Is Sydney Expensive?

Is Sydney expensive to visit?

Sydney is a moderately priced destination with an average daily cost of $273. Compared to the rest of the Pacific, which is known to be an expensive region, it is a very expensive place to visit. It's ranked in the top 10% of cities in the Pacific for its travel prices, comparable to places like Nadi (Port Denarau) and Fraser Island.



Sydney, Australia

How expensive is Sydney?

The average cost of traveling to Sydney can vary widely based on many factors, but our calculations based on previous travlers show that the average daily cost is $273 (U.S. Dollars). Your travel style, accommodation preferences, dining choices, and trip duration can alter your individual budget, as you can find a wide array of accommodation, food, and entertainment options available for your visit. Sticking to mid-range hotels, affordable restaurants, and public transit when available can keep your costs close to this calculated average. See more travel costs for Sydney here.

How expensive is a weekend trip (three days) to Sydney?

Based on our calculations from previous travelers, a weekend trip to Sydney will cost around $820 per person. This amount includes sightseeing activities, hotels, restaurants, local transportation, and other travel expenses. For two people, a weekend trip would cost $1,640.

How expensive is a one week (7-day) trip to Sydney?

On average, a one week trip to Sydney costs about $1,913 per person. This is based on the previous expenses of actual travelers, and includes accommodation, food, activities, local transportation, and more. For two people, a one week trip costs $3,826.



Sydney Harbour, NSW, Australia

Is it expensive to backpack in Sydney?

With more than 50 hostels in the area, Sydney is a popular backpacker destination for travelers looking to stay on a tight budget and have a fun time along the way. Here, hostels cost an average of $25 per night for a dorm bed, with private rooms being more expensive. (See hostel prices in Sydney here.) It's also common to see a wide range in prices, as the cheapest hostels here cost $1, but the most expensive can be more than $43 per night.

Here are a few sample prices from popular hostels in Sydney.

  • $26 for a dorm bed at Wake Up! Sydney Central
  • $32 for a dorm bed at Nomads Sydney
  • $26 for a dorm bed at Wake Up! Bondi Beach

Are hotels expensive in Sydney?

From our analysis of hotel prices in Sydney, we can see that they are very affordable in comparison to the rest of the world. On average, a night in a hotel room costs approximately $96. The area hosts around 74 five-star hotels, averaging $169 per night. For those with an eye on both comfort and economy, three-star hotels present a reasonable choice at an average of $84 per night, while two-star hotels offer an even more economical option at $51 per night.


Hotels by star rating in Sydney
Rating Number of Hotels Average Hotel Price
5 stars 74 $169
4 stars 137 $111
3 stars 113 $84
2 stars 56 $51
1 star 3 $85
No rating 2 $104

767-769 George Street, Sydney
Overall Rating 9.7
667 Hume Highway, Casula, Sydney
Overall Rating 9.1

How expensive are sightseeing activities in Sydney?

Activities and things to do in Sydney can vary in price depending on the type of activity, length, and location. Below are a number of popular activities to give you an idea of what to expect when visiting. Generally, previous travelers have spent $31 per day on sightseeing activities and things to do when visiting, which is more than the country's average of $31.

    • Private Tour: Sydney City Highlights & Hidden Gems: $297
    • Royal National Park Tour: $291
    • Eastern Sydney Panorama trike tour: $106
    • 30-Minute Sydney Harbour and Olympic Park Helicopter Tour: $215
    • Sydney Half Day Private Tour: $281
    • Our Best Hidden Harbour Beaches Tour: $99
    • Beautiful Sydney Harbour Breakfast Kayaking Tour: $129
    • Sydney Harbour, surf beaches and national park private tour: $291

    Is food expensive in Sydney?

    Food in Sydney can vary in price depending on the restaurant and food options available. Generally, other travelers have spent $44 on food per person per day, which is more than the country's average of $34. To save money, eat at less expensive restaurants, try street food, or cook your own meals when possible.

    • Sydney's Little Italy Food Tour: $50
    • Small Group Refugee Chef Dinner Banquet at Bohemian Cafe: $63
    • Journey Beyond Cruise Sydney Harbour - Vivid Dinner Cruise: $146
    • Valentine's Day Dinner Cruise with live Brazilian show on Sydney Harbour: $73
    • Sydney Harbour Sunset Dinner Paddle: $142
    • Secret Food Tours Sydney: $106

    Is transportation expensive in Sydney?

    Exploring local transportation in Sydney shows that the price can vary greatly by the type of transportation used. On average, previous travelers have spent $15 per person per day, which is less than the country's average of $30. If you want to save money, use public transit as it's much cheaper than taxis or private drivers.

    More for Sydney

    If you're planning a trip to Sydney, Australia, check out these other informative travel guides.



    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.



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