Sydney - pre-booking taxis

[mattie00]

Seeking advice on a reliable taxi company with which we can pre-book various pick-ups. We will require a pick-up upon arrival at Sydney airport (this does not likely have to be pre-booked); pick-up at hotels going to cruise ship pier; pick-up from cruise ship pier going to hotel; and pick-up from cruise ship pier going to airport. Our main concern is the pick-up when we disembark from Sun Princess after our 29-day circumnavigation cruise. Our international flight departs at 11:50 a.m. and our ship is supposedly available to disembark at 7:00 a.m. Any and all advice much appreciated.:)

[shireboi]

Seeking advice on a reliable taxi company with which we can pre-book various pick-ups. We will require a pick-up upon arrival at Sydney airport (this does not likely have to be pre-booked); pick-up at hotels going to cruise ship pier; pick-up from cruise ship pier going to hotel; and pick-up from cruise ship pier going to airport. Our main concern is the pick-up when we disembark from Sun Princess after our 29-day circumnavigation cruise. Our international flight departs at 11:50 a.m. and our ship is supposedly available to disembark at 7:00 a.m. Any and all advice much appreciated.:)

 

 

Just some advice......

 

it's much much easier just to get out of Sydney International and head towards the taxi stand area - pick up one there - rather than try and 'find' your pre-arranged one. Just put your bags on a trolley and roll there - it will be much quicker !!

 

(* reason being - Sydney International is a 'dog's breakfast' of a place - it's downright messy disorganised and IMO terrible !).

 

Now... your hotel..... any details on where that is ??

 

The main cruise port for Sydney - and will most likely be Circular Quay for the Sun Princess - it's walk-able from most CBD Hotel destinations - and will probably be a lot quicker (given the amount of road works being done in Sydney currently) than a taxi.

 

 

Leaving Sydney.... if your cruise returns back to Circ Quay - then the quickest - reliable - easiest way of getting back to the International Terminal will be using the Circular Quay Train Station to Airport (you will require an Opal card to use). The train station is right next to the port. (*it's about 17mins from Circular Quay to International Airport)

Edited October 27, 2016 by shireboi

[Meamat]

Mattie, you're exactly right that you shouldn't need to pre-book from the airport, it's much easier to just go to the taxi rank. We have pre-booked shuttles and the private ones actually have to queue up further away from the exit - it's a bit of a pain.

 

As shireboi said, many hotels are near enough to the OPT to make walking almost easier than a taxi depending on your mobility. If that's not an option for you, I'd actually ask the concierge at the hotel to book the taxi rather than book it yourself. Some prebooked taxis can be a bit unreliable, and a hotel desk might pull a bit of sway that you as an individual don't.

 

If you're in Circular Quay, there are taxis nearby similar to an airport rank. As a major ship disembarks you're likely to find them milling around like ants. I always prefer the train when possible, but my guess is that after a month cruising you might have too much gear to lug to the train station. If that's the case and you're concerned about having a taxi waiting, I'd personally book a private shuttle. They are usually a bit more expensive than a taxi but for the peace of mind it could be worth it. At least then you have someone waiting with your name on a sign and ready to help with your bags!

[gbenjo]

Pretty sure Princess have coaches to take you from the terminal to the airport after the cruise (it will cost of course) but if you are booked with them they can put you on a coach that will get you to the airport in time for your flight....another option perhaps.

[Womble99]

 

Leaving Sydney.... if your cruise returns back to Circ Quay - then the quickest - reliable - easiest way of getting back to the International Terminal will be using the Circular Quay Train Station to Airport (you will require an Opal card to use). The train station is right next to the port. (*it's about 17mins from Circular Quay to International Airport)

 

Just a note if you are going to or from the airport by train you do not have to get an Opal card. One way tickets are still available however they are slightly dearer than the Opal fare.

[mattie00]

Thank you all for your advice. We will get a taxi from the queue at the airport and arrange for concierges to book rides from hotels to cruise ships. We will be staying at the Amora Jamison for 4 nights between cruises which we believe is in the CBD. As far as transfer to the airport when we disembark Sun Princess...undecided as of yet. We will probably book a ride to ensure we get to the airport. Our experience with ship transfers has been that we sit and wait for the bus to fill before it leaves for the airport. Normally would book flight for day after we disembark but the booked flights allow us to fly Sydney-Auckland-Vancouver-Calgary thus avoiding the dreaded LAX (and this flight is only weekly).

[Meamat]

Sounds good! Yes, your hotel would be within walking distance if you wanted to, but a 15 minute walk so once you include luggage and everything it could be a bit much! Taxi sounds much better.

 

Wish I could help you out with a good transfer company, the only company I've booked is not one I'd recommend.

[rumpelstiltskin]

... Thus avoiding the dreaded lax

tell it like it is!!! Lol

Edited October 29, 2016 by rumpelstiltskin