Is Sydney Expensive?

Is Sydney expensive to visit?

Sydney is a moderately priced destination with an average daily cost of $218. 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 Melbourne and Melbourne.



Sydney Harbour, NSW, 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 $218 (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 $654 per person. This amount includes sightseeing activities, hotels, restaurants, local transportation, and other travel expenses. For two people, a weekend trip would cost $1,308.

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

On average, a one week trip to Sydney costs about $1,526 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 $3,052.



Sydney, Australia

Is it expensive to backpack in Sydney?

With more than 60 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 $28 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 $3, but the most expensive can be more than $46 per night.

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

  • $30 for a dorm bed at Wake Up! Sydney Central
  • $29 for a dorm bed at Nomads Sydney
  • $44 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 fairly affordable and lower in price in comparison to the rest of the world. On average, a night in a hotel room costs approximately $131. The area hosts around five-star hotels, averaging $212 per night. For those with an eye on both comfort and economy, three-star hotels present a reasonable choice at an average of $182 per night, while two-star hotels offer an even more economical option at $171 per night.


Hotels by star rating in Sydney
Rating Number of Hotels Average Hotel Price
5 stars 0 $212
4 stars 0 $154
3 stars 0 $182
2 stars 0 $171
1 star 0 $168
No rating 0 $142

120-124 Victoria Street, Sydney
Overall Rating 9.6
267 Darlinghurst Road, Sydney
Overall Rating 9.5

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 $33 per day on sightseeing activities and things to do when visiting, which is more than the country's average of $32.

  • Blue Mountains Private Tour with Kangaroo and Koala Experience: $297
  • Private City Tour: Best of Sydney: $272
  • Private Sydney Small-Group Walking Tour: Discover The Rocks: $88
  • Sydney Harbour - Sailing Hands-On Experience: $85
  • Historic Walking Tour of Glebe: $28
  • All-Inclusive Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park Adventure: $177
  • Private Sydney City and Bondi Beach Half Day Tour: $184
  • PRIVATE Blue Mountains Scenic World Australian Wildlife & Cruise: $205

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 $81 on food per person per day, which is more than the country's average of $60. To save money, eat at less expensive restaurants, try street food, or cook your own meals when possible.

  • Cabaret Dinner Show at the Honeycomb Club: $109
  • Sydney Food Tour with 6 Authentic Tastings by Secret Food Tours: $119
  • Taste of Sydney Fish Market Food Tour: $127
  • Sydney Opera House VIP Experience: Guided Tour, Dinner & Drinks: $155
  • Sydney Harbour 4-Course Starlight Dinner Cruise (Circular Quay): $116
  • Sydney Street Food Tour with 6 Tastings & Drink by a Local Guide: $104

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 $16 per person per day, which is less than the country's average of $32. 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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