Programs: LH Senator, Flying Blue Platinum, BD Silver (R.I.P.), BA Silver
Posts: 414
SYD Intl to domestic in 55 mins - doable?
I'll be arriving on CX 139 at 20:10. hoping to be on QF 556 to Brisbane just 55 minutes later. I'll be in business (with priority immigration, I hope) and hand luggage only. Do I stand a chance?
Programs: QF Platinum, PC Gold Elite, HH Gold, A|C Platinum
Posts: 113
Quote:
Originally Posted by planestupid
I'll be arriving on CX 139 at 20:10. hoping to be on QF 556 to Brisbane just 55 minutes later. I'll be in business (with priority immigration, I hope) and hand luggage only. Do I stand a chance?
Hell no.
Is this on a single ticket (doubt it)? The reason I ask is because this connection does not meet the MCT, thus is not a legal connection.
Then it's a bit like staking everything you have on a single number on the roulette wheel, except that if your number comes up you only get your money back.
__________________ Training for thousands of hours for the Paralympics = Elite
Sitting for thousands of hours on an airline seat ≠ Elite
Then it's a bit like staking everything you have on a single number on the roulette wheel, except that if your number comes up you only get your money back.
Actually, staking it all on a single number will get you 35:1, so not the same.
Dave
__________________
There are TWO secrets to success: 1. Don't reveal everything you know........
Programs: Qantas FF Plat; AC SE; Virgin Aust Gold; Qatar Priv, Royal Air Maroc, SPG Gold
Posts: 624
Agree. Negligable chance
* I'm guessing you aren't on an Aussie passport, so you can't use the 'Smart Gate' electronic immigration. SYD immigration queues for non-citizens can be as hit-and-miss as anywhere, even for Js.
* There is no such thing as a 'nothing to declare, walk through' customs option in Australia. With or without checked bags, you'll queue to face an immigration officer, who may wave you though or may direct you to an open-bag search.
* You then have to get a transfer bus to the otherside of the airport, where the domestic terminal lies; not sure how often they run. Then you'll have to re-clear security at Domestic.
Suggest you get the domestic ticket re-issed for a later flight. But as you have probably found out, Sydney curfew may make a later connection that evening impossible.
Programs: QF Platinum, PC Gold Elite, HH Gold, A|C Platinum
Posts: 113
The transfer bus at that time of night runs around every 30 mins from memory. The train would be a quicker bet almost. Either way, the OP is looking at a night in SYD, as well as a ticket re-issue fee on the SYD-BNE.
Begs the question of why the OP did not route HKG-BNE especially seeing as CX fly twice daily HKG-BNE (well x/CNS on one of them, on some days), unless it was a J award booking...
Programs: | QF WP/LTG | UA G | AA | AS | PC P | bike | CityRail |
Posts: 9,236
There is the DJ flight SYD-BNE at 21:30. The extra 25 min might make this an option, but you'd need to take the train transfer (at your cost). You would also be wise to have your BP through OLCI before you left HKG.
But, I agree with the others that you'd probably wouldn't make it - not even enough of a chance to try it. And its not worth it trying to get a taxi from T1 to T3 unless you give then driver a $50 tip to make up for the short journey - which may well be a long time journey if you try to get to T3 when there is traffic congestion.
The only way I would consider a same evening connection is if you have a flexible ticket and plans for a hotel for if it goes wrong.
If you have a flexible ticket, then no harm in trying to catch the last flight from SYD-BNE ( and if DJ's is the latest then take that ) as long as you are not going to lose the fare and as long as you have accommodation back up
I think that if you go for the DJ flight you have more chance and it isn't impossible that you would catch it, but there is a risk. If you miss it then get rebooked the next morning; taking the 55 mins of QF I would rate a low chance
Programs: QF (WP), NZ (Jaded KC), TG ROP (Forgotten), OZ (Silver), AA (Cardboard), EK (Lowest of the Low)
Posts: 3,797
At that time of night immigration. baggage claim and quarantine are not really the problem, even in morning peak I regularly get out 10-15 minutes.
IMO the biggest issue is in fact getting to T3 in time for the flight, so I agree I would not risk it but look at the DJ flight or overnight in SYD.
Programs: LH Senator, Flying Blue Platinum, BD Silver (R.I.P.), BA Silver
Posts: 414
Thanks for your replies everyone. I take it that intl and domestic leave from two separate terminals that require a lengthy trek. I'll go for the safe bet and book a flight the next morning and stay in a hotel. Does anyone know an affordable one near the domestic terminal? I don't mind taking the train but don't want to fork out for a taxi.
(A few of you were wondering why I didn't go for a direct HKG-BNE flight. Well, I got one of those dirt-cheap Finnair/Cathay AMS-HEL-HKG-SYD returns for less than 2.000 AUD. I usually cannot afford to fly Business but at this price I'd be stupid not to
Programs: M&M SEN, Amex Plat, Club Carlson, Marriott & HHonors Gold, Velocity Silver, Qantas Bronze
Posts: 1,787
Quote:
Originally Posted by planestupid
Thanks for your replies everyone. I take it that intl and domestic leave from two separate terminals that require a lengthy trek. I'll go for the safe bet and book a flight the next morning and stay in a hotel. Does anyone know an affordable one near the domestic terminal? I don't mind taking the train but don't want to fork out for a taxi.
(A few of you were wondering why I didn't go for a direct HKG-BNE flight. Well, I got one of those dirt-cheap Finnair/Cathay AMS-HEL-HKG-SYD returns for less than 2.000 AUD. I usually cannot afford to fly Business but at this price I'd be stupid not to
Yes, SYD is famous for having different international terminal and domestic terminals. I would never ever take Int->Dom at SYD with less than 3 hours if on two tickets, because you rely on public transport between the terminals. You cannot use QF's and DJ's transfers...
Get hotel close to the Airport (Ibis is walking distance to domestic terminals, short taxi or shuttle ride from Int), don't even think about using train. It costs $12 extra each time you enter the train station...
