Getting to Sydney Airport Affordably

Hoju on 01/07/2018 - 21:26

ARGH.
I hope someone has some ingenious ideas.

I've always said kids aren't expensive, and in everyday life they don't cost much.
But go travelling and suddenly the costs add up.

We now have three of the little blighters and find ourselves looking at spending a fortune JUST TO GET TO Sydney airport, never mind onward from there.

2 adults, 2 children, 1 baby one way to Sydney International Airport
About 22km / 30 mins by car

Public transport - $62 if we drive to the nearest train, $77 if we weave our way there from our door
Uber XL (need that extra seat) - up to $87
Drive and park in long stay Wolli creek - $200 parking for 25 days
Shuttle bus - $80
Taxi - $$$$$

It pisses me off that even public transport is so expensive!

I've thought about driving our own car, dropping everyone off, then going off to tempe or botany or somewhere to park for the 4 weeks and get an uber myself. But there's always the risk of there being no car / a damaged one on our return, and to be fair I hate it when people take up all our street parking in the local area here…

Any thoughts and experiences would be much appreciated!

Find Me A Bargain

closed Comments

  • Hoju on 03/07/2018 - 04:32
    +9

    Can confirm opal hack at airport still works, thanks for the tip off, we’re now in Hawaii woo!

    Bought 2 new kid and 2 new adult with min top ups totally $30. Burnt the value and threw the cards. Wife was very impressed with ozbargain.

    Funnily enough on the way out to the convenience store to buy the opal cards, I noticed the neighbour had tossed all the beer bottle remains of their party the day before into the bin room, so scored $11 worth of container deposit at the same time as getting the opals.

    The best thing about the train is it’s pretty stress free from our perspective. Strap the baby on the front, and everyone including older kids just wheel their own bags. Carry on only as we just take snorkels swimmers and a couple of tops + shorts. No stress about an accident or traffic jam blocking the harbour bridge or eastern distributor…

    Ozbargain wins again, thank you

    • T1OOO on 03/07/2018 - 20:23
      -2

      Stop trying to pretend ur the ultimate ozbargainer, we all know the best money saver would have been to allow the kids to watch exotic sbs on telly one night and called it even! Much cheaper.

      • DarthAntz on 05/07/2018 - 10:48

        expedia's youtube channel, in 4K if youve got it. 3-5 minutes per country, A pretty decent tour after an hour.

  • geek001 on 01/07/2018 - 21:30
    +19

    Get a friend to drop you off? And offer to do the same for him/her when it is his/her turn? :)

    • Hoju on 01/07/2018 - 21:39

      No friends :(
      Well sort of. None available unfortunately and would leave one of us out as we've only got a 5 seater car
      But good idea!

      I even thought of air tasker and asking someone to meet us there and drive our car back from the airport… but that could go really wrong

    • Solarlux on 02/07/2018 - 10:11
      +6

      Maybe not the best option for you with kids but what I always do is take the train to Mascot and walk the last kilometer, that way you avoid the exorbitant platform charge at the airport.

      • retiredfeline on 02/07/2018 - 10:17
        +7

        That's 1 km for domestic though. Try 400 bus for international.

        • Rorschach on 04/07/2018 - 16:12

          Exactly, this.
          As a bonus, this blog lists alternate routes to Airports for other major cities as well.

  • MrHyde on 01/07/2018 - 21:42
    +7

    How about renting a car for a one way trip? Is there a rental place near your place and one near the airport? Depending on the day, sometimes oen day rentals can be as cheap as $40 - but watch out for one way fees and airport fees; so probably best to look at an off airport company that then provides shuttle bus to the terminal.

    • MrFrugalSpend on 03/07/2018 - 23:04

      I used to do this but I'm guessing OP will have a problem… what to do with children's car seats - all adds to the cost if you hire too

  • peterpeterpumpkin on 01/07/2018 - 21:44
    +9

    I don't know where you live specifically, but your last strategy would be the most economical. Personally, I would park on the eastern side of the 400 bus journey (https://transportnsw.info/routes/details/sydney-buses-networ…), the further the better and "freer". You won't see worse than a few key scratches and maybe a flat tyre if you park outside a loony's house. You might lose a BMW sticker in a month.

    • Hoju on 01/07/2018 - 21:48
      +8

      Woah I forgot buses went to the airport. That stop guide is perfect too. Now to check timetables…

      • Kangal on 03/07/2018 - 13:25

        Mr Pumpkin is right. I parked my car at Padstow close to the station, and when I got back in a couple days I found the residents egged the car.

        Worst part is that there's plenty of parking, and the owners on that street are retired.

        • twww on 03/07/2018 - 16:35

          Curious, Which street was this?

        • Kangal on 04/07/2018 - 17:02

          @twww:
          Cahors Rd/Banks St corner. Literally in front of the train station.

      • ribenaboy on 04/07/2018 - 13:54

        Park your car near Henley Park, Mitchell Street Burwood Heights. Plenty of car spots available near Flower Power without any parking signs.
        There's a bus station for the 400 bus that goes to the airport located at the Burwood Road, Mitchell St intersection.

      • oringal on 04/07/2018 - 21:13

        tbh could probably park at Westfield eastgardens since that car park doesn't use a ticketing system and then take a bus from eastgardens

    • KitchenSink on 01/07/2018 - 21:58

      ^ This. From Burwood, its about 45-60 mins depending on traffic

  • KaTst3R on 01/07/2018 - 21:57
    +30

    We now have three of the little blighters and find ourselves looking at spending a fortune JUST TO GET TO Sydney airport

    You can afford a 25 day trip but not an uber to the airport? You have 2 kids and 1 baby, ideally you dont wanna be struggling on board a public transport (looking after the luggage and children). Just take an uber and enjoy the trip in peace.

    • Hoju on 02/07/2018 - 06:32
      +33

      It’s not really about what we can afford, it’s more about value, as with most things on ozbargain. We thankfully have free family accommodation for the whole trip so it has only cost us the flights. It’s a shame to work so hard to save money on flights and save for experiences on the trip then have that hard work undermined by some ridiculous pricing structure on a privatised train station.

      • SydBoy on 02/07/2018 - 19:43

        Agree with you that it's not about what we can afford but more about value. I am in same boat as you are need to get to and from airport for four time next month and I have five more people with me so I need to hire 7 seater or use taxi or use public transport….for me taxi or train difference is little over$20 so not worth using train. However privatisation is costing way more than government owned service. Wait until Sydney train is privatised by liberal after next election !

        Taxi after hours would cost around $250 one way from where I live so just return from airport is $500 for me! I don't get 4am train to airport on weekends ! I live 45km from airport.

      • nayfon on 03/07/2018 - 10:32
        +5

        Obviously you place little value in convenience. UberXL will cost you $10-20 more than the public transport option (from your initial post). Given you're travelling with your family, think of the time saved and the less hassle you experience with UberXL than taking the public transport option (no transfers or anything).

        • SydBoy on 03/07/2018 - 12:51
          +1

          Uber some time cost more or same as taxi.

        • fatal on 03/07/2018 - 15:39

          @SydBoy:

          Very rarely but even if they do the quality of service is much better.

    • R4 on 02/07/2018 - 16:06
      +4

      I'm with the OP. Getting to SYD cheaply is not easy - which is ridiculous in 2018

  • sahh on 01/07/2018 - 22:00
    +1

    There’s a few pick up and drop off services, works out to be circa $150 return; saves the hassle of navigating public transport etc

    These are the ones I’ve come across
    https://www.redy2go.com.au
    https://www.hoangdo.com.au

  • mattythecapybara on 01/07/2018 - 22:23
    +4

    Depends how much you want to save money and how much of a hurry you're in.

    You can avoid the train station toll by getting off at Mascot train station and doing a 10-15 minute walk into the Airport, but I guess that may not be an option with a baby.

    There are also various two or three bus combinations (unless you're lucky enough to be on the route), but that's potentially very slow and it'll depend where you are specifically, and again, you might not want to with a baby.

    TBH with that headcount it sounds like Uber/Taxi would be your best option.

    While I've done both of these things before, most of the time I find I'm in too much of a hurry on the way out, and too knackered on the way in, to be worrying about the travel $.

    • olderuser on 03/07/2018 - 17:38

      Walking from Mascot is the best option!
      I might also add I see plenty of obikes near the station…

      • tryagain on 03/07/2018 - 18:31
        +1

        Uber from Mascot wout seem the best option, sign up a new account on a phone and get the $20 credit.

  • kerfuffle on 01/07/2018 - 22:31
    +9

    Opal hack still works for going to the airport (you didn't say anything about ethics) but not going home so you're going to have to pay the $62+. Plus kids under four travel free on the train I believe

    • n3xia on 02/07/2018 - 02:24

      Opal hack?

      • HighAndDry on 02/07/2018 - 15:20
        +1

        Opal cards charge at destination. They also don't not let you past for too-low balance. So you charge up one-use Opal Cards with minimum amount, train to the Airport Train Station, and tap off. You pay only the min. bal. amount.

      • [Deactivated] on 02/07/2018 - 15:44

        https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/314252

    • Hoju on 02/07/2018 - 06:33

      I can’t believe that would still work!

      • Marty-69 on 02/07/2018 - 08:59
        +1

        Still worked for me two weeks ago if this is the "hack". Two Opal cards for the kids with the $5 minimum recharge and 2 for the adults with the minimum $10 is $30 in total.

        • mskeggs on 02/07/2018 - 10:39
          +5

          Ideally you use each for a trip or two prior, so the only remaining credit is the minimum 'tap on' amount.

        • Kangal on 03/07/2018 - 13:28

          @mskeggs:

          Or you could get another x5 Opal cards prepaid and ready, and try use them on the return trip. So it's $60 total.

          Not sure if it would work, have not ever used the "hack".

        • FirstWizard on 03/07/2018 - 15:09
          +1

          @Kangal:
          Would not work for the return trip as the airport access fee is charged at the tap on. So the balance needs to exceed the station access fee + usual minimum tap on fee

      • Bitsurfr on 02/07/2018 - 12:02
        +34

        This is the cheapest option for direct train travel during peak hour to the Airport terminal:

        1. Get new Opal cards for the two adults and 2 kids with minimum starting credit ($20? as 'burner cards'). Then proceed to use up credit in the normal way, with the aim to leave no less than $3.54 on each adult Opal card, and $1.77 on each child card (those are the two minimum tap on rates for peak hour train travel from 1 Jul 2018, for adults and kids respectively).
        2. Use the cards with those minimum balances to go from any station to relevant Sydney Airport terminal, tap off. Cards will go into debit once Airport gate fee is deducted, then ditch the cards on exit. Total cost $3.54 + $3.54 + $1.77 +1.77 = $10.62

        For return trip:
        1. Have 4 new (or existing non-burner) Opal cards (2 for the adults, 2 for the kids with necessary minimum tap on credit).
        2. Take 400 bus from the airport terminal to Mascot - $2.20 per adult, $1.10 per child. Tap on train at Mascot for your usual train fare to home station (whatever that is). System will treat the train connection as a 'transfer' and apply a $2 credit to the bus fare (which effectively makes the bus trip $0.20 for each adult; and free for kids).

        • Brianqpr on 02/07/2018 - 17:18
          -2

          And hope you don't get busted by ticket inspectors I assume?

        • Bitsurfr on 02/07/2018 - 17:58
          +14

          Nothing to get busted for. It is operating within the system rules as established by Opal. If they are too stupid to close the loophole that's not my problem.

        • HighAndDry on 02/07/2018 - 18:00
          +3

          @Brianqpr: You can't be busted - you have a valid Opal card which you swiped on with.

        • jayzee on 04/07/2018 - 10:08

          For using Opal card, if you are returning on Sunday, even better, it's capped at $2.70 for adult and child. But station access fee is still applied to those airport line stations. If you can take bus 400, it's pretty good, but long travel time.

          Yes, I stock up those Opal cards with balance just above minimum amount required for using train travel too, $3.54/$1.77, $2.47/$1.23. (adult/child, peak, off-peak)

      • R-Man on 02/07/2018 - 21:41

        Heard this so many times :) how would they stop us?

        They would have to charge an $18 up front fee on opal purchase (similar to $6 fee for Myki).

        • retiredfeline on 02/07/2018 - 22:49

          They could if they wanted to, disallow the gates at the airport from letting people through if the balance would become negative. You would have to top up or pay the difference before exiting. But they don't seem to care.

        • ozlab on 05/07/2018 - 19:16

          @greenpossum: they've made enough profit already for those who pay full price. why would they bother enforcing extra work

  • Butt Scratcher on 01/07/2018 - 22:33
    +2

    I'm a student so it's a bit cheaper.

    I live close to Hurlstone park station, so what I usually do is go to campsie station by train and catch a bus from there to the airport (I believe it was route 400). Last time I did it, it only costed me about $4.

    2 adult 2 children will probably be about $30-50 depending on where you live. Not sure if it's worth the hassle for a family TBH. Just get someone to drive you to the airport. I only do this when I'm travelling by myself, it seems like a bit of a hassle even if I only have 1 other friend with me. But here, you've got 2 kids AND a baby

  • Peter Enis on 01/07/2018 - 22:35
    +9

    Whichever option gets you home fastest when you land on the way back. With kids in tow, when you touch down you are just going to want to get home as quick as you can. Everyone is going to be tired from all the travel.
    I've parked at offsite airport parking and regretted it on the way back when I had to call for the mini bus, wait 45 mins for pickup, then stuck in airport traffic back to the parking lot to collect the car. Could have just jumped straight on the train and have been home by then. From then on I swore I'd only ever catch the train.

    • mattythecapybara on 01/07/2018 - 22:40
      +1

      Depends on your exact location, headcount, and the time of day you get back, but if there's two or more of you and you're reasonably close to the airport you may find an uber about the same price or even cheaper than the train and is a lot more comfortable in the late evening.

      During the day or early evening, train is definitely better since you can avoid all the traffic.

    • Hoju on 02/07/2018 - 07:03

      That’s a good point. Arrival time is peak hour, and sitting in traffic sounds really unappealing.

      We honestly don’t mind the train and manage fine, the kids are very self sufficient. Have done it for years but it seems to have gone up in price + now 2 kids over 4 not one makes it a bit ridiculous.

  • aragornelessar on 01/07/2018 - 22:38
    +9

    In my limited experience travelling with young kids - you either pay for convenience, or suck it up and be stressed every step of the way.

    I don't know how old your kids are, but if you've got one baby, then that's likely to be one adult out of the equation. You're potentially left with one adult with luggage + kids + navigating commuter/peak hour/airport crowds. My parents use Hoang Do quite frequently for the family and/or extended family and they've no issues with them

  • ProBoDoBo on 02/07/2018 - 00:18

    Airtasker + GoGet/Car Next Door

    • mattythecapybara on 02/07/2018 - 11:21

      Are you saying hire someone to take the car back to the GoGet pod, as they don't have one way trips?

      Sounds a bit dubious car-insurance-wise, you could end up with unlimited liability in case of accident if you have someone else drive under your account.

  • chillybags on 02/07/2018 - 06:17
    +3

    Not sure where you’re flying or who with but if you book emirates business class for the whole family they will give you free chauffeur transfers to and from the airport….

    • Hoju on 02/07/2018 - 06:35
      +3

      Oh I wish.

      No we are mega budget
      Jetstar starter fare with 10% off gift cards from woolies
      No checked luggage
      Take our own food

      So as you can imagine then having to fork out 10% of the trip cost for trains is a bit galling.

      • Yamai on 02/07/2018 - 14:34
        +6

        No checked luggage for 25 days… Really???

        • mattythecapybara on 02/07/2018 - 20:40

          Doable if you have daily access to a washing machine … not sure about big baby stuff like bassinets though.

          Dunno how you take 25 x 5 days worth of food in carryon though.

        • drewbles on 04/07/2018 - 11:53
          +1

          @mattythecapybara:
          Keep in mind, Jetstar are super anal about carry on weight in most cases. If you're a few grams over your allowance, you'll be forced to buy at-airport checked luggage.

        • Hoju on 04/07/2018 - 14:31
          +1

          @drewbles:

          Nope it was fine. We were over 2kg on one bag. Redistributed to have about 7.3kg in each and it was fine. Plus had another bag that they didn’t even weigh.

          Last time we came I had four snorkels and a pair of flippers in my shirt at check in :)

    • h4zey on 02/07/2018 - 12:29
      +12

      mate.. emirate business class for a whole family? i think you are in the wrong website. this is ozbargain.com.au not ozbraggin.com.au

      • chillybags on 02/07/2018 - 12:45

        Not sure you got the sarcasm…

        Spending thousands of dollars to save $60 on train fare is a great bargain.

        • h4zey on 02/07/2018 - 12:50

          nah it doesn't fly well in here, have to be face to face mate.

  • inherentchoice on 02/07/2018 - 08:27
    +10

    Train to Mascot Station, then get 400 bus to international terminal.

    Personally I just walked it for 7 km all the way from Marickville to the domestic terminal. Was good exercise and totally free haha.

    • [Deactivated] on 02/07/2018 - 08:50

      this!

      Done this many times, even better if I flew on a Sunday!

    • mattythecapybara on 02/07/2018 - 11:05
      +3

      Definitely an option. After waiting for the bus, it's not necessarily faster than just walking from Mascot to the terminal, but might be better with a baby in tow.

    • sween64 on 02/07/2018 - 13:24

      That might even make your health insurance premiums less!!

  • JimmyF on 02/07/2018 - 08:31
    +2

    It pisses me off that even public transport is so expensive!

    Its 25% cheaper than the next mode of transport on your list and its only about 25% of the cost of parking….

    How much cheaper do you want it to move 5 bodies?

    • [Deactivated] on 02/07/2018 - 22:43
      +1

      The people currently running this country grew up with the benefit of almost completely subsidised public transport. $77 for public transport is insane.

      • JimmyF on 02/07/2018 - 22:48
        +1

        $77 for 5 people aka $15.40 per body including luggage. Really how cheap do you want it?

        Plus its the AIRPORT, you pay a massive extra tax because of this.

  • Peck on 02/07/2018 - 08:59
    +1

    Crowdfunding!? It might assist if you mention your suburb!

  • CLoSeR on 02/07/2018 - 09:01

    Train is easiest, would not be fun with family and luggage waiting at the bloody bus stop.

    If you're single/couple then sure jump through hoops to save a few dollars.

  • shaybisc on 02/07/2018 - 09:08

    Any option that leaves your car safely garaged at home is the way to go. That looks like Uber XL both ways to me.

  • Gamer Dad Reviews on 02/07/2018 - 09:11
    +2

    If I'm feeling budget conscious I catch the 400 bus. < $4 compared to ~$17 for the train… No brainer

  • DarkOz on 02/07/2018 - 09:15
    +2

    Public transport is cheap only if you have a low headcount. If you can fit the whole family into a car it'll always be the best way to travel.

    I would take Uber XL for the convenience over train or bus.

    • JimmyF on 02/07/2018 - 12:01

      If you can fit the whole family into a car it'll always be the best way to travel.

      Oh really?

      PT for the 5 bodies = $62

      Driving for the 5 bodies = $200 for parking + car running costs + tolls

  • SmiTTy on 02/07/2018 - 09:39

    Here… Some options :

    https://www.google.com.au/amp/s/amp.smh.com.au/national/nsw/…

  • Fier2 on 02/07/2018 - 09:45
    +6

    You have 3 kids. Save your wife some headache and stress and just get a taxi/uber or Hoang Do (way cheaper). You re off for a long time so starting the journey on a relax travel would be a great idea as depends on how long is your flight but i m pretty sure your kids will be restless. You can also ask a neighbour/ friend / workmate. There are basically no cheap way from and to the airport if it s not walking for a family. Good luck !

    • shaybisc on 02/07/2018 - 10:14

      Hoang Do cheap and nasty if the reviews are to be believed.

      Jeez- everything gets bad reviews- Rydo, Uber.

      • Fier2 on 02/07/2018 - 12:41

        Personnally, i never got any problems with them. They always respected the time they gave me for picking up from home or airport and always gave me a courtesy call if they will be late or a lil bit early. They are definetly cheap if you live in western sydney and might be not convenient as they pick up a couples of people in one way which mean a lot of pick up and drop off but they are well managed as i never miss a flight overseas yet. So you can t really expect cheap and convenient but definetly cheap to bring you from A to B

  • mjwills on 02/07/2018 - 10:22
    • Get the train to Rockdale (or other stations on the route - like Burwood or Campsie). Or find street parking near the station.
    • Switch onto the 400 bus (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sydney_bus_route_400) which goes from there to the airport. This is much cheaper than paying for the Airport Access Fee.
    • [Deactivated] on 02/07/2018 - 15:43

      Train to Mascot (not Rockdale), then switch to 400, is the fastest way….

  • ozzpete on 02/07/2018 - 10:54
    +3

    Depending on your vehicle you leave with them, carhood might be worth using. They give you 'free airport parking' the catch being, they will try to rent your car out to strangers while you are away. And I believe they don't pay you at all, just they wash your car for free.
    I would not consider them, if I had a modern (and valuable) vehicle.
    I'm pretty sure they take old vehicles of little value though also. I noticed cars like old falcons on their site for rental. Im guessing an old car that isn't worth much, is also not likely to be hired by anyone.
    https://www.carhood.com.au

    • Hoju on 02/07/2018 - 11:09

      Ah unfortunately I did look into them but 2004 is as old as they accept. Doh! I think you can end up getting paid though if it is rented. $10/day or so.

      • illumination on 02/07/2018 - 18:42

        I was going to say Carhood looks perfect for your scenario, at least as a money saving strategy but it does add about 30 mins-1 hour to your trip to the airport (paperwork/admin work).

        Otherwise, I think the #400 bus as others have suggested is your next best bet.

        Alternatives to Uber: Ola, Taxify

  • ldt on 02/07/2018 - 11:46
    +1

    I think most people have already come up with some good ideas, but how about train or bus to just outside the airport (Tempe, or Mascot?) and then Uber XL for the rest of the trip.

    • mattythecapybara on 02/07/2018 - 11:53

      Might be an option for Tempe, but Mascot is a short enough trip that I'd be worried about being downrated by drivers and then getting the dodgy drivers after. Maybe taxi.

      Though if you're doing this you're willing to wait a little while and don't want to walk, so the bus near Mascot into the terminal works as mentioned elsewhere.

      • ldt on 02/07/2018 - 15:56

        I've taken short trips in Ubers plenty of times and I don't think they're bothered about the distance like Taxi drivers are.

        • devpress on 02/07/2018 - 19:29

          That's not been my experience… in the past when ordering an Uber from Sydney airport, I'll often get a phone call from them asking where I'm going. If it's a short trip, they'll hang up and cancel my booking. Happened so many times that I finally gave up and went to the taxi queue — taxi driver might get upset at the short fare but at least they can't refuse

        • illumination on 02/07/2018 - 19:52

          @devpress: Speaking as an Uber Driver.. it really depends.

          Generally speaking, short fares are ok provided the passenger is ready to jump in the car and the whole process is quite seamless. Bonus points for if the trip is on the way to where I'm going (as a driver, we can specify our destination for the app to only give us trips going roughly the same way twice per day).

          Provided it's in on the way, I have no issue with short fares.

          The Sydney Airport scenario, I can understand (not saying I agree).

          At Sydney Airport, we're placed into a virtual queue, which is different to how trips get assigned elsewhere. The queue can consist of 30+ cars and it can take you quite some time to go through the virtual queue to be first in line to get the next uber passenger. So.. you've been in the queue for 1 hour, and you've got someone going from Sydney Airport to Mascot? That's a garbage trip.

          So as I said, I'm not saying I agree - but I can understand it from the driver's point of view. This is why I never go into the virtual queue. It's just not worth the time.

          I can't think of a better solution (not that I've thought real hard), but I don't blame the driver for doing what he did, despite the obvious inconvenience to you as a customer.

        • mattythecapybara on 02/07/2018 - 20:48

          @illumination: Yeah, taking short trips from any long rank is obviously a different matter. I wouldn't be comfortable doing that at all, but then, I didn't even realise there was an Uber pickup @ Syd, let alone a virtual queue. Taxis just seem to come in willy nilly.

        • devpress on 02/07/2018 - 22:01

          @illumination:

          I can't think of a better solution (not that I've thought real hard), but I don't blame the driver for doing what he did, despite the obvious inconvenience to you as a customer.

          I understand what the driver is thinking, but contrary to you I do blame the driver for this kind of behaviour. If the driver decided to join the Uber platform then they should adhere to Uber's rules (which, as I understand it, prohibits the driver from calling ahead to ask for the destination).

          Let's look at it another way — what if I lied about my destination when then driver calls, then once I'm in the car advise him of my real destination? Is it unethical? Is it understandable? Is it pardonable given the behaviour of some Uber drivers in this situation?

          One taxi driver that I spoke to regarding this issue summed it up really well: you win some (e.g. get a good fare) and you lose some (e.g. short fare), but on the balance it generally works out in the end.

        • devpress on 02/07/2018 - 22:05
          +1

          @mattythecapybara:

          Taxis just seem to come in willy nilly.

          Sydney Airport has a short fare policy. Basically, if the driver flags with the queue attendant that he's taking a short fare, upon the driver's return to the airport they get to rejoin the taxi queue somewhere closer to the front (I'm not sure how the mechanism actually works, but the taxi doesn't rejoin the queue from the back)

        • ldt on 03/07/2018 - 08:56

          @illumination:

          Interesting. I live in Mascot and always get an Uber from the Airport. I have about a 4.8 rating so I don't think I've had any issues.

        • illumination on 05/07/2018 - 12:08

          @devpress:

          I understand what the driver is thinking, but contrary to you I do blame the driver for this kind of behaviour. If the driver decided to join the Uber platform then they should adhere to Uber's rules (which, as I understand it, prohibits the driver from calling ahead to ask for the destination).

          I guess I can't really deny/disagree with this. I don't agree with the rule which is why I just avoid the airport entirely.

          Let's look at it another way — what if I lied about my destination when then driver calls, then once I'm in the car advise him of my real destination? Is it unethical? Is it understandable? Is it pardonable given the behaviour of some Uber drivers in this situation?

          Yep so I understand your perspective too. I'm not here trying to deny that what you've said is reasonable lol. As I said, it can be improved because it clearly isn't the best system, but I can't personally think of a better system.

          One taxi driver that I spoke to regarding this issue summed it up really well: you win some (e.g. get a good fare) and you lose some (e.g. short fare), but on the balance it generally works out in the end.

          Yea this sounds reasonable too. And the Uber drivers calling you up first to get your destination are just trying to win all.

        • illumination on 05/07/2018 - 12:11

          @leethompson: Not everyone is gonna be like that. Just trying to put myself in the position of those Uber drivers.. but yea some might just happily "cop" it.

        • ldt on 05/07/2018 - 17:35

          @illumination:
          I just don’t understand why a driver would rate you badly because of your destination distance. If they don’t want to do their job, why is that the riders fault!?

        • illumination on 05/07/2018 - 17:41

          @leethompson: It's not the rider's fault at all. It's just the selfish nature of us as being human beings.

          As I said, that's why my solution is I just avoid the airport as a driver because I don't think the system works well for us. Knowing there's a chance it might happen I just avoid it!

          Personally if it really happened to me, I still wouldn't rate you badly. It's not your fault at all but I might feel a little frustrated internally, then go home and write a complaint to Uber about why the virtual queueing system isn't working!

  • derrida derider on 02/07/2018 - 11:54
    +2

    "I've always said kids aren't expensive"
    LOL - the research shows that each single kid in a LOW INCOME family costs their parents, on average, $170 a week (https://aifs.gov.au/media-releases/new-estimates-costs-raisi… ). That's about $160k each until they're 18. Its more for average income families.
    Dude, wait till they are teenagers. That's when the cost of an Uber fare will look very cheap to you.

  • h4zey on 02/07/2018 - 12:35
    +2

    drop everyone off then park free somewhere close and hire a bike from these bike share and dump the bike in the airport :)

    • muncan on 05/07/2018 - 20:29

      This is great! But where can you park for free near Sydney Airport? Adelaide?

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join