Transiting in SYD outside of the QF ecosystem. Choices

[TheRealBabushka]

So I understand Virgin doesn't offer a bus from their terminal to the International terminal the way Qantas does. Instead you've got to exit the domestic terminal and take the Sydney Airport complimentary bus to the International terminal. Is this the way to go, or are you better off hopping on the train and paying the $7/$8.50 fee?

 

[ellen10]

We did the complimentary bus back from the International to the Domestic terminal it was very easy. (runs about every 15 mins I think?)
Of course you can catch the train, which is easy, but a fee.

 

[serfty]

So I understand Virgin doesn't offer a bus from their terminal to the International terminal the way Qantas does. Instead you've got to exit the domestic terminal and take the Sydney Airport complimentary bus to the International terminal. Is this the way to go, or are you better off hopping on the train and paying the $7/$8.50 fee?

The Buses run frequently enough during the the day (15 minutes), but can get busy. Especially early morning I->D and late morning D->I.

I last used one on the 7th from D to I around 9:30am. The bus left on the ¼ hour as indicated:

Transit at SYD

Find information on getting between flights at Sydney Airport.

www.sydneyairport.com.au

https://assets.ctfassets.net/v228i5y5k0x4/3ftvWmB9s3PX5ZpS8hqaAg/d0e40e089a79710717908aeee0220f75/FSA_9005_201_T2_Arrivals.pdf

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Agree. Bus, unless - like my friend last week - inbound VA delayed and was cutting it fine for check in so caught the train. (Fine as in barely making check in close.)

 

[TheRealBabushka]

Thank you all. Much appreciated.

 

[jgm]

Last time we did it was a schemoozle. The VA transfer desk wasn't open so we had to schlepp our luggage (including skis) by ourselves. When we arrived at the domestic terminal, there was a crowd of ignoramuses trying to force their way onto the bus while we were trying to get off with our luggage. The driver just sat there without saying anything or helping in any way. All the announcements in the international arrival assumed that EVERYONE was transferring to QF. there was nothing about VA, and of course nobody to provide assistance or guidance. IMHO SYD is a disgrace.

 

[TheRealBabushka]

Interesting. Thank you for that perspective. This was from International to Domestic?

 

[MelbFlyer]

I'm looking at a MEL to SIN business reward seat on VFF - the only problem is that it's via SYD and the transit time is 2.5hrs.

The scheduled arrival time into SYD is ~8:30am in the morning and the connecting flight to SIN is 11am.

I'm not too confident that 2.5hrs is enough time to transit in SYD between domestic to international, and I usually am a bit wary for transfers in SYD, especially anything under 3hrs.

Considering that there's multiple daily flights from SYD to SIN on SQ, and if everything is booked on the one ticket - I assume that if the inbound flight is delayed and I'm unable to make the connection, that it would be VAs responsibility to re-book me onto the next SQ flight, in the class that I booked (of course, unless full)?

Ideally I'd rather not spend the money for accommodation in SYD the night prior.

I've done MEL to SIN via ADL, the transit time was around the same, but this time its SYD so I'm a tad concerned.

Any recent experiences would be greatly appreciated

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I'm looking at a MEL to SIN business reward seat on VFF - the only problem is that it's via SYD and the transit time is 2.5hrs.

The scheduled arrival time into SYD is ~8:30am in the morning and the connecting flight to SIN is 11am.

I'm not too confident that 2.5hrs is enough time to transit in SYD between domestic to international, and I usually am a bit wary for transfers in SYD, especially anything under 3hrs.

Considering that there's multiple daily flights from SYD to SIN on SQ, and if everything is booked on the one ticket - I assume that if the inbound flight is delayed and I'm unable to make the connection, that it would be VAs responsibility to re-book me onto the next SQ flight, in the class that I booked (of course, unless full)?

Ideally I'd rather not spend the money for accommodation in SYD the night prior.

I've done MEL to SIN via ADL, the transit time was around the same, but this time its SYD so I'm a tad concerned.

Any recent experiences would be greatly appreciated

Considering many people only arrive at the airport 2 hours before departure… 2.5 hours is actually quite generous. It doesn’t take 30 mins to get from international to domestic.

The concern would be the on time arrival of the connecting flight. But your bags will be checked through, and presumably you’ll have boarding passes too. So if your inbound arrived at 0930, even as late as 0945, you’d still have time to get across to international by 1015, and be through well in time for boarding.

But yes, if the inbound is delayed such that you can make the onwards flight, VA/SQ will rebook you for the next available flight.

 

[Rich]

I'm looking at a MEL to SIN business reward seat on VFF - the only problem is that it's via SYD and the transit time is 2.5hrs.

The scheduled arrival time into SYD is ~8:30am in the morning and the connecting flight to SIN is 11am.

I'm not too confident that 2.5hrs is enough time to transit in SYD between domestic to international, and I usually am a bit wary for transfers in SYD, especially anything under 3hrs.

Considering that there's multiple daily flights from SYD to SIN on SQ, and if everything is booked on the one ticket - I assume that if the inbound flight is delayed and I'm unable to make the connection, that it would be VAs responsibility to re-book me onto the next SQ flight, in the class that I booked (of course, unless full)?

Ideally I'd rather not spend the money for accommodation in SYD the night prior.

I've done MEL to SIN via ADL, the transit time was around the same, but this time its SYD so I'm a tad concerned.

Any recent experiences would be greatly appreciated

You never know but my recent experience (Nov on a Monday morning) was a breeze. I flew JQ from MEL due to arrive 7.30 am with 10.50 connection. Landed 1 minutes early, collected my bag, went to the bus (only 2 others waiting) and the bus arrived a couple of minutes later. Google Maps tells me I was at the international terminal at 8.11 am.

 

[Quickstatus]

Ideally I'd rather not spend the money for accommodation in SYD the night prior.

I would have thought that if the inbound into SYD was delayed and the SQ flights was completely full, then the airline would put you up at a hotel?

 

[elanshin]

Considering many people only arrive at the airport 2 hours before departure… 2.5 hours is actually quite generous. It doesn’t take 30 mins to get from international to domestic.

The concern would be the on time arrival of the connecting flight. But your bags will be checked through, and presumably you’ll have boarding passes too. So if your inbound arrived at 0930, even as late as 0945, you’d still have time to get across to international by 1015, and be through well in time for boarding.

But yes, if the inbound is delayed such that you can make the onwards flight, VA/SQ will rebook you for the next available flight.

I would have thought that if the inbound into SYD was delayed and the SQ flights was completely full, then the airline would put you up at a hotel?

If the MEL-SYD is severely delayed and you're not taking off. You can go to the desk, they may choose to put you on direct MEL - SIN as well. 4-5 of those a day as well.

 

[Quickstatus]

they may choose to put you on direct MEL - SIN as well. 4-5 of those a day as well.

Just ensure you don't end up on the SQ8xx_ as that is actually Scoot.

 

[MelbFlyer]

You never know but my recent experience (Nov on a Monday morning) was a breeze. I flew JQ from MEL due to arrive 7.30 am with 10.50 connection. Landed 1 minutes early, collected my bag, went to the bus (only 2 others waiting) and the bus arrived a couple of minutes later. Google Maps tells me I was at the international terminal at 8.11 am.

That's a very good experience, hoping that if I book this flight, that my experience would be the same as well.

I would have thought that if the inbound into SYD was delayed and the SQ flights was completely full, then the airline would put you up at a hotel?

Ideally I'd prefer this to not happen, but if all subsequent flights are full, I guess I'd have no choice.

If the MEL-SYD is severely delayed and you're not taking off. You can go to the desk, they may choose to put you on direct MEL - SIN as well. 4-5 of those a day as well.

Hmm, that begs the question - what if, I chanced going to the international terminal in MEL early and asking to see if they may be able to accommodate me onto a MEL to SIN flight direct, rather than via SYD.

It's a business reward seat - I wonder if that may have anymore leverage than economy, even if it's a reward seat.

 

[Quickstatus]

It's a business reward seat - I wonder if that may have anymore leverage than economy, even if it's a reward seat.

I think you will have less priority than a paying passenger but as the Int terminal is in the same building, no harm in asking.
If they suggest SQ8xx_ thats Scoot with their all economy 787.

 

[Mwenenzi]

off topic

Hmm, that begs the question - what if, I chanced going to the international terminal in MEL early and asking to see if they may be able to accommodate me onto a MEL to SIN flight direct, rather than via SYD.

It's a business reward seat - I wonder if that may have anymore leverage than economy, even if it's a reward seat.

Guessing you are leaving MEL at ~07:00 for your 08:30 SYD arrival. Would a SQ desk be open in MEL T2 at 05:30~06:00? With your VFF award ticket IMHO SQ will not deal with you. Send you to Virgin - Velocity desk or phone.
Have you looked for VFF business award seat MEL-SIN non stop? Sometimes awards can show up close to departure,

 

[MelbFlyer]

Would a SQ desk be open in MEL T2 at 05:30~06:00?

I'd assume so, as there's a ~6am departure and another departure at ~9am.

With your VFF award ticket IMHO SQ will not deal with you.

That's a shame, as at the end of the day, it's still a ticketed seat on SQ. I guess worst they can say is no, and to fly to SYD for a connecting flight.

Have you looked for VFF business award seat MEL-SIN non stop? Sometimes awards can show up close to departure,

I have, nothing direct on the dates I am potentially looking for at this stage. Will keep an eye out though.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I'd assume so, as there's a ~6am departure and another departure at ~9am.



That's a shame, as at the end of the day, it's still a ticketed seat on SQ. I guess worst they can say is no, and to fly to SYD for a connecting flight.



I have, nothing direct on the dates I am potentially looking for at this stage. Will keep an eye out though.

It is highly unlikely SQ will accommodate a partner award on a non-stop flight u less there are IRROPS.

They don’t know whether VA has married segment logic or other inventory controls in place. And the airport isnt the time they’ll want to investigate.

If this was an SQ issued award, there’s more chance they’d re-route you, but I’d say the chance on a VA award, with all flights on time is almost zero.