Best Airport in Australia

[Yada Yada]

Yada Yada, indeed the transfer option is a moot point for your local airport. I believe MEL has better transfer facilities adn would rate it higher than SYD. It all depends where you are flying to, and whether direct flights can be found from your city. SYD and MEL have more flights than BNE, so for me, transferring is a necessity. I'll fly to MEL (for the extra SC and points :wink: ) as the time taken in extra flying time is equalled by the shorter transfer time in MEL (over the Intl/Dom bus or train transfer in SYD).

Lindsay,

I agree - no doubt about it that MEL is extremely convenient for transits, even between DJ & QF if you get stuck! I've only ever flown domestic into and out of BNE so have never tried the Int'l terminal there.

- Peter

 

[Yada Yada]

Sydney is perfect except that it is in Sydney , YUK!!! OK to visit but not for living in.

I guess it comes down to what you are used to. Being born and bred in Sydney, I love it. I like visiting Brisbane but find it way too hot in summer.

Melbourne is OK but is too cold.

I've had some good luck with the MEL weather lately. Yesterday it was a magic day in that city - sunny, warm, low humidity. In SYD it was quite an ordinary day.

- Peter

 

[MD]

I guess it depends upon your flying patterns, but for me number 3 is not an issue because living in Sydney means that I do not transit there. If I fly into SYD T1, next stop is home in the car. If I am flying out of T1, I have come from home or the office. For T2/T3, same applies.

- Peter

I don't want to be too pedantic here, but if you fly regularly you may find yourself bumped onto one of the domestic legs of an international flight. I have frequently ended up in T1 after MEL-SYD with my car parked in the domestic terminal. The requirement of passing through immigration adds about 20 minutes, so its a bit of a drag. Not enough to make me move to MEL though - once was enough.

MD

 

[Yada Yada]

I don't want to be too pedantic here, but if you fly regularly you may find yourself bumped onto one of the domestic legs of an international flight. I have frequently ended up in T1 after MEL-SYD with my car parked in the domestic terminal. The requirement of passing through immigration adds about 20 minutes, so its a bit of a drag. Not enough to make me move to MEL though - once was enough.

Thankfully this has not happened yet. I've noticed the cheap fare on QF2 (SYD-MEL) on weekday mornings but have avoided it for the very reason it'd be a PITA to get back to my car upon return.

 

[bigjobs]

Weipa airport - for domestic travel ...

 

[NM]

Weipa airport - for domestic travel ...

Or perhaps TPR might be an interesting option . I understand the trip from TPR to PBO is a real "buzz" :wink: .

 

[Groundfeeder]

Brisbane has got to be the best for me with a reasonable (usually deserted) train connection from the city.

BUT of course the airport corp has just announced another "Dig up the Airport facilities and do it all again" year for the dom terminal. So ya'll have to endure another horror equalling the perennial Airport Drive upgrades.

Some day it will all get better.....

 

[Yada Yada]

Brisbane has got to be the best for me with a reasonable (usually deserted) train connection from the city.

BUT of course the airport corp has just announced another "Dig up the Airport facilities and do it all again" year for the dom terminal. So ya'll have to endure another horror equalling the perennial Airport Drive upgrades.

Some day it will all get better.....

What! Every time I go to BNE the domestic terminal seems to be under rennovation. :evil:

 

[Warks]

Can't go past DBO (not DUB ) once their renovations are complete. At present they have Portaloos outside and there was a dog cage going around on the carousel that was there when I arrived on a Wednesday and was still there when I left on Friday!!

I reckon SYD is about the best for domestic in Australia with an hour or so to most places and it is only a long ride to PER and DRW. Direct flights pretty much everywhere and not too far to NZ which could also be considered domestic.

I live a bit far from the airport - about a $90 cab ride - but you can do it in 35 minutes - however living in the Hills area we get severely milked for tolls. I think a return trip to the airport costs over $14 in tolls now. Thanks Bob Carr.

I reckon about a $30 cab ride away would be perfect. A mate lives at Stanmore ($12) and the cabbies get the sh!ts every time he gets in after they've been in the queue for an hour. Tough cheese to them but it's no fun having a grumpy bugger drive you home after a long trip.

 

[MetroAir]

Does CX have F ex-BNE?

No, unfortunately. EK does and I think they are now the only ones with F out of BNE.

 

[clifford]

For me, MEL is the best airport in Australia, particularly for overseas connections, where one can comfortably walk between terminals (and not pay $4 for a lousy train/bus). It's also well laid out and has good connections to most places I want to go.

When I go overseas, I have to travel at least 300 kms to the nearest gateway airport, and I do object to having to catch an expensive train/bus or whatever to get from Dom to Int (and vv) at places such as SYD and BNE. So flying via MEL is usually my preferred option.

As I don't do much domestic flying otherwise, distance from the city, etc, isn't terribly important to me.

 

[Dave Noble]

When I go overseas, I have to travel at least 300 kms to the nearest gateway airport, and I do object to having to catch an expensive train/bus or whatever to get from Dom to Int (and vv) at places such as SYD and BNE. So flying via MEL is usually my preferred option.

My experience of the train at BNE is that it is complimentary as is the airside bus at SYD, though I do like the ease of connect at MEL

Dave

 

[clifford]

When I go overseas, I have to travel at least 300 kms to the nearest gateway airport, and I do object to having to catch an expensive train/bus or whatever to get from Dom to Int (and vv) at places such as SYD and BNE. So flying via MEL is usually my preferred option.

My experience of the train at BNE is that it is complimentary as is the airside bus at SYD, though I do like the ease of connect at MEL

Dave

But only if you fly Qantas, which I don't.

 

[Mal]

When I go overseas, I have to travel at least 300 kms to the nearest gateway airport, and I do object to having to catch an expensive train/bus or whatever to get from Dom to Int (and vv) at places such as SYD and BNE. So flying via MEL is usually my preferred option.

My experience of the train at BNE is that it is complimentary as is the airside bus at SYD, though I do like the ease of connect at MEL

Dave

But only if you fly Qantas, which I don't.

Works for Virgin Blue - Pacific Blue as well. Not sure about the others but think some carriers have agreements in place.

My annoyance with the Brisbane train is that it starts too late, and finishes too early. 5:30am the first train leaves town during the week (with a 6am Airport arrival). ~7:30pm the last train leaves the airport. If leaving Brisbane on a pre-7am flight, no chance to check in, if arriving in Brisbane anytime after about 7:25pm, no chance to grab the train (7:10 if waiting for luggage).

 

[aus_flyer]

At Sydney, I quite like the Terminal 2 QC.
Always really quiet - a stark contrast to Terminal 3 at peak hour.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Does CX have F ex-BNE?

No, unfortunately. EK does and I think they are now the only ones with F out of BNE.

What about Thai or Singapore? Not really relevant for the QP (except for fools like me who prefer that lounge to the alternatives).

 

[NM]

What about Thai or Singapore? Not really relevant for the QP (except for fools like me who prefer that lounge to the alternatives).

SQ generally operate 2-class 777-200 BNE-SIN, and TG usually operate 2-class 777-300 BNE-BKK.

And MH operate 2-class 777-200 BNE-KUL.

And BI operate 2-class 767-300 BNE-BWN

And GA operate 2-class A330 BNE-DPS

And KE operate 2-class A330-300 BNE-ICN

And JL operate 2-class 747 BNE-NRT

So I think EK may be the only one offerring F out of Brisbane now. I can't think of any others???

 

[MetroAir]

What about Thai or Singapore? Not really relevant for the QP (except for fools like me who prefer that lounge to the alternatives).

Not any more! Both only 2 class. Thai replaced the MD11 with a 777 in and out of AKL - shame 'cause I didn't mind the MD's even with the 'old' F seats.

Eva Air may 'cause they then go to SYD and back to TPE.

 

[BlacKnox]

FWIW my yen goes to MEL. I like the facilities, lounges, connection ease and staff (just seem more polite/ professional). I find the MEL airport Hilton also reasonably priced and (of course) very convenient.

 

[aasz1978]

One of these days, you would be quite silly to use Sydney Airport if you can avoid it, not only because their exorbitant charges (understandable if their airport is like Changi, Singapore) but because of two words.

Schapelle Corby

So in summary, you'll pay top prices for an airport which doesn't guarantee your belongings safety from being tampered.

I vote Melbourne Airport.