Sydney Airport
I’ve passed through Sydney airport with time to kill twice recently. The airport train costs $30 return (even if you only go one stop) and the inter terminal shuttle is $5.50. Both seem like daylight robbery to me. So I set about finding cheaper ways to get in and out of the airport. The information desks don’t make it easy. One couldn’t show me a map of the airport and the other kept claiming that the official airport transport was the only way to get around. If I hadn’t been an expert at asking questions I never would have found out about the 400 bus. This is a local bus at local prices that passes through the airport, stopping at both terminals. You can use it to get from terminal to terminal or to head North towards Bondi Junction or south to Rockdale. You could just jump on it to the nearest train station (but beware that it’s not one on the expensive airport line) and swap to a train. Here’s the timetable info:
http://www.sydneybuses.info/uploads/File/pdfs/regular_timetables/400_410tt.pdf
And a route map:
http://www.sydneybuses.info/uploads/File/pdfs/regular_route_maps/400_410map.pdf
Yeh, like airports around the world, transportation prices are jacked up. This bus is intended for the airport staff, but its fair game for travelers. If your not familiar with Sydney, catch the bus to Bondi Junction and then you can get a connecting one down to Bondi Beach.
and in Auckland you can get to/from on other buses besides Airbus
http://www.aucklandairport.co.nz/ToAndFromTheAirport/PublicTransport.aspx
click on the bus link to see the range now on offer. I have not tried them though
That’s a good tip about the 400 bus. The train to Sydney Airport is ferociously expensive because that particular line is privately operated. If you’re a single individual it’s still probably not too bad for getting into the city, but if you’re travelling in a group a shuttle service or other public transport is definitely the way to go.
Excellent tip, I’m thoroughly tired of the gouging that is Sydney Airport – their latest ruse is to fine drivers picking up already arrived passengers – forcing people to pay the minimum $7 in short stay parking.
This is a great tip! I will use it next time I am in Sydney. I’d like to say I was shocked about how expensive the short train trip from the airport was to the city, but that would be lying! Airports are renowned the world over for trying to milk their local monopolies for all that they are worth. It’s shameful!