I will be arriving SIN-SYD on Singapore Airlines on SQ 241 at 1635 hours as part of a longer itinerary. However, it now looks like I need to go to Melbourne before Sydney, and for various (ticketing) reasons, it makes sense to simply buy a return ticket SYD-MEL, and then pick up again on this existing longer itinerary. Given that this return SYD-MEL ticket will not be part of my existing itinerary, what is the best way to plan this?
How long of a layover should I give myself in SYD when booking this new ticket? Obviously, I want to get on my way as soon as possible, but of course I don't want to cut it too close. If SQ 241 is delayed for some reason, what (if anything) can I do to make sure that I am still protected on this new ticket? Any tips on how to make this process as smooth as possible? I'd appreciate advice from those familiar with this airport/situation. Many thanks!
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Transfer from INT to DOM in Sydney is pain in the arse even on one ticket and I give myself always 3 hours as minimum and had cases where it was "just"...
how much would SQ charge to change the SIN-SYD to SIN-MEL; even if a bit more expensive that buying a MEL-SYD, it would be a lot quicker and less hassle
If going to Sydney, I would allow3-4 hours but buy a flexible ticket so that able to hop on an earlier flight if available and , if running late ex Singapore, be able to change to a later one
If going to Sydney, I would allow3-4 hours but buy a flexible ticket so that able to hop on an earlier flight if available and , if running late ex Singapore, be able to change to a later one
Or alternatively buy a really cheap ticket, I think tickets are available for as low as $99, so if you miss the flight not the end of the world. You would need to buy a new ticket at last minute, but again this is worst case scenario.
Although QF would not be obliged to do anything if you misconnect from SQ, there are many flights a day from SYD to MEL, thousands of seats, and if misconnected at the airport, QF would most likely just put you on the next flight.
how much would SQ charge to change the SIN-SYD to SIN-MEL; even if a bit more expensive that buying a MEL-SYD, it would be a lot quicker and less hassle
Unfortunately it's more than a bit more expensive -- approx $3K in fact. The problem is that this is just one leg in a much longer itinerary on Air Canada stock, and changing this one segment will involve re-pricing the balance of the itinerary which will result in a significant cost increase.
Thanks everyone for your responses and advice. Given what I have heard here, I am now considering two alternatives:
One, wait till I arrive in Sydney and purchase a "walk-up" return ticket SYD-MEL for the next available flight.
Two, purchase my return ticket SYD-MEL now, but depart from Sydney the next morning on the first available flight. That would require me to overnight in Sydney ... I would look for a hotel close to the airport.
Do you have any recommendations one way or another? If it is relevant, I will be arriving in Sydney on Saturday August 18 and will return from Melbourne later in the evening on Tuesday August 21.
Thanks everyone for your responses and advice. Given what I have heard here, I am now considering two alternatives:
One, wait till I arrive in Sydney and purchase a "walk-up" return ticket SYD-MEL for the next available flight.
Two, purchase my return ticket SYD-MEL now, but depart from Sydney the next morning on the first available flight. That would require me to overnight in Sydney ... I would look for a hotel close to the airport.
Do you have any recommendations one way or another? If it is relevant, I will be arriving in Sydney on Saturday August 18 and will return from Melbourne later in the evening on Tuesday August 21.
Many thanks for insights and advice.
You are arriving at 16:15, so you probably will be wanting to fly on the 19:00 or 20:00 SYD-MEL flight. On a Saturday night these flights tend to be quite quiet, except if there is a major sports event on in MEL on the Sunday. The walk up option sounds pretty good to me. I actually do this sometimes when I am not sure what time a meeting ends and I don't want to fork out for a fully flexible ticket.
There are hotels in SYD, but SYD city is not far away. There are lots of hotels close to railway stations, depending on budget. The Hilton is close to Wynyard. There are lots of cheaper hotels close to Central.
You are arriving at 16:15, so you probably will be wanting to fly on the 19:00 or 20:00 SYD-MEL flight. On a Saturday night these flights tend to be quite quiet, except if there is a major sports event on in MEL on the Sunday. The walk up option sounds pretty good to me. I actually do this sometimes when I am not sure what time a meeting ends and I don't want to fork out for a fully flexible ticket.
There are hotels in SYD, but SYD city is not far away. There are lots of hotels close to railway stations, depending on budget. The Hilton is close to Wynyard. There are lots of cheaper hotels close to Central.
You don't happen to know if there is a major sporting event in Melbourne on Sunday August 19, do you?
Can I just buy a ticket in the International terminal at a Qantas counter before I transfer to the domestic terminal? I recall there is some sort of a shuttle I have to take to get from one terminal to the other ... can I take it if I do not have a SYD-MEL ticket in hand yet?
I am leaning towards option 1 as my first choice, with option 2 as the back-up plan should I be unable to catch a flight to MEL that night.
I recall there is some sort of a shuttle I have to take to get from one terminal to the other ... can I take it if I do not have a SYD-MEL ticket in hand yet?
No. Need a Qf ticket. You check in at the international terminal and take the free QF bus across to domestic.
A walk up ticket will be expensive. No idea if you can purchase in the international terminal.
Okay, now I am confused .... would a walk-up ticket be more expensive that what I can see online? I've been checking the last couple of days, and it seems that I can get a ticket for $133 one-way from SYD-MEL (online) the day (afternoon) of purchase. Does the cost skyrocket in the last few hours before the flight is due to depart?
Would really appreciate if someone could confirm (or not) as this will definitely change my plan!
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I do walk ups all the time and at off peak periods they are the same as advance purchase. In this case I think it's a great idea. As pointed out virgin is likely cheaper, and there's also jetstar but be careful to go to melbourne tullamarine not Avalon airport
SQ flight was delayed, did not arrive till 1715 hrs but I picked up my bags and I cleared customs by about 1750 (and that included confiscation of some pet treats that I had bought in Singapore and declared). Walked out of baggage, turned left and the Virgin Australia domestic connection counters were right there. Walked up, bought a return ticket SYD-MEL, departing at 1900 hrs,for less than AUD 300. The counter agent even waived the fee for my two checked bags since I had just come off an SQ international flight.
They took my bags right there, pointed me in the direction of the bus, and the rest was routine. I was at my gate in the domestic terminal at about 1830 hrs. DJ flight was short and uneventful.
Thanks everyone for your help in figuring this out ... appreciate all the assistance.
