Did you know you can park for free at Sydney Airport for 15 minutes? The Express Pick-up zones, located near both the International and Domestic Terminals, offer easy access for travellers and drivers. After 15 minutes, parking rates apply.
For everything you need to know about the Express Car Parks, read below:
| Car Park | Cost per Week | Service & Travel Time | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Travel Parking | $136.00 | Shuttle: 6 min | Book |
| Sydney Airport Express | $155.00 | Shuttle: 5 min | Book |
| Blu Emu | $189.30 | Shuttle: 15 min | Book |
| P3 Car Park | $451.00 | Walk: 5 - 8 min | Book |
| P2 Car Park | $548.70 | Walk: 5 min | Book |
| P7 Car Park | $548.70 | Walk: 5 min | Book |
| T2 Premium Valet | $596.00 | Walk: 1 - 2 min | Book |
| Qantas Valet | $667.70 | Walk: 1 - 2 min | Book |
The Express Pick-up Zones at Sydney Airport are dedicated to collecting passengers from the International and Domestic Terminals. Here's what you need to know:
After 15 minutes of free parking, charges apply: $10.60 for 15-30 minutes and $21.20 for up to an hour. If you're picking up family or friends, ensure you're well-organized and reachable by phone. Ride-share vehicles and taxis are not allowed in the Express Pick-up Zone; they must use the Priority Pick-up Zone instead.
⚠️IMPORTANT: The Sydney Airport Express Pick-Up Zones should not be confused with the green Priority Pick-up Zones, as different rates and payment methods apply.
The Express Pickup Sydney Domestic Airport Mascot NSW is located on the ground floor of the P3 Domestic Car Park. It is approximately 4 minutes on foot from the Arrivals Hall.
🚘FINDING THE CAR PARK: Arriving passengers should follow the yellow signage and lighting from the Arrivals Hall. Drivers, on the other hand, should follow the yellow signage for Express Pick-up as they merge into the right-hand land within the Domestic precinct.
The Sydney International Airport Express Pickup is located within the P9 Car Park, a 5-minute walk from the International Arrivals Hall. Arriving passengers should follow the yellow signage after exiting the Arrivals Hall. Drivers need to follow the yellow signage for the 'Express Pickup Sydney International Airport', after entering the International precinct.
✈️TIP: To ensure a smooth pick-up, have the traveller contact you after clearing customs so you can meet them at the International Express Pick-up. This will help you avoid exceeding the free 15-minute parking limit.
The parking rates at both the Domestic and International Express Pick-up Car Parks are the same. However, since they were designed for short-term stays (a few hours at most), rates can be expensive. Prices start at $10.60 for 15 - 30 minutes, and $21.20 for an hour. For stays longer than this, you will need to consider the P2 or P7 Car Park, as they offer reasonable short-term rates.
Pre-booking for this car park is not available, so make sure you have cash or a credit card on you the day that you travel. If you need to park for longer and don't wish to pay to do so, consider using the Blu Emu Car Park, where you can park for up to 1 hour for free.
Many past travellers report that it’s challenging to enter and exit the express zones within 15 minutes. However, it can be done if you organise your pick-up location with friends and family in advance.
| Duration | Domestic & International Express Pick-Up |
|---|---|
| 0 - 15 min | Free |
| 15 - 30 min | $10.60 |
| 30 - 60 min | $21.20 |
Only the first 15 minutes of your stay at the Express Pick-up Zone is free of charge. If you’re trying to score free Sydney Airport parking, timing plays a crucial role. The car park will charge you if you stay just a minute longer, so you need to coordinate plans with the person you plan to collect.
Sydney locals often use the 15-minute free pick-up zone at the airport to quickly collect friends or family. However, before approaching the Express Pick-Up Zone, they typically wait nearby (such as at McDonald's, Tempe Reserve, or the St George Sailing Club) until they receive a text from the traveller after they've cleared customs. Once notified, they drive over to the pick-up area, where they can quickly load the passenger and leave within the 15-minute window. If they need to park for longer, they opt for other paid parking options like the P9 public pick-up area.
Reviews of the Express Pickup Sydney Airport are generally good, and the car park receives a rating of 3.7/5 as cited by 140 Google reviews.
Positive user reviews mention the benefit of the free 15-minute grace period.
Negative reviews left by travellers point to problems with the distance from the airport, extreme difficulty in finding the car park, and the constant crowds. Many travellers also regret paying such a steep price (after 15 minutes) for such a short pickup.
Please note that while we have made every attempt to report on Sydney Airport car parking rates accurately, prices do fluctuate over time and are therefore subject to change without notice, but were accurate at the time of publication in December 2024.
