SYD DOM-INT transit time

[glasszon]

Looking to go MEL-SYD-HKG on 22/12 for extra SC (rather than direct MEL-HKG as the price is similar) and it only have 1 hour and 50 minutes in transit in SYD, is that sufficient time? Given VA only flies SYD-HKG once a day I wouldn't want to miss the international segment.

VA811 MEL-SYD which arrives in SYD at 8:25am and VA 83 which departs at 10:15am, will be booked on 1 ticket and have VA Gold status.

Can bypass the lounge, only need to stop at the TRS counter for GST refund in SYD.

 

[DC3]

Looking to go MEL-SYD-HKG on 22/12 for extra SC (rather than direct MEL-HKG as the price is similar) and it only have 1 hour and 50 minutes in transit in SYD, is that sufficient time? Given VA only flies SYD-HKG once a day I wouldn't want to miss the international segment.

VA811 MEL-SYD which arrives in SYD at 8:25am and VA 83 which departs at 10:15am, will be booked on 1 ticket and have VA Gold status.

Can bypass the lounge, only need to stop at the TRS counter for GST refund in SYD.

Sounds tight, but do-able. As long as your flight arrives into SYD on time. Then transit from the domestic to the International Terminal. Boarding probably starts by 9.30am for the 10.15am flight. I have never been to the TRS that early in the day, but it sure can be bedlam a bit later with long lines waiting. Keep a look out for an official "bin" where you may be able to deposit your paperwork and move on. Don't get stuck there. I gave up on one occasion and just wore the loss of the GST claim due to the massive wait and total disorganisation.

 

[AIRwin]

Oh VA811 is also operated by an A330... Wonder if it'll be the same aircraft which then operates VA83?

 

[Must...Fly!]

Oh VA811 is also operated by an A330... Wonder if it'll be the same aircraft which then operates VA83?

It won't be the same aircraft - not enough time to tow and clean.

But you should have enough time.

 

[DC3]

… and make sure that the flight MEL-SYD is not running (too) late ….

Edit: Once your back, please let us know how the flights worked out

 

[dxwell]

Heaps of time. Make sure that the MEL counter books your luggage all the way through to HKG.
On landing in SYD, take the special VA Dom-Int transfer at gate 46 (see photo).
Go down the escalator, get your bus pass at the service desk, then a special bus will take you across the runway from DOM to INT (I loved this transit), then take the escalator up to the international departures. You'll go through a bit of a rabbit warren to come out near the customs entry. Easy.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

At least VA now uses their buses on the internal road from T2 to T1 and drops off at T1 near the QF drop off zone.
No lounge visitation this time of course even if their newly named AY co lounge would be open by then.

 

[hossein_au]

No lounge visitation this time of course even if their newly named AY co lounge would be open by then.

I presume there is "lounge invitation" anyhow (depending on class of travel, status, etc). Referring to specific question of the OP, however, having enough time to actually use the lounge would depend on how fast he can get to the international terminal.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

I was thinking more so the limited time that the OP has.
If he/she was to transit SYD overnight, and stay at the Rydges, he/she would/should be able to use the lounge.
If he/she were to get the first flight from MEL at 6am, there is a possibility of some lounge time.
Personally though, if I had lounge access, (as in the past with the EK lounge in SYD/MEL when EK still flew flights Au - NZ), I used to make it a point to overnight in SYD/MEL.
For the OP though, getting an overnight stay in SYD would add on costs, so thats out of the question.
BUT, I would try to get that first flight from MEL - SYD, 6am dep MEL, arr SYD 7.30am, give time to get to T1, and thus will probably have some lounge time.
(OT)... ((On a through tix, when I flew ADL - SYD - CHC on the late QF SYD - CHC flight, even though I had lounge access, even with 1hr50mins transit, by the time I got to T1 from T3, it was near boarding time.
Dep ADL 13.55, arr SYD 16.05, bus waited and waited and waited at gate 15, bus moved about 16.25 or so, made to flight dep at 17.45 or so, just.))
For the OP, yes, its doable, but a lot of running or rushing will be involved. Very tight.
Good new non slip pair of shoes... needed.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Edit: just saw that OP had mentioned, he/she can bypass the lounge.
Give and take then, take the earlier 6am flight for peace of mind?

 

[nathrek]

As others have stated, you have plenty of time using the internal transfer bus.

 

[glasszon]

Thanks everyone, I will definitely report back and let you know how it goes!

Regarding the earlier 6am flight, that's possible but it's on a 737 while the 7am flight is on a A330 which have a proper J seats, so decided to go with the 7am flight instead. Also, maybe it's just me, but A330 is much more comfortable than 737 and I would have taken this option even if I was in Y.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

I know you mention you can forgo the lounge, ok, that one's noted, but ideally, even on the same ticket, I would still aim to get the 6am dep from MEL.
SYD airport is not like MEL airport. where the T1 QF to T2 int, or T3 VA to T2 are linked, and even 15 mins is ok to walk between.
I do love the 330 as well, but honestly, truthfully, get the 6am.
Do the 330 next time, granted, VA does not do that 330 from MEL to SYD too often, or not often.

 

[Must...Fly!]

I know you mention you can forgo the lounge, ok, that one's noted, but ideally, even on the same ticket, I would still aim to get the 6am dep from MEL.
SYD airport is not like MEL airport. where the T1 QF to T2 int, or T3 VA to T2 are linked, and even 15 mins is ok to walk between.
I do love the 330 as well, but honestly, truthfully, get the 6am.
Do the 330 next time, granted, VA does not do that 330 from MEL to SYD too often, or not often.

Actually it's relatively common on VA811.

Flightradar24.com - Live flight tracker!

The other downside of getting the 0600 is an even earlier wake up. If you are not fussed about a lounge visit and have an express path too (which it sounds like you will) then I'd say you have nothing to worry about OP - but by the different responses here, you can probably tell this is always a contentious topic!

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

(OT) RE VA811, aha.
Thanks for that one Must...Fly.
Maybe one of "must tries" for the next SC run I want to make.
Will have to overnight MEL again for this.

 

[DC3]

There's nothing quite like the adrenaline rush when your incoming flight is running late and you realise that you may miss your scheduled connection. Something not to be missed.

 

[adprimm]

Because you’re VA Gold could you head there early and try your luck at fly ahead? Then the connection may not be so tight.

 

[dec540]

If your inbound flight is running late, and you have an Opal card, I’d probably consider catching the train.

I recently flew MCY-SYD-HKG and the transfer at Syd took about 1 hour with waiting for the bus, loading it up, continually stopping on the tarmac etc.

 

[petermcg]

As a VA Plat from MEL and flying partner J/F from SYD, I have found two hours to be the minimum. Status or booking class may expedite your Customs entry to International, but the VA bus is often a 60 minute exercise in frustration. Also, note the TRS line can vary, but if there are several Asian flights around that time, then expect a further 30 minutes or more.

 

[Ausbt]

I'm actually looking at similar but with a 1 hour 30 window. I'm arriving HKG-SYD in Jan and looking to connect to a SYD-OOL scheduled 90 minutes later. VA have already changed the arrival time of the incoming flight once. I called them and they said "oh you'll be fine, don't worry about it".