dv4 Posted January 25, 2016 Share Posted January 25, 2016 Hi, We're about to make the move in a month or so and are trying to sort out our flight tickets and connections. We've travelled to Sydney on holiday previously and it was quite an experience getting through immigration, customs and quarantine...took us the better part of 90mins to actually exit through the airport doors... Our big move is via Brisbane airport, with loads of luggage and 2 very exhausted kids in tow.. 1. Any estimates on how long it might take to make it through from the plane to exiting the terminal? I understand it varies depending on passenger load etc. We arrive at 7.15am on singapore airlines. I expect to be fully loaded with luggage, a baby stroller, car seat and kids...sitting ducks for the quarantine/customs/baggage check officers... 2. I've read there is a free bus to the domestic terminal and it takes 10mins to get there...would taking this bus work for us or should I be looking at taking a taxi? 3. I'm estimating 30-45 mins for waiting + travel time for the taxi/shuttle bus to the domestic terminal...does this sound accurate? Thanks in advance! any information would be much appreciated... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
srh82 Posted January 25, 2016 Share Posted January 25, 2016 Cannot guarantee 100% accuracy in your questions but below is my view. 1. I would factor 1hr for this. Early morning is an extremely busy arrival time at BNE. It shouldn't take you more than 1hr. I have NEVER been more than 1hr but then again I've never had kids in tow. Having a 'smart' biometric passport and ensuring that your immigration forms are correctly and truthfully completed will speed things up! 2. This is true provided you have a boarding pass or can show a flight confirmation with Qantas or Virgin for your domestic departure I believe. If you are flying domestic with Jetstar, Tiger or anyone else, you might want to confirm with airline directly. Recommend you check the Brisbane Airport website for more information on this. There is also the air train which may be free between international and domestic. You could try to take a taxi, it may cost you $10, it's not v far! You have options! 3. Yes that sounds fair to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CJT Posted January 25, 2016 Share Posted January 25, 2016 Hi,We're about to make the move in a month or so and are trying to sort out our flight tickets and connections. We've travelled to Sydney on holiday previously and it was quite an experience getting through immigration, customs and quarantine...took us the better part of 90mins to actually exit through the airport doors... Our big move is via Brisbane airport, with loads of luggage and 2 very exhausted kids in tow.. 1. Any estimates on how long it might take to make it through from the plane to exiting the terminal? I understand it varies depending on passenger load etc. We arrive at 7.15am on singapore airlines. I expect to be fully loaded with luggage, a baby stroller, car seat and kids...sitting ducks for the quarantine/customs/baggage check officers... 2. I've read there is a free bus to the domestic terminal and it takes 10mins to get there...would taking this bus work for us or should I be looking at taking a taxi? 3. I'm estimating 30-45 mins for waiting + travel time for the taxi/shuttle bus to the domestic terminal...does this sound accurate? Thanks in advance! any information would be much appreciated... Getting through obviously depends on how many planes have landed - early morning can be busy, but I would say you should get through in 45min-60min max. They have the electronic immigration checking system for use by Aus passport holders which speeds things up for them and frees up for non Aus passport holders. We came back from UK on Friday, landing at 6:30am and were outside the terminal (with hold luggage) being picked up at 7:00. Taxi/shuttle should be pretty quick as the two terminals are close 15-20 mins max would be my guess. Good luck with the move. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
srh82 Posted January 25, 2016 Share Posted January 25, 2016 Smart gates are not just for Aus passport holders so if you have a biometric UK passport you can use these gates too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eera Posted January 25, 2016 Share Posted January 25, 2016 In my recent experience any aeroplane originating in a low-risk country pretty much gets waved through without much inspection. Passengers coming from India and the like get subjected to a much higher scrutiny. I generally get through flights with Virgin group and they give you a token for free transfer, as I understand it, if you don't have a through flight from international to domestic you have to buy a token from the kiosk near the baggage collection but don't quote me on that as it's not something I've ever done. Buses are more frequent than the airtrain. Brisbane is seriously not a big airport like Sydney so you'll find it easy to navigate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
srg73 Posted January 25, 2016 Share Posted January 25, 2016 Every time we have gone through BNE we have been waived through. Being low risk country passport holder, having everything in cases or bags and I suppose our ages (40's) acts in our favor. Unfortunately and incorrectly in my eyes, far Eastern South American and South Asian flights get checked more thoroughly. BNE is not a busy airport and you should not have any issues. S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ramot Posted January 25, 2016 Share Posted January 25, 2016 The only problem we had last time we arrived was that the machine for biometric passports was being very selective about accepting some passports! Neither my husband or I have ever had a problem before, but after queueing mine was fine, my husband's refused for no reason, and they made him go to the back of the regular queue!!! Was not amused, and neither was I having to lug suitcases off the carousel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dv4 Posted January 26, 2016 Author Share Posted January 26, 2016 Thank you everyone for the replies...it's been really helpful and much appreciated! ...fingers crossed it's a stress free move. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NicF Posted January 26, 2016 Share Posted January 26, 2016 Smart gates are not just for Aus passport holders so if you have a biometric UK passport you can use these gates too! Not with children you can't. Australian children can go through from the age of ten, children of other nationalities have to be 16. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nemesis Posted January 26, 2016 Share Posted January 26, 2016 Thank you everyone for the replies...it's been really helpful and much appreciated!...fingers crossed it's a stress free move. Remember that you will need to check your lyggage in again. You have to collect it at Brisbane to go through customs, then take it to the check in area for whichever airline you are flying onward with International arrival in Brisbane should be no more than an hour from aircraft to being in the arrivals hall. Brisbane is quicker and easier than Sydney though, that airport is horrendous. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dv4 Posted January 26, 2016 Author Share Posted January 26, 2016 Remember that you will need to check your lyggage in again. You have to collect it at Brisbane to go through customs, then take it to the check in area for whichever airline you are flying onward with International arrival in Brisbane should be no more than an hour from aircraft to being in the arrivals hall. Brisbane is quicker and easier than Sydney though, that airport is horrendous. Thank you again everyone...you've been most helpful. My kids are not 10 yet, so it's the long winding passport queue for us... Thanks for the reminder about having to re-check our luggage in for domestic...wish we could check the stuff right through directly an waltz to the gates... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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