on the external Qantas bus you go through security and check-in your bags at the DOM terminal, as if you had never been at the INT terminal. You may have through tags, so it would only be putting the bags on the conveyor.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Are there different security areas at the Int side for peope getting the QF transfer bus Vs catching the train? I thought that getting the bus often had a a quicker security line at the Int teminal.

Only for coming back ie int > dom when the system works.
Dom > int, its the same moody Certis group at int.
Certis has taken over all, and its all mainly Asian Chinese males, so they can be quite loud in their orders!

 

[Beano]

Only for coming back ie int > dom when the system works.
Dom > int, its the same moody Certis group at int.
Certis has taken over all, and its all mainly Asian Chinese males, so they can be quite loud in their orders!

If you count one at the internal transfer area (outside the main terminal) and one at the DOM terminal, they yes there are two separate security areas, but it is your choice which you use, assuming the internal transfer is working.

I've never noticed the ethnicity of the INT security and they have always been helpful. perhaps they have to be loud to be heard above the crowds.

 

[clifford]

Certis has taken over all,

I'm not sure if that is entirely correct, but if it was the case, then it has been gifted to them, rather than they have taken it.

And, FWIW, I don't think I have ever seen many non-European faces in this process. YMMV.

 

[CaptJCool]

Gate 15 still closed
Was well sign posted

So it was Skybus from the Departures level

Overall took 35 minutes

 

[elanshin]

Gate 15 still closed
Was well sign posted

So it was Skybus from the Departures level

Overall took 35 minutes

View attachment 480231View attachment 480232View attachment 480233

How long did you have to wait?

(I'll also be doing a D-I on relatively tight connection next week).

 

[Flying Fox]

Recently the bus line was so long that it snaked around from the transfer lounge to the bar located in the round end of the SYD domestic terminal where approx five gates spawn (apologies for the poor description). It was so long that the wait time was approx one hour. Individual flights were being called by staff to bring those passengers forward.

Apparently two bus drivers were sick. How disappointing that the whole system breaks down because of this.

 

[justinbrett]

How long did you have to wait?

(I'll also be doing a D-I on relatively tight connection next week).

Get the train.

 

[elanshin]

Get the train.

I try to avoid that option on principle most of the time. Ive been to mascot more times than domestic airport station im pretty sure.

 

[justinbrett]

I try to avoid that option on principle most of the time. Ive been to mascot more times than domestic airport station im pretty sure.

I’ll happy to pay $7 for 30 minutes of extra lounge time.

Even with the QF bus it was tempting, but this new arrangement makes it a no brainer.

 

[kpro]

I hope the int-dom bus re-opens for the December holiday period. Otherwise I may have to take the train too.

 

[AIRwin]

Get the train.

Or bus 420?

 

[elanshin]

I’ll happy to pay $7 for 30 minutes of extra lounge time.

Even with the QF bus it was tempting, but this new arrangement makes it a no brainer.

Unless it comes much more frequently than QF. It was more tempting because QF buses can take forever to come. Ive also sat on it for 30mins before on the tarmac waiting for planes to cross.

With outside roads, the drive is a relatively consistent 15mins max as well. So it comes down to frequency i guess.

 

[justinbrett]

Unless it comes much more frequently than QF. It was more tempting because QF buses can take forever to come. Ive also sat on it for 30mins before on the tarmac waiting for planes to cross.

With outside roads, the drive is a relatively consistent 15mins max as well. So it comes down to frequency i guess.

The train takes 2 minutes - and you don’t have to stow luggage and deal with bad drivers.

I see no advantage to the bus other than saving $7, and I’ll always pay $7 to get a train over a bus when the train is a better experience.

The gate 15 bus had an advantage as it was much closer walk, if that’s taken away I don’t see the point.

 

[BNEFlyer]

Want to get some "real world" advice on an INT-DOM transfer. Travelling with my mum CHC-SYD-BNE (EK>QF) in J. She'll be using a wheelchair from aircraft door to aircraft door and we have a 2h15m transfer time.

Seems like we'll have enough time (provided no delays etc.), but what is the actual transfer experience like via the bus? I have never transited INT-DOM at SYD before and had no idea there was a separate, almost off-site check-in zone for domestic flights until I saw a YouTube video recently.

 

[Beano]

Want to get some "real world" advice on an INT-DOM transfer. Travelling with my mum CHC-SYD-BNE (EK>QF) in J. She'll be using a wheelchair from aircraft door to aircraft door and we have a 2h15m transfer time.

Seems like we'll have enough time (provided no delays etc.), but what is the actual transfer experience like via the bus? I have never transited INT-DOM at SYD before and had no idea there was a separate, almost off-site check-in zone for domestic flights until I saw a YouTube video recently.

From what I have read here, looks like the on-site check-in is gone. You have to check-in at DOM. But I could be wrong! Any help out there?

 

[whughes3]

Strangely, there is still no mention of this on the QF website or anywhere else I can find.