Can we leave sydney airport?

[markis10]

To me train is obvious for the following reasons:

1. No baggage - avoiding the main issue with the airport link
2. Train knows where its going
3. The train is a known in terms of travel time, if they are running late the frequency on that line is enough to ensure you can grab a service in time.

If there were more than two travelling, there was baggage or travel was not coming off peak hour then I think Taxi would be more favorable, I am not sure what the taxi queue is like at the INt terminal at 8.30 but that could be a factor as well.

 

[YQY]

I am not sure what the taxi queue is like at the INt terminal at 8.30 but that could be a factor as well.

Good point - there are some large aircraft flying in between 6am and 10am. I normally rent a car.

 

[medhead]

To me train is obvious for the following reasons:

1. No baggage - avoiding the main issue with the airport link
2. Train knows where its going
3. The train is a known in terms of travel time, if they are running late the frequency on that line is enough to ensure you can grab a service in time.

If there were more than two travelling, there was baggage or travel was not coming off peak hour then I think Taxi would be more favorable, I am not sure what the taxi queue is like at the INt terminal at 8.30 but that could be a factor as well.

I'd also add that the train allows quick movement around the city. As per the suggestion, train to circular quay then train to town hall to see darling harbour, or museum to see hyde park, or even train to the cross.

With 2 people travelling, the cost of the train fare vs the taxi cost makes the taxi a good option imo for getting back to the airport

Dave

The cost is pretty much the same. So for me it is the other factors (convenience and certainty) of a train that makes it a good option IMO.

 

[Blackadder]

I wonder if it would be cheaper to take a taxi to a station which is just outside the airport gate charging zone, then train from there?

The gate charge is my main beef with the Airport line service. We get a similar "treatment" here for BNE's Airtrain.

That would be Mascot or Wolli Creek, possibly cheaper with two people but not worth the savings IMHO.

 

[notmensa]

I think the train is best option in both directions.


Cost of a taxi from the city to the airport is only less than the train (for two) IF there is no traffic. Taxi a good option early in the morning before peak hour (I did it at 6 am on Mon Dec 21) but gets expensive if you sit in traffic during the day. Train from the airport is straightforward and pretty quick into Circular Quay.

The 443 bus from Stand C at Circular Quay goes to Darling Harbour & Star City via Town Hall if you want an above-ground ride. It returns to QVB (Town Hall station) or Circular Quay for the train back to the airport.

 

[YQY]

The 443 bus

My favourite bus route - i feel very secure on this bus.

 

[harvyk]

My favourite bus route - i feel very secure on this bus.

that's beyond sad...

(says the guy who spend half the day configuring IIS and SSL certs...)

 

[Mr Ed]

131500 Transport Info - DayTripper

The day tripper is the way to go.

Trains, Ferries and Buses for the day for 18.20

Yes you'll pay extra for the airport link.

 

[notzac]

that's beyond sad...

(says the guy who spend half the day configuring IIS and SSL certs...)

My world, welcome to it.

 

[markis10]

131500 Transport Info - DayTripper

The day tripper is the way to go.

Trains, Ferries and Buses for the day for 18.20

Yes you'll pay extra for the airport link.

Not worth it for the OP, the gate pass is $10 each way, and they hardly have a day to use it.

 

[harvyk]

Not worth it for the OP, the gate pass is $10 each way, and they hardly have a day to use it.

I agree, whilst there is certainly time to visit the city, I'd be a little hesitant wondering too much further away. Last thing you want is to be stuck somewhere and unable to get back out to the airport on time.

 

[serfty]

Adult Train Prices are:

One way: $15.80
Return: $26.60
Off Peak Return: $24.00 (after 9am)

For two people, that's a minim of $48. Taxi (via O'riordan st) costs from ~$27.

It's morethan 4 K longer to use the Eastern distributor, International to Circular Quay.
At a rate of $1.93 per KM that's a significant difference.

 

[spunkarooney]

I agree, whilst there is certainly time to visit the city, I'd be a little hesitant wondering too much further away. Last thing you want is to be stuck somewhere and unable to get back out to the airport on time.

It's a real risk.

 

[drewbles]

It's a real risk.

Not at all. I arrived around 10am from MEL to SYD for a connecting flight to SFO in the afternoon (around 3pm). I left the airport, caught up with a friend, had lunch in the city, went up to his office in Mosman, then got a lift back to the airport (Only to Mosman and the airport were in a car, the rest was all train). Very do-able. I'd recommend it really if you don't have lounge access. Circular Quay and the rocks is a great place to wander around for a few hours.

 

[spunkarooney]

Not at all.

In my opinion there are too many factors outside of my control to be doing this.

Sydney's transport system is well known for its failures.

 

[drewbles]

In my opinion there are too many factors outside of my control to be doing this.

Sydney's transport system is well known for its failures.

I lived in Sydney for 4 years. I'd still suggest the OP do it. Leave plenty of time in case of 'failures'. It's not peak hour at 1pm so if a train 'fails' then leave enough time for a cab.

Spending an hour or two down at the toaster is much nicer than 6 in an airport IMHO

 

[harvyk]

In my opinion there are too many factors outside of my control to be doing this.

Sydney's transport system is well known for its failures.

That's why you give yourself loads of time to get back to the airport. (Like I suggest, start heading back at about 1pm). IF a train breaks down there is always cabs. Whilst yes the road out to the airport can jam up, even then I doubt it would take 2 hours to get from the city back out to the airport. If it does happen then I doubt the OP is the only one who now has an issue.

 

[medhead]

Adult Train Prices are:

One way: $15.80
Return: $26.60
Off Peak Return: $24.00 (after 9am)

For two people, that's a minim of $48. Taxi (via O'riordan st) costs from ~$27.

Plus the return taxi costs from ~$27, a minimum of $54 without factoring potential to end up on the eastern distributor.

 

[drewbles]

Plus the return taxi costs from ~$27, a minimum of $54 without factoring potential to end up on the eastern distributor.

The distributor is only tolled on the way from the Airport though. This was done when they changed the Harbour Bridge toll to be the other way (people were not taking the distributor to the bridge thanks to a double toll).

 

[medhead]

The distributor is only tolled on the way from the Airport though. This was done when they changed the Harbour Bridge toll to be the other way (people were not taking the distributor to the bridge thanks to a double toll).

I was mainly referring to the extra 4 kms on the ED not specifically the tolls.

when was this change made to the harbour bridge toll? Hasn't it always been tolled on the north side only.