"Free airport shuttle" sits on almost every airport hotel page. It can mean a bus that leaves when you arrive, or a booked van that stops at 10:50pm. We checked a few to see how different they are.
How much they vary
| Hotel | What we found |
|---|---|
| Holiday Inn Melbourne Airport | 24-hour shuttle to T1 and T2 |
| ibis Styles Melbourne Airport | Free, 24/7 |
| Airport Tourist Village Melbourne | 24 hours, booked 24 hours ahead, free if you book direct, A$30 via booking sites |
| Moxy Sydney Airport | Pre-booked, 04:45 to 22:50 |
| ibis Sydney Airport | About 05:00 to 23:00, with a surcharge |
| Novotel Sydney International | A$7 to A$8.50 each way |
| Travelodge Sydney Airport | A$10 per person per trip |
| Renaissance London Heathrow | Hoppa bus to Terminals 2 and 3 only |
Some of these come from listings and press rather than the hotel, so confirm before relying on them.
Five questions to ask
- When does it run? A shuttle that starts at 5am is no use for a 6am domestic flight in Sydney. One that stops at 11pm is no use for a late landing.
- Do you have to book? Some run on demand, some need a booking a day ahead or a seat reserved in advance.
- Is it free, and for whom? Some hotels charge per person, and some charge more if you booked through a third-party site.
- Which terminals does it serve? At Heathrow in particular, a bus to Terminals 2 and 3 is no help if you fly from Terminal 5.
- What happens with luggage and children? Ask about space for a pram or a large case.
Walk, shuttle or taxi
If the hotel is a few minutes' walk from the terminal, such as an airport-attached hotel, the shuttle question disappears. If the shuttle is limited, price a taxi to the hotel and back, and add it to the room rate before comparing with a hotel that has a better shuttle.
What to do if it is unclear
Email the hotel and ask the five questions. A clear reply is a good sign. See early flight short lists and late arrival short lists for hotels chosen with transfer time in mind.