Long Term Parking near Train Station (to Catch Train to Sydney Airport)

Hello, I hope this is the right forum to pose this question 😀.

I am planning an overseas trip with my family for approximately a month. We live in upper North Shore, Sydney. The cunning plan is to drive to the international airport, drop my missus, baby, pram and luggage than drive off to a close by train station and catch a train to the airport with my toddler.

The question is, does anyone know specific street/road not far from a train station on the airport line where parking is not time limited ?

Cheers !

Disclaimer;

  • We don’t have any immediate family in Oz and have a feeling that would be a big favour to ask from friends.
  • Going on train all the way was already incredibly hard with one kid and the luggage (changing trains).
  • I am aware of council policy about long parking and I am ready to take the risk of being towed.
  • Probably, a true OzBargainer would park around Wollie Creek train station and walk but with a toddler it is a bit hard.

Comments

  • +12

    The insurance company would love to hear your explanation when you make a claim for a stolen or damaged car a month later.

    • +3

      Why do they care? Its not like he damaged the car himself.

      • There is a reason they want to know where you'd park your car during day and night. At a train station car cark unattended for a month, not the best spot to park your car. Might as well leave the key in the ignition.

        • As long as you updated the garaging address it would be fine

  • +91

    Depending upon where you are in Sydney, you can book yourself an airport shuttle for approximately $70. You are flying internationally, not domestic. Save yourself the trouble and get dropped to the airport from your home. Your cunning plan is not worth the hassle.

    • +3

      airport shuttle

      Agree, and not to worry about damage or it won’t start when you return.

    • +14

      This makes more sense when you factor in the airport access fee - you'd be looking at around $20 per person on the train -

      • $2-$4 train fee pp
      • $15.13 for an adult
      • $13.54 for a child

      = ~$35 for the train. At this point, saying you're OK to risk being towed is a $35 gamble each way if you don't get towed, or whatever a tow + storage fee is if you do.

      Not worth it IMO

      https://transportnsw.info/travel-info/using-public-transport…

      • +9

        Have you ever taken an airport shuttle? Look up prices before you decide to comment. $70 is the cost for a family, at least that's what I have paid so far. And no, I am not single. Your assumption that most people in this thread are singles is preposterous.

      • lol I love the jealousy of the SINKs/DINKs

        • +2

          or even better the SNINKs (Single, No Income, No Kids)

          • @eciuj: talk about confidently incorrect! sounds like a complete bozo

            shuttles is a base quote given for a fixed number of pickups

            guy comes in a 9 or 11 seat Hi Ace or Coaster and away you go

            $70 is about right for 3-4 people from say most syd metro within reason to kingsford smith

            to the OP: i have dumped my car in front of a friends place at mascot who then dropped me off to departures but usually it was for work and not more than a week

            i have also dumped a car around the mascot area and taken the 400 bus in. Car in insured and in most industrial areas they dont care about a random late model car or suv parked there for a few days.

  • +2

    approximately a month

    Your car might get reported as abandoned.

    • +8

      Your car might get reported as abandoned.

      Councils generally won't touch them unless the rego has expired :/

      • +2

        “Generally” being the important qualifier here :-)

        https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-11-11/council-crushes-car-f…

        • -8

          “Generally” being the important qualifier here :-)

          reads article posted

          Oh so

          Ms Tucker discovered the vehicle had been towed by council after calling police and council rangers to report the vehicle missing.

          You seem to have missed the 'key' bit that the owner reported the vehicle missing/stolen in the first place. So yeah as long as the OP doesn't report their car missing to the police while away they should be ok ;)

          Still doesn't change my view they shouldn't be doing it in the first place.

          • +6

            @JimmyF: She reported it missing after it'd been towed.

          • +10

            @JimmyF:

            reads article posted

            Does not understand article posted

            You seem to have missed the 'key' bit that the owner reported the vehicle missing after finding it taken by council.

          • +2

            @JimmyF: I like the thought process behind it's fine to destroy it because she reported it missing/stolen. Oh hey we found your car that you told us to look out for… you can't have it back though, we crushed it.

          • +3

            @JimmyF: Hey I read the same article, and the way I read it is she only reporting it missing after it had been towed/crushed

            EDIT: I need to refresh more often - looks like others got in before me

          • +3

            @JimmyF:

            reads article posted

            Did you though?

  • +6
  • +6

    just have one of your girlfriends drop you off at the airport, and have another one of your girlfriends pick you up when you arrive.

    • I'll be back… lol

    • +4

      But his left hand and right hand are both connected to the same body.

  • +2

    Why not Uber to the Airport (and home) and rent your Car out for a Month while you are away?

    https://www.drivemycar.com.au:
    Your car must be:
    Up to 15 years old car
    Less than 150,000 kilometres
    Pricing when new under $75,000
    Well maintained with up-to-date servicing
    Registered with appropriate CTP insurance
    Vehicle must be available for rental periods of at least seven consecutive days

    High demand on Rentals means you can Hire Minimum >1 Month before you go and rental ends just after your return.

    • Uber would be a minimum of $100 each way, and presuming good traffic. In fact, luggage won't even fit in a regular Uber, so you'd need to order a max that holds 4 people, plus luggage, so make that $150 each way. Basically Uber would be twice the cost of an airport shuttle.

  • Thanks for bringing up the shuttle option. Baby and toddler car seats maybe an issue ?!

    • +9

      Not an issue at all. You just need to let them in advance and most will be able to organise them for you. Just confirm at the time of making the booking.

  • +8

    Just get an uber. Not worth the risk/hassle.

    • Struggling to see how I can add a baby and toddler car seats in Uber.
      What I have found e.g., for a baby, you have to bring your own car seat and install it. What do I do with the seat afterwards?

      • +5

        Look @ https://www.shebah.com.au/faq for Ride Share w/Car Seats @ around $11 extra.

        If your child requires a baby/booster seat please identify what kind of seat/s and how many of each you require in the 'Ride Extras’ menu after you input the pick-up and drop-off addresses for your trip.

      • +2

        Get a taxi - they're deemed to be public transport (much like a bus), and the seats are not required. These days they cost as much as an Uber anyway.

        • +4

          So that makes them safer in the event of an accident?

          • @spaceflight: A single trip at city speeds by a professional driver is a very very low risk.

            • -1

              @derrida derider: There lots of people who either aren't alive today or don't have a loved one alive because of thoughts like that.

              It also doesn't matter how good of a driver you have behind the wheel, they can't change what other road users do.

              The M1 and M5 are hardly 'City speeds' either

              • -1

                @spaceflight: There are also lots of people who's lives were ruined because they didn't recognize that they had to take small risks.

                That said, the issue is moot in NSW at least as children under 12 must be secured in a car seat in a taxi.
                https://roadsafety.transport.nsw.gov.au/stayingsafe/vehicles…

                "If you need a taxi with an approved child car seat, it is recommended you ask for one when booking a taxi and if possible, book the taxi in advance. All wheelchair accessible taxis are required to carry an approved child car seat. You also have the option to use your own child car seat in a taxi (as all passenger vehicles and some types of buses sold in Australia since 1995 must be fitted with child restraint anchorage points).

                Children under the age of 12 months are not permitted to travel in a taxi unless they are secured in an approved child car seat, as follows:

                Children aged less than 6 months: approved rearward facing restraint
                Children aged 6 months to less than 12 months: approved rearward or forward facing restraint with an inbuilt harness
                Children over the age of 12 months are permitted to wear a seatbelt while travelling in a taxi – but parents or taxi service providers may wish to provide and use a child car seat."

              • -1

                @spaceflight: Neither the M1 of M5 are on the way from the upper north shore to the airport, so hardly ‘relevant’ either.

      • We do one of those Mums Drive You car services. I forget the name but for $80 each way, they'll drive you straight to the airport. Then $80 return. It's a good price and includes car seats

    • +1

      Uber is a terrible suggestion. You would need a max to fit everything and would be paying minimum $150 each way, and that's if traffic is at a minimum.

  • +35

    The question is, does anyone know specific street/road not far from a train station on the airport line where parking is not time limited ?

    Please don't do this for a month….. Would you like it if someone parked in front of your house for a month?

    Book a shuttle, I mean you already live in North Shore and going for a 1 month overseas holiday. Surely you can afford a shuttle or even a private shuttle ;)

    • +1

      1 Month in Sydney and the House you parked in front of could be gone by the time you get back. lol

      I bet it gets towed on day 1, then you are up for the Tow, Impound Fees. Have a Holiday (while stressed) much?

      • +15

        You have 30 days to move your cube

        • +8

          You missed the 1 day for the pissed of property owner you parked in front of to slash your tyres…..

        • You highly underestimate people knowing what happens around their house/street and forget people have worked from home during a pandemic.

          My guess is someone will report it within the first 7 days.
          The council will have a sticker on it within the first 48 hours.
          Councils usually advise the car will be towed in 7 days seeing that it's registered. 24 hours if no plates/looks abandoned/stolen etc.

          My guess is, car would be towed at the 2 week mark, if not the 3rd week.

          But keep thinking the good thought.

          • @[Deactivated]: Yes we live within walking distance of a Sydney train station and agree with all of this. Locals notice straight away because it is an ongoing issue. The council is aware that it is a problem too. They act quickly.

            One old guy near us goes a step further and breaks mirrors and windows if a commuter leaves their car in front of his house for a couple of nights. I can't imagine what he would do if they left it there for a month.

    • Inconsiderate A holes that do this kind of thing. best bet would be take the number plates and dump them in a bin and report the vehicle as dumped after a few days.

      • just burn it.

  • +1

    What if you use air tasker to arrange a guy to drop you at the airport?

  • +5

    have a feeling that would be a big favour to ask from friends.

    Could you offer your friends a case/bottle of wine/some cash in return?

    • Or just offer to do the same when they go overseas.

  • +18

    We don’t have any immediate family in Oz and have a feeling that would be a big favour to ask from friends.

    Then why is it ok to annoy, and probably inconvenience, a stranger for a whole month by leaving your car in front of their house?

    • +3

      How to lose friends and annoy people.
      Top 10 Book for Christmas, makes an ideal gift.

      • +15

        If you're being pragmatic then book an airport shuttle bus with a child seat. There is no need to change trains or carry car seats on the plane:

        https://gpu.travel/nsse

        Here is a quote from their site:

        "We provide both forward and rear facing child/baby seats for children up to 7 years old. When booking, please select the required seats and specify your child ages."

        Lots of people in Sydney go on overseas holidays with children. Most Sydneysiders on Ozbargain have probably done it with multiple children - myself included. Please don't park in front of someone's house for a month though. Parking in Sydney is at a premium and you will be inconveniencing someone for a month. Pretend that stranger is your friend and be nice to them.

      • Pragmatic? Selfish, more like it.

        Everyone on my street shares limited street parking and knows which car belongs to whom. We will definitely notice a foreign car hogging the space for days and, god forbid, a month.

  • -5

    Try Banksia station bro. I believe the street parking is free all day back a street or two.

    • -6

      Finally, first fairly specific answer.
      Cheers mate !

      • +2

        It's not on the airport line

        • +1

          it's 2 from Wolli Creek (interchange) and another 1 to international. 3 stops all up.

            • @kerfuffle: It’s inconvenient for him to do that with his whole family including a toddler from his home station. Not OP by himself.

              • @bitesized: OP is not going to be by himself. He is planning on dropping his wife and baby at the airport and then taking his toddler with him to catch a train to the airport:

                The cunning plan is to drive to the international airport, drop my missus, baby, pram and luggage than drive off to a close by train station and catch a train to the airport with my toddler.

          • -1

            @bitesized: But OP doesn't want to change trains. OP doesn't even want to park near Wolli Creek train station and walk to the station. Parking a couple of streets back from Banksia station will involve walking to Banksia station (only a minor station, so fewer trains stopping there too), changing trains at Wolli Creek (which is actually another fairly long walk from the city platform to the airport line platform), and then catching another train. OP doesn't want to do any of those things.

            • +1

              @wizzy: Refer to my above reply to kerfluffle. Also, OP doesn’t want to park around Wolli creek station and walk with a toddler all the way to the airport. Not park at Wolli creek station and walk to Wolli creek station to take a train to the airport.

  • +1

    There are lots of train stations such as Padstow, Revesby, Panania etc which have free parking at parking buildings / parking lots next to the station. Also you are allowed to park for as long as you want on untimed street parking, as long as you keep your car registered - you won't get towed. How do you think people who park outside the front of their houses manage to not get their cars towed?

    • +2

      Those car parks have cameras and tow cars. Commuters notice them parked there every day and they get targeted. Louts on a Sunday night target them, etc.

      • -1

        Sure, if you're worried about vandals, park on the street then.

        Most of those parking buildings or parking lots are untimed, and there's no rule against leaving your car in them, it wont get towed.

        • +3

          Actually, they are commuter car parks, the rule is they are for people commuting on the train each day. It is incredibly selfish to take a spot from the community for 30 days instead of just paying for a taxi.

  • +6

    You could take a friend with you and they could drive your car back.

    If no room in your car ask a dear friend to use public transport and give them $20.

    (Also, I think your car battery might go flat).

  • +10

    Rent a car, drive to the airport

    Cost us like $45 bucks from North Shore to Syd airport and the fuel meter didnt even budge. (it's usually cheap because they liked their cars driven back to the airport- before covid)
    You also get a nice parking area from the rent a car company very close to the terminal if its a major one, no fluffing around with luggages ( you can bring your own tag if you want to toll road it).

    Also a true ozbargainer would catch the 400 or 420 bus from Mascot station to the airport for a grand total of a fare to Mascot station plus around <$1. Only 2mins walking. Still not so advisable if hauling a whole family

    • Great idea! Did you have to pick up the car from a depot?

      I guess the only drawback is that it doesn't cover the return trip for OP and family.

      • Yup picked it up the day before

    • +1

      This is what we did. A bit cheaper than Uber or taxi, convenient, etc.

  • +1

    Book a hotel near the airport and enjoy a stay the night before

  • +4

    People have already pointed out some things to look out for, but I would suggest against parking a car on the street in Arncliffe for a month (walking distance to Wolli Creek, but with unlimited street parking in low density zones). Some people can get very protective of the parking space in front of their houses, and I'm thinking one guy is responsible for the 3 screws I had hammered into my tyres (he keeps a traffic cone in front of his house…). Some locals also decided to destroy a GoGet car.

  • +9

    In one months time, expect new post along the lines of
    1. Flat battery, help.
    2. What to do damaged car windows
    3. How to open wheel clamps?

    • +1

      I don't know what to do (ethically) if someone (other than OP) posts:

      Car left out the front of my place… abandoned?

      Can I Gumtree a Car? (I don't own it)
      - someone wants to buy a car I'm selling on Gumtree "as is" (I don't own it) but they are trying to rip me off, using an Agent and faking the Payment. How can I succeed in ripping them off?

      I ordered a Weber BBQ Kettle but it has been delayed.
      Can I use the burnt-out wreck parked out front as a BBQ until the Council clears it away?
      (Also Firewood or Heatbeads/Charcoal?)

      I'm guessing that because I'm in Oz, and the OP is OS, it is OK.

  • +21

    I once actually did something similar to what the OP is inquiring about, except that this was in Brisbane many years ago, and it was closer to two months. Everything worked out fine, amazingly enough (not even a flat battery)…. which, in retrospect, was all the more remarkable, because the street I chose was one that I wouldn't even like to drive down in the daytime nowadays! But my point is that I never chose that option again, because all through the holiday I kept thinking about the car and all the terrible things that might have been happening to it. It wasn't worth the blot that it put over my holiday; and you would be worrying even more than I did, because you've got very young children to think about, and you will keep worrying about what you're going to do with them when, arriving back from your great holiday, you suddenly find yourself on the footpath of some strange street with a major problem on your hands.

  • +2

    400 from Banksia Station and park on the surrounding streets. Some are time limited but if you walk a bit further you will be right. If no luck there same deal on the 400 from Bexley or Arncliffe. Sorry think that bus is now called the 420, check its route and that I am not steering you wrong.

  • Surprised by the comments here that people find parking on the street for a month wrong. I can think of plenty of circumstances where someone may be unable to use their car for a month. What are you supposed to do if you don't have a garage?

    • +1

      Park on your driveway/front of your house/ loan our car.

    • +2

      Get a garage.

    • +1

      What are you supposed to do if you don't have a garage?

      Not dump the car in front of someone elses house?

  • suggest you contact David 0416 578 677 he's on the lower north shore, running his own business of private airport transfers. Will quote you a fixed price & I think he can put in a car seat for your toddler

    https://www.facebook.com/groups/2287599757967531/permalink/4…

    • +5

      Hi David

  • +1

    I’d be very worried about hail storms while I was away. It’s not worth it to save a couple of dollars.

  • Not a very cunning plan is it?

  • Call a friend over to your place. (Even better - ask your neighbor).
    You drive everyone to the airport in your car.
    Your friend drives your car back to your house, parks it in your garage.
    Your friend goes home.

    When you return, your friend can drive your car back to the airport to pick you up (he already has the keys and the garage access…)

    Edit: I see @Eeples already posted this idea.

    • Yep. Even better if you can find a (reasonably responsible) neighbour who will appreciate you lending him your car for a month & keeping an eye on your house (mowing lawn, whatever) in return for doing this.

  • Try jayride to compare quotes for airport transfer.

  • Listing out the answers based on the above comments. I might find this useful one day :)

    Passed by 420 bus route:
    - Banksia
    - Bexley

    Within airport line:
    - Padstow
    - Revesby
    - Panania

    Last resort, try to not park in front of a house
    - Arncliffe

    • Thanks for summing the options up.
      That is pretty much what I was after.

      • Have you even been to all those suburbs. Getting towed by council is probably the least of your worries. In fact, if council towed the car, at least you know it is still in one piece.

    • +1

      Your car will get destroyed. Get a taxi!

  • +1

    If you can afford a overseas trip you should be able to pay for a taxi/transfer if money is that tight you shouldn't be going.

  • +1

    We don’t have any immediate family in Oz and have a feeling that would be a big favour to ask from friends.

    Trade your friends for better ones when you return from trip if they can’t even drop off a another friend to the airport. (Sure if flight time is during work hours)

    —-

    Do the right thing OP, get an airport shuttle and avoid risk and hassle and constant worry while you were away :-)

  • +11

    Is there any banks at the airport?

    A blonde walks into a bank in New York City and asks for the loan officer. She says she's going to Europe on business for two weeks and needs to borrow $5,000. The bank officer says the bank will need some kind of security for the loan, so the blonde hands over the keys to a new Rolls Royce. The car is parked on the street in front of the bank; she has the title, and everything checks out. The bank agrees to accept the car as collateral for the loan. The bank's president and its officers all enjoy a good laugh at the blonde for using a $250,000 Rolls as collateral against a $5,000 loan. An employee of the bank then drives the Rolls into the bank's underground garage and parks it there. Two weeks later, the blonde returns and repays the $5,000 and the interest, which comes to $15.41. The loan officer says, "Miss, we are very happy to have had your business, and this transaction has worked out very nicely; but we are a little puzzled. We checked you out and found that you are a multimillionaire. What puzzles us is - why would you bother to borrow $5,000?" The blond replies….."Where else in New York City can I park my car for two weeks for only $15.41 and expect it to be there when I return?"

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