travel from united states to australia

[kevrosmith]

Going to be in Brisbane (around postal code 4305) 2/5/2015 - 20/5/2015 with a shorter trip in Sydney (staying at Shangri-la Executive Grand Harbour View Suite King) for one night 6-7/5/2015.

Hmm... where's post code 4305... "Ipswich"... oh... Ipswich. Okay.. well, technically Brisbane people may be slightly offended that you're referring to Ipswich as "Brisbane", but we'll overlook that Not that I'm great on my USA city-demographics, though I get the feeling that Ipswich to Brisbane is what Jersey City is to New York City.

Plenty to do around Brisbane. The train into the City (downtown Brisbane) is about an hour I think: regular services every 15 minutes. You can go to Southbank, or do the Story Bridge Climb... not as exciting or sexy as the Sydney Harbour Bridge, but not bad from what I've heard (I haven't done either). You can catch a CityCat Ferry along the Brisbane River and that's a great relaxing journey spying some of the city sites and leafy suburbs.

Some travel tips:
Don't wear jeans. Wear more loose-fitting long-legged pants/trousers or shorts. Jeans can get a bit tight and squashy for your "boys" on the plane. If you're in Economy (Coach), invest in some good eyeshades that aren't from the $1 store if you want to block out the light (e.g. https://www.dreamessentials.com/). The dry air on the plane for that length of time can really dry out your sinuses, lips and eyes. If you're not too embarrassed, get some lip balm, saline nasal spray and eye drops to keep your face hydrated: when you're sinuses become dry, you may be more susceptible to bugs and bacteria, and you don't want to catch a cold or flu straight after a long flight, particularly if you've got a busy itinerary.

Definitely pack a change of clothes in case your luggage goes missing... keep in mind, the "next flight" that they might be able to put your lost bags onto may be a day or two later by the time you get to Australia. Have good travel insurance that may also cover some expenses.

The general tips, as you indicate, are to have photocopies of your passport. Cash works pretty ubiquitous of course, and credit cards are pretty well accepted. Mastercard and Visa are very very common, as others have said, Amex sometimes not accepted, and Diners less so again. Sometimes there's a surcharge for credit card use (1-3%). If find in Sydney there are often smaller food vendors that accept cash only, but this is not as common in other places, such as Brisbane or Cairns (YMMY).

Tipping is not common in Australia. As a local, I'd say emphatically "Don't tip!", but others may have differing views on this, particularly in fancy restaurants in Sydney.

 

[tsuris]

In my defense she just moved (last few weeks), previously her code was 4074, anything else is subject to my misunderstanding

 

[SamR]

The backstage tour includes a breakfast, that isn't mentioned on the site (thank you for saying) as for good enough, I can eat almost anything (that doesn't include onions or tomatoes) and enjoy it so it will be wonderful I am sure... considering a switch to a better view but cheaper room in the hotel...
Executive Grand Harbour View Room

Well, beware - you may be offered a grilled tomato, but it will be easy to refuse and/or leave on your plate. Don't recall ever seeing onions at breakfast. We have to work very closely with each other, so smelly things are not encouraged!

As to switching rooms, I'd probably do it myself. You don't look like you'll be spending a lot of time hanging around your room anyway, and the view from the Shangri-La could be AHMAAAAZING from the right room. I promise you'll remember it.

 

[kevrosmith]

Your 1st May flight from SYD-BNE at 5:05pm will be in the peak of the Friday evening business-commuter rush, so expect the flight to be jam-packed full and you'll only get offered a "snack"... cheese and crackers or something like that, though you'll get complimentary beer, wine and softdrinks at that time of day. It may not be the most pleasant QF Domestic flight you could've experienced, but it'll get you from A to B.

Dinner service doesn't start until after 6pm. Check the Lounge threads to see if any members are around that may be able to guest you into the Qantas Club, otherwise, there's plenty of food options in the Qantas Domestic terminal in SYD.

Edit: scratch that... I realised I was looking at the IAH timezone column...

 

[SamR]

Tipping is not common in Australia. As a local, I'd say emphatically "Don't tip!", but others may have differing views on this, particularly in fancy restaurants in Sydney.

Right. Tipping isn't necessary for things like tours and such (e.g. cabs, bellhops). But in halfway decent restaurants and upwards, I usually tip if it's warranted. The difference in Australia is that it's totally at your discretion rather than expected as a means of supplementing a very meagre wage, like it is in the US. It will never be added to your bill as a matter of course. For a small cafe meal you can respectably just round up to the nearest dollar or five. In a decent restaurant you should be looking at about 15%, I reckon.

 

[SamR]

Your 1st May flight... It may not be the most pleasant QF Domestic flight you could've experienced, but it'll get you from A to B.

Yeah, but it will still be better than any domestic flight in the US! I remember a flight from LAX to Vegas that was so horrible I was willing myself to die! So short. But so very, very AWFUL!

 

[tsuris]

On that, I have only ever been on two flights (more if you count the unknown flights I did as a baby) that were both around 2-3 hours. IAH to Denver, then on to Spokane, WA. I didn't have much of a problem with those, but sitting still for the 2 hours was, trying enough, I am more concerned with the time spent on the a380 (good seat choice included) and being stuck in place for nearly 17 hours.

 

[SamR]

On that, I am more concerned with the time spent on the a380 (good seat choice included) and being stuck in place for nearly 17 hours.

Well, in that case, the best thing you can bring is low expectations. If you're in coach, it's a bloody long way and it's hard to sugar coat it. But it definitely helps if you bring

* Moisturizer and lip balm

* Personal snacks

* A big bottle of water

* An iPad loaded with your own personal entertainment, whether it be music, watchables, reading matter, games or whatever

* Plus decent headphones. A lot of the frequent flyers on here have expensive noise canceling headphones, but a good pair of earbuds can do it for you. (Not Apple's, they are cough. Look for the kind that go right into your ear, aka passive noise canceling headphones. Myself, I love my Etymotics for that. Great sound quality and noise blocking, and I know my headphones.). And/or earplugs.

* Comfy clothes

* A big scarf or pashmina or similar. You can use it as a blanket, to supplement your pillow, something to put over your head to block out the world, whatever you need.

* As you say, clever seat selection. There are other threads on here that will advise you about how to best go about that.

 

[tsuris]

* An iPad loaded with your own personal entertainment, whether it be music, watchables, reading matter, games or whatever

* (Not Apple's, they are cough. Look for the kind that go right into your ear, aka passive noise canceling headphones. Myself, I love my Etymotics for that. Great sound quality and noise blocking, and I know my headphones.). And/or earplugs..

Bringing an iPhone (which should be unlocked by that time ready for a vodaphone pre paid nano sim) with something like 60 audiobooks and 1200 songs, and my kindle paperwhite (30 -50 books) so that is taken care of, but as for the headphone/earbuds, I was planning on bringing the iphone earbuds with me (not that I need the mic but they are the best I have besides a one ear bluetooth that can't be used on the plane anyway ...and is one ear only). Is the default set not a good idea (going to start really trying them out as they have sat mostly in their original plastic box.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

If you are flying coach I would suggest investment in a pair of 'flight socks' (compression socks) available at most drug stores. Wear them after boarding - they make for a significantly more comfortable journey and cut down on any leg-pain or restless legs caused by sitting for so long.

 

[BAM1748]

Sydney schedule is way to tight and you'll be late running from the first thing.

If you only have one day I'd start with a ferry ride after breakfast to somewhere like Mosman, don't get off just go for the ride.

Presumably you aren't a zoologist just want to enjoy the harbour.

Then walk around Circular Quay to Darling Harbour and back along George St to you hotel. There are plenty of cafes and decent eateries one or two blocks north of your hotel (I work about 5 mins walk north of it under the Harbour Bridge)

A quick visit to Sydney Tower one your way back through the city to take in the view.

If you do want to visit the Zoo, that will take most of you day.

Matt

 

[get me outta here]

Choosing a "good seat", is quite subjective. You may want a window seat to enjoy any views on offer and climb over/wake up people to get out to walk up and down a bit, get a drink (take as much water as you can), visit the bathroom etc. You may want an aisle seat and have others wake you to do that.

If you got an aisle in the centre row, you'd have no view, but you may be lucky to have an empty seat next to you, and a family in the rest of the row who are polite enough to all get out in the other direction and never bother you.

Flying for that length of time, you need to not talk yourself into a mild panic, but reassure yourself that this is possible as evidenced by thousands of people doing it everyday. You may also want to 'experiment', with some mild sleepy pills. Some peoeple on here swear by half a Zolpidem; others take melatonin - your choice, but do try it first well in advance.

 

[tsuris]

as to that i read a few times 80a is prime choice so i went with that, the rest of the flights are short enough it shouldn't matter. (assuming I get to keep my seats, brand new bronze FF but I bought my tickets just short of 10 months in advance)
as of now 80k (and h/j) are taken on the return, but b/c are empty bc hjk empty on the flight going out)....I just noticed (tho i had heard this before) there is NO I seat. (sherlock holmes said looked too much like a 1)

 

[dajop]

I'm still concerned about leaving the city at 1400 with a dep time of 1605. It's too fraught with hold ups and insufficient check in, immigration, security time. And, I agree, you need more time in SYD ideally.

??

For a domestic flight, which is what I read from the itinerary the 16:05 flight is (SYD-BNE), leaving the city 2 hours before departure is PLENTY of time, whether by train or taxi. Domestic flights in Australia require less time than domestic flights in US, as usually security flows quicker and boarding doesn't even start until 30mins before departure at the absolute earliest.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

as to that i read a few times 80a is prime choice so i went with that, the rest of the flights are short enough it shouldn't matter. (assuming I get to keep my seats, brand new bronze FF but I bought my tickets just short of 10 months in advance)
as of now 80k (and h/j) are taken on the return, but b/c are empty bc hjk empty on the flight going out)....I just noticed (tho i had heard this before) there is NO I seat. (sherlock holmes said looked too much like a 1)

If you have paid for the seats they will be kept for you - no reason to lose them (Qantas can change seats for 'operational' reasons, which in the context of the terms and conditions relate to the safety of the aircraft, unlikely to ever crop up).

 

[SamR]

...as for the headphone/earbuds, I was planning on bringing the iphone earbuds with me... Is the default set not a good idea (going to start really trying them out as they have sat mostly in their original plastic box.

No! But I think that as a general thing, not just for flying. I'll never understand why people are happy to spend hundreds of dollars on an iPhone or iPod but then stick with the super coughpy 50 cent earphones that come with them.

Proper, active noise canceling headphones are quite expensive, but you can go the passive noise canceling route with a good pair of canal phones, which is much cheaper. Rather than sit at the edge of your ear canal like the earbuds that come with your iThing, canal phones go deeper into your ear canal as the name suggests. By doing so they block out a lot of extra noise - they become like ear plugs that feed sound through to you. Which is a good thing on a flight when you're wanting to block out everything around you for a little peace.

I have these: http://www.headphone.com/products/etymotic-hf5-1

I'll admit I am a music producer in my professional life, so quality headphones are important to me. But my partner is not, and he just adores his and uses them more than I do. He's on to his third pair now because he keeps using them to death. I promise you will hear things in your music that you've never heard before and the sound will be richer and warmer. The price point (about $130) seems expensive for earbuds but I fully believe they are worth the investment, and are still waaaaay, way cheaper than buying active noise canceling headphones.

 

[tsuris]

I have an additional request for information. When entering Australia, do I do the customs thing at SYD or BNE (land first in SYD, and how does that work?) When leaving what are the sequence of steps that follow? From what Qantas has told me (brief talk on phone)
Checked bags will be passed (no intervention on my part) from IAH to DFW to SYD there I have to pick them up go to customs, transfer desk to drop off bags, then to BNE (baggage claim but no further customs).
From BNE bags to SYD (customs here but no baggage to deal with) then DFW (where I have to pick them up and transfer) customs then on to IAH. Is there anything I can do to expedite customs as well if it is in SYD (I have only 70minutes from landing (if on time) to takeoff.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I have an additional request for information. When entering Australia, do I do the customs thing at SYD or BNE (land first in SYD, and how does that work?) When leaving what are the sequence of steps that follow? From what Qantas has told me (brief talk on phone)
Checked bags will be passed (no intervention on my part) from IAH to DFW to SYD there I have to pick them up go to customs, transfer desk to drop off bags, then to BNE (baggage claim but no further customs).
From BNE bags to SYD (customs here but no baggage to deal with) then DFW (where I have to pick them up and transfer) customs then on to IAH. Is there anything I can do to expedite customs as well if it is in SYD (I have only 70minutes from landing (if on time) to takeoff.

It seems like you have it right!

The only main way to expedite customs is if you have (a) an express pass and nothing to declare or (b) are lucky to have an officer review your declaration card, see you have nothing to declare, and decide you can go 'straight out'. (b) happens occasionally but cannot be guaranteed

The expedite immigration inbound you need an express pass or accepted e-passport, to expedite immigration outbound you need an express pass.

Express passes are issued for business and First class passengers.

 

[Mattg]

I have an additional request for information. When entering Australia, do I do the customs thing at SYD or BNE (land first in SYD, and how does that work?) When leaving what are the sequence of steps that follow? From what Qantas has told me (brief talk on phone)
Checked bags will be passed (no intervention on my part) from IAH to DFW to SYD there I have to pick them up go to customs, transfer desk to drop off bags, then to BNE (baggage claim but no further customs).
From BNE bags to SYD (customs here but no baggage to deal with) then DFW (where I have to pick them up and transfer) customs then on to IAH. Is there anything I can do to expedite customs as well if it is in SYD (I have only 70minutes from landing (if on time) to takeoff.

I'm to understand your itinerary (from the original post) - flight numbers would help! I'm assuming you're flying into Sydney on QF8, then returning from Sydney to DFW on QF7?

When you check in at IAH, your bag will be checked through to the final destination (BNE) however you will have to pick up your bag in Sydney. When you arrive in to Sydney, you'll need to clear immigration, then pick up your bag and clear Australian customs and quarantine. From there, it's a short walk to the Qantas domestic transfer counter. Here you'll drop off your bag again, and take a bus across to the domestic Terminal 3, where your flight to BNE will depart. Then collect your bag again in Brisbane and you're free to go.

On the return trip, you'll bag will automatically be checked through to DFW from BNE. No customs or anything in BNE. When you arrive in Sydney, you'll need to take the international transfer bus from near Gate 15 in the Qantas domestic terminal. Once in the international terminal you'll need to clear immigration and security, then go to the gate for your next flight. In DFW you'll need to collect your bag again to clear customs and clear US immigration.

 

[tsuris]

flight numbers would help!

qf4378 (aa2536)
qf8
qf508
---
qf507
qf536
---
qf517
qf7
qf4531 (aa2337)

pick up your bag and clear Australian customs and quarantine

at the normal baggage claim area?
and thank you for the reply

nothing to declare

I will likely have food with me, guessing that won't pass without review (and may not pass at all....request of a friend, was told it MUST be declared "or pay the price").

side note
with seat numbers and flight numbers, i might MEET someone from here ! Don't be afraid to say hi.