The exhilaration of nabbing a $59 airfare to a place you actually want to go and at a time that's genuinely suitable is something to be marvelled. The thrill quickly dies, though, when you add up all the other costs associated with your bargain getaway.
While we can't help with free inflight snacks, we can get you from the airport to the CBD of each capital city on the cheap. Or, in serious style, should you be that way inclined. HotelClub.com helped The Huffington Post Australia compile a list of options, along with costs, so all you have to worry about is what to pack.
Sydney
Cheapest option:
Take the 400 bus from the airport to Mascot (corner of Coward and Laycock Streets), then take the T2 airport line train to Central Station
Cost: $4.46 - $5.48 Opal Card (offpeak/peak)
Approximate journey time: 20-32 mins (from domestic or international)
Fastest affordable:
Airport train
Cost: Opal card $15.36- $16.38 Note: Includes $13 station access fee, capped at $23/week for adults.
Approximate journey time: 9 minutes
Most luxurious:
Stretch limousine
Cost: $99 (domestic to the CBD), $132 (international to CBD)
Approximate journey time: 15 -30 minutes depending on traffic
Melbourne
Cheapest option:
At the airport outside Terminal 1, take the 901 bus towards Frankston. Get off at Broadmeadows train station at the Craigleburn line. At Broadmeadows station, take the train towards City and jump off at Flinders Street Station.
Cost: $14 for myki visitor value pack from airport. Includes $3.76 fare with the $4.24 remaining myki money. Includes discounts of 10-20 percent at Melbourne attractions.
Approximate journey time: Up to 1 hour and 20 minutes with connections
Fastest affordable:
Skybus
Cost: $18 (single)
Approximate journey time: 20 minutes
Most luxurious:
Helicopter transfer
Cost: $274pp (2-6 passengers)
Approximate journey time: 6 minutes
Adelaide
Cheapest option:
JetExpress double decker bus
Cost: $8.60 paper ticket or $4.76 - $5.96 (off peak/peak) Go card
Approximate journey time: 30-35 minutes
Fastest affordable:
Taxi
Cost: $15-20
Approximate journey time: 20 minutes
Most luxurious:
Stretch limousine
Cost: $420 vehicle cost (seats up to 9 people)
Approximate journey time: 20-30 minutes
Hobart
Cheapest option:
Redline Shuttle
Cost: $16
Approximate journey time: 30 minutes to city, and more if going to specific hotel
Fastest affordable:
Taxi
Cost: $40-55
Approximate journey time: 20 minutes
Most luxurious:
Stretch limousine
Cost: $130 (up to 6 people, limited luggage storage)
Approximate journey time: 30 minutes into town, 30 minutes extra cruise time included
Canberra
Cheapest option:
Walk about 600m from the airport on George Tyson Drive, crossing Terminal Avenue. Continue on George Tyson Drive, turning right at the first roundabout and continuing straight at the next roundabout on Brindabella Circuit. Jump on the bus just after Brindabella Circuit bends, and take bus 11 to the CBD and get off at City Bus Station.
Cost: $4.60 or buy $7.30-$7.90 (peak/offpeak) with MyWay transport card purchase and fare
Approximate journey time: 20-35 mins
Fastest affordable:
Taxi
Cost: $20
Approximate journey time: 15 minutes
Most luxurious:
Stretch limousine
Cost: $200 (up to 9 people)
Approximate journey time: 20-30 minutes
Gold Coast
Cheapest option:
Take route 777 bus from Gold Coast airport to Broadbeach South station. From there change to the G-Link tram and jump off at Surfers Paradise station.
Cost: $8.60 paper ticket or $4.76 - $5.96 (off peak/peak) Go card
Approximate journey time: 38 minutes
Fastest affordable:
Taxi from airport to Surfers Paradise
Cost: $54
Approximate journey time: 35 minutes
Most luxurious:
Helicopter
Cost: $594 (1-3 passengers) or $1073 (4-6 passengers, total price for aircraft regardless of no. of passengers)
Approximate journey time: 15 mins
Brisbane
Cheapest option:
Take the free Airport Transfer Bus from domestic terminal to Skygate Shopping Centre. At Skygate, take the 590 bus toward Toombul Shopping Centre and get off at the bus interchange. At interchange walk 200m to Toombul train station. Take the train on the Cleveland or Caboolture lines to Central station in the CBD
Cost: $7.50 or $5.24 with a Go card
Approximate journey time: 35 minutes
Fastest affordable:
Airtrain
Cost: $17 full fare
Approximate journey time: 25 minutes
Most luxurious:
Limousine
Cost: $75
Approximate journey time: 20 minutes
Darwin
Cheapest option:
Walk out of the airport on Henry Wrigley Drive about 500m. As you pass the Rydges Darwin Airport Resort on the right, turn left into Pederson Road and then immediately turn right into Charles Eaton Drive for the bus stop near the corner at 816. Take route 3 toward Casuarina Bus Interchange. Take route 4 to Darwin Bus Interchange on Harry Chan Ave downtown.
Cost: $3 paper ticket. Cheaper than a Tap and Ride card if you’re not returning to Darwin.
Approximate journey time: 50-60 minutes
Fastest affordable:
Taxi
Cost: $22-32
Approximate journey time: 15-25 minutes
Most luxurious:
Luxury sedan (2-3people) or van (up to 10 people)
Cost: $102.50 sedan or $145 van
Approximate journey time: 15-25 minutes
Perth
Cheapest option:
If arriving at the International terminal, take a free shuttle to reach domestic terminals 3 and 4 bus interchange. Take route 40 bus from there towards Esplanade Busport. For a central drop off location in the CBD, get off at stop 10121 - St Georges Terrace and William Street. Alternately from Terminal 3 and 4 take route 37 bus towards Kings Park and get off at stop 10121.
Cost: $4.50 or $3.83 with Transperth’s SmartRider card for $20 including fare, purchase & $6.17 remaining funds.
Approximate journey time: 42 minutes
Fastest affordable:
Taxi
Cost: $40
Approximate journey time: 20-30 minutes
Most luxurious:
Stretch limousine (up to 10-16 people)
Cost: $250 for 10 seater or $390 for 12 or 16 seater
Approximate journey time: 20 minutes