A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Sydney vs. Boston for Attractions, Nightlife, Beaches, and Families

Should you visit Sydney or Boston?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Sydney or Boston, 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.

Sydney

Sydney is a energetic, outdoorsy, and adventurous city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and hiking.

Boston

Boston is a loyal, historic, and traditional city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. As this is a very quaint destination, you'll find it has a special atmosphere. Other popular activities here include food, shopping, and museums.

Sydney and Boston: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sydney or Boston?

Both Boston and Sydney have plenty of things to do for visitors. Both offer a variety of sights, activities, and attractions for tourists. Sydney is better known for its nightlife, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Boston is more popular for its theatre productions, music, historical sights, christmas markets, and quaint atmosphere. Sydney is well known for its iconic buildings, world-renowned beaches, colorful nightlife, and cosmopolitan restaurants. Boston is well known for its enthusiastic sports fans, influential history, beautiful parks, and world-class universities.

How is Sydney different from Boston?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Boston and Sydney. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Sydney or Boston?

For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Sydney or Boston.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Sydney on the map. The city is filled with iconic and world famous landmarks such as the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. There's also the famous Royal Botanic Garden and the Sydney Tower Eye.

Travelers visit Boston from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. The city itself feels like a living museum. It is famous for Faneuil Hall, the Museum of Fine Arts, the Isabelle Stewart Gardner Museum, the USS Constitution, as well as the many sites along the Freedom Trail. There are also many museums on the campuses of the world renowned universities in the city.

Is Sydney or Boston Better for Theater?

Boston is well known for its shows and theatre. However, Sydney is not a theatre destination.

Many visitors plan to see a show while visiting Boston. The city has many historic, beautifully restored theaters where you can enjoy a show. Head to the theater district for some of the most famous venues.

Sydney is not a theatre destination.

Is the Food Better in Sydney or Boston? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Sydney and Boston can be an enjoyable experience.

Dining out in Sydney is an experience not to be missed. There are international restaurants offering impressive dishes from around the world. You'll also find some local Australian favorites around town. Seafood is abundant, as are a number of Asian cuisines. Barramundi is a local fish that you'll find on many menus. Oysters, prawns, and John Dory (a local fish) are also popular.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Boston. There are many local dishes that utilize fresh caught seafood and comfort food flavors. The cuisine also takes advantage of the city's Italian and Irish populations. Famous local foods include New England Clam Chowder, lobster rolls, and baked beans. You'll find hearty sandwiches and filling meals that warm your soul.

Is Sydney or Boston Better for Nightlife?

Sydney is an unbeatable place for nightlife. Also, Boston is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife and partying.

The nightlife in Sydney is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. The city is filled with nightclubs and DJ hosted dance parties. There's a huge young crowd that brings together residents, students, and backpackers in a vibrant nightlife scene. Some of the best areas for nightlife are Kings Cross, Oxford Street, Surry Hills or Darling Harbour.

Boston has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. The city is known for its breweries, craft beer, and vibrant university neighborhoods. It also hosts regular outdoor movies and world class sporting events. The nightlife scene is varied, with some areas catering to the student population and other areas focused on the professional or sport-loving crowds.

Is Sydney or Boston Better for Music?

Boston is a nice place to visit for its music scene. However, Sydney is not a live music destination.

The music scene helps keep Boston active and fun. Popular music venues include Lizard Lounge, Blue Hills Bank Pavilion, and The Middle East.

Sydney is not a live music destination.

Is Sydney or Boston Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Sydney is a good destination for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Boston is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Grab a mask and fins and explore the underwater scenery in Sydney. There's some good snorkeling and diving nearby with a diversity of marine life and interesting ecosystems. Some of the best snorkeling spots are at Palm Beach, Shelly Beach, and Clifton Gardens.

Boston is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Sydney or Boston Better for Beaches?

Sydney is an unbeatable place for its beaches. However, Boston is a mediocre city for the beache.

Sydney offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. There are more than 100 beaches near the city with everything from hidden coves to world famous destinations. Bondi Beach is the most famous beach in town and it has all of the tourist sights and activities that you could need. Surfers often head to Bronte Beach, which isn't too far away. Divers and snorkelers love Gordons Bay. Manly is also a nearby suburb with family-friendly beaches that can be reached by ferry.

You can check out the beach in Boston. There are a few urban beaches in the greater Boston area that you can explore on a nice day.

Is Sydney or Boston Better for its Old Town?

Boston is an unbeatable place for its historic old town charm. However, Sydney does not have a historic old town.

With a famous historical old-town, Boston offers plenty to see. Boston is famous for its Freedom Trail, which takes visitors around the city's rich history. The oldest parts of the city are known as Boston Proper and include the neighborhoods of Beacon Hill, Historic Downtown, the North End, and the West End.

Sydney does not have a historic old town.

Is Sydney or Boston Better for Hiking?

Sydney is notable for the nearby hiking options. However, Boston is not a hiking destination.

Sydney is a popular spot for hiking. The city offers a number of coastal and inland trails that are easily accessible from town. There are short paths as well as multi-day routes not far and pass by stunning landscapes and viewpoints.

Boston is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Sydney or Boston?

Sydney is an unbeatable place for shopping. Also, Boston is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Sydney is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. There's a wonderful mix of shopping streets, modern malls, and boutique vendors who sell local fashions. For souvenirs or local art, go to The Rocks, which is not far from Sydney Opera House. The Queen Victoria Building and Strand Arcade are also popular shopping areas.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Boston. Head to Back Bay for some of the best high end shops. There are luxury brands and boutique venues that sell local art or crafts.

Is Sydney or Boston Better for Christmas?

Boston is well known for its Christmas activities. However, Sydney does not offer Christmas activities.

Visitors come from all around to experience the Christmas activities in Boston. Christmas comes to life in the city with its Christmas Trees, holiday shows, and festivals.

Sydney does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Sydney or Boston Better for Christmas Markets?

Boston is well known for its Christmas markets. However, Sydney does not offer Christmas markets.

Boston has a large number of Christmas markets. There are a number of European style Christmas markets that pop up during the holiday season around town.

Sydney does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Sydney or Boston Better for Families?

Sydney and Boston are both world-class destinations for the whole family.

Sydney is an amazing family-friendly city to visit. The city has great beaches where kids can learn to surf, zoos and aquariums with local wildlife, and outdoor activities that take advantage of the city's waterfront location. There's everything from whale watching to visiting the Olympic Park, all of which will fascinate kids of all ages.

Boston is an extremely popular city to visit for families. It's filled with history, but there are also many activities for kids who need a break from all of the historical stuff. Popular activities for all ages include the Museum of Science, the New England Aquarium, and exploring the waterfront, gardens, and parks around town.

Is Sydney or Boston Better for Couples?

Sydney is an unbeatable place for romance. Also, Boston is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its romantic activities.

Sydney is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. It's a romantic city that's filled with iconic landmarks like the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House. There are also award winning restaurants and world class beaches. Wander around the botanical gardens or take a sailing cruise on the harbor. There is an endless supply of romantic activities to choose from.

Boston makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples who enjoy history will enjoy exploring the city. Take a swan boat ride in the Public Garden and wander the unique route along the Freedom Trail. There are also many sporting and entertainment options around town.

Is Sydney or Boston Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Sydney is an unbeatable place for backpackers. Also, Boston is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Sydney is a mecca for backpackers and budget travelers. It's popular for its adventure sports, active beaches, and vibrant nightlife. While it's not a particularly cheap city to visit, there are plenty of hostels around town and no shortage of backpackers to hang out with.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Boston. Like most larger American cities, the city has a handful of hostels to choose from.

Is Sydney or Boston Better for Students?

Sydney and Boston are world-class places to visit for students.

Sydney is a great destination for students. Students love the energy and plethora of outdoor activities in this beautiful city. Many international students come not only for the excellent universities but also for the diverse environment and many things to do.

Boston is a very popular city for students. It is a city of students, with a number of world renowned universities located here including Harvard University, Boston College, and MIT. Many neighborhoods are filled with students and there are many student-centered activities around town including festivals and an active nightlife scene.

Is Sydney or Boston Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Sydney and Boston.

Visitors in Sydney can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. There are a variety of types of public transit in town including buses, trains, ferries and light rail.

Boston has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. There's the T, which is the subway, as well as a trolley, bus, and water transportation system.

Is Sydney or Boston a more walkable city?

Boston is an unbeatable place for its ease of walking around. Also, Sydney is still popular, but not quite as popular for its walkability.

Getting around Boston on foot is easy. The many parks and compact neighborhoods are best explored on foot.

Sydney is very walkable. The city center and nearby suburbs are relatively easy to walk around. On the western side of the city, the suburbs are much less walkable.

For even more information, also check out Is Sydney Worth Visiting? and Is Boston Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Boston or Sydney?

How long in Sydney or Boston?

In either Sydney or Boston, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Sydney than Boston because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Sydney, and 3-5 days is enough time in Boston.

Families should spend more time in Boston than Sydney. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Boston, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Sydney than Boston. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Sydney that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Sydney than Boston if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Sydney.

One day in Sydney or Boston?

Sydney is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Many travelers enjoy the live music and food when visiting the big city destination of Boston. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Sydney or Boston?

Sydney is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Boston is a great place to explore. Don't miss the museums, as that's what most people do. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Sydney or Boston?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Sydney. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Boston. Don't miss the museums, as that's what most people do. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Sydney or Boston?

Sydney is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Travelers enjoy the museums and theater when visiting the traditional big city of Boston. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Australia, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Australia, The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America.

When comparing the travel costs between Sydney and Boston, we can see that Sydney is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Sydney is in Pacific and Boston is in North America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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

Which is Bigger, Sydney or Boston?

Sydney has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Boston. When comparing the sizes of Sydney and Boston, 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.

When is the best time to visit Sydney or Boston?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Sydney is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Boston has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Sydney or Boston in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Sydney and Boston. Many travelers come to Sydney for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Boston in the summer for the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Sydney is around the same temperature as Boston. Typically, the summer temperatures in Sydney in January average around 23°C (73°F), and Boston averages at about 73°F (23°C)in July.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Boston this time of the year. In Sydney, it's very sunny this time of the year. Sydney usually receives less sunshine than Boston during summer. Sydney gets 236 hours of sunny skies, while Boston receives 304 hours of full sun in the summer.

Sydney gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Sydney usually receives more rain than Bostonin July. Sydney gets 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Boston receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Sydney or Boston in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Sydney as well as Boston. Many visitors come to Sydney in the autumn for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Boston for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In April, Sydney is generally much warmer than Bostonin October. Daily temperatures in Sydney average around 19°C (65°F), and Boston fluctuates around 54°F (12°C).

In the autumn, Sydney often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Bostonin October. Sydney gets 195 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Boston receives 194 hours of full sun.

Sydney receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Sydney usually gets more rain in April than Bostonin October. Sydney gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Boston receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sydney or Boston in the Winter?

Both Boston and Sydney are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Sydney for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Boston because of the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

The weather in Boston can be very cold. Sydney is much warmer than Boston in the winter. The daily temperature in Sydney averages around 12°C (53°F) in July, and Boston fluctuates around 29°F (-2°C)in January.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sydney. Sydney usually receives more sunshine than Boston during winter. Sydney gets 208 hours of sunny skies, while Boston receives 153 hours of full sun in the winter.

In July, Sydney usually receives less rain than Bostonin January. Sydney gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Boston receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Sydney or Boston in the Spring?

Both Boston and Sydney during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Sydney because of the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty. Furthermore, the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Boston this time of year.

In the spring, Sydney is much warmer than Boston. Typically, the spring temperatures in Sydney in October average around 18°C (64°F), and Boston averages at about 48°F (9°C)in April.

In Boston, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Sydney. In the spring, Sydney often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Bostonin April. Sydney gets 240 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Boston receives 225 hours of full sun.

Sydney usually gets less rain in October than Bostonin April. Sydney gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Boston receives 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Boston and Sydney