How fast is the transfer from Dom to Intl at SYD like these days?

[ronaldh]

So I've got an upcoming trip in the next month that involves a transit on QF426 from MEL, arriving at SYD around 12:25pm and next flight to BKK on QF23 scheduled for 2:15pm. I haven't done a Dom-Intl transit at SYD for a while and was wondering how long would it usually take from leaving the domestic plane until entering the International J/F lounge - it'd be useful to know average time and the best time you've done.

After checking the Qantas site, I can see the Transfer bus runs at around 10-20 minute frequencies, is there a set time like 12:40pm that I should aim for or is it a bit more ad-hoc? I'm just trying to figure out how much time I'd actually have in the lounge before boarding... Thanks!

 

[Joshua]

Depends on a few things but I have always found it quite quick. Depends on your gate, if the bus has just left, if you've got Express Path cards, if it's generally busy etc. No set time for the buses as far as I can tell, they're just more inclined to move if it's busy or there's been delays.

If it is quite busy the only cheat with the bus is last on, first off. Stand at the front and you'll be first through the door & up the stairs. You should get at least an hour in the lounge, which is plenty of time to relax and eat. If you're eligible then you can ask for Express Path cards from the transfer counter before entering the waiting pen (in theory you can triple up on them).

My record is under 15 minutes however since I'm ADL based I try to get QF82 to SYD then it takes 5 minutes from plane to Flounge

 

[macrop]

I did perth-sydney-wellington a few days ago. I had a very fast transfer. I sat in the lounge for maybe 5 minutes waiting for the bus. The bus interval varies depending on the time of day. I am sure midday would be a quick 10 minute interval fro memory. The bus ride was around 7 minutes. I remember I landed around 0605 and was sitting in the transfer lounge around 0615. Was wandering around the international by around 0630 and enjoying a shower in the Flounge around 0700. Not so quick coming back yesterday though.

 

[Kangol]

(in theory you can triple up on them).

How do you do get 3 express passes?

 

[serfty]

After 12 Noon, the "Seamless" transfer bus departs at least every 20 minutes¹ (on the hour and every 20 minutes), so if your flight is on time the next bus should be 12:40pm; miss that and you are looking at 1pm.


¹ Before Noon it's at least every 10 minutes. At any time of day it may be more frequent depending on patronage.

 

[boylero]

have done quite a few early transfers and they are fairly seemless, around 20min most times

 

[markis10]

If everything goes smoothly I would expect the best scenario will see you in the lounge for a maximm of an hour.

 

[TonyHancock]

This year has seen me on three QF400's to SYD arriving at 07:25 and transferring to QF129 departing at 09:25. I have not been in the lounge before 8:00 AM on every occasion. (I was also lucky in that the QF400 arrived on time.) As serfty posted the bus frequency goes to 20 mins after midday too. If you want to maximise lounge time I'd be trying to get an earlier flight into SYD.

 

[sometimeflyer]

How about in reverse - I'm arriving into SYD on QF2 at 6:50am - transferring to domestic to fly to Brisbane - flight currently booked to depart at 8:35am. Am flying F on QF2, J on domestic flight. Will need to check baggage. Am I cutting it too fine?

 

[serfty]

How about in reverse - I'm arriving into SYD ... at 6:50am ... booked to depart at 8:35am. Am flying F on QF2, J on domestic flight. Will need to check baggage. Am I cutting it too fine?

It's just within MCT of 90 minutes; you recheck bags at T1 at the "Seamless" transfer lounge. At that time of day the buses leaves at least every 10 minutes.

DOn't dilly dally (being BNE you would be re-booked on the next available flight if you missed the first connection.)

 

[Simo]

Most times I have done it has taken around 20 mins or so.

 

[NM]

As with any flights that meet MCT, if the arrival is on-time there should not be a problem. But if the arrival is delayed, then it all depends on the duration of the delay. 5 mins and still not problem, 5 hours and you are stuffed even with a 4 hour planned connection. As we cannot determine whether the arrival will be on time, or how long a delay may be, we really cannot comment on what is going to happen in any specific case.

 

[cmon0005]

I have always found the transfer timings pretty good, most times I've only had to wait 5-10 mins.

 

[sometimeflyer]

It's just within MCT of 90 minutes; you recheck bags at T1 at the "Seamless" transfer lounge. At that time of day the buses leaves at least every 10 minutes.

DOn't dilly dally ...

Thanks Serfty

 

[ronaldh]

Thanks for the response guys. Looks like there should just be enough time to get into the lounge for a quick lunch and drink before boarding. I'm planning to use F Lounge Complimentary Pass that Qantas gave out earlier - although it only says it admits one guest, have people managed to bring a friend in with them? Would being Gold help?

How are the Customs lines looking like these days for those without Express cards?

One thing I have to add in after spending so much time reading on these forums is that most of you make it seem so easy to reach WP and (nearly) make it seem like it's a normal thing. Ah, how I envy you

 

[CaviAck]

One thing I have to add in after spending so much time reading on these forums is that most of you make it seem so easy to reach WP and (nearly) make it seem like it's a normal thing. Ah, how I envy you

It is Australian Frequent Flyer after all...

 

[ALH]

How about in reverse - I'm arriving into SYD on QF2 at 6:50am - transferring to domestic to fly to Brisbane - flight currently booked to depart at 8:35am. Am flying F on QF2, J on domestic flight. Will need to check baggage. Am I cutting it too fine?

Did these same flights on Monday. Even with Express Card, I only had 15 minutes in the lounge

 

[Joshua]

If you *need* to make that connection for whatever reason, ask the crew during the flight to have SYD contacted and a First host to meet you at the door and escort you through. Otherwise take it slow and ask to be put on the later flight. Or if you're arriving on a Thursday there's a _better_ option

How do you do get 3 express passes?

1) Initial domestic check-in
2) Transfer desk in SYD T3
3) F check-in suite outside the express corridor

After immigration turn to your right and go through the regular security lanes. I usually ignore the express security because it appears no quicker. They won't take your card then obviously. Hell once I found a VA expresspath card just sitting at the passport counter and waived through with just the business or first boarding pass - so they're not a huge deal most of the time.

For arrivals just use the SmartGate.

One thing I have to add in after spending so much time reading on these forums is that most of you make it seem so easy to reach WP and (nearly) make it seem like it's a normal thing. Ah, how I envy you

I was thinking this today, here I am self-funded and just clocking over my QFF anniversary and my relatively meagre travel booked for this year already nearly gets me WP again... since when did it become so easy. If you're around here enough and travel semi-frequently you'll find plenty of ways to get it, though I personally shun the whole status run thing.

 

[serfty]

Thanks for the response guys. Looks like there should just be enough time to get into the lounge for a quick lunch and drink before boarding. I'm planning to use F Lounge Complimentary Pass that Qantas gave out earlier - although it only says it admits one guest, have people managed to bring a friend in with them? Would being Gold help ...

Be aware that your QF23 flight from T1 will commence boarding just after 1:30pm so any lounge time would be limited to approx. 30 minutes.

Any chance of getting an earlier flight into SYD T3? An hour earlier represents a 200% increase in effective lounge time.

 

[markis10]

Thanks for the response guys. Looks like there should just be enough time to get into the lounge for a quick lunch and drink before boarding. I'm planning to use F Lounge Complimentary Pass that Qantas gave out earlier - although it only says it admits one guest, have people managed to bring a friend in with them? Would being Gold help?

How are the Customs lines looking like these days for those without Express cards?

One thing I have to add in after spending so much time reading on these forums is that most of you make it seem so easy to reach WP and (nearly) make it seem like it's a normal thing. Ah, how I envy you

I have yet to hear of the passes admitting more than one, and given its a F lounge opportunity I would echo others input re an earlier flight.