Ever get the feeling Sydney Airport Parking is the most expensive in the world? Your hunch is right. Sydney Airport Corporation took $117million in revenue for its airport carparks in 2009 (its most recently reported year).
However, few people know that there are dozens of third-party car parks clustered around the airport offering parking at substantial discounts to the "official" airport carpark rates, usually with a free shuttle service to and from the airport.
Australian Business Traveller found car parks that cost less than half as much as the official long-term car parks.
Things to be aware of when using third-party carparks:
- All the carparks have different price structures for different lengths of time. Just because one car park is cheapest for a two day stay doesn't mean it'll also be cheapest for a three day stay! Always consult this guide first.
- Most require you to book 24 hours advance (some require 48 hours) and pay in advance. If you have to cancel your trip, and you cancel your parking with 24 hours' notice, you'll generally get your money back (sometimes less an administration fee in the order of $20). If you don't, you will lose your entire parking fee -- one distinct disadvantage of the pre-book carparks.
- The only three long term carparks that offer no-booking access are the official Sydney Airport Long Term Carparks (domestic and international) and the Park 'n Fly carpark on the Cnr General Holmes Drive and Joyce Drive, Mascot. For comparison, we have included these two carparks in each category so you can see the price difference (or in case you don't have time to book.)
- You'll have to leave your car key with most car parks (except the official Sydney Airport domestic long term car park) so they can move your car if necessary. Check before booking if you are uncomfortable with this.
- If you are flying internationally and want to use one of the official Sydney Airport car parks, it is 50 - 66% cheaper to use the domestic long term carpark -- which includes a free shuttle bus to the domestic terminal, and then take the $5.50 shuttle bus from the domestic terminal to the international. That being said, it's cheaper again to use an off-site carpark and use their free shuttle bus to the international terminal.
- Most car parks will wash and vacuum your car for around $35. Some can even arrange mechanical repairs and pink/blue slips while you are travelling for an additional fee.
- Some car parks are quite small and book out quickly -- or may be closed on public holidays. So don't turn up to them in the hope you'll be able to be park -- you must book in advance.
- The third party airport car parks are all clustered in a few streets around the airport, and they all have extremely similar names (Sydney Airport Parking, Airport Sydney Parking, Airport Parking, Sydney Airport Security Parking, and so on!) Be careful that you go to the right one! Some right next to each other have dramatically different rates.
- One unique carpark is Mascot Parking Services, which is actually the parking garage of a residential apartment complex where the owners have agreed for their car spaces to be managed by a car park company. It is by far the cheapest, ($30 for two days, through to $100 for two weeks) but this price does not include a free shuttle to the airport. We have added the $25 fee for the shuttle (in your own car!) to their prices for a fairer comparison with other car parks. However, if you are prepared to walk up the road a few minutes from the car park you can take a public bus for $4 per person to/from the airport. They also run a "reverse valet" service where you can drive to the airport, and they drive your car back to the carpark then deliver it back to the airport for your return flight. This adds $50 to the overall cost of the parking.
- The pricing shown here is correct as at December 17, 2010, however car park operators frequently adjust pricing so do confirm in advance before booking your parking.
Find the cheapest carpark
To find the cheapest carpark near Sydney Airport, select the number of days you'll need to park your car for:
1 day (same day in/out)
2 days (overnight)
3 days (2 nights)
4 days (3 nights)
5 days (4 nights)
6 days (5 nights)
7 days (6 nights)
8 days (7 nights)
9 days (8 nights)
10 days (9 nights)
11 days (10 nights)
12 days (11 nights)
13-15 days (12-14 nights)
Cheapest Sydney Airport Parking for 1 day (same day in/out) stay
Mascot Airport Parking - $20
Where: 13 Sarah St, Mascot
Booking: required in advance.
Shuttle: Free shuttle to domestic or international airport.
Official Sydney Airport Domestic Long Term Parking - $25
Where: Ross Smith Avenue, Mascot
Booking: Booking not required. Come any time, 24hrs a day.
Shuttle: Free shuttle bus every 10-15 minutes, drop off/pickup at Sydney Domestic Terminal 2 & 3. No drop-off to international terminal, but a $5.50 per person shuttle bus is available at the domestic terminal.
In comparison...
- Park 'n Fly charges $30
- Official Sydney Airport International car park charges $52
- Qantas valet parking charges $70
Cheapest Sydney Airport Parking for 2 day (overnight) stay
Mascot Airport Parking - $32
Where: 13 Sarah St, Mascot
Booking: required in advance.
Shuttle: Free shuttle to domestic or international airport.
Official Sydney Airport Domestic Long Term Parking - $45
Where: Ross Smith Avenue, Mascot
Booking: Booking not required. Come any time, 24hrs a day.
Shuttle: Free shuttle bus every 10-15 minutes, drop off/pickup at Sydney Domestic Terminal 2 & 3. No drop-off to international terminal, but a $5.50 per person shuttle bus is available at the domestic terminal.
In comparison...
- Official Sydney Airport Domestic Long-Term Carpark charges $45
- Official Sydney Airport International Car Park charges $104
- Park 'n Fly charges $52
- Qantas valet parking charges $121
Cheapest Sydney Airport Parking for 3 day (2 night) stay
Mascot Airport Parking - $44
Where: 13 Sarah St, Mascot
Booking: required in advance.
Shuttle: Free shuttle to domestic or international airport.
Airport Car Parking Direct - $44
Where: Cnr Princes Hwy and Brodie Spark Drive, Wolli Creek
Booking: required in advance.
Shuttle: Free shuttle to domestic or international airport.
In comparison...
- Official Sydney Airport Domestic Long-Term Carpark charges $62
- Official Sydney Airport International car park charges $156
- Park 'n Fly charges $72
- Qantas valet parking charges $172
Cheapest Sydney Airport Parking for 4 day (3 night) stay
Mascot Airport Parking - $56
Where: 13 Sarah St, Mascot
Booking: required in advance.
Shuttle: Free shuttle to domestic or international airport.
Airport Car Parking Direct - $59
Where: Cnr Princes Hwy and Brodie Spark Drive, Wolli Creek
Booking: required in advance.
Shuttle: Free shuttle to domestic or international airport.
In comparison...
- Official Sydney Airport Domestic Long-Term Carpark charges $77
- Official Sydney Airport International car park charges $176
- Park 'n Fly charges $92
- Qantas valet parking charges $223
Cheapest Sydney Airport Parking for 5 day (4 night) stay
Mascot Airport Parking - $68
Where: 13 Sarah St, Mascot
Booking: required in advance.
Shuttle: Free shuttle to domestic or international airport.
Airport Car Parking Direct - $69
Where: Cnr Princes Hwy and Brodie Spark Drive, Wolli Creek
Booking: required in advance.
Shuttle: Free shuttle to domestic or international airport.
In comparison...
- Official Sydney Airport Domestic Long-Term Carpark charges $92
- Official Sydney Airport International car park charges $196
- Park 'n Fly charges $112
- Qantas valet parking charges $274
Cheapest Sydney Airport Parking for 6 day (5 night) stay
Airport Car Parking Direct - $79
Where: Cnr Princes Hwy and Brodie Spark Drive, Wolli Creek
Booking: required in advance.
Shuttle: Free shuttle to domestic or international airport.
Discount Airport Parking - $75
Where: 9 Gertrude St, Wolli Creek
Booking: required in advance.
Shuttle: Free shuttle to domestic or international airport.
In comparison...
- Official Sydney Airport Domestic Long-Term Carpark charges $107
- Official Sydney Airport International car park charges $216
- Park 'n Fly charges $124
- Qantas valet parking charges $325
Cheapest Sydney Airport Parking for 7 day (6 night) stay
Mascot Parking Services - $80
Where: Aero Residential Apartments - 635 Gardners Road, Mascot (no signage on street)
Booking: Required in advance. SMS details to Lu on 0425 282 918.
Shuttle: Price shown here is $55 parking fee + $25 valet fee -- you are driven to the airport in your own car and on return picked up in your own car and driven back to carpark. For another $25 you can have 'reverse valet' where you drive to the airport and your car is driven from there to the off-site carpark, and for your return flight, your car is delivered to the airport where you can drive home directly.
Discount Airport Parking - $85
Where: 9 Gertrude St, Wolli Creek
Booking: required in advance.
Shuttle: Free shuttle to domestic or international airport.
In comparison...
- Official Sydney Airport Domestic Long-Term Carpark charges $122
- Official Sydney Airport International car park charges $236
- Park 'n Fly charges $136
- Qantas valet parking charges $376
Cheapest Sydney Airport Parking for 8 day (7 night) stay
Mascot Parking Services - $90
Where: Aero Residential Apartments - 635 Gardners Road, Mascot (no signage on street)
Booking: Required in advance. SMS details to Lu on 0425 282 918.
Shuttle: Price shown here is $65 parking fee + $25 valet fee -- you are driven to the airport in your own car and on return picked up in your own car and driven back to carpark. For another $25 you can have 'reverse valet' where you drive to the airport and your car is driven from there to the off-site carpark, and for your return flight, your car is delivered to the airport where you can drive home directly.
Discount Airport Parking - $95
Where: 9 Gertrude St, Wolli Creek
Booking: required in advance.
Shuttle: Free shuttle to domestic or international airport.
In comparison...
- Official Sydney Airport Domestic Long-Term Carpark charges $137
- Official Sydney Airport International car park charges $256
- Park 'n Fly charges $148
- Qantas valet parking charges $536
Cheapest Sydney Airport Parking for 9 day (8 night) stay
Mascot Parking Services - $100
Where: Aero Residential Apartments - 635 Gardners Road, Mascot (no signage on street)
Booking: Required in advance. SMS details to Lu on 0425 282 918.
Shuttle: Price shown here is $75 parking fee + $25 valet fee -- you are driven to the airport in your own car and on return picked up in your own car and driven back to carpark. For another $25 you can have 'reverse valet' where you drive to the airport and your car is driven from there to the off-site carpark, and for your return flight, your car is delivered to the airport where you can drive home directly.
Discount Airport Parking - $105
Where: 9 Gertrude St, Wolli Creek
Booking: required in advance.
Shuttle: Free shuttle to domestic or international airport.
In comparison...
- Official Sydney Airport Domestic Long-Term Carpark charges $152
- Official Sydney Airport International car park charges $276
- Park 'n Fly charges $160
- Qantas valet parking charges $536
Cheapest Sydney Airport Parking for 10 day (9 night) stay
Mascot Parking Services - $110
Where: Aero Residential Apartments - 635 Gardners Road, Mascot (no signage on street)
Booking: Required in advance. SMS details to Lu on 0425 282 918.
Shuttle: Price shown here is $85 parking fee + $25 valet fee -- you are driven to the airport in your own car and on return picked up in your own car and driven back to carpark. For another $25 you can have 'reverse valet' where you drive to the airport and your car is driven from there to the off-site carpark, and for your return flight, your car is delivered to the airport where you can drive home directly.
Discount Airport Parking - $115
Where: 9 Gertrude St, Wolli Creek
Booking: required in advance.
Shuttle: Free shuttle to domestic or international airport.
In comparison...
- Official Sydney Airport Domestic Long-Term Carpark charges $167
- Official Sydney Airport International car park charges $296
- Park 'n Fly charges $172
- Qantas valet parking charges $536
Cheapest Sydney Airport Parking for 11 day (10 night) stay
Mascot Parking Services - $120
Where: Aero Residential Apartments - 635 Gardners Road, Mascot (no signage on street)
Booking: Required in advance. SMS details to Lu on 0425 282 918.
Shuttle: Price shown here is $95 parking fee + $25 valet fee -- you are driven to the airport in your own car and on return picked up in your own car and driven back to carpark. For another $25 you can have 'reverse valet' where you drive to the airport and your car is driven from there to the off-site carpark, and for your return flight, your car is delivered to the airport where you can drive home directly.
Discount Airport Parking - $125
Where: 9 Gertrude St, Wolli Creek
Booking: required in advance.
Shuttle: Free shuttle to domestic or international airport.
In comparison...
- Official Sydney Airport Domestic Long-Term Carpark charges $182
- Official Sydney Airport International car park charges $316
- Park 'n Fly charges $184
- Qantas valet parking charges $536
Cheapest Sydney Airport Parking for 12 day (11 night) stay
Mascot Parking Services - $125
Where: Aero Residential Apartments - 635 Gardners Road, Mascot (no signage on street)
Booking: Required in advance. SMS details to Lu on 0425 282 918.
Shuttle: Price shown here is $100 parking fee + $25 valet fee -- you are driven to the airport in your own car and on return picked up in your own car and driven back to carpark. For another $25 you can have 'reverse valet' where you drive to the airport and your car is driven from there to the off-site carpark, and for your return flight, your car is delivered to the airport where you can drive home directly.
Discount Airport Parking - $135
Where: 9 Gertrude St, Wolli Creek
Booking: required in advance.
Shuttle: Free shuttle to domestic or international airport.
In comparison...
- Official Sydney Airport Domestic Long-Term Carpark charges $197
- Official Sydney Airport International car park charges $336
- Park 'n Fly charges $196
- Qantas valet parking charges $536
Cheapest Sydney Airport Parking for 13-15 days (12-14 night) stay
Note: both car parks listed here charge the same flat price for 13, 14 and 15 days, which is why we haven't broken them out into separate days.
Mascot Parking Services - $125
Where: Aero Residential Apartments - 635 Gardners Road, Mascot (no signage on street)
Booking: Required in advance. SMS details to Lu on 0425 282 918.
Shuttle: Price shown here is $100 parking fee + $25 valet fee -- you are driven to the airport in your own car and on return picked up in your own car and driven back to carpark. For another $25 you can have 'reverse valet' where you drive to the airport and your car is driven from there to the off-site carpark, and for your return flight, your car is delivered to the airport where you can drive home directly.
Discount Airport Parking - $145
Where: 9 Gertrude St, Wolli Creek
Booking: required in advance.
Shuttle: Free shuttle to domestic or international airport.
In comparison...
- Official Sydney Airport Domestic Long-Term Carpark charges $212 - $237
- Official Sydney Airport International car park charges $356 - $396
- Park 'n Fly charges $208 - $232
- Qantas valet parking charges $536 - $696
About danwarne
Dan is a tech enthusiast who frequently qualifies for enhanced airport security screening due to the number of cords and gadgets stuffed into his cabin bag.
1 on 17/12/10 by jokiin