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Where to stay
Where to stay near Sydney Airport for an early morning flight
An early flight is mostly about the first thing that moves: a shuttle, a bus, a train or your own feet. Here is which hotels solve it, and which don't.
An early flight is mostly about the first thing that moves: a hotel shuttle, a bus, a train, or your own feet. The right hotel is the one that gets you to your terminal before check-in opens, with the fewest things that can go wrong at 4am.
Times below come from the airport, hotels and reviews, and change, so confirm them with the hotel.
Work backwards from your flight
Start with when you need to be at the terminal, then check what is running before that:
- Hotel shuttles: Novotel is reported to start at 04:30 or 05:00, Moxy at 04:45 for domestic and 05:00 for international, and ibis budget at 05:00.
- The airport's free Terminal Transfer Bus runs roughly 05:30 to 22:30, so check it before you rely on it for a very early departure.
- Airport Link trains run from about 5am.
If your flight is earlier than any of these, choose a hotel you can walk from, or one inside the terminal.
No transfer at all
- Aerotel Sydney is inside the international terminal, a few steps from check-in. The airport lists rates from $99 and stays of as little as six hours, which suits a few hours of sleep. Check recent guest reviews for room size and noise.
- Rydges Sydney Airport Hotel is 181 steps from the T1 check-in counters. I have stayed there many times, mostly the night before early-morning international flights. In my experience the noise is very low and the rooms are spacious, in the style of a classic hotel room.
Walking distance to the domestic terminals
- Mantra Sydney Airport is a few minutes' walk from T2 and T3 according to the airport, though one listing says about nine. In my experience it is the closest hotel to the domestic terminals, and the rooms are quiet.
- ibis budget Sydney Airport is also a few minutes' walk from the domestic terminals, with a shuttle from 05:00 and rooms listed from $119.
An early shuttle
If you would rather ride than walk, Moxy starts at 04:45 and you book a time slot, and Novotel is reported to start at 04:30 or 05:00 at a paid fare. Confirm the times when you book.
What to avoid
Avoid a hotel whose shuttle starts after you need to leave, or whose first departure you cannot confirm. Where we could not confirm the hours, for example at Crowne Plaza or Citadines Connect, ask first, and plan a taxi as a back-up. Taxis queue at ranks at every terminal.
The night before
- Confirm the shuttle slot, if you have to book one.
- Check when your airline's check-in opens.
- Pack and settle the bill the night before.
- Set two alarms, and know your back-up plan.
Flying overseas? Read the official travel advice for your destination and any transit stops before you book.
To compare prices, check Aerotel on Booking.com or use the button below.
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