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SYDNEY what to do for half to one day transit?

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SYDNEY what to do for half to one day transit?

   
Old Oct 18, 2011, 4:48 pm
  #31  
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Originally Posted by pauldb
Oops, I got mixed up - I'm actually arriving on CA from PEK. But I doubt that's any better.

If I were to go for it, is it complicated. I guess I go up through transfer security as any transferring passenger, but how do I get back down to arrivals. Do you mean transit security will give me a hard time, or arrivals customs - how will they know what I've done?
You request that you want to exit departures; you can do this with the lounge staff (the easiest) or by contacting security. They will phone immigration and customs who will send an AFP (federal police) officer to escort you down to arrivals and to be processed. You will be well known to customs when you arrive. Transit security has nothing to do with this, other than stopping you from going from departures back to arrivals. At least this was the procedure the one and only time that I have done this, a few years ago.
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Old Feb 8, 2012, 10:59 pm
  #32  
 
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You request that you want to exit departures; you can do this with the lounge staff (the easiest)
Have others tried this? I have unpredictable travel plans coming up and may not know until I'm in the lounge (QF International First) whether or not I'm actually traveling. If I'm not traveling, I'd need to clear customs and return to Australia. Would just like to get a sense in advance of how bad this would be. Burdensome for the lounge agent? I don't think I meet anyone's profile for drug trafficking or anything else bad but wouldn't be bothered by some extra security scrutiny if needed. Any other problems I should bear in mind?
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Old Mar 27, 2012, 3:03 am
  #33  
 
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Originally Posted by number_6
You request that you want to exit departures; you can do this with the lounge staff (the easiest) or by contacting security. They will phone immigration and customs who will send an AFP (federal police) officer to escort you down to arrivals and to be processed. You will be well known to customs when you arrive. Transit security has nothing to do with this, other than stopping you from going from departures back to arrivals. At least this was the procedure the one and only time that I have done this, a few years ago.
Will they try to charge you the non-transit passenger charges then if you clear immigration as a transit passenger? I have a 15 hour SYD transit coming up next week and I'd like to hang around at the lounge for a few hours before going into the city. But I can't afford the ~100$ of charges I would get charged as a non-transit passenger.
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Old Aug 20, 2012, 10:40 pm
  #34  
 
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6+ hours layover at SYD
Say if I am going to have 6+ hours layover at SYD. (Arrive 0815 from YVR, depart 1530 or even 1840 to AKL)

- Is it possible to exit the airport for some sightseeing in town?
- If so, any suggested itinerary?
- Is there any 'free guided tour'?

Thanks.
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Old Aug 20, 2012, 11:40 pm
  #35  
 
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http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/searc...rchid=14180080

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ocean...yover-syd.html

No free guided tours, AFAIK...
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Old Aug 21, 2012, 2:20 am
  #36  
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And the sticky http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ocean...ggestions.html
Some of the information is a little old/out dated now but worth a look

Another (and check links to other threads) http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ocean...ss-sydney.html
And another old thread http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ocean...hours-syd.html


Originally Posted by Away from YYZ
...If so, any suggested itinerary?
Buy a daily train/bus/ferry ticket. Train from the airport to Circular Quay then a ferry ride (past the Opera House) to Manly beach for late breakfast / lunch. Then back to the airport on the same ticket.
Last edited by Mwenenzi; Aug 21, 2012 at 2:35 am
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Old Aug 21, 2012, 8:05 am
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I guess the 'main' reason why I asked is somewhat related to http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ocean...ce-charge.html I posted earlier.

Long story short, seems like I can only do a long layover instead of a stopover in SYD. And because of that I am no longer being charge AU & WY. So I am not sure if I am 'allow' to exit the airport...
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Old Aug 21, 2012, 8:06 am
  #38  
 
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Originally Posted by Mwenenzi
Buy a daily train/bus/ferry ticket. Train from the airport to Circular Quay then a ferry ride (past the Opera House) to Manly beach for late breakfast / lunch. Then back to the airport on the same ticket.
That sounds like a plan. Thanks Mwenenzi!
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Old Aug 21, 2012, 8:08 am
  #39  
 
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Originally Posted by SirJman
Will they try to charge you the non-transit passenger charges then if you clear immigration as a transit passenger? I have a 15 hour SYD transit coming up next week and I'd like to hang around at the lounge for a few hours before going into the city. But I can't afford the ~100$ of charges I would get charged as a non-transit passenger.
Same question I have. did you get dinged?
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Old Aug 21, 2012, 8:09 am
  #40  
 
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Originally Posted by Away from YYZ
Same question I have. did you get dinged?
No, never did. Even claimed my bags and re-checked them later on in the evening.
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Old Aug 21, 2012, 3:48 pm
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Originally Posted by Away from YYZ
I guess the 'main' reason why I asked is somewhat related to http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ocean...ce-charge.html I posted earlier.

Long story short, seems like I can only do a long layover instead of a stopover in SYD. And because of that I am no longer being charge AU & WY. So I am not sure if I am 'allow' to exit the airport...
Yes, I saw your other thread... But to answer this question, if you tell the airline (e.g., at booking or at check-in) that you'll leave the airport, then yes, you'll more than likely be charged. Some airlines may not know this though, so you may get away with it. I've seen on multiple occasions Air NZ and QF want to charge passengers when they discovered the passengers intend to leave the airport.

However, if your ticket indicates a layover, there's nothing stopping you to leave the airport. Just to be safe, make sure you have your luggage checked through and your departing boarding pass before you enter the country.

Immigration and Customs won't care as long as you've the relevant visa, although Immigration may ask why you're only here for a few hours. Just answer honestly that you've a long layover and want to see some sights.
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Old Aug 21, 2012, 4:13 pm
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You can leave the airport. Airlines can't legally stop you from doing so. The ticket is a certain price because the layover is short, the idea being that you are solely a transit passenger. But you aren't required to be.
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Old Aug 21, 2012, 4:48 pm
  #43  
 
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Originally Posted by CPMaverick
You can leave the airport. Airlines can't legally stop you from doing so. The ticket is a certain price because the layover is short, the idea being that you are solely a transit passenger. But you aren't required to be.
Although immigration can. I presume that the OP is Canadian so he/she should get an ETA.
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Old Aug 22, 2012, 3:31 pm
  #44  
 
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Manly is great but I wouldn't go there with only six hours between flights, it's too far and too many different forms of transportation. I'd hang around the CBD, plenty to see there, and if you really want to get out on the water then just get an inner-harbour ferry and do a loop.
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Old Aug 22, 2012, 8:27 pm
  #45  
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Originally Posted by Jorgen
Manly is great but I wouldn't go there with only six hours between flights, it's too far and too many different forms of transportation. I'd hang around the CBD, plenty to see there, and if you really want to get out on the water then just get an inner-harbour ferry and do a loop.
One CBD (central business district) is a lot like any other: tall buildings, Toyota's, Maccas and too many people. The harbor is what is unique to Sydney
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