Sydney Airport Express Pick-up Guide

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 quick pick-up and drop-off access for travellers and drivers.

For everything you need to know about the Express Car Parks, read below:

Express Pick-Up Locations

Express Pickup at the Domestic Terminals (T2, T3)

Location: Ground floor of the P3 Domestic Car Park on Keith Smith Avenue, Mascot.​

Walking Distance: Approximately 4 minutes from the Domestic Arrivals Hall.​

Directions for Drivers: Follow yellow "Express Pick-Up" signage, merging into the right-hand lane upon entering the Domestic precinct.​

Directions for Passengers: Follow yellow signage and lighting from the Arrivals Hall to the pick-up zone.

Express Pickup at the International Terminal (T1)

Location: Within the P9 Car Park off Centre Road, Mascot.​

Walking Distance: Approximately 5 minutes from the International Arrivals Hall.​

Directions for Drivers: Follow yellow "Express Pick-Up" signage upon entering the International precinct.​

Directions for Passengers: Follow yellow signage from the Arrivals Hall to the pick-up zone.

Sydney Airport Express Pick-Up: Key Details

• Have your traveller contact you after clearing customs to avoid exceeding the 15-minute free parking limit.
• Do not confuse the Express Pick-Up Zones with the green Priority Pick-Up Zones, which have different rates and payment methods.
  • Ride-share vehicles and taxis must use the Priority Pick-Up Zone.
• Accessible parking bays are available at the front of the car parks.
• Free parking is limited to one entry per calendar day.
• Domestic & international express car parks charge the same rates.

Sydney Airport Express Parking Rates

The parking rates at both the Domestic and International Express Pick-up Car Parks are the same. Prices start at $10.60 for 15 - 30 minutes, and $21.20 for an hour.

For longer stays, consider the P2 or P7 Car Parks for short-term rates or Blu Emu Car Park, which offers 1 hour of free parking.

What Sydney Locals Do

Sydney locals often maximize the 15-minute free pick-up by waiting at nearby locations like McDonald's, Tempe Reserve, or St George Sailing Club until their traveller clears customs. 

Drivers then go to the Express Pick-Up area for a quick pick-up, ensuring they pay no fees.

Reviews of Express Pick-Up Sydney Airport

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 Reviews:

Positive user reviews mention the benefit of the free 15-minute grace period.

Negative Reviews:

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.

Tips for a Quick Pick-Up: Express Parking at Sydney Airport

1. Timing: To ensure you don't pay, arrive only at the Express Car Parks once your traveller has cleared customs or retrieved their luggage
2. Waiting areas: Before entering the airport precinct, utilise the 1 hour of free parking at the Blu Emu Car Park, or the off-site McDonald's, Tempe Reserve, or the St George Sailing Club
3. Signage: Follow the yellow signs to the Express Pick-Up Zones, AVOID the green signs, which lead to different areas with separate rates & payment methods
4. Accessibility: Accessible parking bays are located at the front of the car parks. Alternatively, utilise the regular pick-up/drop-off lanes for added convenience
5. Payment: Have a credit or debit card ready for entry, even if you plan to stay within the free 15-minute period

^{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 September 2025.}