SYD to Circular Quay area

We are flying in to SYD on a Thursday morning in December and staying near Circular Quay at the Amora Jamison Hotel prior to sailing. We arrive at SYD around 10:30 am. What is the cost of a taxi from airport to hotel? Would a taxi be located outside baggage claim? We are flying from the US.

 

I have read there is a train that might be convenient...can anyone expand on that please? How close is the closest train stop to the hotel? I have never riden on a train with luggage so I'm not sure I want to deal with this option but it doesn't hurt to get the details.

 

Also, has anyone taken a private car to a Circular Quay area hotel? Any suggestions as to a company to use or approximate cost? How long is the trip time-wise from point A to point B in real time at this hour as this would help me determine if the cost of this option is even worth it.

 

I cant't seem to find recent info on any of this so thanks so much!

Edited July 14, 2015 by floralscent
Addition

Would a taxi be located outside baggage claim?

Exit from customs and follow the signs to the taxi rank, which is outside the terminal building and to the left. If you have a lot of bags, the marshals will help you to get a taxi of the correct size, but two people with normal-sized luggage ought to be able to get into any taxi. As always, do not accept any offers from people touting inside or near the terminal, as they are likely to be illegal operators and may even be uninsured. 20-30 minutes to the hotel once you're rolling.

 

Wynyard station is the closest to your hotel, much closer than Circular Quay.

It depends on how much bag handling you want to do, there is a lot of bag dragging with the train. When you reach Wynyard Station there is a 250m walk to your hotel.

 

There are two other options

 

1. Take a taxi - all information as Globaliser, above has said. The approx. cost is around $60AU

 

2. Take a shuttle bus. Go to the Concierge desk at the Airport and they will organise it for you. The ride from the airport may take in other hotels before your drop off at Amora Jamison, so it will take a little longer than a taxi. Driver will help with bags. Cost $16AU per person.

 

PS. Tips not necessary.

One thing to note is the train is much more expensive than other train trips in Sydney. The airport stations are private and an added fee is tacked onto the fare. just for those stations We found that a taxi was not that much more expensive for two or more.

It depends on how much bag handling you want to do, there is a lot of bag dragging with the train. When you reach Wynyard Station there is a 250m walk to your hotel.

 

There are two other options

 

1. Take a taxi - all information as Globaliser, above has said. The approx. cost is around $60AU

 

2. Take a shuttle bus. Go to the Concierge desk at the Airport and they will organise it for you. The ride from the airport may take in other hotels before your drop off at Amora Jamison, so it will take a little longer than a taxi. Driver will help with bags. Cost $16AU per person.

 

PS. Tips not necessary.

 

 

The shuttle bus might a great option for us. Is the concierge desk near baggage claim?

 

"Tips not necessary"- but is it ok to tip a bit if we feel the service is good? Coming from the US this it would seem different for us or we might feel a bit rude for not tipping but that's just because that's the way we function at home. I want to do what's right or most common though in Sydney so please expand if you will.

 

Thank you!

 

"Tips not necessary"- but is it ok to tip a bit if we feel the service is good? Coming from the US this it would seem different for us or we might feel a bit rude for not tipping but that's just because that's the way we function at home. I want to do what's right or most common though in Sydney so please expand if you will.

 

Thank you!

 

Tips are NOT necessary - full stop. Remember the saying "when in Rome...". You are not at home - you are in a country of well paid minimum wage citizens who do not require tips to make up the bulk of their salary as in your country.

 

A note - the shuttle service in Sydney has the lousiest reputation in the country. Check posts on trip advisor for the many many complaints.

 

Taxi is by far the simplest and easiest and with more than one passenger - the more economical.

The shuttle bus might a great option for us. Is the concierge desk near baggage claim?

 

"Tips not necessary"- but is it ok to tip a bit if we feel the service is good? Coming from the US this it would seem different for us or we might feel a bit rude for not tipping but that's just because that's the way we function at home. I want to do what's right or most common though in Sydney so please expand if you will.

 

Thank you!

 

Not necessary. You could round up the fare to the nearest $5 if you like but, please, no more. Taxi fares in Sydney are expensive enough without the cabbies expecting tips on top of that.

We used Towncars.com 4 adults airport to circular quay in a Mercedes $85 aud well worth it

I have a question concerning taxi fares, are the prices set at a fixed rate or do they charge extra? Leaving from SYD to Circular Quay? Thanks in advance.

Try this https://www.taxifare.com.au/rates/australia/sydney/

Taxi fares in Sydney were worked out by a man named Einstein after he worked out E=MC2 he wanted something complex.

 

You will pat extras, such as some charge applied by the airport and road tolls.

 

You pay a flag fall (think booking fee) plus a rate calculated on distance plus a rate based on time, the car isn't moving (ie sitting in traffic).

 

Re tipping round up to the next dollar or even next $5 if you like, but no one will care if you don't, feel free to hold you hand out for the change you will get it no problems.

Use Uber

I have a question concerning taxi fares, are the prices set at a fixed rate or do they charge extra?

It depends on what you mean by a "fixed rate". Like taxis in most comparable places, it's done on the meter at published rates, plus you have to pay any additional specified charges. The official list is here: http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/customers/taxis/maximum-taxi-fares-and-charges#Schedule 1.

Thank you all for the information. When I wrote fixed rate, it's the rate set by a Taxi commissioner. In San Juan, Puerto Rico, they have the published fare so that you to what you are to pay where you go from the airport to the cruiseport. If there is a meter in the taxi, then you can see the price go up just by sitting in the taxi and it's based on time in the taxi plus other fees such as pickup, etc.

Thanks again.

Edited August 2, 2015 by Plum Happy

Use Uber

 

Have had good experiences when using Uber during business travel in the States.

No experience for international travel yet tho.

 

Would like to plan to use Uber x for airport pickup hen we arrive in Sydney, some airports in U.S. Allow uber x to pick up at terminal such as Atlanta. Others do not such as Chicago. Do you know what Sydney policy is?

 

Also would like to plan to take uber to White Bay terminal from hotel in Potts pt. and use uber for transport to airport from cruise terminal at end.

Sorry I have not used Uber in sydney, maybe this link might help you

http://www.ausbt.com.au/uber-axes-flat-rate-between-cbd-and-sydney-airport

Wynyard train station is about 200 metres from the Hotel, flat walking. You would have to change trains at Central. The cost would be around half the price of a taxi if there are two of you, but you would have to be able to handle your luggage easily.

 

We catch the train every time because the traffic can be unreliable but we always limit our luggage to what we can easily manage.

Edited August 3, 2015 by 3littlepigs

Wynyard train station is about 200 metres from the Hotel, flat walking. You would have to change trains at Central. .

 

The airport train goes around the city circle so will get to Wynyard station.

 

There is no fixed price for taxi's from the airport, as others have said, you pay what is essentially a booking fee, then cost for distance & time travelled, plus there is an airport levy. Depending on your taxi driver, he may go through a toll road as well which you will need to pay.

 

If you are arriving in peak hour then the taxi fare can get quite pricey, but it is door to door. As a minimum it would be about $60, you could add at least $20 to that if you are in peak hour. It will take about 20 minutes in decent traffic, up to 40 mins if it's bad

 

The train is a bit under $17 each person one way. It's located directly underneath the airport terminal and will stop at Wynyard. if you've only got a bag each and are willing to drag it around for a little while it's a viable option. It will be pretty busy in peak hour as well however, so you may find yourself standing in the vestibule for the 25 minute trip to Wynyard, but if it's out of peak you should get a seat without a problem.

 

I guess the decision comes to when are you arriving, and if you're more concerned with cost or comfort :D