Our flight from Seattle via Honolulu gets into Sydney at 7:00pm. We leave the next morning at 9:30 for Perth. By time we get off the plane, through customs and our bags, I'm guessing it will be 8pm at the earliest. This is after at least 15 hours in flight. I am wondering what is the best option for the overnight?

So far, we have thought about staying overnight at the airport or taking the train into Sydney. Right now, we leaning towards staying somewhere at the airport.

So my questions are, What would you do? Stay at the airport or go into town? Since we are leaning towards the airport, any recommendations for a hotel? I've looked a little and I've wondered about the Mercure (I think that is what hotel it is) in between the terminals.

Or if you think it would be better to go into Sydney, what would be a good hotel with a good connection to the airport?

And should I wait until 28 days before we leave and check what is available at Wotif?

Thanks!

PS: We will be returning near the end of our trip for 4 full days in Sydney and we'll do our Sydney sightseeing at that time.

Marta - while I'd probably stay at the airport - particularly if you're arriving Monday-Friday where you'd be getting back out to the airport in peak traffic, there aren't any actual 'airport hotels'. They're all either near the domestic or international terminals-but would require some sort of transport to and fro. The Mercure is near the international terminal, and the other nice hotel - the Stamford- is close to the domestic terminal. Stamford has a marginally better reputation. Perhaps ask if either of them would provide transport to & from the terminals (they may offer a shuttle.

The Sydney Airport is in such an ugly, noisy, dirty industrial area I would only stay there out of necessity.

You could use the airport train to and from the city. They are never held up by peak traffic. You may have too much luggage to make this practical.

I would sugest the Novotel at Brighton le sands - close enough to airport but nicer location on the shores of botany bay - heaps of resturants- about 10 min in Taxi- I think it is a novotel it could of changes hands - its the only large hotel at brighton le sands though so shouldn't be hard to find

Thanks everyone. We decided to stay at the airport. Several people at Fodors suggested the Holiday Inn so we are going to try it. I got a good rate and they have a free shuttle to the hotel and a $5.00 back to the airport.

We had thought about either going in to CBD or to elsewhere but it is just such a short time on a Sunday it didn't seem worth it.

Thanks again.