LHR-SYD Questions, questions, questions ...

Weee heeeeee! Going to Sydney and Melbourne next week, first time in Aus and I'm wet pants excited. Not that I'll see much, since it's all work, but I've planned 2 1/2 days of me time into my schedule. I probably have a thousand questions but here's a subset posted here rather than in 'Guru' should any staffers chip in:

- in HKG why are you stickered coming off the plane
- what tactics are best to get to the clubhouse and bag a shower
- how long in HKG airport (btw I am not stopping in Hong Kong just the clubhouse stopover)
- is express immigration still offered in SYD
- how long should I anticipate waiting for immigration
- I think VS use the ANZ lounge in SYD?
- I may be returning from Melbourne, at SYD the domestic and international terminals are an age apart I think??? How long should I give to connect back on to the VS201?
- any hotel recommendations in Sydney?

Thanks in anticipation ...

[honey lamb]

As best I can to each of your questions

1. You are stickered to identify you when it is time to re-board and to identify you from the ones finishing their journey at HKG
2. Hopefully you won't have to wait for a shower.
3. I think 1.5 to 2 hours
4. Can't remember but i think not
5. Immigration wasn't a problem for us but Customs was
6. Yes, it's the ANZ lounge
7. Can't answer this, sorry
8. I stayed at the Shangri-La and hated it. Others have recommended the four Seasons

Enjoy Oz [y]

1. Like HL says.
2.Make speed when you disembark.Head for the shower first (the staff are lovely and very helpful).Drink/eat after (a mojito is obligatory of course).
3.1.5 hrs for us coming back.
4.We didn't use it (didn't see it even offered).Were through in about 15 mins from disembarking.Lucky perhaps, but we shifted off the plane rapidly as we were warned by the crew there were several flights arriving behind us.
5 No probs at customs.
6.ANZ lounge.Self service and no LHR CH but a bolthole none the less.
7.Used DJ to transfer- transfer between terminals took about 20 mins if I remember rightly.Domestic terminal was heaving.
8.Used a serviced appartment (Saville Bond St)as we needed two bedrooms. Excellent location and service.
Have a great time- Oz is a fab place.

Most of the questions of real consequence have been answered concisely and with delicate precision by V-Flyer's answer to Girls Aloud.

As to a hotel recommendations for Sydney, we were very, very happy in the Intercontinental. Go for a room with Club Lounge access - nice lounge, great drinks and one of the best views of the city to be had.

Originally posted by mdvipond

As to a hotel recommendations for Sydney, we were very, very happy in the Intercontinental. Go for a room with Club Lounge access - nice lounge, great drinks and one of the best views of the city to be had.

I can second that - and a corner suite too if you can for fab views.

Enjoy,

HG

- what tactics are best to get to the clubhouse and bag a shower

I have never had a problem getting shower at the LHR CH, although as I remember it there are only two (tiny) showers at HKG. Not had a problem myself getting a shower at HKG either, although YMMV. For me, I also take some spare clothes in my carry on so I can take a shower at HKG too so I can be fresh as a daisy in SYD (I still wear PJs on board on both segments too).

- how long in HKG airport (btw I am not stopping in Hong Kong just the clubhouse stopover)

An hour. Enough time for a shower and a couple of Champagnes [:p]

- is express immigration still offered in SYD

I didn't even know it ever existed.

- how long should I anticipate waiting for immigration

It can be nasty depending on how many whale jets have arrived before you: it is rush hour for SYD international arrivals in the early morning. I have had to wait about an hour or so on a couple of occasions, pretty nasty when it's humid [n]. More recently I've come in on a late afternoon flight from AKL and it's been completely empty [y]

- I may be returning from Melbourne, at SYD the domestic and international terminals are an age apart I think??? How long should I give to connect back on to the VS201?

It is really crap transferring domestic-international at SYD: I just don't think anyone paid any attention to this at all when they extended the airport for the Olympics. There are no free options unless you are transferring QF-QF or interlined between Virgin Blue and certain other operators (inc VS). If you're on a J or D ticket, arrange for a limo driver to pick you up and transfer you. They love you for that as they charge VS a fixed fare no matter where they go. Either that or take a cab but beware of the bad mouthing you might get as the fare between terminals barely pays for their airport pick up tax! On the plus side, they have an incentive to do it in double quick time because if they return to the airport within 20 minutes they don't have to pay the fee again.

- any hotel recommendations in Sydney?

If money is no object, it would have to be the Park Hyatt. Last couple of times I've been, I've not been able to justify the AUD800pn they were quoting, but it was peak season Easter when I last tried.

Four Seasons (the old Regent on George St) may seem good value, but it is not really up to the full FS quality IMHO. It was in the process of a mini refurb while I was there in March, so maybe it's upped its game a little.

Have a great trip,

H

Thanks all - coincidentally I was looking at the Intercontinental ...

Great idea about the CDC from the domestic terminal Howard, I appreciate that and if I do connect directly I will definitely take that up.

So, basically I just head for the showers to be sure to bag one, no stopping for fag on the way [:I].

the Sydney intercontinental is an excellent hotel. And yes, you must get club access. The view is stunning. I was there for the new year fireworks this year, and it was awesome!

Originally posted by slinky09
Weee heeeeee! Going to Sydney and Melbourne next week, first time in Aus and I'm wet pants excited. Not that I'll see much, since it's all work, but I've planned 2 1/2 days of me time into my schedule. I probably have a thousand questions but here's a subset posted here rather than in 'Guru' should any staffers chip in:

- in HKG why are you stickered coming off the plane
- what tactics are best to get to the clubhouse and bag a shower
- how long in HKG airport (btw I am not stopping in Hong Kong just the clubhouse stopover)
- is express immigration still offered in SYD
- how long should I anticipate waiting for immigration
- I think VS use the ANZ lounge in SYD?
- I may be returning from Melbourne, at SYD the domestic and international terminals are an age apart I think??? How long should I give to connect back on to the VS201?
- any hotel recommendations in Sydney?

Thanks in anticipation ...

-You are stickered to differentiate you from journey-complete pax and so they know who to look for at departure time (I always take the silly sticker off!).
-Best tactics for CH & shower are be first off the plane and adidas track shoes...
-About 90 mins usually at HKG.
-Express Imm is was still in place 2 months ago and worth getting; not sure if it's Au only though?
-Queues?Anywhere between 5-90 minutes.
-Yes, its now actually the old ANZ lounge, I believe it belongs to someone else now.
-Hard to say how long, but don't assume it'll be quick, and another transfer method is the $5 AUS bus that continually runs between the terminals.
-I managed to get the Marriott Circular Quay on Priceline, and at a very good rate ~ half of the normal rate, and now is a good time as its 'relatively' low season in Australia at the moment. It's a very nice hotel.

Originally posted by vizbiz
-Hard to say how long, but don't assume it'll be quick, and another transfer method is the $5 AUS bus that continually runs between the terminals.

Howard, how did you manage to forget about the bus?

Originally posted by McMaddog

Originally posted by vizbiz
-Hard to say how long, but don't assume it'll be quick, and another transfer method is the $5 AUS bus that continually runs between the terminals.

Howard, how did you manage to forget about the bus?

Well, I didn't forget about it, I just object to both waiting for, and paying for a bus to take me from one terminal to another in the same airport, especially when one of the temrinals is international: it's likely pax will not have local currency. It's akin to certain US airports charging US$2 in quarters for a baggage trolley. It's not the first time and I don't think it'll be the last that I've stated that I think it's a disgrace that an airport like this doesn't have a gratis inter-terminal links.

Howard

Here's another one, at HKG does UC disembark from L1 or L2 door?

Strategic seat placement you see ... [}:)]

Also, I understand the Clubhouse is poorly signposted and up some stairs by some shops ... any further details?

yes, it is upstairs from the shops. I think I posted instructionstions for finding it in my TR.

Originally posted by slinky09
Here's another one, at HKG does UC disembark from L1 or L2 door?

In theory, both!! L1 is opened first and once L1 is opened, L2 is opened. So if you wanted to get off slightly quicker, front half of J is the way to go!


[:X]

Edited to say, that I have stayed in the Intercontinental and it is indeed a lovely hotel. And what is wrong with the Shangri-La?

[mitchja]

I liked the Shangri-La in SYD as well.

My only minor gripe was the walk from the train station to the hotel. It's all up-hill and very steep if you have luggage. I almost needed oxygen when I reached the hotel.

Regards

Originally posted by mitchja
I liked the Shangri-La in SYD as well.

My only minor gripe was the walk from the train station to the hotel. It's all up-hill and very steep if you have luggage. I almost needed oxygen when I reached the hotel.

Regards

I've heard about that hill! [:p]

Originally posted by mitchja
My only minor gripe was the walk from the train station to the hotel. It's all up-hill and very steep if you have luggage. I almost needed oxygen when I reached the hotel.

What on earth makes you think I am going to walk [:o)]. CDC for me, all the way ...