Getting to the airport

[24]

I know this is probably strictly for the travel forum, but it isn't about travelling so much as just getting to sydney airport.

You see, we have a 185cm ski bag, and our flight departs from T2 at 615 AM!!!! Jetstar say to be there 2 hours before departure if you have big bags.

i don't know if the terminal is open at 4.30am, i don't know if the parking is open then, but the bag doesn't fit in our car anyway. so how does everyone else get to the airport, especially at awkward times like that?

[karen97]

I have a ute, so that helps ;) And I called the local airport shuttle service and he quoted $30(from Marsfield) pp(ski bags were fine).

What sort of car do you have?

[ 19.01.2009, 09:21 PM: Message edited by: karen97 ]

[Vet]

Pack okkie straps.

Book a wagon taxi

Read Junkstar's baggage rules

Fly with a more reliable airline like China Air

[Podlettte]

book a wagon taxi, but tell them you have long gear, some have luggage barriers that go to the floor not allowing you to put skis through to the back seats. skis 185 won't fit sideways in a falcon wagon boot area, I've tried! 180 JUST fit with the luggage barrier loosened and manhandled out of the way a little bit ;)

[AndDee]

Taxis - Not something you want to deal with when time is critical!

Parking at Sydney Airport costs way too much

Airports are a prime target for theives, worse than shopping centre cars parks, because the car is parked there for days/weeks at a time!

Okay - Check-in opens at 2 hours PRIOR to the flight departing as you are on a domestic flight so YES the airport will be open then. You dont' really need 2 hours, but the like that for bulky luggage.

As for getting there, book a "corporate transfer" or chaffuered car transfer. That is the safest way to get there on time and not hope a cab turns up. They will be waiting at your house 10 mins prior to you wanting to leave and will pack your luggage in the car/van for you.

I always use this to get to/from the airport, the $$ as below for me:

Option 1: Taxi
Transfer TO airport in old taxi $55
Transfer FROM airport in an old taxi, not enough room for luggage due to the LPG tank $60, maybe a 2nd taxi for luggage...so maybe $120
TOTAL $175

Option 2: Parking at Melbourne
Parking at airport for me $300 - Outdoors, in the full sun/weather and risk of break in.
TOTAL $300

Option 3: Chauffeured Car
Transfer TO airport in new Caprice/BMW $85 - I don't need skis on the way there.
Transfer FROM airport in a Merc/VW Van $100 - Only so I can have all the luggage and sets of skis easily in the Van!
TOTAL $185 - $10 more than a Taxi!!!!

You may need (like me) http://www.admiralcars.com.au/TheAdmiralFleet/BusesPeopleMovers/tabid/124/Default.aspx or something like that for the skis. Ring a few local companies and ask if they mind having skis in the back of the caprice. Some do and some don't!

That's my 2 cents smile.gif

[ 19.01.2009, 10:40 PM: Message edited by: AndDee ]

[AndDee]

Originally posted by Vet:
Fly with a more reliable airline like China Air Firstly, bit hard when it's a domestic flight

Reliable and China Air...........

[AndDee]

http://www.admiralcars.com.au/Bookings/tabid/132/Default.aspx - These guys will give you a quote online smile.gif

Most of these types of companies don't charge extra for delays in traffic as well. In a taxi you just sit there watching the meter tick over, but not a problem at 5am in the morning normally smile.gif

[popshuvit]

hey 24.. watch your bag weight... I was 6 kgs over between my snowboard gear and other check in baggage. They wanted 2 charge me $10 per kilo excess.. I managed to get the them to only charge me for 3..

[ 20.01.2009, 12:46 AM: Message edited by: popshuvit ]

[24]

wow thanks guys - we will look into one of those transfers. its just finding someone who will be at ours at about 3.30 am - 4am might be tricky.

bag weight and limit shouldn't be a problem - junkstar shortened their length limit from when we booked (200cm) to now (195cm) for their internal flights, but we will only be 185.

as for weight, we booked an extra 10kgs there and back.

[Tobi]

I'm leaving my car in long term parking. My aunty flies in the next day and will collect my car from long term parking and then collect me from the airport when I fly back.

Works well, she doesn't have to hire a car while here I don't have to deal with taxis or get charge stupid amounts for long term parking.

[AndDee]

Originally posted by 24:
wow thanks guys - we will look into one of those transfers. its just finding someone who will be at ours at about 3.30 am - 4am might be tricky.

They don't care or charge extra for the time of day smile.gif

[Xena]

Originally posted by AndDee:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Vet:
Fly with a more reliable airline like China Air Firstly, bit hard when it's a domestic flight

Reliable and China Air........... </font>[/QUOTE]Just flew China Airlines - absolutely no problems at all. I'd do it again in a heartbeat - just as good as any others I've flown with and better than Air Canada.