Uber rides between Sydney's CBD and the airport will no longer be capped at a flat rate as of Monday 13 April, while charges for Uber Black, Lux and SUV services will also rise slightly.
The chauffeur-drive service has previously worked to a fixed $65 rate for trips between the CBD and Sydney Airport's domestic terminals, and $75 for the slightly longer run to the international terminal.
Uber passengers will now be billed according to the full trip comprising of a base fare, minimum fare plus per-kilometre and per-minute charges.
The Uber wesbite estimates that a ride from Bridge Street in the Sydney CBD to Sydney Airport's domestic Qantas or Virgin Australia terminals will now cost as much as $73 if you call an Uber Black town car, or up to $96 in an Uber Lux or Uber SUV vehicle.
A trip to the T1 international terminal comes in only slightly higher, ranging from $75 to $97.
The per-kilometre charges for Uber Black will also rise from $2.40/km to $2.90/km from 13 April, and from $3.15/km to $4.50/km for Uber Lux and Uber SUV.
Lux and SUV rides will also see an increase in the base fare from $19 to $20, while the the minimum fare will bump up from $25 to $30.
"With these changes expect to see higher vehicle standards and more cars on the road when you need them most" Uber says in regard to the higher charges.
Read: Our review of Uber in Sydney
Get a discount on your first Uber ride
As before, new Uber customers in Sydney (or anywhere else for that matter) can sign up for the service at uber.com and enter the special Australian Business Traveller promotion code of uberAusBT to add $10 free Uber credit to their account, which will count against your first paid ride in an Uber car.
(Disclaimer: we'll also pick up $10 of Uber credit when you take that ride, so it's a win-win.)
Read: Get $10 discount with our Uber promo code
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David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
13 Jan 2014
Total posts 122
How can they expect to compete now? I can get a hire car for the same price (if not cheaper). They will wait for me at the aiport and pick me up at the assigned time. This seems like a fairly backwards move in my opinion.
22 Jul 2014
Total posts 7
yup, I am convinced Uber sold us a 'lifestyle'. now a lot of people are hooked.
28 Nov 2012
Total posts 93
I can book a town car from Prahran to Melbs airport for around the same price and it's heaps further from the airport than Sydney CBD. UBER is great for running around town, maybe not for an airport run
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards Gold
04 Jul 2014
Total posts 130
I had no idea there was a flat rate between the Airport and CBD in SYD.. I've certainly spent more than that in peak hour uber blacks previously...
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
29 Nov 2013
Total posts 475
Jack
The change relates to CBD to Airport.
Uber drivers are banned from picking up passengers from SYD (I personally suspect the NSW Taxi Council has done a dirty deal with SAC to ensure they can't collect from terminals).
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards Gold
04 Jul 2014
Total posts 130
I believe UberBlack, UberLux and UberSUV can do Airport-CBD ( Well, I've done it before) just not UberX.
Unless its changed recently.
14 Jun 2013
Total posts 353
Uber isn't banned from picking up passengers from Sydney Airport. I use them all the time, make a booking from my smartphone once my bags come off the carousel and by the time I get to the hire car area they are usually waiting for me.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
13 Jan 2015
Total posts 584
lol might as well get in a cab for less money at this rate
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
21 Aug 2014
Total posts 503
Uber is like Starbucks or Nike, you have to use it just because everyone else does and that it's cool.
Thai Airways International - Royal Orchid Plus
15 Jan 2013
Total posts 466
not Everybody uses it.I might be part of the oddballs who prefers Taxis or Shuttle Bus or one of those been around forever kind of Chauffeur services but that's me.Converting me over will be useless.
QANTAS
11 Apr 2015
Total posts 1
So is it now UBER cool to pay the extra charges. Also the extra rates apply on every trip. It equals a minimum increase of 20%. Think I will get cabs again.
Thai Airways International - Royal Orchid Plus
15 Jan 2013
Total posts 466
They can't compete.I booked going the other way going from Sydney Airport to the Overseas Passenger Terminal with Astra Limousines $156 which might sound expensive by Uber Standards but for someone who doesn't have a phone that supports this application and has no time to waste using a Train to Town plus a walk to the Wharf or be stuffed trying to arrange a shuttle bus or Silver Service Taxi to get me there it works well and I am supporting a well know local company.I would rather do the right thing rather than get someone a massive fine at the end of the day.
Cathay Pacific - The Marco Polo Club
17 Apr 2013
Total posts 8
I think you're confused between Uber and UberX. It's ok. Many people do.
Thai Airways International - Royal Orchid Plus
15 Jan 2013
Total posts 466
I do apologise for that one but the agent when I was told Sorry You Can't get the Company Provided Transfer to the Wharf due to getting in after 12:30pm I panicked.
01 Aug 2012
Total posts 30
Not sure why anyone would take a car from the CBD to the airport and sit in traffic when you can get a train for a third of the price - and it's much faster, too.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
13 Jan 2015
Total posts 584
even with the 30minute hike at either end of the train ride it's still faster...that's sydney traffic for you
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards Gold
04 Jul 2014
Total posts 130
I agree, although the train is having trackwork this week and it will take 2 replacement buses to get from Domestic-City which sounds like a major hassle...
Think it might be time to go back to booking cars for the week.
Thai Airways International - Royal Orchid Plus
15 Jan 2013
Total posts 466
I have luggage with me which explains a thing or two.Tried to get a Shuttle Bus but coudn't.
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