Should you visit Sydney or Byron Bay?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Sydney or Byron Bay, this travel cost comparison can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
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.
Byron Bay
South of Brisbane, off the Pacific Highway, is the coastal town of Byron Bay. It is close to Cape Byron, which is the easternmost point in mainland Australia. Byron Bay makes its way onto most traveler's itineraries because of its wonderful beach activities. The area is world famous for its waves, making it popular with surfers, but it also has incredible scuba diving, whale watching, and a generally relaxed atmosphere. The area continues to rise in popularity with travelers and as such, amenities and facilities are popping up everywhere.
Which city is cheaper, Byron Bay or Sydney?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Sydney is $142, while the average daily cost in Byron Bay is $121. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Sydney and Byron Bay in more detail.
Accommodation
A hotel room in Sydney is about $170 This assumes double occupancy and modest accommodations.
The average price for accommodation for two people in Byron Bay is $116. This is for two people sharing a typical double occupancy hotel room.
Local Transportation
While taxis and private drivers typically cost much more than public transportation, people usually spend around $13 per day to get around in Sydney.
The average price of local transportation around Byron Bay is $28 per person, per day. As this average includes both taxis and public transport, keep in mind that the prices of private drivers and taxis are significantly more expensive than public transportation.
Typical Local Transportation prices in Sydney
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Sydney:
-
Taxi Ride
$14
-
Taxi to Airport
$18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sydney
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sydney:
-
Airport (YYZ) to City - Toronto Arrival Transfer:
$5.00
-
Shuttle Transfer from Circular Quay Cruise Terminal to Sydney Airport:
$13
-
Airport Shuttle Transfer from Sydney City to Sydney Airport:
$13
-
Airport Shuttle Transfer to and from CBD Hotels:
$18
-
Private Airport Transfer: from Sydney to Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport (SYD):
$29
-
Sydney Private Chauffeured Airport Transfer:
$36
-
Sydney Airport (SYD) to Sydney hotel or address - Arrival Private Transfer:
$42
-
Sydney to Sydney Airport (SYD) - Departure Private Transfer:
$42
-
Sydney Airport Private Car Arrival Transfer:
$44
-
Sydney Airport Private Car Departure Transfer:
$44
-
Sydney's Best Chauffeured Airport Transfers:
$50
-
Sydney Private Airport Transfer:
$53
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Byron Bay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Byron Bay:
-
Private Byron Bay Transfer to Gold Coast Airport 7am-6pm:
$79
Is it cheaper to fly into Sydney or Byron Bay?
Prices for flights to both Byron Bay 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
In Sydney travelers spend around $33 a day on food. You can save money by choosing casual restaurants or food stalls, or you can spend plenty more by dining in nicer restaurants at every meal.
Byron Bay food costs typically run travelers around $41 per day. Eating every meal in a nicer restaurant will drive the cost up, and grabbing fast food or casual meals will help you save money.
-
Food
Meals for one day
Sydney $33
Byron Bay $41
Typical Food prices in Sydney
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Sydney:
-
Tea
$2.83
-
Lunch Special
$11
-
Food/Drink Coogie Beach
$11
-
Meat Pies
$3.53
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sydney
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Sydney.
-
Retro Dinner Cruise on Sydney Harbour:
$59
-
Dinner Christmas Party! Nov&Dec:
$62
-
Vivid Dinner Cruise Sydney Harbour:
$63
-
Latino Dinner Cruise on Sydney Harbour:
$67
-
Harbour Dinner Cruise with 3 or 6-Course Menu:
$71
-
Valentine's Day Dinner Cruise with live Brazilian show on Sydney Harbour:
$78
-
Sydney Harbour Sunset Dinner Cruise:
$78
-
Tall Ship Harbour Twilight Dinner Cruise:
$79
-
Australia Day Dinner and Fireworks Cruise on Sydney Harbour:
$103
-
Harbor Cruise with 3-Course Premium Dinner:
$123
-
Sydney Harbour Dinner Cruise:
$126
-
Sydney Harbour Gold Penfolds Dinner Cruise:
$197
Typical Food prices in Byron Bay
Some typical examples of dining costs in Byron Bay are as follows:
-
Dinner at Olivo (for 2)
$64
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Byron Bay
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Byron Bay.
-
Mount Warning Sunrise Climb Including Overnight Camping and BBQ Dinner:
$166
-
Byron Bay Kayaking with Dolphins and Mount Warning Sunrise Climb Including Overnight Camping and BBQ Dinner:
$224
-
Byron Bay Surfing Lesson and Mount Warning Sunrise Climb Including Overnight Camping and BBQ Dinner:
$224
Entertainment
Activities, things to do, and other forms of entertainment usually cost around $29 per person, per day in Sydney. This cost includes the price of admission tickets to attractions and museums as well as daily tours.
Byron Bay's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around $31 per person, per day. This cost can vary widely by the type of activity, however, as this includes admission tickets, day tours, museums, and other things to do.
Typical Entertainment prices in Sydney
Here are a few typical costs in Sydney for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
Tours and Activities in Sydney
Here are a few actual costs in Sydney for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
-
Chinese Garden General Admission Ticket:
$6.32
-
MultiDay Tour - Test for Booking.com:
$6.90
-
Standard Tour 3 - Test for Booking.com:
$6.90
-
Sydney Jewish Museum General Entry Ticket:
$12
-
Sydney Opera House Guided Digital Tour:
$14
-
Australian National Maritime Museum: All-Inclusive Ticket:
$18
-
Sydney Tower Eye Ticket:
$20
-
Australian National Maritime Museum Entry Ticket - See it All:
$20
-
Sydney Sightseeing Bus Tour with Bondi Beach:
$22
-
Cake and pastry walking tour - Sydney:
$24
-
Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) and Museum Walking Tour:
$24
-
True Crime Tour:
$25
Typical Entertainment prices in Byron Bay
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Byron Bay are as follows:
Tours and Activities in Byron Bay
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Byron Bay are as follows:
-
Experience The Thrill Half Day Surf School in Byron Bay:
$51
-
Grasshoppers Byron Bay - Nimbin Tour:
$51
-
Kayaking with Dolphins in Byron Bay Guided Tour:
$55
-
Sunset River Cruise near Byron Bay:
$55
-
Byron Stand Up Paddle Nature Tour:
$59
-
3-Hour Small-Group Byron Bay Tour:
$67
-
Cruise with Dolphins Tour:
$69
-
Byron Bay Lighthouse and Hinterland Tour:
$74
-
Cruise with Dolphins in Byron Bay:
$75
-
Hinterland Magic & Glow-worm Experience:
$77
-
3-Hour Sea Turtle Snorkeling Experience in Byron Bay:
$78
-
Sea Turtle Snorkel Tour in Julian Rocks Reserve:
$79
Alcohol
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Sydney may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $13 per day on alcoholic beverages.
The average person spends about $12 on alcoholic beverages in Byron Bay per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
Typical Alcohol prices in Sydney
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Sydney:
Sample the Local Flavors in Sydney
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Sydney:
-
Urban Winery Wine Tasting Tour with Cheese Platter:
$61
-
Brewery, Winery, and Distillery Tasting Tour:
$112
-
Northern Beaches Brewery Tour and Tasting:
$123
-
Small-Group Hunter Valley Wine Tasting Tour from Sydney:
$130
-
Hunter Valley Wine Tour from Sydney with Lunch and 3 Cellar Door Tastings:
$138
-
Hunter Valley Small Group Luxury Wine Tasting Tour from Sydney:
$138
-
Sip n Savour: Southern Highlands Premium Wine Tour from Sydney:
$154
-
Hunter Valley Wine Tasting Tour from Sydney:
$157
-
Wine Tours Sydney - Southern Highlands Day Escape, Full Day Wine Tasting Tour:
$217
-
Hunter Valley Wine Tasting Small Group: Cheese, Choc, Lunch, from Sydney+Hunter:
$217
-
Hunter Valley Wine Tour from Sydney | Private Sydney Wine Tour:
$356
-
Hunter Valley Highlights Private Wine Tour from Sydney:
$387
Sample the Local Flavors in Byron Bay
Also in Byron Bay, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
-
Afternoon session Brewery and Distillery tour in Byron Bay:
$116
-
Full Barrel Brewery and Distillery tour:
$141
-
Byron: Pub, Brewery and Distillery Tour:
$172
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sydney and Byron Bay, we can see that Sydney is more expensive. And not only is Byron Bay much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Byron Bay would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Byron Bay 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 Byron Bay.
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