Public Transport to our airports - what's cheapest?

[RB]

I'm off to PQQ later this week on a QF Dash-8. I'd like to take the public bus into town, but it only goes every 2 hours, so I'd have to wait an hour. Not going to do that, so I plan to use Didi. On my way back, I'll use the bus, as the schedule is more convenient to my departure ex PQQ.

I would be biting the bullet & paying for a cab or uber. Nothing to do at the airport. I can see at the moment there are 3 ubers cruising but only 1 didi.

 

[Jacques Vert]

I would be biting the bullet & paying for a cab or uber. Nothing to do at the airport. I can see at the moment there are 3 ubers cruising but only 1 didi.

Stay away from the taxis; IME the worst taxi service i've ever come across. I've rung the taxi company and told them there are 8 people wanting cabs; they send one! Ring again and tell them there are still 7 waiting and, 20 minutes later, they send another one! And on and on it goes. This has happened to me on numerous arrivals into PQQ. Even the taxi drivers will tell you their dispatch office is useless.

Try Uber, Didi, bus or walk; but avoid the taxis at all cost IMHO.

 

[RB]

Stay away from the taxis; IME the worst taxi service i've ever come across. I've rung the taxi company and told them there are 8 people wanting cabs; they send one! Ring again and tell them there are still 7 waiting and, 20 minutes later, they send another one! And on and on it goes. This has happened to me on numerous arrivals into PQQ. Even the taxi drivers will tell you their dispatch office is useless.

Try Uber, Didi, bus or walk; but avoid the taxis at all cost IMHO.

The taxis are not perfect for sure but a long way in front of walk, bus & didi. From my experience the QF system of ordering a cab while in flight is probably the best option available to someone like Clifford

 

[Jacques Vert]

The taxis are not perfect for sure but a long way in front of walk, bus & didi. From my experience the QF system of ordering a cab while in flight is probably the best option available to someone like Clifford

I've tried ordering the taxis in flight but never found a taxi waiting on arrival. YMMV

 

[Chicken]

I'm off to PQQ later this week on a QF Dash-8. I'd like to take the public bus into town, but it only goes every 2 hours

You could walk from the airport to Hasting River Dr, and get the 341, or is that the one that is hourly?
Looks like there is a 340 as well, ah, and very few and far in between for this one

Seems more like hourly? Other than between 12:00 and 14:00? See Anytrip.

Opal not accepted!

Busways Port Macquarie does not accept Opal regardless CountryLink or local service; but they take NFC card payments.

 

[RB]

I've tried ordering the taxis in flight but never found a taxi waiting on arrival. YMMV

My experience does vary.

Seems more like hourly? Other than between 12:00 and 14:00? See Anytrip.

Busways Port Macquarie does not accept Opal regardless CountryLink or local service; but they take NFC card payments.

Paying the fare would be the least of my worries, it is just an very ordinary alternative. I guess it all comes down to how much you value your time and accept inconvenience. Fri is supposed to be dry but some showers on other days

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

My aim soon is ADL -> NTL QFlink, train to SYD, fly VAd SYD - ADL... (NTL - Newcastle, NSW), at least it takes opal, and I can fly in, stay overnight, and then train it to Central...
At least Newcastle buses accept opal.

 

[clifford]

You could walk from the airport to Hasting River Dr, and get the 341, or is that the one that is hourly?
Looks like there is a 340 as well, ah, and very few and far in between for this one, as its a countrylink service from up north. on which (Opal not accepted!).
---
Its only hours walk, from the airport to the city, with a good pair of shoes, I think it could be done.

Well, as it turned out, the flight into PQQ was late, so I only had half an hour to wait (in the quite comfortable departure lounge) for the 341 bus. Cost all of $1.60 to Settlement City. Caught the 341 back to the airport the following day, as the schedule was convenient for my flight to BNE. Otherwise I would have taken a Didi for around $10 (much cheaper than Uber). I was the only passenger getting on and off at the airport. I don't think Busways makes a lot of money out of that service.

Now, we'll have to see what I'll be doing at LST next week. I think it'll probably be a Hertz rental car. Definitely won't be taxi or Uber (no Didi in Tas).

 

[clifford]

My aim soon is ADL -> NTL QFlink, train to SYD, fly VAd SYD - ADL... (NTL - Newcastle, NSW), at least it takes opal, and I can fly in, stay overnight, and then train it to Central...
At least Newcastle buses accept opal.

Yes, I've done something like that ex CBR. Quite civilised really with the buses from NTL. I stayed at the Fern Bay motel, which has a quite good bus service from/to the airport, as well as to Stockton (for the Ferry to Newcastle) and buses to the city as well. Also, the motel provides a free shuttle service to NTL in the morning.

 

[elanshin]

I have just realised that parking on coward st near mascot in SYD is free during the weekend (although good luck finding a spot). It's only a 25min walk from domestic terminal (or 5 mins to mascot station and then a bus in).

I'm sure there are a few more streets around it. If you feel like a bit of light exercise without huge luggage, fairly legitimate option.

 

[CaptJCool]

I have just realised that parking on coward st near mascot in SYD is free during the weekend (although good luck finding a spot). It's only a 25min walk from domestic terminal (or 5 mins to mascot station and then a bus in).

I'm sure there are a few more streets around it. If you feel like a bit of light exercise without huge luggage, fairly legitimate option.

The streets by Adelaide airport have now gotten 3hr parking limits …

 

[clifford]

I see that Flixbus is now a thing in Australia. I've used them several times in Europe and IME they're fine. They have a promo at the moment for $9.99 for MEL-CBR-SYD (and points in between).

I've just booked CBR-SYD (Dom) for next March for $9.99. Was going to take the train, but this is faster and more convenient, and not to say, cheaper. You can also select your seat for a small extra charge and even buy a shadow for around $9.

It'll give Murrays a bit of a shake up I imagine. They really need it IMO. with their high prices and poor customer service.

 

[Jacques Vert]

So arriving in MEL for AFF18, I'll need to get a Myki to get around over the weekend. Where is the machine at the airport?

 

[SYD]

So arriving in MEL for AFF18, I'll need to get a Myki to get around over the weekend. Where is the machine at the airport?

Not sure there is one? But if you’re getting the SkyBus there are machines at Southern Cross station (and elsewhere around the city).

You only need a Myki to travel outside the “Free Tram Zone”.

 

[Jacques Vert]

Not sure there is one

Someone mentioned it here but I can't find it. And I will be travelling outside the free zone

 

[SYD]

Someone mentioned it here but I can't find it. And I will be travelling outside the free zone

Google is our friend. Apparently there are machines in the arrivals area. I’ve never noticed them!

Facilities & Services

www.melbourneairport.com.au

But also at Southern Cross and lots around the city.

 

[cloo]

https://wongm.com/2020/02/ptv-myki-ticket-machines-melbourne-airport/

If you have an Android phone, you can save the $6 and add a mobile Myki to Google Wallet

https://transport.vic.gov.au/tickets-and-myki/myki/myki-types/mobile-myki