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

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Should you visit Sydney or Gold Coast?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Sydney or Gold Coast, 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 Gold Coast?

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.

Gold Coast

The Gold Coast is one of Australia's premier destinations. Famous for gorgeous beaches, warm weather, watersports, and plenty of activities for all ages, millions of tourists from Australia as well as everywhere in the world flock to this region every year. With beaches, national parks, theme parks, shopping and dining, nice resorts, boating, fishing, diving, theme parks and more, the Gold Coast offers something for everyone.

Which place is cheaper, Gold Coast or Sydney?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Sydney is $283, while the average daily cost in Gold Coast is $97. 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 Gold Coast in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Sydney $96
    Gold Coast $54
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Sydney $192
    Gold Coast $108
Compare Hotels in Sydney and Gold Coast

Looking for a hotel in Sydney or Gold Coast? 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 Gold Coast


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
    Gold Coast $23
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 Round Transfer from Sydney to Blue Mountains: $1,029
  • Private Transfer from Sydney to Canberra: $976
  • North Head Private Hiking Tour with Transfer: $566
  • Transfer from Sydney Airport to Sydney Central Business District - ROUND TRIP: $323
  • Sydney Transfer (Airport to Hotel in Sydney Central Business) ROUND-TRIP: $323
  • Roundtrip transfer in private minivan Sidney Airport (SYD) - Sidney Downtown: $317
  • Roundtrip transfer private vehicle Sidney Airport to Sidney : $273
  • Luxe Private Transfer to The Blue Mountains Australia & return: $258
  • Premium Private Transfer FROM Sydney Airport to Sydney CBD/Downtown 1-13 people: $212
  • Sydney Airport (SYD): Private Transfer to Sydney hotels: $204
  • Premium Private Transfer FROM Sydney CBD/Downtown to Sydney Airport 1-13 people: $202
  • Premium Private Transfer FROM Sydney Airport to Sydney CBD/Downtown 1-11 people: $177

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Gold Coast

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

  • Arrival Private Transfer: Airport OOL to Gold Coast in Business Car: $97
  • Arrival Private Transfer: Airport OOL to Gold Coast in Luxury Van: $125
  • Brisbane Airport Departure transfer From the Gold Coast shared shuttle: $47
  • Departure Private Transfer: Gold Coast to Airport OOL in Business Car: $97
  • Departure Private Transfer: Gold Coast to Airport OOL in Luxury Van: $125
  • Gold Coast Airport Arrival Shared Transfer: $21
  • Gold Coast Airport Arrival Transfer: $21
  • Gold Coast Airport Departure Transfer: $21
  • Gold Coast Airport Transfer: Airport OOL to Gold Coast in Business Car: $97
  • Gold Coast Airport Transfer: Airport OOL to Gold Coast in Luxury Car: $125
  • Gold Coast Airport Transfer: Airport OOL to Gold Coast in Luxury Van: $124
  • Gold Coast Airport Transfer: Gold Coast to Airport OOL in Business Car: $97

Is it cheaper to fly into Sydney or Gold Coast?

Prices for flights to both Gold Coast 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
    Gold Coast $27
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: $55
  • 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: $59
  • 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: $68

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Gold Coast

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

  • Australian Outback Spectacular Dinner & Show: $77
  • Buffet Dinner Sightseeing Cruise: $77
  • Romantic Gondola Dinner Cruise for Two: $338

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Sydney $31
    Gold Coast $18
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: $179
  • Small-Group Sydney's Northern Beaches and Ku-ring-gai National Park Bus Tour: $212
  • Sydney to Bondi Tour and Historical Site: $62
  • 1 Day Thredbo Snow Tour: $98
  • 1 Day Thredbo Snow Tour From Sydney: $91
  • 10-Day Surf Adventure from Sydney to Brisbane Including Coffs Harbour, Byron Bay and Gold Coast: $2,441
  • 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: $286
  • 3 Hours Abba Tribute Cruise on Sydney Harbour: $77
  • 3.5 Hours Explore Bondi Beach and Sydney Sightseeing Tour: $195

Tours and Activities in Gold Coast

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Gold Coast.

  • Lumber Punks Axe Throwing Experience: $29
  • Surfer's Paradise Sightseeing Cruise: $29
  • Southport Cemetery Paranormal Activity Tour QUEENSLAND: $30
  • Gold Coast Sunset River Cruise: $32
  • Surfers Paradise Sunset Cruise: $32
  • DJ Tiki On The Broadwater Cruise: $32
  • Aquaduck City Tour and River Cruise: $32
  • Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary Ticket: $39
  • Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary General Entry Ticket: $39
  • Aquaduck Gold Coast 1 hour City and River Tour: $39
  • 2.5-Hour Ultimate Learn to Surf Adventure: $42
  • Tamborine Mountain Hop on Hop off Tourist Shuttle: $44

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Sydney $15
    Gold Coast $5.14
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
  • Sydney's Big Night Out Pub Crawl: $29
  • Hickson House Distilling Immersive Gin and Whisky Distillery Tour and Tasting!: $29
  • Sydney Cellar Door - Old Vine Expressions Wine Tasting: $46
  • Private Wine Tour and Tasting: $55
  • Urban Winery Wine Tasting Tour with Cheese Platter: $55
  • The Ultimate NYE Pub Crawl: $64
  • Beach and Brew - Hike and Brewery (Men and Women): $72
  • The Rocks Pub Walking Tour: $75
  • Marrickville Brewery Tour: $75
  • Balmain Pub Walking Tour: $75

Sample the Local Flavors in Gold Coast

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

  • Sirromet Winery Tour and Wine Tasting: $23
  • 3-Hour Wine Tasting and Lunch Guided Tour at Cellar Door: $42
  • Tamborine Mountain: Wine Tasting Tour with 2-Course Lunch: $110
  • Northern Rivers Wine Tour: $111
  • Gold Coast Full Day Brewery Tour: $123
  • Full-Day Guided Wine Tour in Mt Tamborine From Gold Coast : $124
  • Full-Day Tamborine Guided Wine and Distillery Tour with Lunch: $198

How are these travel costs calculated?

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

Which is Bigger, Sydney or Gold Coast?

Sydney is bigger, and its population is about 8.3 times larger than the population of Gold Coast. When comparing the population of Sydney vs. Gold Coast, 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 Sydney or Gold Coast?

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 Sydney or Gold Coast in the Summer?

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

Sydney is cooler than Gold Coast in the summer. The daily temperature in Sydney averages around 23°C (73°F) in January, and Gold Coast fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

In Gold Coast, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Sydney. In the summer, Sydney often gets less sunshine than Gold Coast. Sydney gets 236 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Gold Coast receives 256 hours of full sun.

Gold Coast gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Sydney. Sydney usually gets less rain in January than Gold Coast. Sydney gets 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Gold Coast receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January
    Sydney 23°C (73°F) 
    Gold Coast 25°C (77°F)

Should I visit Sydney or Gold Coast in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Sydney and Gold Coast.

In the autumn, Sydney is cooler than Gold Coast. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Sydney in April average around 19°C (65°F), and Gold Coast averages at about 22°C (71°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Gold Coast this time of the year. Sydney usually receives less sunshine than Gold Coast during autumn. Sydney gets 195 hours of sunny skies, while Gold Coast receives 214 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Gold Coast receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Sydney gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Sydney usually receives more rain than Gold Coast. Sydney gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Gold Coast receives 101 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April
    Sydney 19°C (65°F) 
    Gold Coast 22°C (71°F)

Should I visit Sydney or Gold Coast in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Sydney as well as Gold Coast.

In July, Sydney is generally cooler than Gold Coast. Daily temperatures in Sydney average around 12°C (53°F), and Gold Coast fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Gold Coast. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sydney this time of the year. In the winter, Sydney often gets less sunshine than Gold Coast. Sydney gets 208 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Gold Coast receives 226 hours of full sun.

Sydney usually gets less rain in July than Gold Coast. Sydney gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Gold Coast receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July
    Sydney 12°C (53°F) 
    Gold Coast 15°C (59°F)

Should I visit Sydney or Gold Coast in the Spring?

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

Sydney is cooler than Gold Coast in the spring. The daily temperature in Sydney averages around 18°C (64°F) in October, and Gold Coast fluctuates around 21°C (69°F).

It's quite sunny in Gold Coast. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sydney. Sydney usually receives less sunshine than Gold Coast during spring. Sydney gets 240 hours of sunny skies, while Gold Coast receives 259 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Gold Coast. In October, Sydney usually receives less rain than Gold Coast. Sydney gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Gold Coast receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October
    Sydney 18°C (64°F) 
    Gold Coast 21°C (69°F)

Typical Weather for Gold Coast and Sydney

Sydney Gold Coast
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 23°C (73°F) 116 mm (4.6 in) 25°C (77°F) 167 mm (6.6 in)
Feb 23°C (73°F) 113 mm (4.4 in) 25°C (77°F) 157 mm (6.2 in)
Mar 21°C (70°F) 148 mm (5.8 in) 24°C (75°F) 140 mm (5.5 in)
Apr 19°C (65°F) 120 mm (4.7 in) 22°C (71°F) 101 mm (4 in)
May 15°C (60°F) 88 mm (3.5 in) 19°C (66°F) 91 mm (3.6 in)
Jun 13°C (55°F) 128 mm (5 in) 16°C (61°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Jul 12°C (53°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) 15°C (59°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Aug 13°C (55°F) 90 mm (3.5 in) 16°C (61°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)
Sep 15°C (59°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 18°C (65°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Oct 18°C (64°F) 79 mm (3.1 in) 21°C (69°F) 103 mm (4 in)
Nov 20°C (67°F) 101 mm (4 in) 23°C (73°F) 118 mm (4.6 in)
Dec 22°C (71°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) 24°C (76°F) 129 mm (5.1 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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Sydney vs. Gold Coast Travel Comparison

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