Australia, New Zealand & the South Pacific - SYD Domestic to International

Hi all

Is 2 hours enough to do a transfer from SYD domestic to International.

I am looking to get a JQ flight from OOL to SYD. The flight arrives into SYD at 9:35 and my Singapore Airlines flight departs at 11.30. I will need to collect luggage at SYD domestic and check in for my Singapore Airlines flight.

Thanks all.

Yes 2 hours is plenty in normal circumstances, but being on separate tickets you carry the risk of misconnection. There aren't easy alternatives OOL-SYD if your flight is running late or cancelled. I'd want to take a later international flight, or head to SYD from BNE on QF (or fly previous day) instead.

Note domestic and international terminals are well separated. As you are not flying Qantas you have no free transfer. Easiest (but expensive) is to take the train. On arrival follow the signs for train station (several hundred metres from the baggage claim). International terminal is next stop a couple of minutes ride. Then another longish walk to SQ check in up a couple of levels.

Related question: I have 3 hours arriving International from the US and connection to QF to CNS. Ample time I assume, whats the easiest way to get between 2 terminals, the train or a shuttle bus?

Note domestic and international terminals are well separated. As you are not flying Qantas you have no free transfer. Easiest (but expensive) is to take the train. On arrival follow the signs for train station (several hundred metres from the baggage claim). International terminal is next stop a couple of minutes ride. Then another longish walk to SQ check in up a couple of levels. If using the train to transfer, make sure you buy your ticket from the ticket office (NOT at the machine) and proivde evidence you are connecting - inbound BP, e-ticket receipt for outbound - and the fare will be vastly cheaper.

Dave

Related question: I have 3 hours arriving International from the US and connection to QF to CNS. Ample time I assume, whats the easiest way to get between 2 terminals, the train or a shuttle bus? Go to the QF transfer counter at the far right of the terminal (i.e. turn right as you leave the customs hall, and keep going - follow the signs). QF will take your bags, you go through security, and then wait for the free shuttle bus.

(This is assuming your SYD-CNS flight is numbered QF400 or above).

Dave

Thanks Kiwi Flyer & thadocta.

To be safe, I have ended up booking the DJ 07:05-08:35 flight to give me that bit extra time.

Go to the QF transfer counter at the far right of the terminal (i.e. turn right as you leave the customs hall, and keep going - follow the signs). QF will take your bags, you go through security, and then wait for the free shuttle bus.

(This is assuming your SYD-CNS flight is numbered QF400 or above).

Dave

It is, and I am flying Business. I was hoping to have time to catch a quick shower in the lounge. Assuming my inbound is on-time, do you suppose ill have time?

It is, and I am flying Business. I was hoping to have time to catch a quick shower in the lounge. Assuming my inbound is on-time, do you suppose ill have time? Ample time for a shower at the business lounge - whether there will be any available, not too sure, there have been reports about the showers being quite busy at that time of the morning, due to the number of people doing exactly what you are doing.

If you can't get one in the business lounge, pop next door to the Qantas Club, there might be one in there available.

Dave

Related question: I have 3 hours arriving International from the US and connection to QF to CNS. Ample time I assume, whats the easiest way to get between 2 terminals, the train or a shuttle bus?

What about (slightly less than) 2 hours International to Domestic connection?

Arriving into SYD on the UA flight from SFO, lands at 8:05 a.m.

The Qantas flight SYD-AYQ departs 9:50 a.m. (will be separate ticket).

We are arriving UA first class if that matters (not sure what if any treatment there is as first class arrivals other than maybe being allowed first off the plane).

We will not be checking bags, and are fast walkers.

Wanting to go directly onward to Ayers Rock in order to get in on a three nights for two deal. If we don't take this flight we end up repeating the whole transit into Sydney, spending 1 day/1 night, then trekking all the way back to the airport the following morning. So we'll lose a day (not that we won't enjoy our day in Sydney but we don't really gain anything as we'll later be spending a good 4 days there).

Given there is only 1 flight a day we'd really like to do this booking!

Thanks all!
SEA2BA

1:45 is risky on separate tickets. Since SYD-AYQ is only once a day I wouldn't risk it, especially arriving on UA (who are notorious for delays and cancellations on this route).

As UA first class pax you should get express immigration cards handed out onboard. This will save some time at immigration, and possibly at customs (you need to be able to answer no to 10 questions such as no food & no medicines, and sometimes the express lane isn't open). Then a long walk to domestic transfers where you will need to check in for QF - there are normally lengthy queues early in the morning. Then security & wait for bus which runs every 20 minutes. Sometimes there are too many people in the pen so need to wait for subsequent bus.

If everything goes right you can make it - but wouldn't take much (eg delayed arrival, slightly longer queues than normal or someone at customs decides they want to look into your carryons) to miss the flight.

1:45 is risky on separate tickets. Since SYD-AYQ is only once a day I wouldn't risk it, especially arriving on UA (who are notorious for delays and cancellations on this route).

As UA first class pax you should get express immigration cards handed out onboard. This will save some time at immigration, and possibly at customs (you need to be able to answer no to 10 questions such as no food & no medicines, and sometimes the express lane isn't open). Then a long walk to domestic transfers where you will need to check in for QF - there are normally lengthy queues early in the morning. Then security & wait for bus which runs every 20 minutes. Sometimes there are too many people in the pen so need to wait for subsequent bus.

If everything goes right you can make it - but wouldn't take much (eg delayed arrival, slightly longer queues than normal or someone at customs decides they want to look into your carryons) to miss the flight.

Thanks for this input. This was my worry. But seems such a shame to lose a whole day, but much more importantly the end date of the three-for-two-nights deal is exactly the same day as our final night's stay would be if and only if we started the stay by doing this same-day transfer to AYQ upon arriving in OZ from the U.S. Our flight from the U.S. already is locked in.

Am I just dense or are Qantas really the only carrier who serve AYQ?

Thanks!
SEA2BA

Only Qantas have regular AYQ services.

It's up to you if you wish to risk it. In any case consider this recent thread (check it all out, there is plenty of useful information.): http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/qantas-frequent-flyer/959840-ba0009-lhr-via-syd-mel.html#post11832271