ADL Airport guide discussion thread

[SQflyergirl]

Copied from the current SYD draft. Of course, additions and corrections always welcome

[soak01]

SQflyergirl hope the attached helps. I've made a start on the arriving section and will update the connecting and departures sections over the next couple of days.

ARRIVING

Depending on the time of the day you arrive, quarantine can be very busy. Pax of incoming flights from Asia will be thoroughly vetted regardless of whether they present items for declaration due to the tendency of such pax to be in possession of items forbidden by quarantine laws like wooden articles or dried foods and then unknowingly failing to declare them. To avoid lengthy queues and unnecessary delay, simply buy something simple to declare (if you have nothing to declare) before you board your flight to Sydney - a chocolate bar usually does the trick and you'd be let through without having random customs people rummaging through your bags.

Adelaide quarantine tends to be very strict due to the States fruit fly control so even purchasing a chocolate bar may not necessarily mean that your bags won't be checked. The officers tend to work through the queue and indicate on your arrival card whether you need to have your bags checked. There questions seem to be predominantly based on where you have come from and whether you know what the limits/restrictions are.

Since 1NOV07, MEL, SYD and BNE have been conducting a 6-month Arrival Express Path trial for premium passengers. The Arrival Express Path will allow Suites, First Class, Business Class and *G passengers to clear CIQ via an express lane.

ADL does not participate in this program. <confirmation needed on this statement>

You are correct that ADL doesn't participate in this program.

Duty Free Shops – Costs for typical items
There is a duty free shop on arrival just before passport control, operated by SYD Airport Tax and Duty Free. Prices for typical items per this website.

The duty free shop is operated by "Duty Free Stores Australia" and on arrival you actually pass through the Duty Free Store before reaching passport control. Prices tend to be competitive and I found that some alcohol specials were not even available in Singapore. The only word of warning is that many of the souveneir type items are actually cheaper outside of the airport.

Transport to Town tips – what’s the best way?
Taxi - taxi ranks are plentiful, and taxis are freely available. Typical fares to the CBD will run about xx AUD, to elsewhere <Help needed here for typical prices to other destinations>

Taxis are available directly outside the terminal after exiting the building from the baggage Reclaim area. The cost of taxis to the CBD (about 15minutes) are approximately $20-$25 depending on the time of day. Taxi prices are regulated and are charged according to the meter. Taxis only accept Australian currency and will generally accept payment by credit card subject to a 10% surcharge.

Other transport alternatives include:

Adelaide Metro Bus Service

Cost (Between 0900hrs and 1500hrs Mon-Fri)
Adult $2.50
Child $1.20
Concession $1.20

Cost (Any Other Time incl Sat, Sun & Public Holidays)
Adult $4.10
Child $1.90
Concession $2.00

All tickets are valid for 2 hours and allow unlimited transfers between Adelaide Metro (Bus, Train and Tram) services during the 2 hour period.

Regular Public Transport bus services (J1, J2 and J3 depending on the final destination) operate from the Airport (Departures Level) to the CBD every 15 minutes Monday to Friday from 0515hrs to 2330hrs. On Sat, Sun and Public Holidays services continue to operate every 30 minutes between 0527hrs and 0938hrs, between 1915hrs and 2330hrs and every 15 minutes betwee 0953hrs and 1900hrs. The trip generally takes only about 20 minutes and services the CBD and primary shopping area. These services then continue from the CBD along the Adelaide O-Bahn (worlds longest guided busway) at speeds of up to 100kmh to the North East Suburbs.

In the opposite direction the J1 also operates from the Airport to the coastal suburb of Glenelg every 30 minutes between 0639hrs and 2338hrs 7 days per week. with a journey time of 22 minutes.

Skylink Airport Shuttle

Skylink Airport Shuttle provides a regular scheduled bus service between Adelaide Airport, Keswick Interstate Railway Terminal and the Adelaide CBD. Set downs and pick ups from most major city hotels. Operating every day of the year except Christmas Day.

For further information visit www.skylinkadelaide.com or email sales@skylinkadelaide.com

Rental Cars

The following rental car companies have counters adjacent to the baggage reclaim area:

Hertz
Avis
Europcar
Thrifty
Budget

Are there any left luggage services? Where and how much?
<Help needed here>

Locker information
There are three (3) alternate locker sizes available for customer and passenger use. Lockers are located adjacent the rent-a-car offices in the terminal car park. Costs are as follow:

Small (44 x 42 x 89cm)
0 to 2 hours $2.00
2 to 4 hours $2.00
4 to 24 hours $2.00

Medium (44 x 57 x 89cm)
0 to 4 hours $6.00
4 to 8 hours $2.00
8 to 24 hours $2.00

Large (44 x 86 x 89cm)
0 to 4 hours $8.00
4 to 8 hours $2.00
8 to 24 hours $2.00

Pay on your return. For every 24 hours after initial rental

Small $6.00
Medium $10.00
Large $12.00

If you exceed your anticipated time you will be required to pay the balance on return

Are there airport hotels? Are they airside? Are they within the compound?
<Help needed here>

There are no major hotels within or adjacent the airport complex. Major hotels can be found in the Adelaide CBD or in Glenelg. Hotels include:

Adelaide CBD
Hyatt Regency (North Terrace)
Stamford Plaza (North Terrace)
Sebel Playford (North Terrace)
Hilton Adelaide (Victoria Square)
Rendezvous Allegra (Waymouth Street)
Medina Grand (King William Street)
Oaks Embassy (North Terrace)
Holiday Inn (Hindley Street)

Glenelg
Stamford Grand Adelaide
Oaks Plaza Pier
Oaks Liberty Towers

[SQflyergirl]

Fantastic stuff Soak01 i'll put it in in a bit

[SQflyergirl]

Soak01's contributions added

[soak01]

ADL Departure Update

DEPARTING

Best way to get back to the airport from town. How much will it cost?
Taxi - The fare will set you back approximately AUDxx+ from the CBD. <Help needed here>

A lot will depend on how much luggage you have. If you travel lightly (even with a full size suitcase) public transport buses (see below) are regular, convenient, cheap and have provision for your case, although may want to be avoided if travelling to the Airport between 1600hrs and 1800hrs due to the peak commuter period. However at any other time of the day, weekend or public holiday you should be fine.

Otherwise, Taxis are available from marked taxi ranks within the CBD including from outside major hotels, shopping areas, SKYCITY Adelaide Casino and the Adelaide Railway Station. Taxis can also be hailed from the street or booked direct by telephone. Generally you won't have any problem getting a taxi from outside any of the major hotels or from the Casino on North Terrace.

The cost of taxis from the CBD to the Airport (about 15minutes) is approximately $20-$25 depending on the time of day. Taxi prices are regulated and are charged according to the meter. Taxis only accept Australian currency and will generally accept payment by credit card subject to a 10% surcharge.

Other transport alternatives include:

Adelaide Metro Bus Service

Cost (Between 0900hrs and 1500hrs Mon-Fri)
Adult $2.50
Child $1.20
Concession $1.20

Cost (Any Other Time incl Sat, Sun & Public Holidays)
Adult $4.10
Child $1.90
Concession $2.00

All tickets are valid for 2 hours and allow unlimited transfers between Adelaide Metro (Bus, Train and Tram) services during the 2 hour period.

Regular Public Transport bus services (J1, J1A, J2 and J3) operate from the North East suburbs via Grenfell Street and Currie Street in the CBD to the Airport (Departures Level) every 15 minutes Monday to Friday from 0453hrs to 1822hrs and then every 30 minutes until 2320hrs. On Sat, Sun and Public Holidays services continue to operate every 30 minutes between 0505hrs and 0837hrs, between 1822hrs and 2320hrs and every 15 minutes between 0837hrs and 1822hrs. The trip generally takes only about 20 minutes and stops directly outside the Check-In Area on the Departures Level.

In the opposite direction the J1 also operates from the coastal suburb of Glenelg to the Airport generally every 30 minutes, 7 days per week. with a journey time of 22 minutes.

Skylink Airport Shuttle

Skylink Airport Shuttle provides a regular scheduled bus service between Adelaide Airport, Keswick Interstate Railway Terminal and the Adelaide CBD. Set downs and pick ups from most major city hotels. Operating every day of the year except Christmas Day.

For further information visit www.skylinkadelaide.com or email sales@skylinkadelaide.com

Which terminal? Who flies out from where?
All of ADL's arrivals and departures are housed under one roof with only short walks to either side.

Adelaide operates a multi-user terminal for all regional, domestic and international flights. The Check-In Area for all flights can be found on the upper departures level. If entering the terminal from the car-park and arrivals level (lower level) take the lifts or escalators to the upper departures Level.

Check-in desks clearly indicate the airline, but generally SQ, DJ, TT, NZ, ZL can be found to the left of the central security point, whilst QF, JQ, MH and CX are to the right. You will also find a number of airport volunteers (in red uniforms) who can direct you to the relevant check-in desk.

After passing through the central security check point (which both passengers and visitors must pass through) you will enter the departures concourse. Generally specific gates are used by each airline as follows:

Gate 10 - Regional Express (ZL)
Gate 12 - Tiger Airways (TT)
Gates 12 to 15 - Virgin Blue (DJ)
Gates 16 to 22 - International Flights (Currently QF, SQ, MH, NZ and CX)
Gates 23 to 26 - Qantas (QF) and Jetstar (JQ)

Gates 16 to 22 are also used for domestic flights when not being used for International flights. At Check-In passengers will be advised which gate their flight will operate from. It is unusual for a gate change to be made but passengers should check the monitors for any updates. Airlines do make boarding announcements.

There is also a Qantas Club which functions as the main oneworld business lounge.

MH also operates a Golden Lounge at SYD it is located down one level near transfer counter <confirmation needed>

DOMESTIC
Both Qantas and Virgin Blue operate their own domestic lounges at ADL<confirmation needed>

Qantas operates an International Lounge adjacent to the Singapore Airlines Lounge. I do not believe that MH has a lounge at ADL but I stand to be corrected.

For domestic passengers, the Qantas Club is located opposite Gate 21, whilst the Virgin Blue Lounge is located in the main concourse opposite the International Departures Passport Control.

What sort of food is available in the concourse areas?
Hungry Jacks/Hudsons cafe are available <Help to expand needed here>

There is a wide range of food and beverage outlets available in the main concourse. Currently there is:

1862 Bar
Billie Chu - Asian influenced food
Cafe Terra Rosa
Cibo Espresso - Coffee, cake and snacks (just love their coffee)
Cocolat - speciallising in all things chocolate
Coopers Ale House- Serving a wide range of wine, spirits and beer (especially the South Australian Coopers brand)
Hudsons Cafe & Coffee - More coffee
Hungry Jacks
Opals Cafe

plus a number of other specialist stores including:

Airport Pharmacy
Newsagent
Australian Way - Australian branded merchandise
Icons South Australia
Purely Merino
Virgin Books and Music
Tie Rack
Travellex

Any food or shopping that I shouldn’t miss before my flight?
No, the best food is outside the airport. Duty free prices are rather average - but more savings to be made on liquor outside the airport at any Dan Murphy's. LAG restrictions do apply so plan accordingly.

There are two duty free outlets for International departing passengers. One is located in the main concourse opposite the Coopers Ale House and the other (airside) after the International Departures Customs Control Point.

DESTINATIONS SERVED NON-STOP FROM ADL

The following is a list of destinations currently served by direct flights from ADL:

DOMESTIC

QF - PER, MEL, SYD, CBR, BNE, ASP, DRW
JQ - AVV, SYD, OOL, BNE, MCY, HTI, CNS, DRW
DJ - MEL, HBA, SYD, CBR, BNE, OOL, BME
TT - MEL
ZL - Regional destinations within South Australia

INTERNATIONAL

SQ - SIN (Daily - B772)
NZ - AKL (Daily - A320 or occasional B767)
CX - MEL/HKG (Daily - A333)
MH - KUL (Tue, Thur, Sat, Sun - B772)
QF - SIN (Tue, Thur, Sat - A333), SYD (Wed, Fri, Sun - A333)

[soak01]

Other General Tips Update

Overnighting at this airport:
Is it possible? Do the terminals close?
<Help needed here>

Due to the overnight curfew on departing and arriving flights through ADL, the Terminal operates from 0415hrs to 2300hrs daily (or after the last departure). The terminal is not open overnight or outside of these hours.

There are no major hotels within or adjacent the airport complex. Major hotels can be found in the Adelaide CBD or in Glenelg. Hotels include:

Adelaide CBD
Hyatt Regency (North Terrace)
Stamford Plaza (North Terrace)
Sebel Playford (North Terrace)
Hilton Adelaide (Victoria Square)
Rendezvous Allegra (Waymouth Street)
Medina Grand (King William Street)
Oaks Embassy (North Terrace)
Holiday Inn (Hindley Street)

Glenelg
Stamford Grand Adelaide
Oaks Plaza Pier
Oaks Liberty Towers

Spotting at airport: <Is this also applicable in ADL? <Help needed here>

There are no dedicated spectator facilities within the terminal complex. However, the departure concourse is fully accessible (with the exception of Gates 16 to 22 when being used for International flights) and allows uninterrupted views of airside operations, taxi way and runway. There are 3 spectator areas adjacent to the airport perimeter which allow views of the runway.

Given the lack of International flights and standardization of domestic fleets (A320 or B737) the spotting opportunities are limited however, with most International flights arriving early morning, there is a steady procession of departures between 1130hrs and 1530hrs. We also see a SQ B74Y Freighter twice per week on its SIN/ADL/MEL trip and the occasional SQ (SIN/MEL) and QF (SYD/PER) divert both operated by 744.

General commentary on this airport:
Help needed here

The close proximity of ADL to the CBD ensures quick, easy and hassle free access to and from the airport especially for the business traveller. Being a multi-user terminal it is also very easy for passengers to make connections between airlines especially transfering between International to Domestic. There are also regular flights operated by REX to regional South Australia including Coober Pedy (Outback Opal Fields), Ceduna, Port Lincoln and Kangaroo Island. The airport also provides an important base for National Jet Systems who service the Gas fields of Moomba in the far north of South Australia.

Although International flights are limited, the airport is stongly supported by SQ, CX and NZ with daily flights and MH 4 times per week. The timing of these flights allow easy connections in SIN, KUL and HKG for onward flights to Asia, Europe, South Africa and the Middle East. The daily NZ flight to AKL also allows for a direct connection within 1 hour to NZ flights from AKL to LAX and flights to SFO and YVR. Thus albeit limited, these flights do allow passengers to avoid domestic flights to MEL or SYD to conenct with International flights or the hassle of changing terminals in SYD. Currently JQ operate no International flights from ADL with only limited QF International flights.

Domestically, ADL is well served by QF and DJ serving all mainland capitals and a number of QLD leisure destinations. Tiger Airways has also recently commenced flights from ADL to MEL and have indicated plans to operate to other destinations from ADL once additional aircraft are in service. There is also a possibility that ADL may become a second hub for their Australian operations.

Other airlines rumoured to be considering ADL include Emirates and Air Asia X with a possibility that SQ may also increase the number of SIN/ADL flights following the success of their additional Sat daylight flight during December and January.

[SQflyergirl]

Soak01's further contributions added. Discussion moved away from the guide itself for clarity.

[soak01]

DESTINATIONS SERVED NON-STOP FROM ADL

The following is a list of destinations currently served by direct flights from ADL:

DOMESTIC

QF - PER, MEL, SYD, CBR, BNE, ASP, DRW
JQ - AVV, SYD, OOL, BNE, MCY, HTI, CNS, DRW
DJ - MEL, HBA, SYD, CBR, BNE, OOL, BME
TT - MEL
ZL - Regional destinations within South Australia

INTERNATIONAL

SQ - SIN (Daily - B772)
NZ - AKL (Daily - A320 or occasional B767)
CX - MEL/HKG (Daily - A333)
MH - KUL (Tue, Thur, Sat, Sun - B772)
QF - SIN (Tue, Thur, Sat - A333), SYD (Wed, Fri, Sun - A333)

Due to changes to direct flights from ADL destinations should now read as follows:

DOMESTIC

QF - PER, MEL, SYD, CBR, BNE, ASP, DRW
JQ - MEL, SYD, OOL, BNE, CNS, DRW
DJ - MEL, HBA, SYD, CBR, BNE, OOL, BME
TT - MEL, OOL, PER, ASP, HBA
ZL - Regional destinations within South Australia

INTERNATIONAL

SQ - SIN (Daily - B772)
NZ - AKL (Daily - A320 or occasional B767)
CX - MEL/HKG (Daily - A333)
MH - KUL (Tue, Thur, Sat, Sun - B772)
QF - SIN (Tue, Thur, Sat - A333), SYD (Wed, Fri, Sun - A333)
DJ - DPS (Twice per week - Operated by Pacific Blue B738)

[Kiwi]

I don't think NZ is daily.

[SQ LPP]

I don't think NZ is daily.

I checked Expert Flyer, till November it's 5 times a week. In December and January, it's daily. Must be related to the summer season.

[soak01]

Daily Air NZ flights between ADL and AKL commence from 26 October 2008 using A320 aircraft.

Dep AKL 0800 Arr ADL 1025 (4hr 55 min)
Dep ADL 1130 Arr AKL 1815 (4hr 15 min) - allows immediate connection to LAX/SFO and YVR flights.

Great to see an expansion of NZ flights through ADL.

[matt_will_fix_it]

Also the guide wouldn't be complete without a link to the ADL Silver Kris Lounge - available for Business, PPS & *G passengers

[TAZ MAN]

I could be wrong but isn't Garuda starting flights to DPS?

[ADL_SQ]

extra information

Nice forum with excellent information.

Just a few small updates you might like to add:

Additions to the other specialist stores section:

Coopers General Store
Purely Australian (as well as the Purely Merino)
Ripcurl
Shades Sunglasses
South Australian Tourism
Villa & Hut
Witchery

Adelaide Metro Bus Service (prices have changed from the ones listed above)

Cost (Between 0900hrs and 1500hrs Mon-Fri)
Adult $2.60
Child $1.20
Concession $1.20

Cost (Any Other Time incl Sat, Sun & Public Holidays)
Adult $4.20
Child $2.00
Concession $2.10

Also regarding hotels it might be worth mentioning that there are now concrete plans for a 200 room hotel complex to be added in the vicinity of the new multiuser terminal. If you are really keen you can read about it (and see some piccies) at the following location:

http://www.aal.com.au/lib/pdf/June08PlaneTalking.pdf

I also look forward to the new A330 flights to Adelaide later this year, and I look forward to trying the new J-class seats when I fly to Hong kong in late September (jagged a business saver upgrade).

[ADL_SQ]

garuda flights

I could be wrong but isn't Garuda starting flights to DPS?

Quite correct - although the dates have yet to be confirmed:

http://www.garuda-indonesia.com/news...routes-in-2009