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

Should you visit Sydney or Dublin?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Sydney or Dublin, 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 glamorous , diverse, and energetic city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the hiking, shopping, and museums.

Dublin

Dublin is a fun, laid-back, and friendly city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include museums, nightlife, and live music.

Sydney and Dublin: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sydney or Dublin?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Sydney than Dublin, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Sydney is more popular for its museums, food, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Dublin is known for its music and historical sights. Sydney is popular for its iconic buildings, world-renowned beaches, colorful nightlife, and cosmopolitan restaurants. It is also home to the Sydney Opera House. Dublin is popular for its friendly and social nightlife, its local pubs, and its role as the birthplace of Guinness.

How is Sydney different from Dublin?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Dublin 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 Dublin?

Sydney is terrific for its museums and landmarks. Also, Dublin is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Sydney are among the most recognizable in the world. 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.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Dublin. There are a number of museums around town including the National Museum of Ireland, the Little Museum of Dublin, and the National Gallery of Ireland.

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

Sydney is a great destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Dublin is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Sydney. 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.

Dublin is becoming an appealing option for foodies. Seafood has become popular around town, but you can also try traditional favorites like stew, pancakes, or coddle.

Is Sydney or Dublin Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Sydney and Dublin.

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.

Dublin is a world class party destination. Temple Bar is where you'll find the greatest concentration of pubs and nightlife. The city is among the friendliest and most welcoming, and this is seen even in the vibe around town at night.

Is Sydney or Dublin Better for Music?

Dublin is well known for its music scene. However, Sydney is not a live music destination.

Music is a popular form of entertainment in Dublin. The best places to hear live music around town are the back street pubs that feature local groups.

Sydney is not a live music destination.

Is Sydney or Dublin Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Sydney is a nice place to visit for its diving and snorkeling. However, Dublin is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Sydney has a few areas where visitors often go scuba diving or snorkeling. 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.

Dublin is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Sydney or Dublin Better for Beaches?

Sydney is terrific for the beache. However, Dublin is not a beach destination.

The beaches in Sydney are among the best in 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.

Dublin is not a beach destination.

Is Sydney or Dublin Better for its Old Town?

Dublin is well known for its historic old town charm. However, Sydney does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Dublin to see the historical old town. On the south side of the River Liffey are three different historic parts to the city. The Medieval Quarter is the oldest. To the east is Temple Bar, and further east is the Georgian Quarter.

Sydney does not have a historic old town.

Is Sydney or Dublin Better for Hiking?

Sydney is a great destination for its hiking experiences. However, Dublin is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Sydney. 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.

Dublin is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Sydney or Dublin?

Sydney is terrific for its shopping opportunities. Also, Dublin is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

The abundance of shops in Sydney make it a world-class shopping destination. 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.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Dublin. Head to Grafton Street to see a number of brand name and local shops. It's a pedestrian street that is fun to wander around.

Is Sydney or Dublin Better for Families?

Sydney is terrific for its family-friendly activities. Also, Dublin is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

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.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Dublin. Explore the waterways with the viking splash, learn about the vikings at the museum Dublina, or visit any of the other kid-friendly museums around town, or see a show at The Gaiety.

Is Sydney or Dublin Better for Couples?

Sydney is terrific for its romantic activities. Also, Dublin is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Sydney has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. 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.

Dublin is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. It's laid-back vibe and countless pubs make it a fun weekend getaway for couples.

Is Sydney or Dublin Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Sydney is terrific for backpackers. Also, Dublin is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Sydney. 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 and backpackers visit Dublin. There are a number of popular backpacker hostels around town. The pub scene is also popular with the young crowd.

Is Sydney or Dublin Better for Students?

Sydney is terrific for students. Also, Dublin is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

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.

It's common for students to visit Dublin. While student accommodation can be a bit expensive in town, the nightlife and social aspect of living in the city center makes it well worth it.

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

Sydney is terrific for its public transit. Also, Dublin is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

The thorough and effecient public transit system of Sydney can take you anywhere. There are a variety of types of public transit in town including buses, trains, ferries and light rail.

While Dublin offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There is a comprehensive bus system around town.

Is Sydney or Dublin a more walkable city?

Dublin 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 Dublin on foot is easy. Because it is so compact and flat, it is easy to explore the city center 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 Dublin Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Dublin or Sydney?

How long in Sydney or Dublin?

In either Sydney or Dublin, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Sydney than Dublin because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Sydney, and 2-5 days is enough time in Dublin.

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

Couples should spend more time in Sydney than Dublin. 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 Dublin 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 Dublin?

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 food and shopping when visiting the destination of Dublin. 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 Dublin?

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.

Dublin is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the nightlife, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Sydney or Dublin?

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 Dublin. Don't miss the nightlife, 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 Dublin?

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 nightlife and live music when visiting the welcoming destination of Dublin. 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 Walking Tours in Ireland, and The Best Luxury Tours to Ireland.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sydney and Dublin, we can see that Sydney is more expensive. And not only is Dublin much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Sydney is in Pacific and Dublin is in Europe, 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 Dublin would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Dublin 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 Dublin.

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

Which is Bigger, Sydney or Dublin?

Sydney has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Dublin. When comparing the sizes of Sydney and Dublin, 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 Dublin?

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 Dublin has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Sydney or Dublin in the Summer?

Both Dublin and Sydney are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Sydney because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Dublin this time of year.

In January, Sydney is generally a little warmer than Dublinin July. Daily temperatures in Sydney average around 23°C (73°F), and Dublin fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sydney. Sydney usually receives more sunshine than Dublin during summer. Sydney gets 236 hours of sunny skies, while Dublin receives 166 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Sydney. In January, Sydney usually receives more rain than Dublinin July. Sydney gets 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Dublin receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Sydney or Dublin in the Autumn?

Both Dublin and Sydney during the autumn are popular places to visit. The hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Sydney this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Dublin for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.

Sydney is much warmer than Dublin in the autumn. The daily temperature in Sydney averages around 19°C (65°F) in April, and Dublin fluctuates around 11°C (52°F)in October.

In the autumn, Sydney often gets more sunshine than Dublinin October. Sydney gets 195 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dublin receives 97 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Sydney. Sydney usually gets more rain in April than Dublinin October. Sydney gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Dublin receives 70 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sydney or Dublin in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Sydney and Dublin. Many travelers come to Sydney for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Dublin in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Sydney is much warmer than Dublin. Typically, the winter temperatures in Sydney in July average around 12°C (53°F), and Dublin averages at about 6°C (42°F)in January.

In Sydney, it's very sunny this time of the year. Sydney usually receives more sunshine than Dublin during winter. Sydney gets 208 hours of sunny skies, while Dublin receives 56 hours of full sun in the winter.

In July, Sydney usually receives less rain than Dublinin January. Sydney gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Dublin receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Sydney or Dublin in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Sydney as well as Dublin. Many visitors come to Sydney in the spring for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty. Additionally, most visitors come to Dublin for the activities around the city during these months.

In October, Sydney is generally much warmer than Dublinin April. Daily temperatures in Sydney average around 18°C (64°F), and Dublin fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sydney this time of the year. In the spring, Sydney often gets more sunshine than Dublinin April. Sydney gets 240 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dublin receives 157 hours of full sun.

Sydney usually gets more rain in October than Dublinin April. Sydney gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Dublin receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Dublin and Sydney