• long running

[NSW, Hack] Avoid Sydney Airport Train Stations Access Fee ($15.13/$13.54) by Bus Transfer at Mascot @ Transport NSW

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[NSW, Hack] Avoid Sydney Airport Train Stations Access Fee ($15.13/$13.54) by Bus Transfer at Mascot @ Transport NSW
Go to Deal
Ghogger on 30/01/2022 - 21:05 transportnsw.info (1869 clicks)
Last edited 31/01/2022 - 10:19 by 1 other user

Not sure if this hack constitutes a deal, but I’m on the way home from the airport, so wanted to share with my fellow Ozbargainers now that flying is opening up.

Taking the train to/from the international or domestic terminal of Sydney airport incurs a rather large ($15.13, $13.54 concession) ‘station access fee’.

The easiest way around this is to instead take the train to Mascot station, and take bus number 420 (lol) for a few stops and you will shortly be in the airport. This takes an extra ~10min or so, but for a family of four you’re looking at a $60 saving.

Any questions feel free to ask in the comments.

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Comments

    • kerfuffle on 30/01/2022 - 21:35
      +8

      And Adelaide you can walk to the city from the airport in 90 minutes!

      • nguyentran on 30/01/2022 - 21:41

        Wahh, that’s dream city

      • miztadave on 30/01/2022 - 22:38
        +5

        No need to walk - catch the Adelaide Metro bus from the airport stop directly outside the terminal and travel anywhere on the bus/train/tram network for the princely sum of $3.95 peak/$2.20 off-peak. Or free of charge for SA seniors travelling off-peak (concession fares at other times)

        • kerfuffle on 31/01/2022 - 08:35
          +2

          But sir, this is OzBargain; we’re all about saving money!

          (In all seriousness, I agree with you. I always catch the bus to and from the airport when in town)

        • boomramada on 31/01/2022 - 14:18

          sometimes walking seems faster lol

    • ellenina on 30/01/2022 - 22:26

      How does the mel one work?

      • samehada on 30/01/2022 - 23:08
        +7

        Take train to Essendon station and Uber to airport. That's the best one to avoid all the traffic jam.

        10mins from Essendon station to airport, straight to Tullamarine freeway.

        On the way back, go to T4 take bus 901 to Broadmeadows station then take train to wherever you want.

        You can also do the same way to the airport using this bus 901 from Broadmeadows station but I usually don't do it since there is time constraints for check-in. For arrival it's ok since you don't have to worry about missing the check-in time.

        • nguyentran on 30/01/2022 - 23:25

          +1, I usually take the 901.

          • samehada on 30/01/2022 - 23:29
            +1

            @nguyentran: The problem with departure is time constraints with checkin and bus timetable is not that reliable. If you get to Broadmeadows station and can't wait for the bus it will cost you more for Uber from there to Melbourne airport than from Essendon station.

            You also don't have trolley for departure. You will have to carry all the luggage and walk from T4 to T1 unless you want to pay the exorbitant $4 to hire a trolley for that 15' until check-in.

            • whyisave on 31/01/2022 - 01:50

              @samehada: $4 -is- exorbitant.
              It's been like that for close to 30 years now (SYD and MELB)

              • samehada on 31/01/2022 - 11:42
                +1

                @whyisave: do you realise many airports provide free trolley in departure terminal?

                • whyisave on 31/01/2022 - 22:17

                  @samehada: which of these "many airports" are you referring to?
                  inside SYD and MELB, or inside Australia ?

  • JustValerie on 30/01/2022 - 21:22
    +9

    Nowhere near ~extra 10 minutes. 30 minutes at least given change train/bus, timetable, traffic etc etc. very very questionable saving imo.
    Definitely not a bargain to be posted here

    • Ghogger on 30/01/2022 - 21:54
      +1

      I literally did this today. The bus is only 5 minutes from domestic to Mascot.

      • Savas on 30/01/2022 - 22:11
        +7

        the bus frequency is every 20 to 30 minutes … so you need to factor at least 30 minutes for waiting and that's assuming the bus is on time, not full and no traffic. This is like the people spending $2 on a charger for their iPhone 13 Pro Max.

        • cookie2 on 30/01/2022 - 22:59
          +5

          *Up To 30minutes, not atleast.

          • cloudy on 31/01/2022 - 07:21
            +2

            @cookie2: Given you are trying to catch a flight I would definitely factor in at least 30m in case anything goes wrong

        • 1st-Amendment on 31/01/2022 - 07:23
          -3

          so you need to factor at least 30 minutes for waiting

          What is a timetable…

          This is like…

          A bargain, which is what this site is specifically designed for. You can go back to ozfullprice.com.au if you prefer that.

  • Jollystacker on 30/01/2022 - 21:23
    +6

    Bus route might have changed but this has always been the case

    • wavesgreen on 30/01/2022 - 23:44
      +2

      Yep this has been known for years and years and years

      • 1st-Amendment on 31/01/2022 - 07:25
        +2

        Yep this has been known for years and years and years

        By you maybe, but no-one is born with instant knowledge of everything. You had to learn about it at some point, and now this person is kindly sharing his knowledge so others may benefit.

  • Savas on 30/01/2022 - 21:23
    +13

    I’d rather just pay the $15 fee… not worth stressing and adding extra travel time. The 420 is just a normal bus and difficult to carry luggage.

    • serpserpserp on 30/01/2022 - 21:42
      +6

      And during peak hour, will it come on time? Will the roads be clear? Will there be enough space for the family? No thanks.

      Besides for a family of four you could probably get a taxi to the terminal for $60-70.

  • ddhar on 30/01/2022 - 21:24
    +8

    Hasn't this hack been known for a while? I've seen people doing this long before Covid hit.

    Anyway, bear in mind the path from Mascot station to the bus stop involves going up a few levels (i.e. one lift climb from platform to concourse, and then another lift climb from concourse to ground level). From there, it's a short walk to the bus stop across Coward St.

    Factor in the additional time required waiting for the bus and riding to the airport. You should factor in an additional 30 minutes to be safe. 10 minutes is too optimistic.

    • whyisave on 30/01/2022 - 21:27
      +6

      I did this a month ago.
      It's about 10+ minutes from the train-station to the bus-stop,
      and then about 10-15 minute wait for the bus.

      The annoying thing is lugging a heavy suitcase from the train station to the bus-stop,
      and the wheels get worn out quickly.
      ( Lucky the weather was good too )

    • [Deactivated] on 30/01/2022 - 21:29
      +10

      Nobody has posted it on Ozbargain yet, fair play to him

      • ddhar on 30/01/2022 - 21:31

        Fair enough.

        Pre-covid, I used to commute to Mascot station and always noticed hordes of tourists (definitely not local) using this hack. I wonder where they found the information from.

        • jonnel13 on 30/01/2022 - 22:15

          probably travel vloggers on youtube

      • Ghogger on 30/01/2022 - 21:55
        +4

        Just trying to share the bargain/hack - I very rarely see people doing this so wasn’t sure how well known it is

  • whyisave on 30/01/2022 - 21:28

    Any hacks for the new Western Sydney Airport ? :-P

    • Spaldo on 30/01/2022 - 21:31
      +4

      make sure the bass is on max

    • decc0 on 30/01/2022 - 22:17
      +1

      Wonder if Sydney Metro will tack on an extra fee or leave it (at least for a few years) to entice people

      • xoom on 31/01/2022 - 00:10

        Hope they don't.

      • Cousin IT on 31/01/2022 - 01:44
        +2

        Probably depends on whose buddies build and end up controlling the airport, station and roads. 😉

        • whyisave on 31/01/2022 - 01:52

          Can we vote for which buddies get to take more money from me ?

    • inherentchoice on 31/01/2022 - 11:04

      Wear a high-vis vest and you can get in anywhere free.

  • syswong on 30/01/2022 - 21:28
    +2

    I use to go to airport via 400 from Rockdale on the pre Opal dates.

    Before they close the minus tap off loop hole at airport, I usually plan ahead and have some opal card just under $3, those were the good days, now back to transfer at Rockdale.

    BTW, what is the latest tap off amount at airport? I remember if you have $10 on it they let you tap off.

  • aldog on 30/01/2022 - 21:29
    +7

    From the post at:
    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/508786

    These two ideas may also still work?

    1. Alight and tap out at Mascot, then tap in with a different card and continue your trip to the Airport. You should save ~$5.

    2. This only applies outside of station staffed hours (5am - 11:30pm for both Airport Stations). If you can arrive prior to the staffed hours, the ticket gates are open and you simply do not touch off. You will be charged the default fare, which for an adult is around ~$8. Useful if you have those cheap 6am flights!

    • syswong on 31/01/2022 - 09:17

      Well I should have mention that negative tap out was still possible last time I travel (long time ago like most of us) its just not as low as $3 on the card (-$12). I recall I was specifically testing this and have about $10 on the card.

  • scizzor123 on 30/01/2022 - 21:30
    +3

    Keep in mind the buses don't always come on time. I've had this happened during peak hour.

    If your flight is tight, don't stress yourself waiting for the bus.

    And pack light, a large suitcase won't be fun dragging around onto a bus :)

  • JimmyF on 30/01/2022 - 21:33

    The bar for a front page 'deal' is pretty low these days……

    • DiscountForThee on 30/01/2022 - 21:41
      +5

      Then it should be easy for you to top it :D

    • Ghogger on 30/01/2022 - 21:55
      +2

      Thanks for the feedback chief

        • cookie2 on 30/01/2022 - 23:02
          +2

          You need to chill. I would be amused to watch your face to face conversations after that little taster.

        • bargainshooter on 30/01/2022 - 23:11
          +2

          Do you understand how posts become front page deals? People vote on them - they aren't self appointed. Unlike arbiters of what should be front page or not, like yourself maybe?…

          • JimmyF on 30/01/2022 - 23:56
            -3

            @bargainshooter:

            Do you understand how posts become front page deals? People vote on them

            I certainly do, and the bar is pretty low for what people 'vote' on. The mods can override what crap ends up on the front page if they want to.

    • Fat Horny Ghost on 31/01/2022 - 11:27

      I'm new to sydney so this helps alot!

      • JimmyF on 31/01/2022 - 11:48
        -3

        If only there was some other way you could have this out…… Some type of place you could put your question in to get a result.

  • Meki on 30/01/2022 - 21:34

    I do this from Rockdale.

  • Seaeagles on 30/01/2022 - 21:38
    +3

    Even cheaper hack get a job on the railways and all public transport including the airport fee is free.
    When on annual leave this includes your family.

    • whyisave on 30/01/2022 - 22:25
      +1

      That's the long con hack

  • Ceri on 30/01/2022 - 21:39

    If you go as family,.might as well just uber it?

  • browser on 30/01/2022 - 21:42
    +2

    How is this a hack?

    It is like saying if you want to buy a car, Toyota is cheaper than Lexus.

    In my example, you save money by buying a less premium car. In your example, you save money by wasting more time. If you have to change the mode of transport, might as well walk to save more money.

  • ctg on 30/01/2022 - 21:43
    +23

    Not a hack or deal, just trading money for time, which is what everyone does.

      • BarneyKB on 30/01/2022 - 22:07
        +5

        To be fair that's $90 per hour

        • daft009 on 30/01/2022 - 22:17
          -8

          Yeah I value my time at $100/hr.
          10 min is an extra coffee and a couple of emails or calls to customers in the lounge or extra sleep if it's a day trip to Melbourne

      • justcallmeboss on 30/01/2022 - 22:19
        +5

        It's a lot more than 10 mins to get from Mascot Station to the airport lol

      • gromit on 30/01/2022 - 22:29
        +1

        Lot more than 10 mins. Regardless killer to me is the inconvenience, if I am going to or from airport I will have luggage. Also not really a deal or hack.

    • swalloweda on 30/01/2022 - 23:23
      +2

      You owe me 30c for the time I spent reading that. A dollar if you include this comment.

    • allTheseLimes on 31/01/2022 - 02:10

      Going to work is trading time for money, what everyone does.

      National Minimum Wage is $20.33 per hour.

      It takes 3/4 of an hour at work to be able to pay the Airport Station fee

      OR

      I can spend an extra 10 minutes on the commute to the airport and pay no additional fee.

      • gromit on 31/01/2022 - 10:32

        You reckon you can get off a train at mascot, get to the bus stop, wait for the bus, take the bus trip and get into the airport in 10 mins? all while carrying luggage.

    • mousie on 31/01/2022 - 18:23

      When does MAFS does again?

  • drfuzzy on 30/01/2022 - 21:47
    +3

    To get to the airport I used to use an Opal card with only $3 remaining of credit and touch on at central and throw it in the bin at the airport with -$15 remaining.
    To get home I would walk to Mascot station (15 mins) then train from there.
    The Opal card $3 hack was patched in December 2018, just as I relocated interstate - haven't tried it since.

    • Everettpsycho on 31/01/2022 - 06:44

      Damn, all the backpackers used to do this, they were leaving town anyway so just binned their opal cards on the way out the door.

  • TimApple on 30/01/2022 - 21:47
    +7

    Even cooler hack is to vote libs out of NSW so we don’t have to deal with this nonsense.

    • drfuzzy on 30/01/2022 - 21:49
      +15

      You are smoking something questionable if you think Labor will undo this public-private partnership and the price will come down.

      • decc0 on 30/01/2022 - 22:25
        +1

        Maybe not, but they'd have actually managed to get at least one recent public transport right.

        • Newcastle Light Rail (cracks)
        • Manly Ferries (cracks, too high)
        • Intercity/Transport NSW Trains (delays, too wide, guard safety issues)
        • Sydney Light Rail Trams (cracks)
        • Eastern Suburbs Light Rail (over budget)
        • Parramatta Light Rail (delays, cost blowouts, struggle committing to second stage)
        • Metro CBD and West (cost blowouts)
          … Any I'm missing?

        New XPT trains are also being built by the same company as the cracked light rail and are running behind schedule.

        • RockyRaccoon on 30/01/2022 - 23:06
          +3

          … Any I'm missing?

          You are asking us, why not check with your usual campaign director…

          • decc0 on 30/01/2022 - 23:34

            @RockyRaccoon: Just wondering if your prized government have actually been able to deliver on any of their public transport promises? It's a shocking track record.

            Only thing I can think of is the Metro North West line that eventually got under control after various audio bugs, random glitches such as doors suddenly opening/closing (sometimes while mid journey), computer issues with lining up doors etc.

            For that to be called the biggest success is hilarious.

            If Labor was in power and did all these cock ups, I'd still be highlighting all their flaws. I'm not on either side.

            • stewy on 31/01/2022 - 01:14
              +1

              @decc0: Too bad they didn't overload the power system and come to a complete standstill, because then they'd be as successful as your beloved Labor's Millenium trains.

              I personally don't have much time for the LNP, but then I also can't stand people that look at the ALP through rose coloured glasses.

              • decc0 on 31/01/2022 - 08:46

                @stewy:

                beloved Labor's

                I'm not on either side here (see my last paragraph). Both ALP and LNP are terrible choices if I'm honest.

                However, your point I could only find one article (from the SMH lol) which said it could potentially cause a power failure if all trains were converted to Milleniums.

                NBN was started by Labour and then cheaply finished by Liberal.
                Epping-Parramatta link was repeatedly taken on and off the shelf, conveniently at election time. In the end, nothing happened and the Carlingford line closed.

                • stewy on 31/01/2022 - 10:26
                  +1

                  @decc0:

                  However, your point I could only find one article (from the SMH lol) which said it could potentially cause a power failure if all trains were converted to Milleniums.

                  I mostly remember from all the media attention they got back then, but a quick Google search found no shortage of pages referencing the issues of the Millennium trains, they weren't nicknamed Milleni-bugs for no reason.

                  As for your comments on the SMH, their standards have fallen only in more recent times. However, atleast they are actually paying to keep their old stories online, instead of just having them vanish after a certain number of years.

                  https://www.smh.com.au/national/new-millennium-train-setback…

                  http://www.railpage.com.au/f-t12566.htm

                  https://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2003/s884843.htm

                  https://www.smh.com.au/national/signal-failure-no-its-just-t…

                  https://www.smh.com.au/national/how-our-new-train-went-off-t…

                  https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sydney_Trains_M_set

                  • decc0 on 31/01/2022 - 16:15

                    @stewy: Looked at the wiki which only said a "small delay due to an electrical defect" - which linked me to a few articles you've linked here too.

                    Main issue is not the power consumption, which potentially could affect "outlying Richmond and Cronulla branches and the Carlingford spur" (with implications for the Epping-Parramatta link that never happened). Other trains for these lines weren't an issue.

                    Large issue seemed to be the fact these were supposed to be 'Olympia' trains, ie delivered before the Olympics. They only caught called Millenium trains because they arrived 5 years late (mid 2004, instead of 1999). Between 1999-2004 there were no major global events to slow this down so not sure how it got delayed so much.

                    Definitely not defending Labour but that doesn't come anywhere close to the recent cock ups.

        • whyisave on 31/01/2022 - 01:57

          None of the parties see ANYTHING as a betterment for society.

          NBN ? Nah…don't need it.
          Trains, not trams ? Nah, Gold Coast has it.
          Privatizing eventually all utilities.
          Tolls on 'public' roads.
          Not hiring locals, but crying "labour shortage" to hire foreigners.

          Every opportunity to improve lives, is botched,
          and decision makers are not patriotic to the land and/or its people,
          but easily swayed by lobby groups.

          • stewy on 31/01/2022 - 10:31

            @whyisave: Amen to that.

            The majority of big party politicians only really care about keeping their snouts in the taxpayer funded trough for as long as possible and making sure they do enough favourable deals with big business to ensure they get gigs on the side once the public boots them from office.

      • TimApple on 31/01/2022 - 01:11
        +1

        Well that’s why I said “vote libs out”, not “vote labor in”.

        • whyisave on 31/01/2022 - 01:59

          Accurate semantics, haha

        • stewy on 31/01/2022 - 10:36
          +1

          So if Liberals are voted out, who do you think will form the Government?

    • JimmyF on 30/01/2022 - 21:50

      Now that is a deal!!!!

    • wisc on 30/01/2022 - 21:59
      +2

      Just remember you could have someone like Dan or Mark… I think you guys are doing comparatively fine.

      That's the alternative…

      Most locked down city south nothing to show for it.

      • JimmyF on 30/01/2022 - 22:05
        -1

        Most locked down city south nothing to show for it.

        Don't know about that, we certainly have a lot more people alive than other overseas cities of a similar size ;)

        • cookie2 on 30/01/2022 - 23:05
          +2

          What about a comparison on domestic tho? Also you mean, Melbs has had less die from covid. We don't know overall mortality stats for the rest yet.

      • decc0 on 30/01/2022 - 23:39

        I mean thank god Dom didn't get into power until after Delta or we would've likely had more deaths per capita than nearly anywhere in the world.

  • Robin2012 on 30/01/2022 - 21:49

    will try next time

  • shangoz on 30/01/2022 - 21:50
    +1

    Saw people walked from Tempe Station to International terminal which is around 30 minutes keep fit exercise.

  • bombcat on 30/01/2022 - 21:51
    +3

    Why do our people need to pay a penalty to get to the airport on the train as the rest of the world?

    • megaalc on 30/01/2022 - 21:59

      BECAUSE 'STRAYA, MATE! :D

    • cashless on 30/01/2022 - 22:00
      +5

      It’s the money making machine called Sydney Airports Authority. Not a charity, but a ruthless fleecing company. They also make a lot from taxi drivers, car parks, airport security etc.

      • Love a bargain on 30/01/2022 - 23:07
        +1

        This actually has nothing to do with the airport authority, the stations are built and operated by another company called airport link. The station access fees are just like tolls for toll roads (built by private companies).

        • whyisave on 31/01/2022 - 02:00
          +1

          This was built, for the Sydney 2000.

          Imagine, if there were no Olympics,
          those train stations would not have gotten built either.

    • nathanos on 30/01/2022 - 22:09
      +2

      It's the way most Australian state governments get away not having budget properly to create infrastructure. Rather than budgeting and planning their infrastructure over decades, they outsource it to private companies to build it in the shorter more immediate term. Subsequently those companies get to charge excessive fees for the use of their infrastructure over a large number of years and turn a massive profit all at the consumer expense.

      This isn't limited to just the airport train, but it's prevalent through the use of tolls on a lot of tunnels/bridges/highways etc.

  • ZilogX on 30/01/2022 - 21:54
    +4

    We laugh at Americans for the exorbitant health care system they have but many other things like costing just $2.75 to get to the airport at JFK is way ahead of us Aussies

    • Korban Dallas on 30/01/2022 - 21:57

      Not many networks actually make money. I think Hong Kong turns a profit. Not sure about the US. But Australia train networks are terrible and run at a big loss.

      • cashless on 30/01/2022 - 22:02
        +2

        Nothing to do with Sydney trains. It’s the Airport Authority that are making all the money

        • Love a bargain on 30/01/2022 - 23:08

          This actually has nothing to do with the airport authority, the stations are built and operated by another company called airport link. The station access fees are just like tolls for toll roads (built by private companies).

          • cashless on 30/01/2022 - 23:30
            +1

            @Love a bargain: Airport Link? Airport Authority? So there’s a difference. Thanks for clarifying

            • exxonsign on 31/01/2022 - 00:23

              @cashless: Airlink. Stated simply, it's an iron-clad agreement between Federal, State and Local government and the Airports commission.

      • Russ on 30/01/2022 - 23:08
        +1

        Not many networks actually make money.

        It's actually far worse than that. There is only ONE passenger train system WORLDWIDE that runs at a profit - our very own Puffing Billy, with adult fares that start at $19.50 for a 25-minute trip.

        Every rail network that makes a profit, makes it through freight charges. Sometimes the freight profits subsidise passenger travel.

        Most passenger rail companies operate with government subsidies. Railway lines are freaking expensive - look at the $50 billion estimated cost of the "inland railway" from Melbourne to Brisbane, that's more than $20,000 per metre. And that's just to build it, operational costs are extra.

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