Public Transport to our airports - what's cheapest?

[clifford]

Never seen Bluey show....dont know the characters.

Having young grandchildren difinitely helps. Otherwise I don't think I'd have a clue either.

 

[serfty]

I wonder what they'll charge Seniors who already get half price fares?

It may be poorly written; seniors myki holder get 'concession' fares when they pay. Currently a two hour zone 2 concession fare is $1.80; in June it could be 90¢. Specifically, as written could stay at $1.80:

The 50% discount will apply to full fare as well as concession passengers.

https://transport.vic.gov.au/news-and-resources/news/free-public-transport-across-victoria

A month ago I sent an online form query to the PTV in regard to the specific example. Today I received a reply indicating that concession fares will be halved:

Dear <serfty>,

Thank you for reaching out to us regarding your case with reference number xx_xx_x We are writing in response to inform you that we have reviewed your case.

The two hour Zone 2 concession myki fare will be $0.90 in June 2026. The half price myki fares apply to both full fare and concession mykis.

If you need further information, please visit https://transport.vic.gov.au/ or contact us on 1800 800 007.

Kind Regards,

<name witheld>

myki Case Manager

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

So what are the payment arrangements on the bus/train in Brisvagas? Can you pay with Credit Card or is there a "transport card" that I need to obtain?

If you pre book on the air train website, its the cheapest shortest in time trip to the city.
You could go to Skygate and then 590 to Toombul, then train to city, for cheaps, but takes a long time.
(((You have to cross the main road from Toombul bus interchange, then walk to the train station, about 5/10 mins away and up the ramp))).
If you want to go to Mt Gravatt, you could get the 590 going the other way, a longer trip still, have taken them both.
The bus to Mt Gravatt can indeed get you giddy with all the turns in the route, but if you want to bypass the city, that is the " best" at the 50 cent fare table.
=
Or get the bus from Toombul to Bretts Wharf, and then slow moody ferry to city.

 

[L2.]

Townsville Airport is about to get it's public first bus service from the end of this month:

https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/105247

The new airport bus will be funded by the Crisafulli Government and run by Kinetic. The service (route 222) will operate hourly between 4:00am and 11:00pm, seven days a week (excluding Christmas Day and Good Friday), commencing on 29 June 2026.
Route 222 will link the airport into the wider local public transport network, serving Townsville Airport and Townsville City bus hub via key locations, including The Strand, Breakwater ferry terminal, and the Palmer Street entertainment precinct.
The service will cover the primary operating hours of scheduled flights and airport workers’ shift times, and at just 50 cents a trip, it will provide a convenient, reliable and affordable transport option for locals and visitors alike.

The last time I flew out of TSV I did arrive via public bus, however I had to alight in a residential street within the suburb of Garbutt, and walk about 10 minutes to reach the airport terminal.

Still beats CNS though, which is basically inaccessible other than via taxi or rideshare.

 

[jastel]

They are pushing for a 50c bus in CNS as well...probably happen soon.
At least at CNS the walk is more scenic.

 

[jastel]

Heard CNS Airport Toll is going up to $4 from July 1 as well.
Not sure what extra services you get for the price nearly doubling.

 

[clifford]

At least at CNS the walk is more scenic.

But a little long and quite warm.

I set out to do the walk to the highway to catch a bus a few years ago, got halfway there, and someone stopped and offered me a lift (which I accepted).

How disappointing.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

At least some cities with their airports have options, go do HBA, have to walk from the airport to Acton Pk, long walk, on the road for the 664, or the 3 per day, every few hours apart 732.
Or walk the other long way to 7 mile beach, to get the bus to Hobart city.
Or the very expensive Skybus, which they might take away after their trail runs.

 

[FishFood]

At least some cities with their airports have options, go do HBA, have to walk from the airport to Acton Pk, long walk, on the road for the 664, or the 3 per day, every few hours apart 732.
Or walk the other long way to 7 mile beach, to get the bus to Hobart city.
Or the very expensive Skybus, which they might take away after their trail runs.

I was really tempted to take a public bus from Hobart Airport, but chickened out and took the SkyBus since it was right there as I left the terminal. Hope the SkyBus sticks around since the PT options are much worse compared to Melbourne Airport where I don't regularly take the SkyBus

 

[clifford]

At least some cities with their airports have options, go do HBA,

Poochie, I've done that, walked past Cambridge airport, very interesting. Don't recommend it for the average person.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Off T: Re: HBA & Clifford, when I did it, I think many years ago now pre covid, there was the Hobart Airport shuttle (mini bus shuttle), went up all the way to the old Balmoral Best Western, at that time, now its a half way house motel for the down and out.
That was an okay trip.
Now, if I wanted to go down to visit HBA again, its either Skybus or I would just stay at the Mantra, and do a VA/QF status run and come back to MEL the next day.
Yair, hope the Skybus is a stayer, ...
Can see that the walk from the airport to the Mantra has got a cemented walkway, and has lights, and there is a petrol station without having to cross the Tasman Highway.
So, how far did you walk, Clifford, and did you succeed in getting the 732 bus, or did you walk to Acton Park?
Seeing the bus timetable schedules, even if a pax did the walk to that pick up point, the buses that link that area of HBA does not run that often or even hourly.On T.
===

I was really tempted to take a public bus from Hobart Airport, but chickened out and took the SkyBus since it was right there as I left the terminal. Hope the SkyBus sticks around since the PT options are much worse compared to Melbourne Airport where I don't regularly take the SkyBus.

Nah, MEL has it easy with the 478/479 and the 901, at least they all run quite regularly.
Even tho in HBA, that there is 732/664, they do not run that regularly.
And some of them are school runs.
Re: Skybus, yep, hope it stays, but they say, for now, its just on a test schedule for a year or so, (eh)?

 

[jastel]

Cairns 50c Airport bus announced in the budget.
To start later in the year...no details yet.

 

[dajop]

At MEL, the 901 bus is the cheapest way of getting from the Airport. Does anyone use the bus in conjunction with rideshare?

My partner just arrived at MEL and I noticed picking up at the first bus stop after the airport (Hungry Jack's Mickleham Rd) it is $32 cheaper to take a Didi from there ($19 vs $51).

Edit: meantime Didi dropped by $17-18 so no need.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

At MEL, the 901 bus is the cheapest way of getting from the Airport. Does anyone use the bus in conjunction with rideshare?

My partner just arrived at MEL and I noticed picking up at the first bus stop after the airport (Hungry Jack's Mickleham Rd) it is $32 cheaper to take a Didi from there ($19 vs $51).

Edit: meantime Didi dropped by $17-18 so no need.

That is because picking up there near the 2 Shell, or Maccas on Mickleham, or Gladstone Pk Hotel, or anywhere around there, it avoids them paying the airports facs fee.
===
Didi $17 from Sebel West Perth to PER T4 a few weeks ago.
Caught the bus from T4 to Redcliffe, and then the train to Perth for $3.15 with the 10% Smartrider.
Its a very good thing to have the train at PER airport, without the gate fee.

 

[Brissy1]

Buses replace trains Central to Syd atm. So no access fee?

 

[SYD]

Buses replace trains Central to Syd atm. So no access fee?

Opal app is quoting me $3.03.

 

[Brissy1]

Opal app is quoting me $3.03.

Outrageous, thankfully as one of the "entitled generation" I have the $2.50 cap

Edit: actually a nice bus, with no option to tapon/off.

 

[dajop]

That is because picking up there near the 2 Shell, or Maccas on Mickleham, or Gladstone Pk Hotel, or anywhere around there, it avoids them paying the airports facs fee.
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Partially. I think $12-13 of the difference is the airport fee and extra distance. The other $20 due to surge pricing at the airport and not at Gladstone Park.

 

[anat0l]

Buses replace trains Central to Syd atm. So no access fee?

Some time ago, measured in a handful of years, when buses replaced the train, there was actually no fare - it was free. The only rub is that you had to jump onto the correct bus - T1 or T2/T3 - at Central. The dropoff point for the bus from the airport was not the same as the pickup points to the airport, all of which are not intuitively located unless you've done this replacement service before.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Prior to 2000, there was that bus from Sydney CBD that went to the airport.
Cant remember the # now tho.
Was it the 300.
From 1992 or so, when I started flying Aus domestic flights, (migrated in 1985)...
Joined QFF in 1997, but was with AN FF aka GR for a long time.
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Cant see the NSW gov taking away the contract back, in 2030, ... they might give it to another concessionaire.
WSI might or might not have a gate fee.