Over the years of travelling around, I have stayed in many airport hotels. Although they aren´t usually my first choice in the travel plan, sometimes they can be very useful and a practical choice for the savvy traveller.
I find staying at Airport hotels very handy in these scenarios especially:
- Arriving into a major city at very late or early hours.
- Saving money on expensive weekend rates in big cities/popular destinations.
- After a long flight or an endless journey with transfers.
Now not all airports are far from cities, so it is best to do your research on connections from the airport to the city. If there are good train routes from the airport, underground system or a great local bus service. Staying at the airport may not be a help in your itinerary. In fact Malaga is a great example of this situation.
Staying at Malaga Airport
I have stayed at Malaga Airport hotels when I have very early flights out of AGP. However the stays were not stress free. The airport hotels didn´t have free shuttle service included. Getting from the hotel to the airport would have been an expensive taxi ride, even though it was around 1km to get there (not possible on foot). Or trying to navigate a city bus service. After making this mistake. I sharing the best work around with you.
- Distance from Malaga Airport to Historic Centre: 10.8kms / 6.7miles
- From Airport (arrivals terminal) you have three options: 1) Take Cercanías train, 2) a Blue Bus or 3) a taxi.
- Choose a hotel next to Malaga Train Station/Bus Station at Maria Zambrano. This hub is very well connected to city centre and airport. It also has shops, cafés, a supermarket and restaurants.
Best Malaga Hotels for transport connections (Malaga Train Station/Bus Station hub)
- Barcelo Malaga This hotel connects from train station into hotel lobby! It also has an amazing slide.
- Eurostars Malaga A mid range hotel with an excellent breakfast, super close to Bus station/train station.
Barcelona Airport Hotel BAH
After flying to Barcelona from Miami and having jet lag. A short stay at this Airport hotel was ideal. The hotel had a 24h shuttle service from the airport to the hotel lobby (and vice versa).
The property is a large hotel with over 250 rooms, so has good facilities, an outdoor pool and gym area. Room service is operating from 11am to 1 am. It also has a few different onsite restaurants and cafés.
I would book this option if you arrive late in Barcelona to save on an expensive night in the city (especially weekends or holidays) or if you have a long journey to get to Barcelona.
Check availabilty at Hotel BAH Barcelona Airport
- Distance from Airport to Historic Centre: 15 kms / 10 miles
- Getting from the Airport to Barcelona: I find the best options a Taxi or the Aerobus. (train is another possibility)
Barcelona Airport Transfer
To get the Aerobus – Pre Book Tickets to save time queuing at the ticket machines. The stop is just outside of arrivals, down one floor. The bus is blue and very easy to spot.
If you have luggage or want to pre book a Friendly Airport Transfer from Barcelona airport. I would use this company Kiwi taxi or queue to get the city cabs (yellow and black) that queue at the terminal building.
The official Taxi tariff in Dec 2025 is 30 euros to 40 euros depending on time of day, if you have luggage etc. This is for a trip from Barcelona airport to Sagrada Familia for example.
Madrid Airport Hotel
I haven´t stayed at any Hotel within Madrid Airport even though I have travelled through Madrid Barajas hundreds of times. It is well connected to the city with a modern underground system and endless taxis.
A good location to stay at would be around Nuevos Ministerios as this hub connects several transport routes and has good restaurants, shops and services. It is also on one of the main streets in Madrid Paseo de la Castellana.
Madrid Transport Hub
This option maybe not be suitable for sightseeing as it is located in the financial and shopping district. However for transit, staying a short time in Madrid or getting travel connections (flight, trains etc) out of Madrid, its ideal. It is also perfect for IFEMA (the exhibition and trade fair venue)
See other hotel options of where I stayed in Madrid over the years.
- Distance from Airport to Historic Centre: 28 kms / 17.5 miles
- From Madrid Barajas Airport the transport connections are excellent. Use Metro de Madrid (pink line) or City Taxis.
- Large amount of Restaurants, shops and services in this area. Santiago Bernabeu + Nuevos Ministerios
Sevilla Airport Hotel
So when I travelled from Seville to Marrakesh I had to get an early flight from Seville airport. So I used this work around. Also on an internal flight from Seville to Castellon I remember doing the same thing.
Finding a well connected location on the edge of the city is often a better solution than an airport stay.
Seville´s San Pablo airport seems far from the city and disconnected. So staying at the airport I don´t think is ideal. It´s not a huge airport and the hotels are actually onsite there.
- Distance from Airport to Historic Centre: 13 kms / 8 miles
- Closest recommended hotel to airport: Hotel North Seville – 10kms to airport 8kms to Cathedral
Seville Transport Hub
My recommendation Hotel Parada del Marques is ideal for that. Super close to Seville Bus Station, Plaza de Armas. From there Buses and Taxis depart round the clock to get you to the airport on time.
- Book Parada Marques
- Parada del Marques on Trip Advisor
- Other Seville hotels I stayed in over the years.
TIP: The Italian restaurant Alimentari nearby that is handy to get take away (or dine in).
- Location: A 13 minute walk (1km) to Seville Cathedral. 180 metres to Seville Bus Station.
- Advantages: Good location for shops and services. Well connected for Bus Station, to get to airport and taxis.
Porto Airport Hotel
The best airport stay I have ever experienced was at Opohotel Porto Airport
The transfer from the airport terminal to hotel was easy to find and quick to arrive. Although the distance between the airport and hotel isn´t far.
What made this so special was the size of the room, cleanliness and friendly staff. The price was excellent and it helped as I arrived very late to Porto Airport, so I could just get to the hotel to rest quickly.
Then the next day from the airport to the city was a short Tram journey into the city from there.
- Distance from Airport to Historic Centre: 17 kms / 10.5 miles
- Closest recommended hotel to airport: Opohotel Porto Airport
- Where I stayed in Porto itself: Hospes Infante Sagres Porto – Small Luxury Hotels Of The World
East Midlands Airport Hotel
Although there are several airport close to East Midlands Airport in the UK. Only one of them is in walking distance. This one from the Leonardo Hotel group East Midlands Hotel – Walk to the Terminal Building is a very short walk from the hotel to the departures/arrival buildings.
I have never managed to book this hotel as it seems to sell out quickly. So you need to book ahead.
Other hotels at the location are Radisson Blu, Travelodge and Premier Inn but you need to get a taxi arranged to take you to the airport if you don´t have a car.
Gatwick Airport Hotel
For an early flight from Gatwick to Malta. I stayed at this London Capsule Hotel with views of the runway.
Access to the hotel is inside the Terminal Building itself, so very convenient if you have luggage. The room is a small space but functional and good for sleeping ahead of flying out of Gatwick (or after a long flight to London)
To stay at Bloc Hotel and enjoy views of the runaway, check when you book, that the best rooms are available.
