A (possibly?) stupid question for long-haul travellers.

[figflair]

I'm flying to Wellington next week via Sydney and have a 12 hour wait in Sydney for my connecting flight. So will I be allowed to go into Sydney while I wait or do I have to stay in the airport?

Also, if I am allowed to leave, do I have to take all my bags with me or will they automatcally be put on the next flight?

Has anyone flown with Qantas before? Good or bad?

And finally, will normal travel insurance cover lost and theft? I've just got a brand new iphone and want to make sure it's covered if I drop it up in Hobbiton.

[Anpanman]

Depends on the country, Singapore and I think Bangkok allow a free tour of the city but it's escorted and they may hold your passport so you don't abscond, this is usually for people who have to wait say a minimum of six hours before their next flight.

If there is a similar system in Australia then you won't be able to do as you like as what you are basically asking about is a stopover.
A stopover is a break in a journey where you go through immigration, collect your bags then re check-in at some later point to continue your journey.

From what you are saying you don't fall into this category, so unless you get a free tour or some such you are confined to the airport.
Yes your bags will be forwarded onto your final destination.

If you want to see Sydney then I'd contact the airline & ask if you can have a stopover, usually at least one is included in your fare - or may be an extra say ?30 or so, you may just have to get a cheap hotel for a night, in this case you'd then pick your bags up in Sydney then re-check in to continue your journey the following day or whenever you re-book your onward journey for.

Check Sydney airport website/immigration for further info.

As for the insurance, it would all be in your policy docs.

[abigsmurf]

Depending on how cheap your insurance is, you're probably covered but with a large excess

[figflair]

Thanks dude. i might just go for the stopover if it's allowed. Not sure I can cope with 12 hours in the duty free shop!

[Jaz]

Also depends on what passport you hold. For example, my wife has a Chinese passport with New Zealand residency, and she is not allowed outside the terminal. I am (NZ passport). I'd imagine most European passport holders would be fine but it is Aus, so I'd check first.

[Mr_Pie]

I've never travelled with Qantas, but my parents have and they seem to hold it in high regard..

[112]

Do Quantas still hold that so called status of being the only airline which has never had a plane crash on its larger boeing planes, on commercial flight?

Or is that some stupid myth I was always told as a child?

112

[figflair]

Ha ha. I have been thinking about that too. It comes from Rain Man. 'Definitely Qantas. Never crashes. Definitely Qantas.'

It it crashes I will be pissed off. Unless we land on a mysterious island with polar bears.

[Jaz]

Air NZ has only had one accident and that was on the ice so hardly counts.

[Robster]

You need to check your visa, if you dont have an OZ visa you will not be allowed to leave the airport.