Qantas Frequent Flyer - Which side for best views of Syndey?

Is there a typical approach or departure path that makes it easy to say which side of the cabin gives the best views of Sydney?

What flight are you on? There are no guarantees but at certain times of day one direction is more likely than another.

What flight are you on? There are no guarantees but at certain times of day one direction is more likely than another.

arrive QF 12 6:15am
dep QF 127 10:45 am

*IF* you get a view of Sydney city, from memory the best side is the left side.

Although, with most of these things - it does depend on wind, runway selection, air traffic control etc.

My experience has been the left side also.

for landing *and* takeoff?

It really depends on which way the wind blows. However, as others have mentioned, the 'left' ('A' seat) side often gets a great view landing when it approaches from the north.

From what I notice, for departing flights that do happen to fly over the city (i.e., giving you a view), the 'A' seats tend to be the winner. Often, they just fly straight out to sea and turn to their appropriate directions.

From what I notice, for departing flights that do happen to fly over the city (i.e., giving you a view), the 'A' seats tend to be the winner. Often, they just fly straight out to sea and turn to their appropriate directions.

Departing flights Trans Pacific and long hauls to the north (ie QF 127 to HKG) IF using RW34, will turn slightly to the left after take-off and then go where they need to. In this case, the BEST BEST views of the city will be the right side (K seats).

RW 16R departures will turn slightly right after take off and gradually track right up to the NW - missing the best views of the city.

The nicest departures often are on the LAX or SFO flights where the plane follows the harbour out to sea. Truely magnificent.

I was once on a SYD-AKL flight that departed on 16R and did a long slow 270 degree turn as it climbed to 12000' affording the K seat passengers a stunning view of the city throughout the climb.

The majority of my landings in SYD the last few years have been towards the South, so I concur with the Port side of the Aircraft (A seats) (Ofen great views of the CBD).

As for takeoff, againthey tend to be to the South, if using 16L the turn is to the left so the A seat - if 16R the turnout is to the right so the Starboard side.

In any case, veiwing is generally better on landing approach.

Thanks,all, I'm all set for seats. Next question:

What to do with 4.5 hours between these flights in the morning?

Time for a dash into town? Any suggested itineraries for perhaps a whistlestop tour?

Must include a couple of open air moments - perhaps in the harbour and on the beach for 20 minutes each, just to savour the fresh air.

I guess being rush hour complicates matters somewhat...

Thanks,all, I'm all set for seats. Next question:

What to do with 4.5 hours between these flights in the morning?

Considering you would have to clear Immigration and Customs (a painful thing in itself at some times of the day), then return to the airport at a minimum 90 mins before your flight (to be on the safe side), you would need to move very quickly.

There is a train from the airport to Sydney City. Their website is here: http://www.airportlink.com.au/ although it appears to be down at the moment.

Walking from the International airport to the train would take about 5 mins, the train runs frequently and takes ~21 mins from the International airport to Circular Quay station (which is right next to the harbour/bridge/opera house).

This would be where I'd recommend you go if you did want to get out of the airport - and haven't been to Sydney before.

So timing wise:
Plane arrives on time (0 mins)
Depart plane, walk through airport, Immi+Customs (10 - 90 mins)
Train (30-40 mins depending on when the next one is). I don't think a taxi would be any faster especially with peak hour traffic

Arrive at Circular Quay [This could be up to 2 hours taken at this point]

Quick wander around Circular Quay (15-30 mins)
Train (30-40 mins depending on when the next one is)
Clear Immigration+security (10-30 mins depending on the day)

That should bring things up to the 3.5 hour mark or so to be back at your gate at the airport around an hour before your flight. Boarding will commence approx 40 mins or so before the flight leaves.

So it is tight, but do-able. (Others may want to check my calculations as I'm not a Sydney local and don't know everything about the train conditions in peak hour).

Of course you would need a ETA (Australian Electronic Travel Authority) to enter the country - and if these 2 flights are on a through ticket, then it is against the Qantas regs to leave the airport. But I don't think there are any immigration or similar rules that would stop you doing it. Again others will probably chip in with their comments.

arrive QF 12 6:15am
dep QF 127 10:45 am

*IF* you get a view of Sydney city, from memory the best side is the left side.

Although, with most of these things - it does depend on wind, runway selection, air traffic control etc.

Early morning arrivals tend to be landing to the north, unless wind conditions are wrong for this. This means neither side will get particularly good views.

By mid morning the runway direction is often switched and takeoff is to the south.

I was once on a SYD-AKL flight that departed on 16R and did a long slow 270 degree turn as it climbed to 12000' affording the K seat passengers a stunning view of the city throughout the climb.

That always happens if you get 16R for trans-tasman. If 16L then a simple 90 degree turn without the views.

With 4.5 hours, I'd just stay at the airport. As Aus_Mal said, while it's technically possible for you to get to the city, it's fairly risky.

If you've lounge access, just have a shower, have a leisurely breakfast, and it'll almost be time to head off again.

Yes but this might be my only ever glimpse of Sydney! Crazy but a long story....

The only problem with train from the airport to the Quay is weekend track work where busses replace trains between the airport and Central station. This is organised chaos. The worst part is being dumped at Central station and lining up to buy a ticket to go anywhere else. It takes ages because most in the line want to discuss ticket options with the person behind the window. :rolleyes:. If this happens, it will be on a weekend rather than week day. Forget about the 3.5 hr city run if you see signs directing you to busses instead of the train at SYD T1.

...The worst part is being dumped at Central station and lining up to buy a ticket to go anywhere else. It takes ages because most in the line want to discuss ticket options with the person behind the window. :rolleyes:. If this happens, it will be on a weekend rather than week day. Forget about the 3.5 hr city run if you see signs directing you to busses instead of the train at SYD T1.Or, adjust the itinerary, and enjoy –

a walk to Darling Harbour from Central, through Hay Market & the Entertainment Centre up past the exhibition centre, across the bridge to Cockle Bay then back down to Central thru the gardens & China Town. (The first part of this walk can be replaced by light rail from Central if it is too much walking.)

or stroll over to and up George St, past the Town Hall, into the QVB, over through Pitt St Mall (time permitting go up the tower for a 360 view), then back down Hyde Park/Elizabeth St to Central.


http://www.atnf.csiro.au/research/LVmeeting/images/map.gif

If you run out of time, it's generally very easy to hail a taxi in these areas & go straight back to the airport. (Or even catch a cab from the airport, to The Rocks and walk from The Bridge round Circular Quay/Opera House, through the Botanic Gardens, back into the city and cab back to the airport.)

Or, adjust the itinerary, and enjoy –

a walk to Darling Harbour from Central, through Hay Market & the Entertainment Centre up past the exhibition centre, across the bridge to Cockle Bay then back down to Central thru the gardens & China Town. (The first part of this walk can be replaced by light rail from Central if it is too much walking.)

or stroll over to and up George St, past the Town Hall, into the QVB, over through Pitt St Mall (time permitting go up the tower for a 360 view), then back down Hyde Park/Elizabeth St to Central.



Thank you - sounds great - but I can't adjust it.

Thank you - sounds great - but I can't adjust it.Opps, I meant adjusting Aus-Mal/og's suggested itinerary, (getting to Circular Quay - when buses replace trains fiascos), & things to do with a 4.5 hour transit in SYD. After re-checking bags & showering at T1 Sydney, there should be enough time to have a quick look at the city, depending on delayed arrival or slow processing of entry/re-check formalities. (T1 to Circular Quay on the train is just 21minutes. Less time for the trip back to T3. -
http://www.131500.com.au/fullEnquiry.asp?HH=07&MM=00&AM_PM=AM&newTimeOrReturn=t&PageMode=&Vehicle=Train&WalkSpeed=NORMAL&Priority=504&IsAfter=A&Date=18%2F11%2F2009&MaxChanges=-1&FromLocType=s&ToLocType=s&ViaLocType=&NotViaLocType=&Wheelchair=&FromLoc=International+Airport+Station%7E%7E%3BInte rnational+Airport+Station%3BInternational+Airport+ Station%7E%7ELOCATION&ToLoc=Circular+Quay+Station%7E%7E%3BCircular+Quay+ Station%3BCircular+Quay+Station%7E%7ELOCATION&ViaLoc=&NotViaLoc=&x=32&y=16)

Opps, I meant adjusting Aus-Mal/og's suggested itinerary, (getting to Circular Quay - when buses replace trains fiascos),....
The bus fiasco only happens on the weekend - and most probably Sunday. And then it will only happen very occasionally. It won't happen Monday to Friday.

Thanks, this will be Thursday.
I don't mind getting a taxi either. I would think taxi from harbour to SYD at 830am would be fast - opposite direction to commuters?

Thanks, this will be Thursday.
I don't mind getting a taxi either. I would think taxi from harbour to SYD at 830am would be fast - opposite direction to commuters?
Quite possibly, but 08:30 is still in the middle of the morning commute (also think of parents dropping kids at schools :rolleyes:) and traffic in both directions can be bad. If there are road problems (traffic accidents), any roads can be very slow.

I still think you'd be better off getting the train from Circular Quay back to SYD. The service is direct (no changes if you get the right train from the Quay. Service frequency should be better than every 15 minutes.

OK, the train it is!