- Who it suits
- International departures from Terminal 1, especially early ones, and travellers coming in from regional areas the night before.
- Why we would choose it
- The airport puts it 181 steps from the Terminal 1 check-in counters. There is no bus or taxi to organise.
- The compromise
- Terminals 2 and 3 are not walkable from here. For a domestic flight you need the free Terminal Transfer Bus or the train.
- Worth paying more?
- For a flight before 07:00, usually yes: nothing else beside Terminal 1 removes the transfer except the hotel inside the terminal.
Getting to your terminal
A stay only makes sense for some terminals. Here is what the journey takes from the hotel to check-in at each one.
| Terminal | How you get there | Hotel to check-in | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best forTerminal 1 | Short walk181 steps, by the airport's count | 4 min | A$0 |
| Terminals 2 and 3 | Free Terminal Transfer BusAbout every 15 min, roughly 05:30 to 22:30 | 25 min | A$0 |
Our view
What you get
The practical details that matter for one night before or after a flight.
- Family rooms
- Family suites. The Superior Family Suite has one king bed and two singles; listings give it as sleeping four or five. A Deluxe Family Suite has a king and a queen.
- From our own stays
- We have stayed here many times before early international flights. The rooms are spacious, in the style of a classic hotel room, and noise has been very low.
- Our tip
- Book a family room if you can, and ask for the western side of the hotel for the least noise.
- Eating
- The food areas of the International terminal are a short walk away.
- Day use
- The airport lists day-use rates on request, for a long wait between flights.
- Parking
- No hotel car park or package found. Guests are reported to use the airport's P7, directly behind the hotel; ask about a rate.
Sydney Airport Hotel Guide is our own guide to this airport. Its page on Rydges Sydney Airport Hotel has more from our stays and our tips.
See more on Rydges Sydney Airport Hotel at Sydney Airport Hotel GuideIf this is not right for you
Other stays we recommend on the same short list, and what you trade by choosing them.
Also consider
Aerotel Sydney
Inside the terminal3 min to T1
Typical total A$355–A$418
Rooms are small, 9 to 11 square metres for a double, which is tight for a full night with luggage.
See full hotel details
Also consider
Novotel Sydney International Airport
Paid hotel shuttle20 min to T1
Typical total A$191–A$481
The shuttle is paid, about $10 to $12 a person, and sources differ on whether the first run is 04:30 or 05:00. That is tight for a dawn departure.
See full hotel details