Closest non-Airport railway station from Melbourne and Brisbane Airports

21 replies

Livewireshock

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

Member since 17 Mar 2016

Total posts 7

Some people can't value their time too much to go spending so much extra of it to save a few bucks?

Sometimes you can find yourself in the position of being time rich but cash poor. I had a wallet stolen the day before returning home to Australia, so no time for replacing credit cards etc. So only had $20 on arrival at Brisbane and knowing about the Skybus/Route 590 combination allowed me to get to the Gold Coast, which the AirTrain fare would not have.

RobJ

QantasFF

Member since 16 Nov 2012

Total posts 7

Both these processes are bizarre ways to save trifling amounts while giving anyone with luggage a great deal of hassle - each to his/her own I suppose.


Oddly, in Sydney, if you're more tight fisted than I have been so far (but tempted given the price of airport rail), you can take the train to suburban Mascot and catch a 400 bus nearby. While I haven't done that, I often catch the 400 (ex Bondi Junction via Randwick) when I'm staying in the eastern suburbs.

KJ

Member since 27 Sep 2017

Total posts 1

My recommendation would be just take the UBER to your final destination, particularly if there is a small group. Most UBER drivers - who may have waited in the airport queue for a considerable period of time - resent short trips from the airport and have a strong tendency to rate passengers 1* who book these short trips to discourage similar bookings in the future. If you value your UBER rating and don't want to be rated 1*, best to take the UBER the whole way. Or take the rating less taxi option instead!

Last editedby KJ at Sep 27, 2017, 05:59 PM.

watson374

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 17 Aug 2012

Total posts 1,285

[QUOTE=3902;41064]

Both these processes are bizarre ways to save trifling amounts while giving anyone with luggage a great deal of hassle - each to his/her own I suppose.

Oddly, in Sydney, if you're more tight fisted than I have been so far (but tempted given the price of airport rail), you can take the train to suburban Mascot and catch a 400 bus nearby. While I haven't done that, I often catch the 400 (ex Bondi Junction via Randwick) when I'm staying in the eastern suburbs.

[/QUOTE]

I've done the 400 from T2-T3 to Mascot so many times I've stopped counting. I've even walked it (which is quite easy, and better than waiting half an hour). You can also do the 400 from T1 to Rockdale.

The thing that makes the 400 a lot better than the 901 (besides the fact it takes a much shorter ride through much nicer suburbs) is that it is frequent and reliable enough to be useful.

readosunnycoast

Member since 05 Oct 2011

Total posts 117

Myself and my parents are planning to travel to Melbourne and Brisbane over the coming month, however us having no drivers license means we might need to get slugged by the Skybus at Melbourne and AirTrain at Brisbane.

However I thought about an idea if we catch Uber to the nearest train station for less than $25 then change for a train to the city, it might well be cheaper than going direct. The question I have is, which is the closest non-airport train station to Melbourne and Brisbane Airports, where I can catch Uber from those stations to the Airport cheaply?


Thank you.


If it is merely the city you are going to, get a cab or UBER all the way. They will drop you exactly at the hotel rather than getting another bus or cab to the hotel.

Last editedby readosunnycoast at Sep 28, 2017, 11:45 AM.

KinHo

Member since 03 Sep 2017

Total posts 26

When travelling alone, then the trains and buses can be a cheaper option.

However when you have a group of 3 person (even 2 at times), the total cost may usually end up not that much cheaper than taking a cab.
In Melbourne, the train and local bus fare (travelling within the 2 hours) will cost you $4.10 per person. You will have to purchase a Myki card at $6 and top it up with value to use.
Skybus from airport to Southern Cross station cost $18 per person.
If your hotel is not near any train station, then you might need a short cab ride, costing some $15 or so.

What you have in mind is doable, but do calculate the total cost then decide which is better or best for you. No point paying about the same in total and end up with a time consuming/wasting option.
Also note that depending on the time of your arrival, trains and buses during peak hour isn't fun to contend with. This also applies to the cost of taking a cab, as the meter ticks while you're in a traffic jam. I have never taken Uber, but I think they have a fixed charge.

Good luck.

Traveller14

Member since 17 Sep 2015

Total posts 73

The 901 SmartBus from Melbourne Airport (T4 ground car park) operates every quarter of an hour from early mornings on weekdays to 2100 hours; every half an hour from 2100 hours on Mondays to Fridays, and every half an hour on weekends.


To my mind that's pretty frequent. The trains at Broadmeadows run at least every 20 minutes (night times half hourly; Sunday mornings 40 minutes, weekday peak periods better than 20 minutes.) Again, not world beating but not disastrous.

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