While all savvy travellers know that off-site airport parking is the smart alternative to Sydney Airport’s overpriced on-site parking, it’s important to remember that not all off-site facilities are equal. While any of the off-site options will save you a significant chunk of change, some may not have the features, convenience, parking options or security standards you require. We have broken down the major differences between the five main off-site parking options for Sydney Airport to help you decide which one is the best option for you:

 

Blu Emu

Blu Emu is Sydney Airport’s official off-site parking option. This means it is promoted on the Sydney Airport website, making it many people’s default choice. However, it is a very basic facility consisting of just one large outdoor parking lot with no shade or protection for cars. 

Shuttle: Free shuttle bus to domestic terminals every 15 minutes. No shuttle to the international terminal is available.

Distance from airport: 15 minutes

Opening hours: 24 hours

Safety: None mentioned

Parking Options: Open-air parking only. 

Features and facilities: None mentioned

Reviews: Receives 3.1 stars on Google based on 48 reviews, does not have a dedicated Facebook page

Loyalty program: No loyalty program is offered

Important to note: Blue Emu doesn’t offer any shuttles to international terminals so is only appropriate for domestic flights.

 

 

Mascot Valet

Mascot Valet is a dedicated multi-level car parking facility with indoor and outdoor parking available.

Shuttle: Two shuttle buses, with no guarantee about the time taken, availability or frequency of shuttles.

Distance from airport: 7 minutes

Opening hours: Open 5 am to 11 pm only

Safety: No security cameras or security system in place and no guarantee about the safety of your vehicle. Cars parked outdoors are in a gravel backyard with thin shade cloths offering minimal overhead protection to some areas.

Parking Options: Offers undercover and outdoor parking. Valet parking is available.

Features and facilities: Car wash is available

Reviews: Receives 4.2 stars on Google based on 104 reviews, Facebook rating not displayed.

Loyalty program: No loyalty program is offered

 

Park n Fly

Park n Fly is a dedicated multi-level car parking facility with only indoor valet parking available.

Shuttle: Free, on-demand, 7-seater shuttle to domestic and international terminals. 

Distance from airport: 6 minutes

Opening hours: 5 am-11 pm

Safety:  Security  cameras 

Parking Options: Only one option is available – undercover valet parking

Features and facilities: Car wash offered by a third-party provider

Reviews: Receives 4.5 stars on Google based on 654 reviews & 3.9 stars on Facebook based on the opinion of 15 people.

Loyalty program: Yes, rewards based on how many dollars you spend

Important to note:  Park n Fly cannot accommodate vehicles over 2 metres. Shuttle capacity is limited to a maximum of 7 people meaning there may be higher wait times.

 

Air Travel Parking

Air Travel Parking is a basic, ground-level carpark with one shuttle.

Shuttle: Only one shuttle bus available for all transfers

Distance from airport: 10 minutes

Opening hours: 5 am to 11 pm

Safety: No security cameras or security system in place and no guarantee about the safety of your vehicle. Cars parked outdoors are in a gravel backyard

Parking Options: Only basic, ground-level parking is available

Features and facilities: nil

Reviews: Receives 2.5 stars on Google based on 85 reviews.

Loyalty program: None mentioned

Important to note: No refund or credit is offered if a booking is cancelled within 24 hours. It’s also worth noting that although their website states they have a 14-seat minibus, 24-seat bus, and 54-seat coach, they only have one standard shuttle available. The pickup point is the public free pick-up area where you will need to walk 10 minutes to get there

 

Park on King

Park on King is a dedicated parking facility with seven levels, six of which are undercover (the top level is rooftop parking). It is the only airport car parking facility with licence plate recognition technology which allows you to enter the facility seamlessly, without needing to reach out and grab a paper ticket. 

Shuttle: Six free, on-demand shuttles to domestic and international terminals. The shuttles used are Toyota Hiace Commuter buses, carrying up to 12 passengers. 

Distance from airport: 4 minutes

Opening hours: Staffed from 4.30 am to 11 pm with 24-hours access available through a verified check-in system.

Safety: A gated, secure car park with over 50 CCTV cameras throughout the building and is monitored by security patrols 365 days a year. 

Parking Options: Six levels of undercover parking & rooftop open-air parking. Park on King is a self-parking car park, meaning you park your own car and take your keys with you.

Features and facilities: Offers their own internally operated car wash, on-site car rental facility, electric vehicle charging stations, seniors parking, complimentary jump-start, pram parking, baby car seats (for children aged 6 months +) on the shuttle and even kids activity packs. Oversized vehicle parking is also available.

Reviews: Receives 4.8 stars on Google based on 977 reviews, and 4.9 stars on Facebook based on 839 reviews.

Loyalty program: Dedicated loyalty program that allows customers to earn rewards points in several ways. They earn points for every booking, as well as for leaving a review or following Park on King on social media. Customers also instantly earn one day’s free parking when they refer a friend

Important to note: Parking bays are larger than average and the standard height clearance is 2.2 metres, and Park on King can also offer a clearance of 2.4 metres for a limited number of vehicles.

 

The verdict: While all five Sydney off-site parking facilities will save you money, Park on King offers the highest security standards, the most comprehensive features and facilities, the fastest and most convenient shuttle transfers and the best loyalty program. So it’s little wonder that Park on King’s reviews on both Facebook and Google are far superior to any other off-site facility. Click here to check prices and pre-book your parking today.