Recent Experiences with QF’s new terminal transfer at SYD

[Beano]

Agree all above. You only need to have a QF BP to access the Q transfer bus. If you were issued with a OW, or other e.g. AIr NZ, boarding pass for the domestic sector, you can ask for a new one at the transfer desk.

I arrived at SYD DOM to pick up a hire car shuttle. The T bus queue was long and my shuttle arrived before the T bus so probably a long wait and you have to negotiate the main security at the DOM terminal.

 

[jpp42]

Edit: The flight did arrive into the 50's gates area, which was probably quieter and the "Qantas" part of the terminal.

Tip - most of the time it's possible to choose which side you go through , there is an open corridor between the baggage carousels near the oversize collection area. If you come in the main side (gates 8 to 36) and it's chockablock, consider making a sneaky move over to the gate 50-63 side, which I find is usually less crowded (though not always). Similarly if you're last to disembark off an Emirates A380 in the evening and you find the gate 50-63 area crowded, try moving over to the other side. At certain times of day or night however, one side is closed so this doesn't always work.

 

[Beano]

Tip - most of the time it's possible to choose which side you go through , there is an open corridor between the baggage carousels near the oversize collection area. If you come in the main side (gates 8 to 36) and it's chockablock, consider making a sneaky move over to the gate 50-63 side, which I find is usually less crowded (though not always). Similarly if you're last to disembark off an Emirates A380 in the evening and you find the gate 50-63 area crowded, try moving over to the other side. At certain times of day or night however, one side is closed so this doesn't always work.

I remember years ago using that corridor to access another lounge where I was having a meeting, but had forgotten all about it. Thanks for the reminder. I usually arrive early evening so never a problem of crowds at either side.

 

[jpp42]

I remember years ago using that corridor to access another lounge where I was having a meeting, but had forgotten all about it. Thanks for the reminder. I usually arrive early evening so never a problem of crowds at either side.

To be more specific, there are actually three corridors that connect the "A" and "B" sides of the Terminal 1 which are available for use by passengers:

• On the upper level, for departing passengers, the normal passageway with travelators that you use to access gates 50-63 . There is two-way traffic here although usually it's only traffic going towards gate 50-63. You might go "backwards" down this corridor, if for example you've used the Singapore Airlines or Etihad lounges but your flight departs gates 8-36.
• On the ground level, a long enclosed corridor prior to immigration. This is only used by staff normally but can be opened for general access if immigration on one side is closed and a flight's passengers need to be directed to the other side - usually only happens later at night.
• At the baggage carousels, for arriving passengers after immigration, which is what I was referring to above. This is just a short corridor that connects both sides to the oversize luggage collection area, and normally there is free movement of passengers between the sides as well, although I suppose it could be blocked off if customs was closed on one side. If congestion at the luggage carousels means the "wrong" side is used for your flight, you might have passed through there without quite realising it, just going to collect your luggage.

Side note about the gate 50-63 area to relate back to Qantas - around 2017 I was on a SYD-JNB flight that was using that area, unusually for Qantas. Boarding was delayed at last minute for about an hour for an engineering issue, after the lounge had already announced boarding. Qantas invited all business class and lounge-eligible passengers to get a voucher for snacks/drinks to use at the airport shops in that part of the terminal, so we didn't have to walk all the way back to the QF lounges. I thought that was a nice touch and something I feel would not happen today.

 

[justinbrett]

Agree all above. You only need to have a QF BP to access the Q transfer bus. If you were issued with a OW, or other e.g. AIr NZ, boarding pass for the domestic sector, you can ask for a new one at the transfer desk.

Surely they accept a BP with a QF flight number regardless of what logo is on the card.

 

[Daver6]

Surely they accept a BP with a QF flight number regardless of what logo is on the card.

They certainly do. Recently arriving from the US my boarding passes were all printed on AA passes. No issues whatsoever.

 

[Beano]

To be more specific, there are actually three corridors that connect the "A" and "B" sides of the Terminal 1 which are available for use by passengers:

• On the upper level, for departing passengers, the normal passageway with travelators that you use to access gates 50-63 . There is two-way traffic here although usually it's only traffic going towards gate 50-63. You might go "backwards" down this corridor, if for example you've used the Singapore Airlines or Etihad lounges but your flight departs gates 8-36.
• On the ground level, a long enclosed corridor prior to immigration. This is only used by staff normally but can be opened for general access if immigration on one side is closed and a flight's passengers need to be directed to the other side - usually only happens later at night.
• At the baggage carousels, for arriving passengers after immigration, which is what I was referring to above. This is just a short corridor that connects both sides to the oversize luggage collection area, and normally there is free movement of passengers between the sides as well, although I suppose it could be blocked off if customs was closed on one side. If congestion at the luggage carousels means the "wrong" side is used for your flight, you might have passed through there without quite realising it, just going to collect your luggage.

Side note about the gate 50-63 area to relate back to Qantas - around 2017 I was on a SYD-JNB flight that was using that area, unusually for Qantas. Boarding was delayed at last minute for about an hour for an engineering issue, after the lounge had already announced boarding. Qantas invited all business class and lounge-eligible passengers to get a voucher for snacks/drinks to use at the airport shops in that part of the terminal, so we didn't have to walk all the way back to the QF lounges. I thought that was a nice touch and something I feel would not happen today.

You can include the EK lounge on the 50's side, which I have used when a QF flight departs from there. I fact you can use the EK lounge anytime (provided you have access) and don't mind the two way long walk.

 

[Kiwi_Flyer]

To be more specific, there are actually three corridors that connect the "A" and "B" sides of the Terminal 1 which are available for use by passengers:

• On the upper level, for departing passengers, the normal passageway with travelators that you use to access gates 50-63 . There is two-way traffic here although usually it's only traffic going towards gate 50-63. You might go "backwards" down this corridor, if for example you've used the Singapore Airlines or Etihad lounges but your flight departs gates 8-36.
• On the ground level, a long enclosed corridor prior to immigration. This is only used by staff normally but can be opened for general access if immigration on one side is closed and a flight's passengers need to be directed to the other side - usually only happens later at night.
• At the baggage carousels, for arriving passengers after immigration, which is what I was referring to above. This is just a short corridor that connects both sides to the oversize luggage collection area, and normally there is free movement of passengers between the sides as well, although I suppose it could be blocked off if customs was closed on one side. If congestion at the luggage carousels means the "wrong" side is used for your flight, you might have passed through there without quite realising it, just going to collect your luggage.

Side note about the gate 50-63 area to relate back to Qantas - around 2017 I was on a SYD-JNB flight that was using that area, unusually for Qantas. Boarding was delayed at last minute for about an hour for an engineering issue, after the lounge had already announced boarding. Qantas invited all business class and lounge-eligible passengers to get a voucher for snacks/drinks to use at the airport shops in that part of the terminal, so we didn't have to walk all the way back to the QF lounges. I thought that was a nice touch and something I feel would not happen today.

The ground level corridor is open most of the day because transfer security in the 50s gates is only open for an hour or two in the morning peak.

 

[serfty]

(provided you have access)

Access for Asia/Middle East/Europe destinations. Travel to the Americas does not allow such access.

 

[jrfsp]

Not particularly seamless this morning.
Took 50 mins from stepping off the aircraft at domestic to airside at T1. Took forever for the bus to cross the taxiway at domestic. I’ve done landside transfers at LHR and LAX in quicker

 

[Beano]

To be more specific, there are actually three corridors that connect the "A" and "B" sides of the Terminal 1 which are available for use by passengers:

• On the upper level, for departing passengers, the normal passageway with travelators that you use to access gates 50-63 . There is two-way traffic here although usually it's only traffic going towards gate 50-63. You might go "backwards" down this corridor, if for example you've used the Singapore Airlines or Etihad lounges but your flight departs gates 8-36.
• On the ground level, a long enclosed corridor prior to immigration. This is only used by staff normally but can be opened for general access if immigration on one side is closed and a flight's passengers need to be directed to the other side - usually only happens later at night.
• At the baggage carousels, for arriving passengers after immigration, which is what I was referring to above. This is just a short corridor that connects both sides to the oversize luggage collection area, and normally there is free movement of passengers between the sides as well, although I suppose it could be blocked off if customs was closed on one side. If congestion at the luggage carousels means the "wrong" side is used for your flight, you might have passed through there without quite realising it, just going to collect your luggage.

Side note about the gate 50-63 area to relate back to Qantas - around 2017 I was on a SYD-JNB flight that was using that area, unusually for Qantas. Boarding was delayed at last minute for about an hour for an engineering issue, after the lounge had already announced boarding. Qantas invited all business class and lounge-eligible passengers to get a voucher for snacks/drinks to use at the airport shops in that part of the terminal, so we didn't have to walk all the way back to the QF lounges. I thought that was a nice touch and something I feel would not happen today.

Sorry for the late contribution. If you end up on a Qantas flight from the 50s gates you can use the EK lounge, if you have the appropriate qualifications and it is open. In the evening only open from 5:30 pm, as I found out when I was 15 minutes too early. Too much trouble to go back to the QF lounge

 

[PERLHR]

Question please...flying PER to SYD on QF metal on one day, then the following morning flying SYD to CHC on Emirates metal. Checked bags will be picked up at SYD on arrival then we are staying overnight at the Rydges by the International terminal before checking in the following morning for the early flight to CHC on EK.
What would.be the best way to the Rydges from the domestic bag reclaim area at SYD? I assume can't go airside...so is there free bus that links the terminals? Thanks.

 

[AIRwin]

so is there free bus that links the terminals?

Yes you can take the free Terminal Transfer bus:

Transit at SYD

Find information on getting between flights at Sydney Airport.

www.sydneyairport.com.au

 

[chooms]

Yes you can take the free Terminal Transfer bus:

Transit at SYD

Find information on getting between flights at Sydney Airport.

www.sydneyairport.com.au

Just be aware the bus doesn’t operate after a certain time (I think around 10pm) if you are coming in late. I used it last year at 9:30pm from T3 to T1 with bags and stayed at Rydges. Drops you off almost right in front (across a road though).

 

[justinbrett]

I’d just take an Uber.

 

[AIRwin]

Just be aware the bus doesn’t operate after a certain time (I think around 10pm) if you are coming in late. I used it last year at 9:30pm from T3 to T1 with bags and stayed at Rydges. Drops you off almost right in front (across a road though).

Until 9:30 pm so you must have just made it

 

[Beano]

Train perhaps? Could depend on how much luggage you have.

 

[Daver6]

Question please...flying PER to SYD on QF metal on one day, then the following morning flying SYD to CHC on Emirates metal. Checked bags will be picked up at SYD on arrival then we are staying overnight at the Rydges by the International terminal before checking in the following morning for the early flight to CHC on EK.
What would.be the best way to the Rydges from the domestic bag reclaim area at SYD? I assume can't go airside...so is there free bus that links the terminals? Thanks.

The hotel used to offer a shuttle. Check their website. Another option is to just take the train and pay the extortionate fair. It's at least convenient though.

 

[AIRwin]

Train perhaps? Could depend on how much luggage you have.

Or bus 420

 

[Matt_01]

Question please...flying PER to SYD on QF metal on one day, then the following morning flying SYD to CHC on Emirates metal. Checked bags will be picked up at SYD on arrival then we are staying overnight at the Rydges by the International terminal before checking in the following morning for the early flight to CHC on EK.
What would.be the best way to the Rydges from the domestic bag reclaim area at SYD? I assume can't go airside...so is there free bus that links the terminals? Thanks.

I am based in ADL and transit via SYD connecting to morning flights and tend to use the train (night before) as it simple and convenient. There are lifts/ escalators so there is no need to carry luggage. You can also buy tickets at the train terminal or just use tap on/off with a credit or debit card. At the international terminal the lifts/ escalators will spit you out near the first exit to the Rydges. Have been doing this for years and did ADL-SYD-CHC with the family a couple of weeks back. Sure may not be the cheapest option but that is not a factor especially when travelling with the family.