Sydney to Melbourne- Melbourne to Sydney: Virgin Airlines
The original plan was to spend around 8 days in Sydney alone but most of those who have been there advised us to spend, at the most, just 3 days thus we began thinking of where else in Australia to go. We were deliberating on whether to go to Cairns to see the GBR of Great Barrier Reef or go to Melbourne to see the Great Ocean Road. We chose Melbourne over Cairns because two of our friends experienced the strong currents and had sea sickness while taking the ferry to see the GBR in Cairns. Their narration discouraged us most especially since we were bringing Zeeh and we did not want her to be suffering from sea sickness.
Our ETA in Sydney from Manila was at 10 am so we booked a Virgin Australia flight with ETD at 2 PM and ETA in Melbourne at 3:35 PM. The 4 hours gap between flights seemed reasonable. Before we chose Virgin Australia, Jun found this website which compared airline tickets. A budget airline called Jetstar offered the cheapest air rate however, if you pay with the credit card, the company adds around AUD 15 for each passenger. I dont know if they will also charge Zeeh but even if they dont, the additional AUD 30 will make the fare almost the same as Virgin. Coincidentally , we came upon an article on Melbourne stating that the city has 2 airports: Tullamarine ( Melbourne airport) and Avalon. If we go by Jetstar, we needed to take a bus or taxi from Avalon in order to get to the CBD. This will take at least an hour with light traffic and the fare would be heftier. Overall, Virgin Australia though seemingly more expensive if you base it on the airfare upfront, turned out to be a cheaper and more convenient choice.
The VIrgin Airlines tickets to and from sydney and melbourne cost AUD 237.70 each inclusive of 20 kg luggage allowance and snacks. Zeeh was completely free of charge. The actual fare was only 230 but they charge a service fee of AUD 7.70 which, is half of what Jetstar charges..
SInce we will be arriving at the international airport in sydney, we needed to transfer to the domestic airport to take our flight to Melbourne. From our research, taking the bus or the train, will be cheaper than a taxt so while our baggages where unloaded, we were looking around for a sign on where we can get a train or bus to take us to the domestic airport. Luckily, an airport official who was scouting at the baggage counter for items to declare, was around. When I inquired for directions to the bus or train terminals for our domestic transfer, he asked me what airline I was taking. When I told him Virgin, he said virgin offers FREE bus transfer service! We were able to save on bus/train fare! After getting our luggages, we made our way to the ground check in counter of Virgin Airlines to check our luggages. The staff was very courteous and assisted us on where to wait for the bus to bring us to the domestice airport The airlines bus we were told, departs every 10-15.
The interior of the Virgin airline was very clean and the seats looked new. We were given an infant seatbelt for Zeeh. It was our first time to use an infant seatbelt. Complimentary snacks were biscuits and cheese and a choice of coffee, tea, juice and water. Zeeh even got a share and she loved giving HiFives to the stewardesses you gladly obliged.
When we exited the airport in Melbourne, immediately on our right was the SkyBus City Airport Express. The ticket cost was AUD 18 each.. The bus was spacious with free wifi. We were dropped off at their terminal where we we booked for our free transfer to our hotel . In less than 10 min, another skybus ( smaller than the airport express which was a double decker bus but can occupy I think up to 50 pax) arrived and dropped us off at the doorstep of IBIS Melbourne Hotels and Apartments at no additional charge. How convenient!
The day before our scheduled flight back to Sydney, we asked the front desk manager of Ibis Hotels to book us for pick up by the sky bus. It was a good thing we did so because booking need to be made 24 hours in advance. Our flight was scheduled to leave at 8 PM and we were picked up by the bus at the IBIS doorstep at 5:30 PM. After dropping us at the terminal, we purchased our tickets for the Skybus Airport Express for AUD 18 again each. The ride to the airport was around 1 hour. We got off at the domestic airport terminal and checked in at Virgin airlines for our trip back to Sydney.
Unlike in Melbourne, getting to the central business district in Sydney was more challenging. WE got to the train platform which was connected to the airport. We bought train tickets for AUD 17 each and proceeded to platform 1 to get to the train that will bring us to the Town hall. When we reached the station we asked for help on how to get to George street exit. George street turned out to be a major and busy thoroughfare and was still abuzzing with people late at night. With 2 trolleys, 2 backpacks and stroller with Zeeh in it, we walked from George street then Bathurst Street then saw a Meriton sign. Unfortunately, it turned out there were several Meriton Serviced apartment. We entered the wrong one first and had to walk for about 15 min to get to the right Meriton.
Out trip back to Sydney airport for our international fllight, was easier being now familiar with the train system. We got to Platform 6 and waited for the train that will get us to the airport. It was a short 15 min wait. The ticket cost was AUD 17 and the trip lasted for around 20 min.
Lesson Learned:
Bring 4 wheeled trolleys. Choose a hotel near the train station. Fly Virgin. Visit the Sydney Airport website. They will give directions on how to get to your hotel. Don't hesitate to ask for directions. Be mindful of the screen so that you wont get into a train which goes to a different direction.
Make sure to exchange your USD to AUD at the airport. We did that when we arrived at the Sydney airport from Manila. We chose Travelex. The lady advised us to change USD 500 dollars because the service charge for USD 100 is the same as USD 500 ( around AUD 9.70) and if we have excess AUD, we can approach any Travelex and they can change it back to USD without additional charge. Jun had to exchange some USD at the Central Business District. The exchange seems higher but the service fee s higher too. Travelex seemed to be the best choice. The train ticketing machines accepts credit cards too, in case you do not have cash.
SUMMARY:
Virgin Airlines: Sydney to Melbourne. Melbourne to Sydney. 2 Adults and 1 infant with 20 kg luggage and snacks: AUD 475.4 or PHP 15,997.44
Skybus: Melbourne airport to Ibis hotel. Ibis hotel to Melbourne Airport. 2 Adults 1 infant
AUD 18x2x2=72 or PHP 2,425.00
Train from Sydney Airport to Town Hall Station. Town Hall Station to Sydney Airport.
AUD 17x2x2=68 or PHP 2,290.00
TOTAL COST OF OUR SYDNEY TRIP TO MELBOURNE: PHP 20,692.44
Our ETA in Sydney from Manila was at 10 am so we booked a Virgin Australia flight with ETD at 2 PM and ETA in Melbourne at 3:35 PM. The 4 hours gap between flights seemed reasonable. Before we chose Virgin Australia, Jun found this website which compared airline tickets. A budget airline called Jetstar offered the cheapest air rate however, if you pay with the credit card, the company adds around AUD 15 for each passenger. I dont know if they will also charge Zeeh but even if they dont, the additional AUD 30 will make the fare almost the same as Virgin. Coincidentally , we came upon an article on Melbourne stating that the city has 2 airports: Tullamarine ( Melbourne airport) and Avalon. If we go by Jetstar, we needed to take a bus or taxi from Avalon in order to get to the CBD. This will take at least an hour with light traffic and the fare would be heftier. Overall, Virgin Australia though seemingly more expensive if you base it on the airfare upfront, turned out to be a cheaper and more convenient choice.
The VIrgin Airlines tickets to and from sydney and melbourne cost AUD 237.70 each inclusive of 20 kg luggage allowance and snacks. Zeeh was completely free of charge. The actual fare was only 230 but they charge a service fee of AUD 7.70 which, is half of what Jetstar charges..
SInce we will be arriving at the international airport in sydney, we needed to transfer to the domestic airport to take our flight to Melbourne. From our research, taking the bus or the train, will be cheaper than a taxt so while our baggages where unloaded, we were looking around for a sign on where we can get a train or bus to take us to the domestic airport. Luckily, an airport official who was scouting at the baggage counter for items to declare, was around. When I inquired for directions to the bus or train terminals for our domestic transfer, he asked me what airline I was taking. When I told him Virgin, he said virgin offers FREE bus transfer service! We were able to save on bus/train fare! After getting our luggages, we made our way to the ground check in counter of Virgin Airlines to check our luggages. The staff was very courteous and assisted us on where to wait for the bus to bring us to the domestice airport The airlines bus we were told, departs every 10-15.
The interior of the Virgin airline was very clean and the seats looked new. We were given an infant seatbelt for Zeeh. It was our first time to use an infant seatbelt. Complimentary snacks were biscuits and cheese and a choice of coffee, tea, juice and water. Zeeh even got a share and she loved giving HiFives to the stewardesses you gladly obliged.
When we exited the airport in Melbourne, immediately on our right was the SkyBus City Airport Express. The ticket cost was AUD 18 each.. The bus was spacious with free wifi. We were dropped off at their terminal where we we booked for our free transfer to our hotel . In less than 10 min, another skybus ( smaller than the airport express which was a double decker bus but can occupy I think up to 50 pax) arrived and dropped us off at the doorstep of IBIS Melbourne Hotels and Apartments at no additional charge. How convenient!
The day before our scheduled flight back to Sydney, we asked the front desk manager of Ibis Hotels to book us for pick up by the sky bus. It was a good thing we did so because booking need to be made 24 hours in advance. Our flight was scheduled to leave at 8 PM and we were picked up by the bus at the IBIS doorstep at 5:30 PM. After dropping us at the terminal, we purchased our tickets for the Skybus Airport Express for AUD 18 again each. The ride to the airport was around 1 hour. We got off at the domestic airport terminal and checked in at Virgin airlines for our trip back to Sydney.
Unlike in Melbourne, getting to the central business district in Sydney was more challenging. WE got to the train platform which was connected to the airport. We bought train tickets for AUD 17 each and proceeded to platform 1 to get to the train that will bring us to the Town hall. When we reached the station we asked for help on how to get to George street exit. George street turned out to be a major and busy thoroughfare and was still abuzzing with people late at night. With 2 trolleys, 2 backpacks and stroller with Zeeh in it, we walked from George street then Bathurst Street then saw a Meriton sign. Unfortunately, it turned out there were several Meriton Serviced apartment. We entered the wrong one first and had to walk for about 15 min to get to the right Meriton.
Out trip back to Sydney airport for our international fllight, was easier being now familiar with the train system. We got to Platform 6 and waited for the train that will get us to the airport. It was a short 15 min wait. The ticket cost was AUD 17 and the trip lasted for around 20 min.
Lesson Learned:
Bring 4 wheeled trolleys. Choose a hotel near the train station. Fly Virgin. Visit the Sydney Airport website. They will give directions on how to get to your hotel. Don't hesitate to ask for directions. Be mindful of the screen so that you wont get into a train which goes to a different direction.
Make sure to exchange your USD to AUD at the airport. We did that when we arrived at the Sydney airport from Manila. We chose Travelex. The lady advised us to change USD 500 dollars because the service charge for USD 100 is the same as USD 500 ( around AUD 9.70) and if we have excess AUD, we can approach any Travelex and they can change it back to USD without additional charge. Jun had to exchange some USD at the Central Business District. The exchange seems higher but the service fee s higher too. Travelex seemed to be the best choice. The train ticketing machines accepts credit cards too, in case you do not have cash.
SUMMARY:
Virgin Airlines: Sydney to Melbourne. Melbourne to Sydney. 2 Adults and 1 infant with 20 kg luggage and snacks: AUD 475.4 or PHP 15,997.44
Skybus: Melbourne airport to Ibis hotel. Ibis hotel to Melbourne Airport. 2 Adults 1 infant
AUD 18x2x2=72 or PHP 2,425.00
Train from Sydney Airport to Town Hall Station. Town Hall Station to Sydney Airport.
AUD 17x2x2=68 or PHP 2,290.00
TOTAL COST OF OUR SYDNEY TRIP TO MELBOURNE: PHP 20,692.44
Comments