BNE Domestic to Internation Transfer

[YQY]

I have a fairly tight transfer between BNE Domestic and International next month. Any recommendations on whether I should use a taxi, t-bus or Airtrain between the terminals? I will be traveling with carry on only.

QF636 Arriving BNE at 10:15PM
QF347 (FJ922) Departing BNE at 11:55PM
The flights are on a Wednesday (for Taxi availability)

Both flights are on the same PNR, I assume i can get the FJ boarding pass at MEL check in? If not do i need to check in at the FJ Counter or QF Counter in BNE?

Furthermore, is there a express departure queue in BNE for customs etc?

 

[richie9x]

Your connection isn't all that tight. 1 hour 40 should be ok.

Air Train stops at 10pm so that isn't an option, unless you somehow arrive early. I would go for T-Bus. Sometimes the taxi line can be very long and has a similar wait as the t-bus, although it should not be too bad at that time. Perhaps if your flight is late go with a taxi.

 

[YQY]

Your connection isn't all that tight. 1 hour 40 should be ok.

Air Train stops at 10pm so that isn't an option, unless you somehow arrive early. I would go for T-Bus

Thanks - just realised FJ check in closes 1hr prior to departure not 90 mins. I will take the T-Bus.

 

[markis10]

Last T bus departs from the Virgin end of the terminal at 10.40 PM, and as of last week was still using the old road adjacent to the terminal, not the new pickup area.

 

[anat0l]

I have a fairly tight transfer between BNE Domestic and International next month. Any recommendations on whether I should use a taxi, t-bus or Airtrain between the terminals? I will be traveling with carry on only.

QF636 Arriving BNE at 10:15PM
QF347 (FJ922) Departing BNE at 11:55PM
The flights are on a Wednesday (for Taxi availability)

Both flights are on the same PNR, I assume i can get the FJ boarding pass at MEL check in? If not do i need to check in at the FJ Counter or QF Counter in BNE?

Furthermore, is there a express departure queue in BNE for customs etc?

• Connection isn't too tight at all, though think about jumping into a taxi if it starts to shave down to an hour to go. (Usually this would only be if the inbound was delayed).
• T-Buses leave at 2220h and 2240h (last service) from the Domestic Terminal. According to the BNE website the stop is located towards the Virgin Australia end of the terminal, but I seem to remember last time that it was more centrally located and the boffins haven't updated this fact. If you arrive after 2240h, you'll need to get a taxi.
• Get your boarding passes (both) in MEL. It should be possible and will definitely save you a lot of hassle (you do not want to be stuck on a delayed flight with no onward BP = not checked in for flight = screwed if you don't make it within 60 minutes of departure). You also need to produce a BP or itinerary to qualify for free fare on the T-Bus (else $5 payable in cash). This, of course, means you must use the service counters, not NGCI self-service.
• See if you can get an Express Path pass from MEL check-in (they should have one for you). If not, you can get one from the BNE counters if you produce a BP. I'd like to think it actually wouldn't make a huge difference, though. When you go down to BNE I security, they will have someone who will pull random people over to weigh their hand luggage - be prepared.

 

[markis10]

• I seem to remember last time that it was more centrally located and the boffins haven't updated this fact.

The T Bus departure point is literally at the end of the terminal adjacent to Virgin Valet parking unless it has moved across to the new pickup area in the last week.

 

[YQY]

Thanks anat0l/markis10 - I will update this thread after my flights.

 

[markis10]

That would be good, with the car park changes taxi ranks, pickup zones etc are changing, my last T bus adventure was late June and it was still at the end of Virgin, I used it to go do some woolies shopping between flights.