Flying around Australia

Lately I've been busy with meetings around Australia and that meant I would have again the opportunity to observe transport systems around air travel.

My flight to Rockhampton was very early in the morning so I had to catch a taxi to Brisbane airport. I called the taxi company on the phone that I've found on the net and a few minutes later there was a Toyota Prius taxi waiting for me outside my house. The drive was a breeze as it was pre peak hour and the taxi driver asked me if I wanted to go via the tunnels which I decline due to tolls and low traffic.

Rockhampton airport is not big but it is well organised and modern. Rental cars are located just in front of the entrance to the terminal. Your other options are either taxi or a bus service to the city.

Rocky, as the locals and other Queenslanders call Rockhampton, is the beef capital of Australia. Beef is celebrated everywhere with numerous bull statuses around the city.

A few days later, I had to fly to Melbourne. This time, the flight was in the afternoon so I had some time to catch the Airtrain rather than a taxi, as they can be very expensive. For a cost of around $15 you arrive 20 minutes later at Brisbane Airport. The train service is of a high level with the only problem that it stops at 22:00 and leave the late night flights without coverage.

In Melbourne for around the same money and the same travel time you get to go to from Melbourne Airport to your hotel in Melbourne CBD by buses.  Skybus is an outstanding bus service that not only connects Tullamarine Airport to the CBD but also delivers you to your hotel door (or close) for the same price that takes the rest of the passengers just to Kings Cross station.

I was quite surprised when I arrived at Kings Cross station, as the lady that sold me the return ticket at the airport booth didn't say anything for the hotel part of the trip. I felt like I was at an asian capital. A number of small buses like the one in the picture above and drivers hanging outside the ticket office. I guess we do learn some things from our asian neighbours. The best part is that even on the return trip you can arrange to be collected outside your hotel in the CBD. And all these without really asking for hotel reservation papers or anything.

Transport systems that support city airports are a critical link to the city's overall transport system. For the visitors it's often the first impression that they get. A frequent and well operated public transport system that connects the airport to the city is crucial especially to cities that have a tourism focus.