Oceania (Australia, New Zealand & the South Pacific) - Sydney Transfer (Domestic-Intl)

I currently have a booking Cairns-SYD arriving 10:20am (QA) and an intl flight SYD-PVC (Shanghai) departing at 11:20am (Air China I believe). Any way in hell I make this flight. Obviously not on itinerary so if I miss it I'm in trouble. I'll probably buy travel insurance but that only helps if my Cairns flight is actually delayed. Anyone want to handicap my chances?

Carry-on only obviously. I heard there is a QA bus to their terminal but how far from there to Air China. Is it the same building?

If you are carry on only you will be able to take the bus but there is near zero chance of making the connection. The bus runs every 15 minutes, takes about 10, you will also need to check in, clear outwards immigration and security and then make it to the gate.

I would suggest rebooking the CNS-SYD flight, overnighting at SYD if need be.

Will they even let you take the QF bus since your departing flight isn't QF? You'll have to take the public transfer bus or the train or the taxi.

All international flights leave from the same terminal building.

However, as mentioned, there is near zero chance of making the connection.

You'll never make it. Check-in for your Shanghai flight will close out in the international terminal before you fight your way off your first flight and out of the domestic terminal. For a transfer like that at SYD you should allow 2.5 to three hours.

No chance, sorry.

Dave

Will they even let you take the QF bus since your departing flight isn't QF?

Yes. You can catch the Qantas bus if either your inbound or outbound flight is on Qantas.

Yes. You can catch the Qantas bus if either your inbound or outbound flight is on Qantas.

In contrast to Virgin. Can't ride if connecting from DJ domestic to whatever international unless on the same ticket. And I couldn't make it the same ticket because it's $100+ extra.

Yes. You can catch the Qantas bus if either your inbound or outbound flight is on Qantas. ... or oneworld.

The bus runs at least every 10 minutes in the mornings.

However, I doubt you'd make it unless the CNS flight arrives early.

You would be able to use web check-in for your Air China flight: http://www.airchina.com.au/en/checkin/index.html , but for luggage the check-in counters close 40 minutes beforehand at 10:40.

no luggage and I'm diving in Cairns so flying the night before is a bit of a risk.

I'm thinking jetstar at 6am then? Their discount economy ticket is less than my change fee...

no luggage and I'm diving in Cairns so flying the night before is a bit of a risk.

I'm thinking jetstar at 6am then? Their discount economy ticket is less than my change fee...

Is there a J* flight CNS-SYD at 6am?

I'm not sure when this trip is for but be aware that Qld is 1 hour back (and 10 years behind) during Summer. So, a 6am flight will arrive at 10am during DST and 9am at all other times.

(and 10 years behind) during Summer. So, a 6am flight will arrive at 10am during DST and 9am at all other times.

Travelling the other way it only takes 2 hours on the clock to escape Sydney and that can be a good thing :)