Hey all,
I'm going on a flight from Sydney and have a transit at Melbourne.
- 8:00 AM Sydney flight
- 9:35 AM Melbourne landing
& then a connecting flight
- 11:30 AM international flight
So basically just less than 2 hours of going from domestic T1 to T2 in Melbourne and trying to make it through customs and TRS…
Will I have enough time from your experience?
Thanks
You can't choose. I suspect they only offer this option as a system down backup or when they are short staffed. I have only seen the dropbox option offered once and this was years ago.
I last saw a drop box in Brisbane airport but that was years before COVID. If as you say the drop boxes are no longer available, then the next best option is to pre-lodge your claim electronically and queue at the dedicated queue. https://www.melbourneairport.com.au/tourist-refund-scheme
Will I have enough time from your experience?
To do what?
Sorry should've clarified - Will I have enough time to get claim tax back on items at TRS. Wondering how long people wait in line on average.
Wondering how long people wait in line on average.
Depends how many international flights are departing at that time.
And the percentage of those flights travelling to Asian destinations.
If everything is on time you'll have maybe a 15-30min window to get it done, TRS closes 30mins before scheduled departure time.
Assuming bags are checked through 30mins to get off the plane, 30-45mins to get to the next terminal and through security gets you to about 10:30-10:45am which gives you 15-30mins to make the claim. The issue would then be how big of a line you'll face at TRS as this would be the tail end of the Asian departures.
Like everyone says, it really varies. But at least T1 and T2 are just next to each other. Prob takes 5 mins to walk from T1 exit to the international departure point. Provided you got the boarding pass and bags checked through in sydney, it's doable.
I think you're confusing the two domestic terminals between T2 and T3 (or MEL airport) as the OP is at SYD. T1 and T2 is not feasibly walkable.
Can be no wait through to an hour wait, they can choose to deploy the drop box but even that is still a process. People may want to sight the goods to ensure they're leaving too
Last time i had a flight at 11 pm the TRF was closed. i am a bit confused as to how this works? there are numerous international flights departing everyday throughout the day, so TRF is open 24/7? can someone kindly explain?
No, TRS is not open 24/7. Usually if they're closed they'll have a box for you to drop your claim into and they'll process it once they can.
In my past experience when it comes to Melbourne Domestic -> International transits. You will receive your onward boarding pass and bags checked all the way through.
Takes 10> minutes to go from walking off the gate in T1 to the entrance of International security. At most for non-express path holders, max of 20 minutes to clear security and outbound immigration and that leaves you at the TRS.
Chinese departures scheduled around your dep? May take an hour at the most to receive your refund,
If its quiet, 10-15 minutes most. You can pre-fill your TRS claim sheet - https://trs.border.gov.au/
https://www.abf.gov.au/entering-and-leaving-australia/touris…
Use the drop box.
See also https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/485576