Which Sydney Airport Hotels Should You Book?

Looking for accommodation near Sydney Airport? You’ve got 15 hotels to choose from, ranging from budget rooms to luxury suites. Whether you need the closest hotel to Sydney international airport, walking distance to the domestic terminal, or somewhere with parking for extended trips, this guide covers every property.

We lived in Mascot for three years right by the airport terminals and have visited every hotel listed. Here’s our honest take on which properties deliver the best value, location and facilities for different traveller needs.

With nearby dining and shopping options and fast connections to the city, staying in accommodation near Sydney Airport is no longer on the don’t list. 

This post contains affiliate links. Our full disclosure policy is here.

These all come into play when we determine the “best” hotel for your needs.

What is the Closest Hotel to Sydney International Airport?

Rydges Sydney Airport is the closest hotel to the international terminal – you can literally see the check-in counters from the hotel lobby. Located in the airport car park, it’s just 181 steps from international check-in. I’ve stayed here twice for early international flights and the convenience is unbeatable.

If you need somewhere within walking distance of either terminal, stick to properties on Joyce Drive or closer to the airport. All hotels listed in our “closest hotels” sections below can be reached on foot, though a shuttle or rideshare might be easier if you prefer not to walk with luggage.

Ok, so now that’s out of the way let’s dig right in and look at each of the options in detail.

How to choose your Sydney Airport hotel

Numerous hotels and serviced apartments have opened near the airport recently, at last count, there were 14 hotels and several serviced apartment properties here, giving you plenty of choice.

Unlike many international airports, Sydney’s Kingsford Smith Airport is located less than 30 minutes from the centre of the city. With the surrounding suburbs of Mascot and Green Square offering loads of dining options.

Sydney Airport has three terminals and travel time between the domestic and international terminals is between 5 and 15 minutes.

The International Terminal is near the suburb of Wolli Creek, and slightly to the south of the Domestic Terminal, which is near Mascot train station.

Staying near your departure terminal is convenient, especially for early flights, but all airport hotels are easily accessible.

When choosing a hotel, consider:

• Is there good transport to the airport/city?
• Does the hotel offer a free or paid airport shuttle service?
• Is there an onsite restaurant (and how expensive is it?) are there any other dining options?
• Is the property suitable for kids if you are travelling with your family?
• Will you earn status points from your airport or hotel membership?

If you are travelling internationally on a very early morning flight, proximity to the terminal might be important to you, especially if you arrive late and have a short stopover. There are a couple of hotels on the grounds adjoining the terminals; however, there are no hotels located airside at Kingsford Smith Airport.

Sydney Airport has a flight curfew between 11 pm and 5 am, so noise isn’t usually a problem!

Accommodation at the International Terminal

Aerotel Sydney Airport

Guest Rating: 7.3/10 | Location: Arrivals B, International Terminal 1 | View on Booking.com

Aerotel Airport Transit Hotel is a relatively new option at Sydney International Terminal. The hotel opened in mid 2022 and while it’s not cheap; it is a lovely spot to lay your head for a few hours on a long layover. Get in quick if you want a room as there are only 15 available, a mix of solo and doubles with ensuite bathrooms.

Bookings are made by the hour. You will find the hotel entry on Level 1 near Arrivals B. We have not stayed here yet but will pop in and try it next time we are flying.

Check photos and prices of Aerotel Sydney

Rydges Hotel Sydney Airport

Guest Rating: 8.3/10 | Location: International Terminal | View on Booking.com

Rydges Hotel at Sydney Airport is the closest hotel to Sydney International Airport. It offers 300 rooms and is perfect if you need somewhere to sleep before a very early morning flight or a very late night arrival into Sydney.

Located in the airport car park, you are literally just 181 steps from the international check-in counters, as Rydges boasts.

The hotel has both a restaurant, the Ascot and a bar called Smithy’s Bar which is open from 4:30am until 11pm.

Family rooms, which have a queen bed and two single beds, are spacious, and they can also provide cots for smaller rooms. A substantial buffet breakfast is available at the on-site restaurant. There is a fitness centre with a gym, a business centre and free wifi.

If you are a plane spotter or staying with kids, a runway view room at Rydges can provide hours of fun.

Pros: Barista coffee from 4.30am, large well-furnished and soundproof rooms, free shuttle to the domestic terminal, onsite bar and restaurant. They can book rooms for day use only if required.

Cons: The restaurant closes early, even on weekends. Many rooms have views of the car park.

Check prices and availability at Rydges Sydney Airport

Maximum room occupancy: 5 people
Parking: $50 but confirm prices before booking, as it can be costly if not pre-arranged.
Where: 8 Arrivals Court, Sydney International Airport

Hotels close to Sydney International Airport

Novotel Brighton Beach

Guest Rating: 8.4/10 | Location: Brighton Le Sands | View on Booking.com

Novotel Brighton recently completed renovations and reopened. However, early guest reviews indicate significant service issues including poor housekeeping and inconsistent standards. While the beachfront location opposite Brighton Beach remains appealing – perfect for a walk after a long flight – we’d recommend considering other options until service levels improve. If you do book here, set expectations accordingly and don’t pay premium rates.

Pros: Direct beach access across the road, balconies in every room with Botany Bay views.

Cons: Recent guest reviews report service and housekeeping issues following renovations. Pool and facilities still being finalised. Better value available at other airport properties.

Tip: Brighton Le Sands is full of dining options; among our favourites is Meet the Greek and Neptunes.

Check the latest reviews and price of Novotel Brighton Beach

Maximum room occupancy: 4 people
Parking: $25 overnight
Shuttle: no official shuttle Uber or other rideshare is your best option.
Where: Bayside Plaza, The Grand Parade, Brighton-Le-Sands

Novotel Sydney International Airport

Guest Rating: 8.1/10 | Location: Wolli Creek | View on Booking.com

Less than one kilometre from the international terminal, the Novotel Sydney Airport offers 271 comfortable modern rooms that are soundproofed to ensure a good night’s sleep.

The property has been refurbished and looks great. You can walk to Wolli Creek train station in about 10 minutes for fast travel to the city. The St George Rowers Club is within walking distance and a good choice for a meal or drinks.

Pros: Stay, Park and Fly package offers seven nights car parking, family suites (50sqm) can sleep two adults and three children or 4 adults and one child, two onsite restaurants.

Cons: Not so easy to reach the city for sightseeing but still possible if you don’t mind a walk.

Check review and prices of Novotel Sydney International Airport

Maximum room occupancy: 5 people
Parking: $15 overnight
Shuttle: $10 per person (available every 40 minutes from 4.30am)
Where: 20 Levey Street, Wolli Creek (walk west and over the bridge along Marsh St)

CKS Sydney Airport

Guest Rating: 7.5/10 | Location: Wolli Creek | View on Booking.com

This motel styled property has recently been refurbished and offers good value for money. It is within walking distance (10mins) of Wolli Creek Station and shops with a range of dining options. The biggest draw here is the parking, making it an excellent choice for locals going on short holidays.

Pros: Free Unlimited High-Speed wi-fi refurbished rooms with new beds (king, king single and queen-size)

Check reviews and latest prices for CKS Sydney Airport

Maximum room occupancy: 4  people
Parking: $15 Overnight $10 Day use. $90 Weekly (7days and then $15 a day)
Shuttle: $10 per person
Where: 35 Levey Street Wolli Creek

closest Hotels to the Sydney Domestic Terminal

These hotels are on the airport side of Joyce Drive, the main road the separates the airport from suburban Mascot. They are virtually in the car park of the airport and the closest hotels to the domestic airport. You can easily walk to these hotels as long as your bags are manageable.

Many airport shuttle services do not begin until 5 am, and if there are two of you, ride share will be cheaper.

Mantra Hotel Sydney Airport

Guest Rating: 8.1/10 | Location: Mascot | View on Booking.com

Right next door to the Ibis and also on the airport perimeter The Mantra Sydney Airport is just a 15-minute walk from terminal 2 & 3 along a flat footpath.

This 136 room property is a decent step up from the Ibis budget property nearby. Only two years old, the rooms are a reasonable size and all feature king-size beds and much better bathrooms than the Ibis.

Pros: Fast food adjoining and on-site dining, 24-hour dining, parking

Cons: no family rooms, Wi-Fi is only free in the lobby – you need to join their loyalty program to access free internet in your room, 17 minutes walk to Mascot train station make travelling to the city a bit of a hassle.

Read reviews and check prices of Manta Sydney Airport

Maximum room occupancy: 4 people
Parking: $35 overnight
Shuttle: $10 per person
Where:  3 Ross Smith Avenue, Mascot

Ibis Budget Sydney Airport

Guest Rating: 7/10 | Location: Mascot | View on Booking.com

Pros: Accessible rooms and family rooms with four beds are available. An area to heat food. They serve breakfast.

Cons: No phones, or hairdryers, limited things to do within walking distance. The $7 shuttle charge is pricy when you consider you can take the airport train from Mascot for $8 and be surrounded by cafes and shops. The main road runs to the side of the hotel.

If all you want is a place to lay your head, this is fine, but it would not be my choice unless I just needed to sleep for a few hours between flights.

Tip – The superior twin room is bigger than the family room, provided your kids will sleep in one queen instead of two singles.

Read reviews and check price and availability of Ibis Budget

Maximum room occupancy: 4 people
Parking: $35 overnight (sometimes this is discounted for arrivals later in the day)
Shuttle: $10 per person
Where: 5 Ross Smith Ave, Mascot

Hotels near the Domestic Terminal & Mascot Station

You will find the most extensive choice of Airport Hotels clustered between the Domestic Terminal and Mascot Station.

The hotels closer to the terminal are fine for overnight stays, but I would choose to be nearer to the small shopping area near the station for anything longer.

There are lots of benefits in choosing this area, particularly that it is on a direct train line to the city. It also has a shopping and dining area with a variety of food options.

The Graphic Arts Club on Coward Street has affordable drinks and comfortable spaces to relax.

Transport in the area is excellent. The 420 bus from the airport will drop you on Coward Street within a few minutes’ walk of most of these properties, saving you an airport station access fee; however, as this station is also owned by the operators of the airport stations, the fare from the airport terminals is under $10

From Mascot, train fares to the city are standard CityRail prices, and the trip takes 15 minutes. Also, rideshare is easy as it’s so close to the airport they hang about here waiting for work.

Moxy Sydney Airport

Guest Rating: 8.7/10 | Location: Mascot | View on Booking.com

The Moxy Sydney Airport is a trendy, budget-friendly option just 1km from the airport. With free bikes, a fitness center, and shared lounge, it caters to social travelers. Rooms are compact but modern, with free WiFi and private bathrooms.

A free airport shuttle and 24-hour front desk add to the convenience. While breakfast is available (buffet, American, or vegetarian), there are two restaurants on-site for other meals.

Pros: Stylish and social atmosphere, free airport shuttle, affordable rates, convenient location.

Cons: Rooms are small, limited family room options.

Read our detailed review of Moxy Sydney Airport

Maximum room occupancy: 3 people
Parking: Park and ride packages with 7 days free parking included.
Shuttle: free!
Where: 56 Baxter Road, Mascot

Stamford Plaza Sydney Airport Hotel

Guest Rating: 8.4/10 | Location: Mascot | View on Booking.com

One of the original airport hotels, the Stamford Plaza was awarded Sydney’s Best Airport Hotel for seven consecutive years by Skytrax. It is a short walk north from the domestic terminals T2 & T3. This is a well-appointed 4* hotel.

Tip: Ask for an upper-level airport view room.

Pros: pool and fitness centre, use of lounge after check out that has shower facilities, seating and internet access, free wifi for up to 3 devices for direct bookings

Cons: the property is lacklustre given the range of newer properties closer to the station and shops. The location is halfway between the shops and the airport; for this alone, it would not be my first choice.

Read reviews and check availability of Stamford Plaza Sydney Airport

Maximum room occupancy: 2 people
Parking: Park and ride packages with 7 or 14 days parking included.
Shuttle: $7 per person
Where: Cnr O’Riordan & Robey Streets, Mascot

Citadines Connect Sydney Airport – 4 Star

Guest Rating: 8.3/10 | Location: Mascot | View on Booking.com

Spaces are bright and feel generous, with splendid views of the airport; the lights look very pretty at night too. There is an outdoor “cinema” which is a great way to relax, particularly on warm nights, although the large heater looks like it would do a fine job in the winter.

The reception area, cafe and bar area on the top floor. There is a self-service food area with sandwiches, salads, snacks and even panadol!

Pros: Interconnecting family rooms, free wifi, 24-hour food store (a little $$$), 24 hr gym, well-priced breakfast, self-check-in available, Netflix and USB on TVs, pet-friendly rooms are available

Cons: none other than you are not in a pretty part of town.

Read reviews and check prices and availability at Citadines Sydney Airport

Maximum room occupancy: 2 people (unless booking interconnecting family rooms)
Parking: $25 per day – you can only park during your stay
Shuttle: recommend Sydney Super Shuttle but you need to book yourself.
Where: 121 Baxter Road, Mascot

Travelodge Sydney Airport

Guest Rating: 8.3/10 | Location: Mascot | View on Booking.com

Travelodge Mascot, which opened in 2017, is a functional property with all the amenities you need for an overnight airport stay. It’s a good option for business travellers on a budget and overnight transit, but probably not suited to a more extended stay.

The staff are helpful and with the Pullman, just a few minutes walk away you can access their food and beverage offerings easily.

Pros: Free wifi for all, laundry facilities, 24-hour room service, great customer service, their staff went way out of their way to help me sort out my day.

Cons: The hotel is in an industrial area. No family rooms.

Tip: Patchett Pies is just around the corner and is the perfect spot to indulge in this classic Aussie treat (6.30am-2.30pm).

Read reviews and check price and availability of Travelodge Sydney Airport

Maximum room occupancy: 3 people
Parking:$25 per day (or $7 if you leave before 6 am) offered in the adjoining Wilson’s car park next to the hotel
Shuttle: $8 (managed by Wilson Parking next door).
Where: 289 King Street, Mascot

Pullman Hotel Sydney Airport

Guest Rating: 8.3/10 | Location: Mascot | View on Booking.com

The Pullman Hotel Sydney Airport is the best 5-star property in Mascot and my among my favourites if it fits your budget. The hotel opened in 2016 and has 226 rooms, including studios and executive suites. Windows are double glazed and keep the rooms quiet. The bathroom is open plan, and the separate toilet has a frosted glass door, meaning these are not suitable rooms to share with anything but an excellent friend 😉

The bar is impressive and has a great range of Australian offerings.

Pros: 24-hour excellent gym, quality dining, 24 hr room service, 11 accessible rooms, executive lounge, in-room Nespresso machine

Cons: Some people don’t like the open-plan bathroom, I found the closet space odd, no full-length space for jackets or dresses.

Read reviews and check prices and availability of Pullman Sydney Airport

Maximum room occupancy: 4 people
Parking: $30 I Shuttle: $7
Where: 191 O Riordan Street, Mascot

Crowne Plaza Sydney Airport by IHG

Guest Rating: 8.3/10 | Location: Mascot | View on Booking.com

The Crowne Plaza Sydney Airport (formerly Holiday Inn Sydney Airport) completed a major rebrand and refurbishment. The location remains excellent – just 350m from Mascot station and close to shops and cafes.

Large rooms and exceptionally comfortable beds make this a solid choice. The breakfast receives consistently high praise from guests, and the 24-hour room service is handy for odd-hour arrivals.

The hotel offers both a sauna and fitness centre. Staff are helpful and friendly, and the property handles conference facilities well – I’ve used their meeting rooms for several years and they’re always on point.

Pros: Excellent location near Mascot station (350m), very comfortable beds, outstanding breakfast, 24-hour room service, family rooms sleep up to 5 people, sauna and gym, helpful staff.

Cons: Shuttle service is now operated by an external provider at $12 per person (no longer complimentary like the old Holiday Inn service).

Check price and availability at Crowne Plaza Sydney Airport

Maximum room occupancy: 5 people
Parking: Stay and park packages available that include leaving your car while you’re on holiday, includes up to 15 days parking with airport shuttle
Shuttle: $12 per person via external provider (7 days a week to both terminals)
Where: Cnr O’Riordan Street & Bourke Road, Mascot

Holiday Inn Express Sydney Airport

Guest Rating: 8.3/10 | Location: Mascot | View on Booking.com

Opening in the middle of the international shut down the Holiday Inn Express offers 247 well sized rooms with a small refrigerator and tea-making facilities. The pillow selection makes it all feel a bit more special than your average express hotel.

The hotel can be booked for day use on a stopover if you have a late connection.

Pros: The hotel is great for business travellers and features two meeting rooms, flexible workspaces, free business centre, free wi-fi, self-service laundry and on-site parking.

Con: Standard rooms are a little small book a king room if you want more space. There is no on site restaurant for evening meals although you can go across the road to the other Holiday Inn property.

Find out the latest prices for Holiday Inn Express or make a booking

Maximum room occupancy: 4 people
Parking: $25 per night
Shuttle: $10pp.
Where: 2/12 Sarah St, Mascot NSW 2020

Quest Serviced Apartments Sydney Airport

Guest Rating: 8.2/10 | Location: Mascot | View on Booking.com

Quest opened almost 10 years ago as one of the first apartment-style properties near the airport. The studios and one- and two-bedroom apartments have been refurbished and look fresh and bright.

The main drawback is location – Quest sits between the airport and Mascot station without being convenient to either. You’re too far to comfortably walk to the terminals with luggage, and it’s a trek to reach the cafes and shops near the station.

Pros: Complimentary breakfast items, laundry facilities, gym, free wifi, some pet-friendly rooms available (enquire before booking)

Cons: Inconvenient location – not close enough to walk to either the airport or station amenities, you’ll need transport for everything

Verdict: Only worth booking if you get a significant discount on apartments elsewhere. The location alone makes other properties better value.

Read reviews and check price and availability of Quest Sydney Airport

Maximum room occupancy: 5 people
Parking: $30
Shuttle: on request
Where: 108-114 Robey St, Mascot

Best for longer stays or travelling to the city

There are lots of good quality apartments near Sydney Airport and these make an excellent choice for longer stays in the city as transport is on your doorstop and the trip to the city centre takes less than 15 minutes.

Meriton Serviced Apartments

Guest Rating: 8.9/10 | Location: Mascot Station | View on Booking.com

Meriton Apartments are in a large development directly across the road from Mascot train station where you can jump on a train and be in the city in three stops.

Pros: Large rooms, comfortable beds, well furnished, laundry facilities, full-size supermarket and shops on site.

Cons: The pool is shared with the residential apartments, many rooms look out over other people’s balconies.

Check price and availability of Meriton Mascot on Booking.com

Maximum room occupancy: 2 people
Parking: $25
Shuttle: $10.00, first shuttle at 6.30 am
Where: 8 Jackson Drive, Mascot,

Adina Apartment Hotel Mascot

Guest Rating: 8.7/10 | Location: Mascot Station | View on Booking.com

Adina Apartments are less than 250m from Mascot train station and very well positioned with a bus stop around the corner taking you to the airport, or Eastgardens Shopping Centre.

Pros: Fully equipped kitchens, with dishwashers, balconies, gym, washing machines. Often available at great rates on Booking.com at short notice

Cons: free wi-fi is limited to 500mb per day.

Check reviews, prices and availability of Adina Apartment Hotel

Maximum room occupancy: 5 people
Parking: $30 Shuttle: $10
Where: 17 Bourke Road Mascot

Branksome Apartment Hotel

Guest Rating: 8.6/10 | Location: Mascot | View on Booking.com

Opening in mid-2017, this property offers 146 studio, one and two-bedroom apartments. The facilities are excellent, and the studios are spacious, and this is a great choice for families.

Unlike the properties near Mascot train station, these are closer to the Botany Road shopping strip, only 400m away.

There are buses to the city and several restaurants, shops, and services in the strip and the Tennyson Pub with meals.

Pros: indoor and outdoor swimming pool, a separate children’s pool, 24-hour gym, children’s playground, laundry, two-bedroom suites of 70sqm, 24 hr room service

Cons: The rooms are not double glazed, and it can get noisy with all the traffic on the main road nearby

Check price and availability of Branksome Apartment Hotel

Maximum room occupancy: 5 people
Parking: $30 per day – on-street parking is sometimes available outside peak house.
Shuttle: $10
Where: 60 Robey Street, Mascot

Sydney Airport Accommodation Map

I have sorted all the properties above into four categories:

Pink– Top choices – These are the properties I would choose
Green – Good options – my second level mainly because of their location
Blue – Family choices – these are the best suited to families
Purple – Budget choices – best value for money.

Parking at Sydney Airport

Sydney Airport parking is expensive – around $54 per day if you book directly with the airport. Many hotels offer park-and-stay packages that include up to 7-15 days parking, which can be excellent value if you’re going on holiday.

Long Term Airport Parking

For cheaper long-term parking, independent operators near the airport offer secure parking from $15 per day with free shuttles to the terminals. Popular options include Wilson’s Parking, Park and Fly, and Sydney Airpark.

Where to eat in Mascot and surrounds

Mascot has a small shopping centre near the station with cafes and a supermarket, but for a proper meal out, head to nearby Alexandria or Rosebery – both are foodie hotspots just 5-10 minutes away by rideshare.

Popular spots include The Grounds of Alexandria, Bourke Street Bakery, Three Blue Ducks, and Blackstar Pastry. The Graphic Arts Club on Coward Street offers affordable drinks in comfortable surroundings if you just want to relax near your hotel.

Check out our map for all the suggestions and their websites.

FAQ about Sydney Airport Accommodation

We have covered almost every property near Sydney Airport, outlining the pros and cons of each. After years of living in Mascot and now living north of the city a little too far away for early morning trips to the airport we have been booking these properties regularly. We don’t believe there is a single ‘best’ airport hotel but several depending on your needs.

Other articles you might find helpful

Check out our Guide to Sydney Airport,  Tips for using the Airport train, or our guide to using Sydney’s OPAL travel card.

If you have decided that an airport hotel is not for you then why not take a look at our guide to the different areas in Sydney city and see which appeals?

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