Airport & Departure Taxes - how do they work?

[tommelbourne]

Heya,

I'm going OS for the first time soon, and my plane tickets have been booked via a travel agent.

Everything is paid for, but the Agent has said that there are 'Airport and Departure Taxes' of around $195 that aren't included in the package price, for which I need to bring money.

Are these the fees that airports like Kingsford-Smith and Heathrow charge passengers? And, if so, aren't they usually included in the ticket price charged by the airline? Or do the airports literally make individual travellers personally pay the tax (via cash or EFTPOS) before you can use their facilities?

- Tom

 

[mannej]

It depends on the airport.

Most airports have the taxes included in the price of the ticket, however there are airports such as DPS (Bali) to name one which makes each passenger line up and pay their departure and arrivals tax at the actual airport.

 

[tommelbourne]

Thanks mannej.

I'll be:
departing Sydney, arriving at Amman
departing Amman, arriving Gatwick
departing Heathrow, arriving Sydney

Are they Airports where you have to line up, or are the taxes included in the ticket price?

 

[ozmille]

The only one I am not sure about is AMM but never has to pay cash at LGW or LHR. Also 195 seems a lot of cash for arrivals or departure, I'll have a look in the morning if I can find some more info regarding AMM

 

[Aussie_flyer]

I'd be asking for an explanation! $195 seems very wrong. I believe departure taxes for Jordan should be collected by the airline/agent during ticketing.

 

[ozmille]

I'd be asking for an explanation! $195 seems very wrong. I believe departure taxes for Jordan should be collected by the airline/agent during ticketing.

Correct, had a check on the IATA website just now and there are no departure taxes to be paid there.

IATA - Jordan Customs, Currency & Airport Tax regulations details

 

[serfty]

Who are you travelling with?

Do you have your ticket as yet?

Posted on a wing and a prayer ...

 

[harvyk]

Hi Tom

I'm with the others, $195 seems like a very large amount for departure tax payable at airports. Most of the time it's a trivial amount per person around the A$10 - A$25 mark (in local currency of course). So unless you have 10 people in your group, $195 seems way too high assuming you are travelling via an country which even charges departure tax directly to the pax. Most don't these days, plus most don't charge you if you're simply transiting for less than 24 hours.

I'd be questioning that TA of yours, and find out exactly which airports they think will charge a departure tax.

 

[tommelbourne]

Thanks all. I suspected something was fishy.

I'm going with Emirates for the first and third legs, and with EasyJet for the middle one (Amman to Gatwick).
And no, I don't have the tickets yet.
And it's just me, no group.

I've emailed the travel agent - will let you know what their response is.

 

[Leumas]

Is the Easyjet leg booked by the agent too? They may have some ridiculous fees for flying with them, and flying out of Heathrow is always expensive.

AUD195 is around GBP125, there may be other fees that are not strictly 'departure and airport fees', but I wouldn't be surprised if it adds up to that. Still, get some details.

Having said all that, what 'package' are you booking? Some tours want a cash payment over there for tips, foods and other expenses, still not strictly a 'departure and airport fee' though.