How much does it cost to travel to Sydney?
You should plan to spend around $286 (AU$440) per day on your vacation in Sydney. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.
Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:
- $44 (AU$68) on meals
- $15 (AU$23) on local transportation
- $195 (AU$299) on hotels
A one week trip to Sydney for two people costs, on average, $4,009 (AU$6,155). This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.
Independent Travel
Traveling Independently to Sydney has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.
All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.
Is Sydney expensive to visit?
Prices in Sydney are reasonable and comparable to your average travel destination. Hotels, food, and sightseeing are generally within normal price ranges.
Within the Pacific, which is known to be an expensive region, Sydney is a very expensive destination compared to other places. It is in the top 10% of cities in the Pacific for its travel costs. There are only a few cities as expensive as Sydney in the region, such as Fraser Island.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Sydney Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Sydney?
The average Sydney trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Sydney travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.
|
Category
|
Cost
|
|
Accommodation 1
(Double Occupancy)
|
AU$299
($195)
|
|
Local Transportation 1
|
AU$23
($15)
|
|
Food 2
|
AU$68
($44)
|
|
Entertainment 1
|
AU$48
($31)
|
|
Tips and Handouts 1
|
AU$906 -
2,718
($590 - 1,770)
|
|
Scams, Robberies, and Mishaps 1
|
AU$118 -
354
($77 - 230)
|
|
Alcohol 2
|
AU$11 -
34
($7 - 22)
|
Accommodation Budget in Sydney
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid for one person for accommodation in Sydney is $97 (AU$150). For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in Sydney is $195 (AU$299). This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Sydney? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
Transportation Budget in Sydney
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The cost of a taxi ride in Sydney is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $15 (AU$23) per person, per day, on local transportation in Sydney.
-
Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$15
AU$23
How much does it cost to go to Sydney? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
The price of renting a car in Sydney will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.
Typical prices for Transportation in Sydney are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Sydney, but your costs will vary based on your travel style.
-
Taxi Ride
AU$20
-
Taxi to Airport
AU$25
Food Budget in Sydney
Calculated from travelers like you
-
While meal prices in Sydney can vary, the average cost of food in Sydney is $44 (AU$68) per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Sydney should cost around $18 (AU$27) per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Sydney is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
-
Food2
Meals for one day
$44
AU$68
Typical prices for Food in Sydney are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Sydney, but your costs will vary based on your travel style.
-
Tea
AU$4.00
-
Lunch Special
AU$15
-
Food/Drink Coogie Beach
AU$15
-
Meat Pies
AU$5.00
Entertainment Budget in Sydney
Calculated from travelers like you
-
Entertainment and activities in Sydney typically cost an average of $31 (AU$48) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
-
Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$31
AU$48
Typical prices for Entertainment in Sydney are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Sydney, but your costs will vary based on your travel style.
Tips and Handouts Budget in Sydney
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The average cost for Tips and Handouts in Sydney is $1,180 (AU$1,812) per day. The usual amount for a tip in Sydney is 5% - 15%.
-
Tips and Handouts1
For guides or service providers
$1,180
AU$1,812
Scams, Robberies, and Mishaps Budget in Sydney
Calculated from travelers like you
-
Unfortunately, bad things can happen on a trip. Well, you've just got to deal with it! The average price for a scam, robbery, or mishap in Sydney is $154 (AU$236), as reported by travelers.
-
Scams, Robberies, and Mishaps1
$154
AU$236
Alcohol Budget in Sydney
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The average person spends about $15 (AU$23) on alcoholic beverages in Sydney per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
-
Alcohol2
Drinks for one day
$15
AU$23
Typical prices for Alcohol in Sydney are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Sydney, but your costs will vary based on your travel style.
Water Budget in Sydney
Calculated from travelers like you
-
On average, people spend $3.27 (AU$5.03) on bottled water in Sydney per day. The public water in Sydney is considered safe to drink.
-
Water2
Bottled water for one day
$3.27
AU$5.03
Last Updated: Jan 17, 2023
Sydney On a Budget
Sydney, Australia
Sydney, known as the harbour city, is the most famous and frequently visited city in Australia. It is at the economical and cultural heart of the country, and is one of the most beautiful and livable cities in the world. It's situated on the water with stunning views of the famous harbour throughout the city. It's most famous landmarks include the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. It is also very close wonderful beaches, parks, and nature.
Sydney's climate is humid subtropical. There summers are warm or hot and the winters are mild. Rainfall is evenly spread throughout the year. The weather is heavily effected by the city's proximity to the ocean and you can expect temperatures to be more extreme the farther inland you go. January and February are the warmest months with temperatures typically in the 70s or 80s Fahrenheit. Winter temperatures rarely go below 40 degrees Fahrenheit and the coldest month is July.
Sights
Perhaps the most recognizable sights in Sydney include the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House, but there are countless other attractions to visit while you're in town. The Sydney Olympic Park is where the city hosted the summer Olympics in the year 2000. Luna Park is an amusement park near the Harbour Bridge and Sydney Tower is the tallest building in the city. The Royal Botanical Gardens have 7500 species of plants and is not to be missed. Although there is no lack of sights in Sydney, the most appealing part of the city is simply wandering the neighborhoods, checking out the fine restaurants, and soaking up the sun and views.
Do make sure you allow yourself enough time to take in the city for everything it has to offer. Whether you're a solo traveler, couple, or a family, this large city has something for everyone. For example, here's a great
list of 88 things to do in Sydney with kids.
Neighborhoods
Sydney is a large metropolitan area with a compact city center surrounded by sprawling suburbs. The central part of the city includes the City Center, The Rocks, Darling Harbour, City South, City East, and City West. The City Center has many attractions that appeal to visitors including excellent shopping and dining. The Rocks is where you'll find the Harbour Bridge as well as the first colonial village of Sydney. Darling Harbour is an area filled with entertainment options. City South has Haymarket, Chinatown and Central Station. City East includes Kings Cross, Darlinghurst, Surry Hill, Woolloomooloo and Moore Park while City West has early morning fish markets.
Areas of interest in the outlying suburbs of Sydney include the world famous Bondi Beach, Sydney Olympic Park,
Taronga Zoo, Palm Beach, as well as many residential and commercial areas.
Activities
As a large, metropolitan city on the ocean, there is no shortage of activities that you can enjoy while you're in town. Sydney is a great place to start with your
Australia Bucket List, after all. Swimming at one of the beaches is a must. The most popular beaches include Bondi, Manly, Coogee, Cronulla, and Wattamolla. There are also many great kayaking spots nearby. Surfing, fishing, and water sports are all plentiful as well.
If you're interested in a more cultural activity then check out a show at one of the city's three theaters. The Capitol Theatre in Haymarket, the Theatre Royal in the Central Business District, and the Lyric Theatre in Star City are all recommended, especially if you're on a
4-day itinerary of Sydney. Opera Australia performs at the Opera House as well.
A number of other trips just outside of the city are also possible. A visit to the Blue Mountains makes an easy day trip. Or, it's possible to go
whale watching from Sydney, too.
Food and Dining
Food prices in Sydney can range from relatively affordable to extremely expensive. Your cheapest option is to pick up ingredients at a market and prepare your own meals. Ethnic food is often reasonably priced as well. Asian restaurants are abundant and include Korean, Chinese and Thai, among others. Head to Chinatown for a variety of affordable options. There are also affordable cafes near Sydney University along King Street.
Cafes and restaurants providing all-day breakfasts have taken off in popularity. There are many beachside cafes that offer excellent Australian breakfasts including corn fritters with bacon and poached eggs.
This city is also great for children. Here's a
list of places where kids eat free in Sydney.
Transportation
Sydney has a range of transportation options including buses, trains, and ferries. It has a great public transportation system, particularly in the city center. If you're planning to spend most of your time in the middle of town then a rental car is not necessary. There is an extensive suburban rail system in Sydney with 176 stations. It covers most of the metropolitan area with the exception of the northwest and northern beaches. The city's light rail system has one single, 7 kilometer long line that travels between Sydney City and Darling Harbour, the casino, and Pyrmont and from Central to Dulwich Hill. The bus system in Sydney is comprehensive and usually reliable. It is best to plan your route in advance though, to ensure you make the most efficient travel plans.
You can supplement public transportation with the taxis you will find around town. There are generally two different rates. There is a flag fall rate of $3.30 and a distance rate of $1.99/km. You will also be charged a sitting fee of $0.85/min and a booking fee of $2.50. The night rate between 10PM and 6AM adds twenty percent to the distance fee. These fees do add up so keep an eye on the costs. You will also be charged an additional ten percent if you choose to pay with a credit card.
Related
Looking for a party? Find a
hostel in Sydney,
Melbourne,
Cairns, or along the
Gold Coast.
We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.