SYD T1 International Terminal Private Pick Up

[sweens]

On Monday I returned from Singapore on QF6 landing around 6am…being a public holiday I asked my wife to pick me up as traffic at that time of the morning would be very light.

Also I wanted to save on the usual $120 taxi fare home…I live in Suburbia around 40k’s from the Airport.

As we all know you now cannot legally pick up from anywhere curbside from T1 at SYD International…you still can from Domestic T2 & T3. (Not sure for how long).

The only option that I could think of was for Mrs Sweens to enter the car park, so I directed her to the front far left (front far right for me exiting the terminal) of the T1 car park where there is a 2 minute pick up zone with about 10 car spaces.

We did this and the car was inside the car park for less than 5 minutes…when we then exited the car park the charge was $7. I assume this must be the price for an under 30 minute stay.

This seems a bit over the top as taxis pay around $2 to enter the terminal but it would seem the public must pay $7 as a minimum?

Therefore my question is besides catching a bus or train to a close by stop are there any options if you want a private pick up from T1?

Any thoughts out there?

 

[medhead]

Take the inter terminal train transfer for $5 and get picked up from domestic.

 

[Dave Noble]

Take the inter terminal train transfer for $5 and get picked up from domestic.

Seems a lot of hassle to save $2

I have seen that there is now a v short term parking ( < 10 mins ) at domestic which is ( I believe ) free

Dave

 

[serfty]

It was possible earlier this year; see this thread:

http://www.frequentflyer.com.au/com...ick-up-penalty-sydney-16027-3.html#post234372

 

[ked999]

I was on assignment for a few mths at, of all places, Syd Airport Corporation. I saw in detail how the controllers are eagle-eyed for violators, including just snapping the pickup offence if too far away and then penalty gets mailed. This happens anywhere once you pass the entrance where there are options for carparks, departures or arrivals (where the ramp goes up for deps etc). There is a sign no-pick-up and inside that zone they will get you.
The only non-transport option that I saw would work is to take the walkway back toward city (where all the shuttle bus bays are) and at the end there is a stairway up over the road and onto Link Road (where SACL building is, along with AAE and Qantas freight). There are places there where you could be picked up without penalty - but don't have the car wait. Access would be via Link Rd, clearly posted.
But if I had luggage or pooped after a long flight I wouldn't think it was worth it.

 

[sweens]

Thanks for the input...seems that there is no easy way.

So its back to the taxi or if I feel really energetic I'll take up ked999's option.

 

[MicoPico]

I believe there's a 3-minute grace period in the international car park.

Normally, I asked my friend/family to wait near the multistorey car park (for easy reference). I only drive into carpark upon confirmation that my friend/family is at the point of pick up.

9 times out of 10, i've succeeded in $0 car park fees.

HOWEVER, in one instance last month, my friend waited at the "wrong" corner of the multistorey... and I had to back track... wasted 30secs or so.

I felt that I was still within 30secs. When I got to the boom gate, the agent said I spent FOUR minutes in the car park -> $7!

When I checked the receipt, it does not show the in/out times in seconds. Only in minutes. So I must have been unlucky and got in at the wrong part of the minute.

 

[sweens]

Thanks petertwister...it sounds like they are encouraging speeding through the car park.

3 minutes is pretty quick to drive in get to the 2 min pick up area and get out again…then again if 3 minutes grace is a fact then it is probable meant for those who mistakenly enter the car park.

Anyway its got me thinking for next time...a F1 pit stop is the go!

 

[docjames]

Im sorry I do not know the names of the roads but if you go all the way through the carpark there is a bridge over the main road and she could wait on the other side there's a side street (near a ?canal or something like that). It's near the Mercure hotel (easy 5 minute walk). Probably no good if it's raining or you have stacks of luggage.

 

[JohnK]

3 minutes is pretty quick to drive in get to the 2 min pick up area and get out again…then again if 3 minutes grace is a fact then it is probable meant for those who mistakenly enter the car park.

As I posted in the other thread the easiest way is to walk through the car park, get picked up outside the car park and then drive through the car park and do not pay anything.

 

[dajop]

So its back to the taxi .

What the? You'd spend $120 on taxi to avoid a $7 parking fee.

 

[ejb]

What the? You'd spend $120 on taxi to avoid a $7 parking fee.

Yes it does seem excessive to pay $120 for a taxi to avoid $7 parking.:shock:

I like JohnK's idea, just do a drive through the carpark for free after being collected before the entry.

ejb

 

[sweens]

In my case there is a bit more cost to the private pick up than the $7 parking fee E,G.

Tolls…I don’t subscribe to the rat run theory and from where I live it’s M2 –LCT-Harbour Bridge-ED. Distance around 40k’s plus. . Probably around 1 hour in non peak periods.

So M2 x2 =$10.00
LCT x 2 = $5.50
HB x 1 = $3.00
ED x1 = $5.00
So around $23/$24 in toll exp’s per return trip.

40k’s plus each way petrol & other cost’s = say $40 in total. (My Fault I drive a big guzzler).

My good wife’s time at least 2 hours to get there and back.

The only reason I suggested the private pick up this time was that it was 7am on a Monday public holiday…therefore the travelling time was reasonable.

So as you can see the $120 taxi or the $90 shuttle on normal traffic day’s is the only option.

Airport parking using the John K method = Zippo!

Sounds good to me, that is assuming there definitely is a 3 minute grace period in the T1 car park?.

 

[Cyclogenesis]

This thread is making me appreciate Melbourne Airport!

 

[serfty]

...
Sounds good to me, that is assuming there definitely is a 3 minute grace period in the T1 car park?.

There's a hybrid JohnK/FL360 method you may like to try:

http://www.frequentflyer.com.au/com...ick-up-penalty-sydney-16027-3.html#post239673

 

[CMA222]

I contacted Sydney International Airport via their website some time ago and asked them about "no-charge" pick up at T1. They did reply and said it is a security issue that means no terminal side pick-up is allowed. When I queried why there was no alternate site for pick ups away from the terminal they replied that space constraints were the issue (despite recently completing the new car park). I am of the view it is simply a matter of if you want to drive to Sydney International Airport to collect a passenger it will cost you at least $7 and that is guaranteed revenue. The new pick up arrangements for T2, which allows for 10 minutes free in the car park, is the answer and if enough people hassle them they might, reluctantly, look into it. I am continuing my polite email discourse with them along those lines.

 

[CMA222]

As I posted in the other thread the easiest way is to walk through the car park, get picked up outside the car park and then drive through the car park and do not pay anything.

The only problem with that is that the whole of Sydney Airport is designated a "No Stopping" area unless otherwise signed. Picking up within the airport but outside a car park could mean, if you are spotted, the same fine as picking up at the Departures drop off area. They have the power to do it under the 'Control of On-Airport Activities Regulation 1997.

 

[Flashback]

In my case there is a bit more cost to the private pick up than the $7 parking fee E,G.

Tolls…I don’t subscribe to the rat run theory and from where I live it’s M2 –LCT-Harbour Bridge-ED. Distance around 40k’s plus. . Probably around 1 hour in non peak periods.

So M2 x2 =$10.00
LCT x 2 = $5.50
HB x 1 = $3.00
ED x1 = $5.00
So around $23/$24 in toll exp’s per return trip.

40k’s plus each way petrol & other cost’s = say $40 in total. (My Fault I drive a big guzzler).

My good wife’s time at least 2 hours to get there and back.

The only reason I suggested the private pick up this time was that it was 7am on a Monday public holiday…therefore the travelling time was reasonable.

So as you can see the $120 taxi or the $90 shuttle on normal traffic day’s is the only option.

Airport parking using the John K method = Zippo!

Sounds good to me, that is assuming there definitely is a 3 minute grace period in the T1 car park?.

Wouldn't it be $40 - $7 using the JohnK method

 

[brucelaidlaw]

I've parked a couple of times near the hotel opposite the golf course. There's a little path across the grass and then over the flyover. Down the stairs (there's a ramp, too) to your left and you're just about in the car park. The incoming passengers are a little surprised but my doctor tells me to do lots of walking...

 

[medhead]

So M2 x2 =$10.00
LCT x 2 = $5.50
HB x 1 = $3.00
ED x1 = $5.00
So around $23/$24 in toll exp’s per return trip.

Your $120 taxi fare includes some subset of these tolls at least $7.75 for M2 and LCT. Not sure about the payment direction on the ED so maybe another $5. Plus of course the airport taxi tax.

40k’s plus each way petrol & other cost’s = say $40 in total. (My Fault I drive a big guzzler).

Tax office km rates are a good and easy approximation of the cost of running a car, that are supposed to include all the costs. My gas guzzler cost about 70 cent per km.


rant=
I totally reject the term rat running. This is some PC BS that is supposed to make people feel guilty for not decided to be a sheep and only use the same 3 roads as everyone else and end up sitting in a traffic jam all day. I'm sorry but roads are built to allow people to get from point a to point b and access their homes. I'm not going to feel guilty for using the most direct or convenient roads to allow me to make my journey in the most efficie nt way. /rant