8 best hotels near Sydney Airport for tired travellers in 2025

Staying in a Sydney airport hotel is ideal for visitors travelling in and out of the city by air, with options ranging from budget to luxury.

Sydney Travel Guide’s editorial team has visited several of the best hotels near Sydney Airport in order to put together an expert guide on where to stay before or after your flight. This is for your convenience so you know where you can get some rest if you’ve got an early morning flight to get to, or a long layover to shake.

Why choose a hotel near Sydney International Airport?

A Sydney Airport hotel is a much better option than any of the city hotels if you’ve only got a short time in town.

Why?

Well, the main suburb around Sydney International Airport is Mascot, and this is where you’ll find all the Sydney Airport hotels. Mascot is only a 20-minute drive to Sydney CBD so it’s still super convenient for getting in and out of the places you want to see if you’ve only got one or two days in town.

Visitors have a range of transport options available including regular trains to Sydney CBD from both the international terminal and domestic terminals. There are also regular bus services, a rideshare pickup area, rental car options and an endless flow of taxis.

A taxi from Sydney Airport to the city centre should cost you about $45 to $55 one-way and take around 20 minutes. There are taxi ranks in front of all Sydney Airport terminals.

Sydney Airport accommodation also has its own dining scene with almost all of these hotels having a restaurant and bar, as well as shops and access to Duty Free for visitors travelling in and out of the country.

Top Sydney Airport Hotels

1. Moxy Sydney Airport

Rooms: 301
Distance from Sydney International Airport: 2 minute drive
Distance from Sydney Domestic Airport: 3 minute drive
Day Use Hours: 8am – 6pm
Day Use Rate: From $160

Is this the coolest Sydney Airport hotel to date? Just walk into the colourful lobby and you’ll get an idea of why this hotel near the T1 Sydney International airport has made such an impact since opening in 2023. The big, sociable and colourful lobby echoes the distinctive Moxy design that has made Marriott’s lifestyle play one of the fastest growing hotel brands of the past decade.

It’s young, fun and a bit flirty with the bar doubling as a reception desk, food that you actually want to eat (think big bowls of pasta and even bigger salads), and a multicoloured lounge area with games, art and plenty of nooks for groups to catch up before their flight.

Guest rooms come in all shapes and sizes and are exceedingly comfortable, featuring a smart use of space with ergonomic and modular features so you can customise your space however you place. There’s also complimentary airport shutting that operates daily from 4:45am to 10:50pm (but you’re advised to pre-book before your stay).

2. Rydges Sydney Airport Hotel

Rooms: 318
Distance from Sydney International Airport: 60 metres
Distance from Sydney Domestic Airport: 3-minute drive
Day Use Hours: 8am – 5pm
Day Use Rate: $139 flat rate

With Cloud 9 rooftop bar overlooking the tarmac, produce-driven plates at its signature restaurant, The Ascot, and an excellent buffet breakfast, Rydges Sydney Airport is one of the top picks if you’re looking for a good hotel near T1 Sydney International Terminal. You’re also just a three minute driven from the T2 and T3 Domestic terminals.

Rydges Sydney Airport Hotel is usually the first property people think of in any discussion on airport hotels, given it’s directly opposite T1. This means you’ll get a relatively nice sleep-in if you have an early flight. You can also take advantage of the hotel’s reasonable day rate if you only need a room between 8am and 5pm.

3. Citadines Connect Sydney Airport

Rooms: 150
Distance from Sydney International Airport: 7 minute drive
Distance from Sydney Domestic Airport: 2 minute drive
Day Use Hours: 8am – 4pm
Day Use Rate: $105 flat rate

We’ve stayed at Citadines Connect Sydney Airport several times now, including when it was known as Felix Hotel before 8Hotels sold it for $60.6 million to the Singapore-based Ascott Residence Trust.

The average room rate at Citadines Connect Sydney Airport sits around $197 per night, which is a great price considering the proximity to both the International and Domestic terminals. Plus, the hotel is lot more contemporary than some of its neighbours, with a boutique-minded design pitched as a more luxurious option for an airport hotel.

Think large comfortable king beds and generous living space with premium amenities. Rooms have a rotating 55-inch TV that can be swung around to face the bed in case you want to watch Netflix while you recover from your long-haul. Plus, the stunning retro design is perfect for social media.

It’s also one of the few pet-friendly hotels near Sydney Airport.

Public areas are similarly polished, well-designed and spacious. The sky lobby is beautiful with its frame of large glass windows pulling plenty of natural light. Various nooks and crannies are scattered around the space for solo workers and bigger groups, plus you’ve got direct access to a 24-7 grab-and-go snack station as well as a small menu of comfort classics like pizzas and burgers.

4. Aerotel Sydney

Rooms: 15
Distance to Sydney International Airport: 0m
Distance to Sydney Domestic Airport: 5 minute drive
Day Use Hours: 24-hours
Day Use Rate: From $71 for three hours

Aerotel Sydney opened in 2022 as the first and only hotel inside T1 International Terminal. Operators Plaza Premium Group pitch this as the ultimate convenience for travellers, offering premium accommodations that are both flexible and comfortable.

The hotel is located directly next to the arrivals hall, which means you’re only one quick escalator ride away from international departures and airport security. And it’s been designed to cater to all types of travellers, from those who just need a room for a few hours to quick overnight stays.

The common area is your typical Plaza Premium Lounge which also has pay-per-use entry. This is where you’ll find all typical airport lounge amenities including super fast free wifi and a small selection of food.

Like other Aerotel properties around the world, rooms are offered with dynamic pricing. This means that prices can skyrocket fast based on the timing, so if you’re booking a room at the last minute you can expect to pay more than you would had you booked in advance.

5. Holiday Inn Express Sydney Airport, an IHG Hotel

Rooms: 247
Distance to Sydney International Airport: 5 minute drive
Distance to Sydney Domestic Airport: 4 minute drive
Day Use Hours: 7am – 2pm
Day Use Rate: $89 flat rate

Holiday Inn Express is one of the bigger hotels near Sydney Airport, which means there’s almost always going to be a few rooms available at the last minute. Simplicity is key here, so you’re getting a comfortable bed and a decent bathroom, but not much aside from that.

And while this isn’t a premium offering like Rydges or Citadines Connect, Holiday Inn Express is still comfortable enough that staying here doesn’t feel like a compromise.

Offices travelling together are well-served by some of the more modern conference rooms in the area. There’s no pool, but there is a small fitness centre that’s open from 12pm until 12am to all hotel guests.

Aside from that, don’t expect too many amenities with this one. It’s a budget-conscious option and offers one of the more reasonable day use rates at a flat rate of $89.

6. Travelodge Hotel Sydney Airport

Rooms: 209
Distance to Sydney International Airport: 7 minute drive
Distance to Sydney Domestic Airport: 3 minute drive
Day Use Hours: 9am – 5pm
Day Use Rate: From $130

Travelodge Hotel Sydney Airport is located just 900 metres from the city’s domestic airport terminal, so you’re only looking at a 3-minute drive between your bed and check-in.

You shouldn’t expect anything more than the basics from this Sydney airport hotel. Functional rooms come with little personality but comfortable beds make up for the lack of design. The common areas are similarly modest but comfortable and quiet, with the main communal area being a bright outdoor courtyard.

7. Pullman Sydney Airport

Rooms: 229
Distance to Sydney International Airport: 8 minute drive
Distance to Sydney Domestic Airport: 4 minute drive
Day Use Hours: 10am – 5pm
Day Use Rate: $165

Spacious and well-dressed, the five-star Pullman Sydney Airport is one of the only premium options for airport accommodation. Large rooms and modern bathrooms are part of the appeal, as well as Mobius Bar & Grill, the hotel’s signature restaurant where modern Australian is stretched with Asian flavours.

The hotel has one of the pricier day rates of all the airport hotels in Sydney but you get access to super fast free wifi, those large, comfortable rooms, and all the other hotel amenities that any overnight guest would be enjoying.

8. Novotel Sydney International Airport

Rooms: 271
Distance to Sydney International Airport: 5 minute drive
Distance to Sydney Domestic Airport: 4 minute drive
Day Use Hours: 8am – 7pm
Day Use Rate: From $135

With a great location almost halfway between both the International terminal and Domestic terminals, the Novotel Sydney International Airport is another sure-shot when you’ve got a poorly timed flight to catch.

Wolli Creek Station is also only a 10-minute walk from the hotel so you can get out and explore the city centre without having to pay the expensive rates of a CBD hotel.

As for comfort, Novotel is one of Accor’s most reliable and affordable brands worldwide, and you’ll often find the name pop-up near every major airport around the world. Sydney’s property is no exception, expressed as a massive 271-room property with plenty of room types that cater to solo sleepers and larger families travelling together. Family suites can sleep two adults and three children (or four adults and one child).

Plus, with two onsite restaurant there’s a nice range of choice for breakfast, lunch or dinner should you need to refuel properly after a long-haul. It’s a great way to avoid having to force-feed yourself salty airline food.

There is an airport shuttle service as well, but expect to pay around $10 per person for the convenience.

Getting to and from Sydney Airport

Just because you’re staying in a Sydney Airport hotel, you shouldn’t feel like you’re compromising on convenience should you want to explore Sydney. Assuming it’s your first time in town, you’ll likely want to see Circular Quay, shop around Paddington and eat around Darlinghurst.

Fortunately, the city is only a short train ride (or Uber) away. Regular trains stop by both Domestic and International terminals and head straight for the City Circle. This is the best way to get into the city from Sydney Airport and takes around 15 minutes.

There are also regular bus services, with stops outside each terminal, and both a taxi rank and a Rideshare meeting point. We think Sydney Airport hasn’t quite got the Rideshare area right yet, with confusing signage and unremarkable points of interest in case you can’t find the driver.

Sydney Airport information

Sydney Airport, also known as Kingsford Smith Airport, was named after Sir Charles Edward Kingsford Smith and opened in January 1920. It’s been built 8 kilometres from the city centre and three terminals: T1 International Terminal, T2 Domestic Terminal, and Qantas’ dedicated T3 Domestic Terminal.

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