Hi OzB people!
We will be flying overseas transiting via Sydney, arriving at domestic around 10 pm and leaving from international 6 am next morning. So as such, we're looking for affordable transit options near the airports. Other option is we have a friend who we can drive to in hire car but we'll be wasting 70 mins on roads each way, so closer to the airport is better.
Any suggestions?
8 hours or less. I'd rather wake up tired in the terminal than any distance away.
Speaking from experience I would prefer to travel 5 minutes from the airport and sleep on an actual bed.
Won't you have to be back at the airport at about 4am for your flight? Find a bench or a floor in the airport and get a few hours sleep.
Get some lounge passes to pass the time?
As other people stated, stay at the airport.
Are you looking to just look around the area when you land? There's nothing to look at around the airport from midnight to early morning.
Thanks guys for the suggestions, travelling with young kid so will need proper place for rest.
I was under impression that Sydney airports close at night, meaning all lounges etc inside the airport would be closed too?
While the Sydney Airport is technically open 24-hours, you are limited to where you may sleep overnight. Both Domestic Terminals close at night, so you have to head to the designated pre-Security waiting area in the International Terminal.
How old is your kid? Are you travelling with a portacot? (If so, just pop that open!) If not, surely they'd fit on the benches pretty easily? You'd probably get more rest staying at the airport than worrying about transiting and packing/unpacking.
The Rydges is pretty much at the international terminal.
I'd just book the cheapest hotel you can find near the airport to be honest - some of these will have free airport transfers as well. Lounges will be closed.
Now i'm well past my 'backpacker' days I'd take the possibility of 5/6 hours sleep over slumming it at the airport where u will get minimal sleep and make the flight even more painful (if in economy).
by the time you factor getting to the airport 4 hours early and having to travel between the hotel, it's like 3 hours sleep max.
Why would you arrive 4 hours before a flight in an empty airport?
Also Rydges hotel is advertised as being 181 steps from the check in counters…..not exactly a long transit.
Ideally there would be a short term hotel located in the terminal, like many international destinations, but if it was me I am 100% taking my child to a hotel to get some sleep.
ohhh okay nice.. I've seen hotels at the airport but my mum says they are too expensive.
We stayed at the Felix Hotel near Sydney Airport three years ago and loved it. Rooftop terrace and also a bar both overlooking the runways. Floor to ceiling windows in rooms, but still couldn't hear any plane noise.
Rooms were economy, premium economy, business and first - all very airport themed.
I believe it is now called Citadines Connect Sydney Airport Hotel.
Excellent stuff folks, really appreciate your help. Will chekout recommended places around airport to stay! Agree I am not going to get more than 5-6 hour of sleep but surely kid will be able to get much better and longer sleep (so then will keep me awake on a plane too!!)
Only if they had a hotel or lounges inside the airport… Would have booked it anytime for the convinience it would offer.
But thanks again guys! Hope you have a great week ahead!
I would prefer to stay at the airport.