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Where to stay
Hotels within walking distance of Sydney Airport terminals
Two hotels sit at the international terminal and a handful are a short walk from the domestic side. Here is what walking distance really means at Sydney Airport.
"Walking distance" means different things at Sydney Airport. Two hotels are at the international terminal, a handful are a short walk from the domestic terminals, and many more describe themselves as close but need a shuttle. This guide sorts them honestly.
Distances come from the airport's pages, hotel websites and listings, plus Google Maps walking times (see the table below). Where sources disagree we say so.
The first thing to know
You cannot sensibly walk between the International terminal (T1) and the domestic terminals (T2 and T3). T2 and T3 are about a five-minute walk apart. So your terminal decides which hotels are walkable.
At T1 (international)
- Aerotel Sydney: inside the international terminal.
- Rydges Sydney Airport Hotel: the airport puts it 181 steps from the T1 check-in counters.
Novotel Sydney International Airport is in Wolli Creek. Google Maps shows about 1.5 km and 18 to 20 minutes on foot to T1, over a shared cycle and footpath across the Cooks River bridge. Earlier sources described it as closer, so treat it as a walk for light packers and a shuttle or ride otherwise.
At T2 and T3 (domestic)
- Mantra Sydney Airport: a few minutes' walk according to the airport. One listing says about nine minutes to T2.
- ibis budget Sydney Airport: a few minutes' walk to the domestic terminals.
- ibis Sydney Airport: about ten minutes to the domestic terminal and station, according to one listing.
A longer walk
These are possible if you travel light and the weather is fine, but expect 10 to 15 minutes or more:
- Pullman Sydney Airport: 10 to 15 minutes to the domestic terminals, according to one review.
- Stamford Plaza Sydney Airport: about 11 minutes to Domestic Airport station, according to one listing.
- Moxy Sydney Airport: around 15 minutes with light luggage, according to sources.
- Travelodge Hotel Sydney Airport: about 15 minutes to the domestic terminal.
- Citadines Connect Sydney Airport: about 15 minutes to the domestic terminal, according to one description.
Not walkable
Crowne Plaza is about 1.5 km from the domestic terminals, and Meriton Suites Mascot Central is about 2 km. Holiday Inn Express and Airport Hotel Sydney are also not walkable. These suit travellers who are happy to use a shuttle or a taxi.
What Google Maps says: walking times
Here is how long Google Maps estimates the walk from each hotel to the domestic terminals (T2/T3) and to the international terminal (T1). Times are for walking without heavy luggage, so add time if you are pulling a suitcase.
Hotel | Walk to domestic (T2/T3) | Walk to international (T1) | Footpath and route |
|---|---|---|---|
55–60 min (4.5 km), use a shuttle or ride | 0 min, inside the terminal | On the Arrivals level inside T1, so no outdoor walking for international flights. | |
55–60 min (4.5 km), use a shuttle or ride | 2–3 min (about 180 m) | Directly opposite T1 across Arrival Court, via a paved plaza and crosswalks. | |
1 hr 10 min (5.5 km), use a shuttle or ride | 18–20 min (1.5 km) | Shared cycle and footpath over the Cooks River bridge and Marsh St into T1. | |
9–10 min (750 m) | 55 min (4.2 km), use a shuttle or ride | Flat footpath along Ross Smith Ave and Sir Reginald Ansett Dr into the T2/T3 forecourt. | |
10–12 min (850 m) | 55 min (4.4 km), use a shuttle or ride | Direct footpath down Ross Smith Ave, past the Mantra, into the domestic precinct. | |
10–12 min (800 m) | 58 min (4.5 km), use a shuttle or ride | Crosses Robey St, then straight down O'Riordan St and Sir Reginald Ansett Dr. Wide footpaths. | |
12–14 min (1.0 km) | 58 min (4.6 km), use a shuttle or ride | Via Baxter Rd and Ross Smith Ave. Mostly quiet service roads with paved paths. | |
12–14 min (1.0 km) | 1 hr (4.8 km), use a shuttle or ride | Continuous footpath along O'Riordan St, with heavy traffic noise and several signalised crossings. | |
13–16 min (1.1 km) | 1 hr (4.7 km), use a shuttle or ride | West via Robey St to O'Riordan St, then south into the airport grounds. | |
14–16 min (1.2 km) | 1 hr 2 min (4.9 km), use a shuttle or ride | South along O'Riordan St toward the domestic entry. Smooth footpaths but busy road crossings. | |
14–17 min (1.2 km) | 1 hr 2 min (4.9 km), use a shuttle or ride | Along King St to George St and O'Riordan St, crossing several multi-lane intersections. |
The pattern is clear: the Mascot hotels are all within about 10 to 17 minutes of the domestic terminals, the two T1 hotels are within minutes of the international terminal, and no one should plan to walk from one side to the other.
Shuttle and ride options between precincts
If your hotel is on the wrong side for your flight, these are the usual options. Our guide to getting between the Sydney Airport terminals has current times and fares.
- Free Terminal Transfer Bus: links T1 and the domestic terminals about every 15 minutes, roughly 05:30 to 22:30, and takes about 10 minutes.
- Airport Link train: a two-minute ride between the Domestic and International stations, but airport stations add an access fee on top of the fare.
- Rideshare or taxi: about 10 to 15 minutes depending on traffic, with signed pick-up and drop-off zones at every terminal.
Before you count on walking
- Walking with a large suitcase takes longer and is harder than the listed time.
- Check the route, including crossings and footpaths, and how it feels at night or in the rain.
- Have a taxi or shuttle in mind as a back-up.
- Remember a hotel that is walkable to T2 is not walkable to T1.
To compare prices, check Mantra on Booking.com or use the button below.
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