A Travel Price Comparison for Australia Adelaide vs. Sydney for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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Should you visit Adelaide or Sydney?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Adelaide and Sydney can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Adelaide or Sydney?

Adelaide

Adelaide is the often overlooked capital city of the State of South Australia. It's also the fifth largest city in the country. Despite being skipped by most travelers, Adelaide is an interesting city to explore and has a decent amount to offer open minded travelers. It has some fascinating architecture, unique shopping, and wonderful cafes and restaurants. Part of the appeal of Adelaide is its location in the midst of Australia's wine regions, including McLaren Vale, Barossa Valley, and Clare Valley. Any of these destinations could be visited as a day trip from Adelaide.

Sydney

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.

Which place is cheaper, Sydney or Adelaide?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Adelaide is $108, while the average daily cost in Sydney is $283. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Adelaide and Sydney in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Adelaide $64
    Sydney $96
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Adelaide $128
    Sydney $192
Compare Hotels in Adelaide and Sydney

Looking for a hotel in Adelaide or Sydney? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Adelaide


Hotels in Sydney


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Adelaide Hotel Prices and Sydney Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Adelaide $18
    Sydney $15
Typical Local Transportation prices in Adelaide

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Adelaide are as follows:


  • Shuttle from the Train Station
    $3.54

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Adelaide

Also for Adelaide, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Adelaide Airport (ADL) to Adelaide - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $76
  • Adelaide Airport Transfers : Adelaide City to Airport ADL in Business Car: $62
  • Adelaide Airport Transfers : Adelaide City to Airport ADL in Luxury Car: $105
  • Adelaide Airport Transfers : Adelaide City to Airport ADL in Luxury Van: $91
  • Adelaide Airport Transfers : Airport ADL to Adelaide City in Business Car: $62
  • Adelaide Airport Transfers : Airport ADL to Adelaide City in Luxury Car: $105
  • Adelaide Airport Transfers : Airport ADL to Adelaide City in Luxury Van: $91
  • Adelaide Airport(ADL)to Adelaide city - Arrival Private Transfer: $38
  • Adelaide Airport: One-Way Private Transfer to Adelaide: $53
  • Adelaide to Adelaide Airport (ADL) - Departure Private Transfer : $38
  • Full-Day Private City Tour with Hotel Transfers: $483
  • AirPort Transfers & People Mover: $140

Typical Local Transportation prices in Sydney

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Sydney:


  • Taxi Ride
    $13
  • Taxi to Airport
    $16

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sydney

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sydney:

  • private transfer vehicle Sidney Airport to Sidney Downtown: $137
  • private Transfer vehicle from Sidney Downtown to Sidney Airport : $137
  • Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Sydney HTL-APT (SYD): $55
  • Transfer in private minivan from Sidney Airport (SYD) - Sidney Downtown: $159
  • Transfer in private Minivan from Sidney City Downtown - Airport Sidney (SYD): $159
  • Transfer from White Bay Cruise Terminal to Sydney Airport: $26
  • Transfer from Sydney Airport to Sydney Central Business District - ROUND TRIP: $325
  • The VIP Transporter, Airport Transfers and Luxe Door to Door Service. : $147
  • Transfer Between Airport & Hotels or Cruise Terminal: $13
  • Private 1-Way Transfer with Airport Pickup Option: $61
  • North Head Private Hiking Tour with Transfer: $567
  • Airport Shuttle Transfer to and from CBD Hotels: $32

Is it cheaper to fly into Adelaide or Sydney?

Prices for flights to both Sydney and Adelaide change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Adelaide $30
    Sydney $44

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Adelaide

For Adelaide, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Maggie Beer's Farmshop Interactive Cooking Demonstration: $36
  • Local Food Tour and Tastings with Guide: $58
  • The F Factor: Adelaide food tour: $59
  • Pipi Catching and Cooking Experience in Goolwa : $183
  • Small-Group River Murray Dark Sky and Sunset Tour with Dinner: $190

Typical Food prices in Sydney

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Sydney:


  • Tea
    $2.57
  • Lunch Special
    $9.65
  • Food/Drink Coogie Beach
    $9.65
  • Meat Pies
    $3.22

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sydney

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Sydney.

  • Sydney Street Art & Food Tour: $46
  • Sydney's Little Italy Food Tour: $46
  • Dinner Christmas Party! Nov&Dec: $56
  • Sydney Harbour: Tall Ship Vivid Dinner Cruise: $57
  • Harbor Sunset Cruise with Dinner: $57
  • Sydney Harbour Tall Ship Twilight Dinner Cruise: $58
  • 1.5 - Hour Sydney Harbour Tall Ship Twilight Dinner Cruise: $58
  • Small Group Refugee Chef Dinner Banquet at Bohemian Cafe: $58
  • Latino Dinner Cruise on Sydney Harbour: $62
  • Kids Cooking Classes: $62
  • Sydney Harbour: Latin Fiesta Dinner Cruise: $68
  • Valentine's Day Dinner Cruise with live Brazilian show on Sydney Harbour: $69

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Adelaide $13
    Sydney $31

Tours and Activities in Adelaide

For Adelaide, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Adelaide Self-Guided Audio Tour: $1.00
  • Adelaide's Queer History: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
  • Adelaide Scavenger Hunt: Adelaide Adventure: $12
  • Amazing Adelaide Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
  • Australian Wine Discovery Tour Ticket: $16
  • Hosted Wine Discovery Journey Tour: $16
  • River Torrens Popeye Sightseeing Cruise: $17
  • Torrens River Cruise in Adelaide: $17
  • Adelaide Oval Stadium Guided Tour: $18
  • Adelaide Oval Stadium Tour: $18
  • City Highlights Walking Tour with Guide: $23
  • Discover Victor Harbor Walking Tour: $23

Typical Entertainment prices in Sydney

Here are a few typical costs in Sydney for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Theatre Show
    $29
  • Sydney Tower Visit (for 2)
    $30
  • Blue Mountain Tour/Featherdale Park (for 2)
    $122
  • Powerhouse Museum
    $9.68

Tours and Activities in Sydney

Here are a few actual costs in Sydney for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Bespoke Cycle Tours - Sydney Harbour E-Bike Coffee/Lunch Tour: $180
  • Small-Group Sydney's Northern Beaches and Ku-ring-gai National Park Bus Tour: $213
  • Sydney to Bondi Tour and Historical Site: $62
  • 1 Day Thredbo Snow Tour: $98
  • 1 Day Thredbo Snow Tour From Sydney: $92
  • 10-Day Surf Adventure from Sydney to Brisbane Including Coffs Harbour, Byron Bay and Gold Coast: $2,457
  • 2 Hours Running Tour in Sydney: $99
  • 2 Hours Sydney Harbour's True Crime Cruise Tour: $41
  • 2-Hour Guided Walking Tour in Sydney Harbour National Park : $36
  • 2-Hour Private Skippered Yacht Charter Tour in Palm Beach: $288
  • 3 Hours Abba Tribute Cruise on Sydney Harbour: $78
  • 3.5 Hours Explore Bondi Beach and Sydney Sightseeing Tour: $195

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Adelaide $22
    Sydney $15

Sample the Local Flavors in Adelaide

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Adelaide:

  • River Torrens Desserts And Wine Tour: $42
  • St Hugo & Riedel Wine Tasting Masterclass: $49
  • McLaren Vale and Glenelg Wine Tasting Tour: $51
  • McLaren Vale and Glenelg Wine Tasting and Sightseeing (Half-day Afternoon): $52
  • Highlights, Hahndorf, & McLaren Vale Wine Tastings: $77
  • Adelaide Highlights, Hahndorf & McLaren Vale Wine Tasting and Sightseeing Tour: $78
  • Private Picnic and Wine Tasting Experience in Barossa Valley: $79
  • From Barossa Valley Full-Day Wine Tour: $106
  • Barossa Wine Tasting shared tours: $108
  • The Barossa Valley Premium Wine Tour with Lunch: $109
  • From Barossa Valley Food and Wine Tour: $109
  • McLaren Vale Wine Tour by Bike: $115

Typical Alcohol prices in Sydney

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Sydney:


  • Wine
    $10

Sample the Local Flavors in Sydney

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Sydney:

  • The Ultimate Sydney Pub Crawl: $16
  • Big Night Out Pub Crawl: $22
  • Hickson House Distilling Immersive Gin and Whisky Distillery Tour and Tasting!: $29
  • Sydney Cellar Door - Old Vine Expressions Wine Tasting: $46
  • Urban Winery Wine Tasting Tour with Cheese Platter: $55
  • Private Wine Tour and Tasting: $55
  • Beach and Brew - Hike and Brewery (Men and Women): $72
  • Balmain Pub Walking Tour: $76
  • Marrickville Brewery Tour: $76
  • The Rocks Pub Walking Tour: $76
  • Luxury Hunter Valley Wildlife & Wine Tasting Tour from Sydney: $82
  • Sydney The Rocks Historical Pub Tour: $100

How are these travel costs calculated?

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Adelaide and Sydney, we can see that Sydney is more expensive. And not only is Adelaide much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Adelaide would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Adelaide and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Sydney would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sydney than you might in Adelaide.

Which is Bigger, Adelaide or Sydney?

Sydney is bigger, and its population is about 4.1 times larger than the population of Adelaide. When comparing the population of Adelaide vs. Sydney, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit and the activities that interest you.


When is the best time to visit Adelaide or Sydney?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the southern hemisphere, summer is in January and winter is in July.

Should I visit Adelaide or Sydney in the Summer?

Both Sydney and Adelaide during the summer are popular places to visit.

In January, Adelaide is generally around the same temperature as Sydney. Daily temperatures in Adelaide average around 22°C (72°F), and Sydney fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

In Sydney, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Adelaide. In the summer, Adelaide often gets more sunshine than Sydney. Adelaide gets 330 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sydney receives 236 hours of full sun.

Sydney gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Adelaide usually gets less rain in January than Sydney. Adelaide gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Sydney receives 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January
    Adelaide 22°C (72°F) 
    Sydney 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Adelaide or Sydney in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Adelaide and Sydney.

Adelaide is around the same temperature as Sydney in the autumn. The daily temperature in Adelaide averages around 18°C (64°F) in April, and Sydney fluctuates around 19°C (65°F).

In Adelaide, it's very sunny this time of the year. Adelaide usually receives more sunshine than Sydney during autumn. Adelaide gets 215 hours of sunny skies, while Sydney receives 195 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Sydney receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In April, Adelaide usually receives less rain than Sydney. Adelaide gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Sydney receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April
    Adelaide 18°C (64°F) 
    Sydney 19°C (65°F)

Should I visit Adelaide or Sydney in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Adelaide as well as Sydney.

In the winter, Adelaide is around the same temperature as Sydney. Typically, the winter temperatures in Adelaide in July average around 11°C (52°F), and Sydney averages at about 12°C (53°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sydney. In the winter, Adelaide often gets less sunshine than Sydney. Adelaide gets 159 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sydney receives 208 hours of full sun.

Adelaide usually gets more rain in July than Sydney. Adelaide gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Sydney receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July
    Adelaide 11°C (52°F) 
    Sydney 12°C (53°F)

Should I visit Adelaide or Sydney in the Spring?

Both Sydney and Adelaide are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.

In October, Adelaide is generally around the same temperature as Sydney. Daily temperatures in Adelaide average around 16°C (61°F), and Sydney fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

It's quite sunny in Sydney. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Adelaide. Adelaide usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Sydney during spring. Adelaide gets 256 hours of sunny skies, while Sydney receives 240 hours of full sun in the spring.

In October, Adelaide usually receives less rain than Sydney. Adelaide gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Sydney receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October
    Adelaide 16°C (61°F) 
    Sydney 18°C (64°F)

Typical Weather for Sydney and Adelaide

Adelaide Sydney
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 22°C (72°F) 19 mm (0.7 in) 23°C (73°F) 116 mm (4.6 in)
Feb 23°C (73°F) 20 mm (0.8 in) 23°C (73°F) 113 mm (4.4 in)
Mar 21°C (69°F) 22 mm (0.9 in) 21°C (70°F) 148 mm (5.8 in)
Apr 18°C (64°F) 38 mm (1.5 in) 19°C (65°F) 120 mm (4.7 in)
May 15°C (58°F) 57 mm (2.2 in) 15°C (60°F) 88 mm (3.5 in)
Jun 12°C (54°F) 50 mm (2 in) 13°C (55°F) 128 mm (5 in)
Jul 11°C (52°F) 67 mm (2.6 in) 12°C (53°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)
Aug 12°C (54°F) 51 mm (2 in) 13°C (55°F) 90 mm (3.5 in)
Sep 13°C (56°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 15°C (59°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
Oct 16°C (61°F) 37 mm (1.5 in) 18°C (64°F) 79 mm (3.1 in)
Nov 18°C (65°F) 22 mm (0.9 in) 20°C (67°F) 101 mm (4 in)
Dec 21°C (69°F) 25 mm (1 in) 22°C (71°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)


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.
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Adelaide vs. Sydney Travel Comparison

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