04 October 2010

Transport from Sydney Airport

Some of my friends are coming to Sydney to visit me (or simply to crash into my living room, saving their lodging cost), so instead repeating the same information over and over again to each of them, I’m gonna make them read this entry instead.

First thing I normally explain is about the Australian immigration, which I have done in my previous entry.

One of my friends even asked me exact questions in the immigration card, as he was afraid to tick the wrong box. He argued that he might declare about bringing illicit drugs out of confusion. Right… maybe English was not his favorite language.

Second part is about Transport (from the Airport) and it's always the favorite subject for them to bombard me with their questions (Why? When? Where? How? How much? How long?)

Okayyy… Let’s start with the fact that Sydney airport is actually well connected to the Sydney city itself, and so much closer when it’s compared to Japan Narita airport to Tokyo.

Although the public transport is not as good or clean as Singapore, there are a few transportation options available: train, bus, taxi or rent a car. Check out the following link to get a better understanding of Sydney Airport.

Train
There’s an additional charge on top of the train fare itself. Check the total fare from the airport to your destination station from here.
















Bus
It is damn confusing to calculate the exact bus fare in Sydney. For the first timer in Sydney, I suggest to ditch the bus option all together. However, if you insist, you can purchase the ticket from the bus driver and pay on the spot for a single trip. Good luck.
















Taxi
The most convenient option but certainly NOT the cheapest, and also the “hospitality” of the driver when you mention that you don’t know the exact destination location.

Car Rental
If you know the way AND know a cheap place to park the car, then this option might be the solution for you. My favorite car rental so far is Budget Car Rental and Avis.























So let’s compare a single trip from Sydney Airport…
Say we take Town Hall station as the destination we want to go from Sydney Airport.

Cost Travel Time
Train $15.80 + 40 mnt
Bus + $ 7 + 60 mnt
Taxi + $ 50 + 30 mnt
Car Rental + $ 55 / day + 30 mnt

If you travel alone, train is a better option. However, if you travel in group, taxi cost / person might be the same cost with the train.