A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Sydney vs. Boracay for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Sydney or Boracay?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Sydney or Boracay, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Sydney or Boracay?

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.

Boracay

A small island in the Philippines known for its resorts and beaches, Boracay is a little escape. Each beach has its own unique character, each with new treasures waiting to be discovered.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Australia, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Australia, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Philippines, and The Best Adventure Tours to Philippines.


Which place is cheaper, Boracay or Sydney?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Sydney is $273, while the average daily cost in Boracay is $56. 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 Sydney and Boracay in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Sydney $102
    Boracay $23
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Sydney $204
    Boracay $46
Compare Hotels in Sydney and Boracay

Looking for a hotel in Sydney or Boracay? 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 Sydney


Hotels in Boracay


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: Sydney Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Sydney $15
    Boracay $28
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:

  • Airport Transfer From Sydney Airport to Hotels and Home: $165
  • Airport Transfer From Sydney Airport to Hotels and Home: $295
  • Airport Transfer: Sydney to Sydney Airport SYD by Business Car: $103
  • Airport Transfer: Sydney to Sydney Airport SYD by Luxury Van: $114
  • Airport transfers and shuttle bus - home/hotels: $196
  • Arrival Transfer from Sydney Airport SYD to Sydney city by Sedan: $98
  • Arrival Transfer: Sydney Airport SYD to Sydney in Business Car: $103
  • Departure Transfer: Sydney to Sydney Airport SYD in Business Car: $103
  • Departure Transfer: Sydney to Sydney Airport SYD in Luxury Van: $114
  • Family Sydney Airport Departure Transfer: $86
  • From Sydney Airport: One-Way Private Transfer to Sydney: $67
  • From Sydney Hotels - Hotel Transfer to Airport: $195

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Boracay

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Boracay:

  • Airport Transfer to Boracay or vice versa: $26
  • Boracay Adventures Transfer Services Via Caticlan: $35
  • Boracay Transfer round trip with Island Hopping: $69
  • Private Transfer from Caticlan Airport to Boracay: $43
  • Shared Transfer from/to MPH for Domestic Passports: $21
  • Caticlan: Ferry Boat Airport Transfer To Boracay: $41
  • Caticlan: Shared Airport Transfer From/To Boracay: $54
  • Departure: Ferry boat Transfer Boracay to Caticlan Airport: $30
  • PRIVATE AIRPORT TRANSFER TO BORACAY: $59
  • Speedboat Caticlan to Boracay Transfer (Oneway): $81

Is it cheaper to fly into Sydney or Boracay?

Prices for flights to both Boracay and Sydney 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
    Sydney $44
    Boracay $14
Typical Food Prices in Sydney

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


  • Tea
    $2.60
  • Lunch Special
    $9.73
  • Food/Drink Coogie Beach
    $9.73
  • Meat Pies
    $3.24

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sydney

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

  • Vivid Lights Festival Pizza Cruise Tour in Vivid Sydney: $16
  • VIVID Dinner Cruise with Complimentary Drink on Arrival: $36
  • Vivid Sydney Harbor Cruise with Buffet Dinner: $46
  • Admission to Vivid Dinner Cruise in Sydney : $46
  • Sydney's Little Italy Food Tour: $50
  • Sydney Street Art & Food Tour: $53
  • Christmas in July Dinner Cruise on Sydney Harbour: $56
  • Harbor Sunset Cruise with Dinner: $58
  • Sydney Harbour: Tall Ship Vivid Dinner Cruise: $58
  • Twilight Dinner Cruise on Coral Trekker: $59
  • Small Group Refugee Chef Dinner Banquet at Bohemian Cafe: $63
  • Kids Cooking Classes: $63

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Sydney $31
    Boracay $15
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)
    $124
  • Powerhouse Museum
    $9.76

Tours and Activities in Sydney

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

  • Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Walking Tour: $2.14
  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
  • Spirits of Sydney - Self Guided Ghost Tour of the Rocks Area: $10
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
  • Australia: Tourist eSIM Data Plan: $11
  • Self-Guided Walking Tour with Audio Guide: $14
  • Secret Laneways Scavenger Hunt Adventure Game: $16
  • Unlock The Rocks Scavenger Hunt Adventure Game: $16
  • Australian National Maritime Museum: All-Inclusive Ticket: $16
  • Botanic Garden Self-Guided Adventure Hunt for Kids: $16
  • Allianz Stadium Guided Walking Tour: $17
  • Broken Bay Pearl & Oyster Farm Tours: $17

Tours and Activities in Boracay

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

  • Crystal Kayak Photo-op Experience: $6.31
  • Boracay - Crystal Kayak phot-op Experience: $9.02
  • Flying Donut Water Tubing Experience: $14
  • Boracay UFO Adventure: $16
  • Sunset Cruise with Water Activities: $16
  • Boracay Sunset Cruise: $16
  • Island and Beach-Hopping Boat Tour with Snorkeling: $20
  • Boracay Island Rhythm Sunset Cruise: $21
  • Stand-up Paddleboard Experience: $22
  • Helmet Diving Experience with Photos and Videos: $22
  • All-Terrain Vehicle or Buggy Car Experience: $23
  • Boracay Optional Tours and Packages: $24

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Sydney $15
    Boracay $16
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:

  • Haunted Pub Tour with Local Guide: $20
  • Night Out Pub Crawl with Local Guide: $29
  • Private Wine Tour and Tasting: $56
  • Urban Winery Wine Tasting Tour with Cheese Platter: $56
  • Beach and Brew - Hike and Brewery (Men and Women): $73
  • Balmain Pub Walking Tour: $76
  • Luxury Hunter Valley Wildlife & Wine Tasting Tour from Sydney: $83
  • Sydney Beer and Brewery Tour: $102
  • Brewery, Winery, and Distillery Tasting Tour: $111
  • Northern Beaches Brewery Tour and Tasting: $121
  • From Hunter Valley Wine Tour with Cheese Tasting: $143
  • From Hunter Valley Multi-Brewery Tour with Lunch: $147


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sydney and Boracay, we can see that Sydney is more expensive. And not only is Boracay much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Sydney is in Pacific and Boracay is in Asia, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Boracay would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Boracay 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 Boracay.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Sydney Expensive? and Is Boracay Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Sydney or Boracay?

Sydney has a larger population, and is about 1910 times larger than the population of Boracay. When comparing the sizes of Sydney and Boracay, 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 along with the activities and attractions that interest you.