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[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 (1875 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.

Travel Airport New South Wales Public Transport Sydney Sydney Airport

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Comments

        • cashless on 30/01/2022 - 23:36

          Sorry, but I have to call BS on this. There are several railway authorities that run at a handsome profit most years
          Examples are East Japan Railways, Hong Kong MTR and there are many others.

          • samehada on 30/01/2022 - 23:37
            +1

            @cashless: HK MTR earns much profit from shop rental. Japan Rail network are also with like 3+ storeys of shopping centre at their station.

          • Russ on 30/01/2022 - 23:57

            @cashless:

            There are several railway authorities that run at a handsome profit most years

            If it's already built with taxpayer dollars, it's easy to run at a profit from that point onwards. I believe both of the railways you mentioned have extensive subways, which are way more expensive per metre than the cost I mentioned above.

            Do the math, work out the interest charges alone on the build costs, then divide that by the number of passengers per year. You'll be astounded at what a rail ticket has to cost, just to break even.

            • cashless on 31/01/2022 - 00:04

              @Russ: I’ve done the “maths” (as we say here in Australia) and checked the numbers and I can see several Railway companies that operate at a very nice profit.

              • Russ on 31/01/2022 - 00:06

                @cashless: Example: Brisbane's almost-complete cross-river rail is 5.4 billion dollars. Interest at 1% per annum is 54 million dollars, and annual trips across the entire Brisbane network is 55 million. So $1 from every rail journey would have to subsidise a tiny part of the network - and that's with interest rates at historic lows.

                And then you have to add operating costs on top of that.

                • cashless on 31/01/2022 - 00:08

                  @Russ: So HK MTR & Japan EJR operate at a loss? I think not. That is the point I made before you hijacked the thread

    • nguyentran on 30/01/2022 - 23:29

      Can confirm from HNL to downtown honolulu just $4 bucks in front of the airport

      • samehada on 30/01/2022 - 23:34
        +1

        Honolulu public bus doesn't allow you to have luggage. Unless you have carry-on bag only you can't use public bus to downtown. I remeber it cost less than $4usd.

        • nguyentran on 30/01/2022 - 23:35

          true, I was a solo traveller back then with only my backpack.

        • Matt P on 31/01/2022 - 22:38

          We did it in March 2020. Half the people on the bus were like us with luggage. Nobody cared.

    • samehada on 30/01/2022 - 23:33
      +4

      Melbourne airport doesn't even have a train station. There was not even a public transport access i.e bus a few years ago.

      • Stingo on 01/02/2022 - 18:52

        There was not even a public transport access i.e bus a few years ago.

        Not true. Even if you don't count the expensive Skybus service as public transport as it doesn't accept Myki or the prior ticketing system, though I would point out the PTV trip planner does show these services by default, there were infrequent PTV services to and from the airport that could be used by the committed cheapskate more than a few years ago, There were even a few services on Sundays. While the frequency may have improved since then the PTV trip planner is showing me that walking > 1km is required between the T1 and Bus Bay 16 at Grants Rd. I don't recall walking the sort of distance and certainly my travel companion back then would have found that sort of distance difficult. That was back in the early days of Myki while the MetCard was still being accepted. So while the frequency has improved, Skybus still gets an advantage no doubt due to the revenue being passed to the Government.

        Back then, it was really convenient to order the MetCards online and have them posted out free of charge before arrival. The inner bargain hunter in me would have been really crushed to spend more on Skybus then the airfare. I suspect the journey to the airport probably took longer than the flight too, certainly the one where I choose to use the 59 tram.

        It's a pity the 59 doesn't go all the way to the airport.

        Before Sydney airport had a train station there were special express services operated by State Transit/Sydney Buses or whatever the hell they were called at the time. These were premium priced services too that did not accept regular ticketing. I don't recall the standard services being a very good option but I probably just used a taxi or comm car back then. Before the State Transit services the airlines had services between the airport and the city "terminals" they had at that time.

        At least Opal has reduced the cost of integrated fares compared with the old system that didn't even allow free transfers between government operated bus services but unlike Melbourne, Sydney, still doesn't have a fare system that is fully integrated between the different modes.

        There is a kind of bargain to be had with the Station Access Fee. It's capped at a little over the cost of two trips, Mon - Sun, so the price can be reduced with more trips to and from the airport especially during the Opal peak periods where the bus fare is higher. FWIW, the regular Opal transport rules don't apply at the airport either. If you want to argue that Skybus isn't public transport due to fare difference you have to consider the airport stations aren't part of the public transport network either.

    • isthisreallife22 on 30/01/2022 - 23:33

      This is actually a very reasonable point

  • Tomhaigh1 on 30/01/2022 - 21:54
    +1

    Doesn't work if you have lot of luggage.

  • conant on 30/01/2022 - 21:56
    +1

    I recalled a joke saying if you run following a taxi or Uber x you will save more…

  • mskeggs on 30/01/2022 - 21:59
    +1

    What is the Uber or taxi fare from Mascot?
    In my house there would be fights about the walk, but with 4 people, the cab seems a win?

    • whyisave on 31/01/2022 - 02:03
      +1

      Uber from Mascot is about AU$ 8 - 10
      (depending on traffic, of course)

  • ky1975 on 30/01/2022 - 21:59
    +1

    For a family of four - Uber - this is the way.

  • nathanos on 30/01/2022 - 22:01
    +4

    When travelling I usually look at the trains as they're very cost effective … but last time I was in Sydney that silly airport train fee meant my buddy and I were able to catch a taxi to our hotel for about the same price.

    It's honestly something the NSW government really need to fix. Surely the cost of the construction 22 years ago has well and truly been recouped through this fee.

  • Usemame on 30/01/2022 - 22:03
    +2

    carrying luggage and walking for sweaty ass before the international flight…

  • Spending2Much on 30/01/2022 - 22:04

    Can you still avoid the charge of you don't have credit on your tap pass?
    Last time I was in Sydney, had enough credit to get on the train, but not enough for the airport surcharge, then binned the card that was in deficit.

    • Ghogger on 30/01/2022 - 22:11

      This used to be my approach but I heard they closed the loophole (though have not confirmed it myself)

    • adamjb007 on 31/01/2022 - 11:53
      +1

      Yeah, I used to do that, they stopped it. I used to love getting my opal card on $-11 and then chucking it in a card recycling

    • blueyez on 31/01/2022 - 22:49

      Nopes. The gate won't let you out and you need to top up before you exit, can't recall minimum top up amount before you get out.

  • Serathis on 30/01/2022 - 22:09

    Go via Rockdale/Banksia and you dont even need to walk 10mins

  • p1723 on 30/01/2022 - 22:18
    +4

    Last time I waited around 40 minutes for that bus. So it really depends on if you have something to do in that time at the bus stop or whether your time is more valuable

    • Savas on 30/01/2022 - 22:20

      I literally begged my mum if we could use this hack and I’m so glad now I see it’s not worth it.

      • p1723 on 31/01/2022 - 08:21
        +1

        Wanted to clarify that the right bus from the airport was the one that took 40 mins to arrive.

        To go to the airport, it wasn't actually that bad. It's changed from when I was there 3 years ago, it looks like many more busses service mascot area to go to airport. If you look at route 350 it's every few minutes and only takes about 10 minutes.

        So it's worth a try

        • Savas on 31/01/2022 - 17:37

          I’m confused? How is it not bad if you waited 40 minutes?

          • p1723 on 31/01/2022 - 17:44
            +1

            @Savas: Yep so I was talking about the busses that you can catch to get you /out/ of Sydney airport rather than using the train (which is still like $18), those can be like 40 minutes wait each depending on where you want to get to.

            The busses from mascot /to/ the airport look to be much more frequent

            My bad misreading the deal

  • random101 on 30/01/2022 - 22:26

    I hired a bike - road from the Cbd to the airport door.

    Was too drunk to know what it cost but I'd do it again… seemed like it didn't takelong at all

  • Champ888 on 30/01/2022 - 22:31
    +4

    Ozbargain is dying. This isn’t even a hack let alone a “deal”.

    • MagicMushroom on 30/01/2022 - 23:11
      +32

      Member Since
      02/06/2019
      Statistics
      0 posts / 113 comments

      Looks like you're part of the problem

      • Savas on 31/01/2022 - 20:26

        he shouldn't have to post deals. everyone on this site has equal rights.

  • BargainBogan99 on 30/01/2022 - 22:39
    +1

    Been doing this for years. Great for singles and a couple, gets more expensive/prohibitive vs uber if you've get more ppl.

  • ad62623 on 30/01/2022 - 22:42
    +4

    Title is wrong, it says "by train" but you are getting there by walking.
    I was looking for a hack that would involve a specific amount of cash on the opal card or similar.
    This may be the dumbest deal I've seen on this site.

    • Ghogger on 31/01/2022 - 06:43
      +1

      300 people disagree with you..

  • newbiesh on 30/01/2022 - 22:50
    -1

    any hack for brisbane airport? i know theres 69 route

    • Russ on 30/01/2022 - 23:46
      +1

      Haven't tried it, but it looks like you can bus or train to Toombul shopping centre, catch the 590 bus to Skygate (Airport DFO), buy some snacks for the trip at Woolies there, then take the free shuttle bus from Skygate to the airport.

      Shuttle bus info here:
      https://www.bne.com.au/passenger/to-and-from/terminal-transf…

      590 bus timetable (pdf) here:
      https://translink.com.au/plan-your-journey/printable-timetab…

      The 590 bus also picks up at Mt Gravatt, Carindale and Cannon Hill, and other nearby places, if you're on the southside. Trip is an hour from Mt Gravatt to Skygate, shorter from the other points I listed.

    • nguyentran on 30/01/2022 - 23:50
      +1

      It has a few step you need to follow though. Go to toombul shopping centre, get to the bus to DFO, grab the free bus from DFO to the airport. You can park your car at dfo but I think it's time limited

      • belongsinforums on 31/01/2022 - 00:29

        park in nundah and walk to toombul shopping centre?

        • Russ on 31/01/2022 - 01:50

          Park anywhere in public transport zone 2, catch the bus to Toombul, then change buses and continue to Skygate. It won't cost you any more than the Toombul-to-Skygate trip, it's a zone2-zone2 trip in both cases.

          A reasonable number of people living on the southside can just catch the 590 bus directly, no need to change at Toombul. But of course you'll have to change to the shuttle bus at Skygate, but that's an easy change, only the shuttle bus and the 590 bus go there.

  • Italkdigital on 30/01/2022 - 22:50

    Yes good to know now I just need a family lolz

  • GregFiona on 30/01/2022 - 22:58
    +9

    Title/Description needs some polishing:
    Title: hack…getting to Airport by train
    Description: Catch a Bus!…

    • whyisave on 31/01/2022 - 02:04
      -1

      Better tell the ACCC ,
      for 'Bait & Switch' tactics

  • ColonelSanders on 30/01/2022 - 23:04
    +1

    Similarly in Melbourne, you can get the train to Broadmeadows, then get the 901 bus to the airport… if you’ve got time / can be bothered!

    • samehada on 31/01/2022 - 13:42

      that bus trip will take you 30' or even more, taking into account walking out the train station to the bus stop with all the luggage, waiting for the bus, then 15' bus drive if traffic is good, then walk from T4 to T1/T2 gonna be 10'.

      You can do that when you arrive but for departure it is not a good way. Just go to Essendon station and Uber to airport.

    • samehada on 31/01/2022 - 13:44

      There is another option for the bus at the last stop of Airport West tram 59 but the frequency of that bus is crap and the last bus is quite early.

  • Jamesk811 on 30/01/2022 - 23:06

    Then you get stuck in SYDNEY traffic and miss the plane. Stick to the train dude.

    • blueyez on 31/01/2022 - 22:52

      This has happened to me. Caught an uber instead of train. Who knew there was traffic before 6am!

  • t_c on 30/01/2022 - 23:10

    So what is the cost using the hack to cbd, liek $7?

  • isthisreallife22 on 30/01/2022 - 23:31
    +1

    Walked from mascot to airport once. Started pouring with rain halfway

  • diddy50 on 30/01/2022 - 23:33

    With a taxi is even cheaper

  • runforthedeals on 30/01/2022 - 23:54

    What I did when I went to Sydney a few years ago was make sure I had at least $4 on my Opal card, then just let it go into negative balance and I would get a new card everytime I go there, not sure if that still works nowadays

    • Emphasise on 31/01/2022 - 00:02

      You need to have a minimum amount to get through now if I recall correctly.

      • p1723 on 31/01/2022 - 08:15

        Yeah the minimum is like $20 now on the card

  • doogiechap on 31/01/2022 - 00:09
    +2

    In Perth - oh wait a minute…

  • Drakesy on 31/01/2022 - 00:19

    Yep found this out on a frequent flyer blog
    Makes extended layovers bareable when you can head into Sydney for $4

  • gunso on 31/01/2022 - 00:21
    +2

    Wolli Creek station. Then walk across the park via Cooks River.

    • dammit on 31/01/2022 - 08:46

      to international terminal its not actually that far, 20 min or so

    • niknah on 31/01/2022 - 11:44

      A nice walk, good views.

  • screensaver on 31/01/2022 - 00:27

    Theres another government bus or two, I always get on at Campsie, normal busfare

  • umansPrimitiveNature on 31/01/2022 - 00:28
    +2

    I do the same when I travel solo
    Get down at mascot and get public bus.

    If we are a group of 4 or more I uber
    -from mascot when i go domestic.
    -from Wolli creek if i am going international

    Just a quick reminder,
    If you are travelling domestic, remember the bus stop is at T3 which is qantas. You will have to walk across the carpark(3 min walk) to T2 terminal if you are travelling any other airlines except Qantas.

  • richmond12 on 31/01/2022 - 00:30
    +1

    I used to live in Mascot - I always took the train and still would. I was always in a rush to get to the airport. Train is super reliable and you are basically taking a gamble if the bus doesnt come and you miss your $$ flight and saving $15 lol. That being said, when coming back home I used to frequently walk home if I just had carry on.

    Also, now that I live in Melbourne, I rather have the option or luxury to pay $15 to get a reliable train to the airport. Melb is so sucky, one crash on the highway to tullamarine and you are screwed with traffic. Shuttle, uber, bus, car all use the same road its so bad

  • screensaver on 31/01/2022 - 00:33
    +3

    The 400 Stops
    Bondi Junction, Randwick Junction (Belmore Rd), Kingsford (Anzac Parade & Gardeners Rd), Maroubra Junction (Anzac Parade & Maroubra Rd), Pagewood (Eastgardens), Mascot Shops (Botany Rd & Robey St), Domestic Terminal (Lower Level), Intl Terminal (Lower Level), Rockdale Railway Station, Bexley Noth Station, Campsie station and Burwood Rd at Westfield.

    • anna10 on 31/01/2022 - 09:37

      So, no bus from International terminal to the city?

      • screensaver on 31/01/2022 - 12:44

        No, but it goes right to the terminal. There are 2 routes, one goes in one direction, one in the other. ie Burwood and Bondi Juction

      • xoom on 31/01/2022 - 12:45

        Bus it back to say mascot and train it to the city from there.

  • screensaver on 31/01/2022 - 00:39
    +2

    The 420
    Stops
    Westfield, Eastgardens, Bunnerong Rd, Eastgardens, Sydney Airport,Wickham St at Segenhoe St, Arncliffe, Bexley North Station, Bexley Rd, Bexley North, Clemton Park Shops, Bexley Rd, Kingsgrove, Beamish St at North Pde, Campsie, Burwood Station, WestfieldBurwood, Victoria St, Burwood.

  • lost00 on 31/01/2022 - 00:55
    +2

    Great hack. I have done this a few times. But it adds around 30-45 minutes to the travel time.

  • kingofthenorth on 31/01/2022 - 01:14
    +6

    How on earth is this considered a deal and how does it have so many upvotes?
    This method adds at least 30 min to the trip and is in my opinion, not a hack, just taking a longer, less convenient way of getting to the airport.

    • Ghogger on 31/01/2022 - 06:47
      -2

      It’s not an extra 30 minutes, total nonsense. You can verify this with the TripView app.

      The TOTAL journey from Central station to the Domestic airport is 17-24 minute (plus ~3min to walk from the bus stop)

      Source: I did this exact trip just last might

      • anna10 on 31/01/2022 - 09:39

        What would be the number of the bus from Central to the airport please?

  • [Deactivated] on 31/01/2022 - 01:47
    +1

    Here's another tremendous hack: make the whole family walk to the airport and save all the money.

    • whyisave on 31/01/2022 - 02:07

      It works if your spouse has the OzB mentality

    • Ultramup on 31/01/2022 - 02:25

      Better hack is to make your family walk overseas. Saves more money.

      • [Deactivated] on 31/01/2022 - 02:28
        +1

        Melissa Caddick tried that. Doesn't work

    • Cropmy5 on 31/01/2022 - 12:33

      Or better yet, kayak across the Pacific Ocean just like google says.

  • Nixo on 31/01/2022 - 04:05
    +1

    I thought everyone already knew this…

  • Takeonme on 31/01/2022 - 06:58
    +1

    Just fly first class for the free limousine transfer

    • Usemame on 31/01/2022 - 09:11
      +3

      should post that as 'Hack'

      • xoom on 31/01/2022 - 09:13
        +1

        Thats not a hack. Thats a flex.

  • UberIsCool on 31/01/2022 - 08:06
    +2

    Your title says ‘getting rid the airport by train’ and then you tell people how to get there by bus

    • adamjb007 on 31/01/2022 - 11:30
      -1

      are you an uber driver?

      • UberIsCool on 31/01/2022 - 17:03

        And guess what, OP has changed the title now realising how silly this post was

  • thimothiz on 31/01/2022 - 08:29

    Championnnn

  • bonerofalonelyheart on 31/01/2022 - 08:32
    -3

    Build the bonding and ongoing relationship with your neighbor by sharing beers, casseroles, barbecues, etc and who knows your next trip to the airport could be absolutely FREE!

    • Pricebeat on 31/01/2022 - 10:59
      -1

      absolutely FREE!

      sharing beers, casseroles, barbecues, etc

      Access Fee ($15.13/$13.54)

  • ap2204 on 31/01/2022 - 08:48
    -1

    Fees are to keep the system working…

  • Watto23 on 31/01/2022 - 08:56

    Coming from Canberra, when you can often get a $15 bus ride straight to the terminal in Sydney :-)
    Actually not sure if you an still get the $15 Murrays bus since covid. I have used it a few times, found it awful and can often get international airfares for maybe an extra $50 ex-CBR so do that instead. But I'm not a family of 4 either.

  • OrderedChaos on 31/01/2022 - 09:03

    Freaking heck. Never encountered an airport surcharge other than on Rental Cars, which themselves is so low as to be immaterial. Seems like they're trying to dissuade Sydneysiders from leaving. Oh wait… no they don't need to dissuade when they can just prevent altogether.

  • rollthedice on 31/01/2022 - 09:23
    +1

    Bus 420 starts at Burwood, next to the train station, if it's more convenient for you that way.

    • mynameisborat on 11/04/2022 - 08:51
      +1

      Thanks for that excellent input! Indeed, Burwood is more convenient than Mascot, as from Mascot you'd have to walk for 800m from the station to the bus stand. I think they intentionally kept it far from the train station to deter people from opting this alternative route.

      • Stingo on 11/04/2022 - 22:32
        +1

        The bus ride is slower but works out to be cheaper in the peak. According to the trip planner its a 199m walk from the Station to Coward St, Stand B but if you've actually walked it I'm not going to argue with you. Banksia Station looks to be a reasonable transfer point to the 420 and is a minimum bus fare away from the International terminal but the stop at the Domestic terminal is in the next fare band from there as well as the other stations en-route to Burwood (Burwood itself is in the maximum fare band) while the Domestic terminal is in the minimum fare band from the stop nearest Mascot station.

        Pity the trip planner doesn't have a minimise fare setting!

  • p1owz0r on 31/01/2022 - 09:25
    +3

    How is this a deal?

    Of course it's cheaper to not use a service that charges.

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