Advice: Timing and Airport Travel Options for 6:00am International Flight from Sydney?

GreenGuava on 24/03/2017 - 01:19

Hi all,

Just wondering if anyone has any experience with early international flights departing Sydney? I'll be catching a 6am flight next week and I was wondering what sort of timeline would allow for a comfortable departure process.

According to the airline, the recommended minimum times are:
Check-in no later than 90 minutes prior = 4:30
Security/Customs no later than 60 minutes prior = 5:00
Arrive at gate no later than 45 minutes prior = 5:15
Gate closes 20 minutes prior = 5:40
Departure at 6:00

I've called a commercial airport transport service but they've quoted a 3:15 pickup, which would get me to the airport at roughly 4:00 (assuming no other pickups or other unexpected issues). This gives me 30 min spare based on the timeline. Is it just me, or would that be a little tight?

The other option is to catch at taxi, which is double the cost. I also don't know how reliable they are at that hour of the morning (~3am) as well? (I'll be travelling in from SW Sydney)

I know I'm probably overthinking things a bit, but this will be my first big holiday in a number of years so I'm trying my best not to stuff it up!

Thanks in advance for your help, appreciate any thoughts you may have :)

Travel

Comments

  • [Deactivated] on 24/03/2017 - 01:35

    youll be fine with your 3.15 pick up.
    the airport will be pretty dead at 4 when you get there though

    • GreenGuava on 24/03/2017 - 10:46

      Good to know that it won't be busy at that time, I wasn't sure

  • HardQuiz on 24/03/2017 - 06:43

    Or Uber ?

    Enjoy the trip and have fun

    • GreenGuava on 24/03/2017 - 10:42

      I'm out in the suburbs, so I'm not sure there would be any Ubers around my area at that time of morning…? I'm not sure, I've never used uber before, but I assume it would really depend on availability of drivers at that time?

      Cheers for the suggestion!

  • Donaldhump on 24/03/2017 - 07:46
    +1

    Go the night before if your paranoid , at midnight

    • GreenGuava on 24/03/2017 - 10:43

      I guess it's an option, but one I'd rather not take up unless I have to…! I guess I'm not that paranoid! :P

  • inherentchoice on 24/03/2017 - 07:58
    +1

    I use Carhood. It's free airport parking more or less.

    https://www.carhood.com.au/how-it-works

    I thought most airlines close international check in 60 minutes prior to departure. Looks like Singapore Airlines closes check in 40 minutes before departure. Qantas might be 90 minutes though.

    I would definitely aim to arrive by 4 am but it is helpful to know how much leeway you have.

    The times you quoted are the recommended times, but not the actual check in close times.

    • GreenGuava on 24/03/2017 - 11:12

      Thanks for the reply! I haven't heard of Carhood before, and though I'm not sure how I feel about my car possibly being rented out, it's definitely an interesting concept.

      I'm flying Emirates, so those times were what I got from their website. I'm not sure what the actual close times for check-in and boarding are though

      • inherentchoice on 24/03/2017 - 13:02

        Well I recently went away and came back to a nice clean car. Got chauffeured from the airport and got ~$50 for the use of my car.

        • GreenGuava on 24/03/2017 - 18:49

          I'd be uneasy using it just because of the length of time I'll be away on this trip, but for a weekend away or a short trip it's something that I'll keep in mind for next time.

  • holdenmg on 24/03/2017 - 08:53
    +1

    Don't forget:
    2 Apr 2017 - Daylight Saving Time
    https://www.timeanddate.com/time/change/australia/sydney

    • GreenGuava on 24/03/2017 - 10:45
      +1

      Luckily I'm leaving before then, but thanks!

  • pantsparty on 24/03/2017 - 09:33

    What is the cost of the two options, taxi and commerical airline transport?

    How long is your trip for, would driving yourself to the airport and parking there be cheaper?

    • GreenGuava on 24/03/2017 - 10:45

      I'm away for 3 weeks so parking isn't really an option. I believe taxi will be roughly $120 one way, versus $140 return for the airport transport (or probably $80 one way)

  • yycan on 24/03/2017 - 10:43

    2 hours is more than enough. 90 mins is usually enough unless you're flying Jetstar or similar.

    • yycan on 24/03/2017 - 10:45

      Sorry that assumes you can check in before and has no luggage.

      • GreenGuava on 24/03/2017 - 10:53

        Yes, I'll have luggage to check in unfortunately

    • inherentchoice on 24/03/2017 - 13:14

      I think Jetstar only closes international check in 45 minutes before departure (or 60 minutes for Dreamliner 787 flights) whereas Qantas is apparently 90 minutes!? Seems weird that the more expensive airline would need double the time.

  • Stewardo on 24/03/2017 - 13:49

    Get someone to drop you at train station night before. Get train to wolli creek, taxi to Rydges airport hotel.

  • Findo on 25/03/2017 - 04:05

    Definitely go the night before

  • strawberrybug on 25/03/2017 - 14:03

    Getting there at 4am should be fine, Given it's an Emirates flight (that is, a big and usually full flight) your line to check in may be lengthy. I'm semi-cautious/always running late so would aim to be at the airport by 3.30am…but that's just me.

    If you pre-book a cab you should be fine in terms of reliability & no traffic at that time. Can you get an earlier pick-up with the shuttle you've booked?

    • GreenGuava on 25/03/2017 - 20:13

      Thanks for the info. Like you, I generally err on the side of caution, hence this thread!

      The airport shuttle were solid on the 3:15 pickup, so even though it's not the most OzBargain-ly thing to do, we've decided to book a taxi for extra peace of mind and spare time should anything go wrong.

      Thanks for all the replies guys and girls, appreciate your help! 👍🏻

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