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

Should you visit Sydney or Houston?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Sydney or Houston, 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. 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 food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

Houston

Houston is a one-of-a-kind, diverse, and sprawling city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. Other popular activities here include museums, nightlife, and live music.

Sydney and Houston: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sydney or Houston?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Sydney than Houston, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Sydney is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Houston is known for its music. Sydney is more touristy than Houston and is known for its iconic buildings, world-renowned beaches, colorful nightlife, and cosmopolitan restaurants. It is also home to the Sydney Opera House. Houston is popular for its sprawling size, its local Texas restaurants, and being the home to NASA.

How is Sydney different from Houston?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Sydney is a world-class destination for its museums and landmarks. Also, Houston 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.

Houston offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Head to Houston's Museum District to explore 19 different museums in a walkable area. A highlight of a trip to the city is a visit to the Space Center, but other popular museums include the Houston Museum of Natural Science, the Museum of Fine Arts, and the Houston Children's Museum.

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

Sydney is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Houston 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.

Houston is becoming an appealing option for foodies. The city is famous for its Texas barbecue, Mexican food, and a wide diversity of other different ethnic foods. It's a surprisingly diverse city and this is reflected in the restaurant selection around town.

Is Sydney or Houston Better for Nightlife?

Sydney is a world-class destination for nightlife and partying. Also, Houston is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

People head to Sydney just to party. 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.

Many people head to Houston for the nightlife scene. The nightlife is at its best on weekends when bars, dance clubs, and concert halls come to life. There are a diversity of venues around town including dance clubs, Honky Tonks, and cocktail bars. Some of the most active nightlife areas are Downtown, Midtown, Montrose, Washington Avenue, and Rice Village.

Is Sydney or Houston Better for Music?

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

The music scene helps keep Houston active and fun. Popular music venues include Fitzgerald's, Walter's Downtown, and The Continental Club.

Sydney is not a live music destination.

Is Sydney or Houston Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Sydney is a good destination for its diving and snorkeling. However, Houston 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.

Houston is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Sydney or Houston Better for Beaches?

Sydney is a world-class destination for the beache. However, Houston is not a beach destination.

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.

Houston is not a beach destination.

Is Sydney or Houston Better for Hiking?

Sydney is well known for its hiking experiences. However, Houston 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.

Houston is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Sydney or Houston?

Sydney is a world-class destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Houston 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.

Houston has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are a number of upscale malls and shopping centers that have brand names, chain stores, and the occasional local shop where you can pick up items.

Is Sydney or Houston Better for Families?

Sydney is a world-class destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Houston is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Sydney is very family-friendly. 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 Houston. It is a large city with plenty of things that kids can enjoy including museums, theaters, a zoo, and even the Space Center. The Children's Museum of Houston is perfect for a rainy day. For science loving kids there's the Health Museum and the Museum of Natural Science. Houston also has a Six Flags nearby which the whole family can enjoy.

Is Sydney or Houston Better for Couples?

Sydney is a world-class destination for its romantic activities. Also, Houston is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

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.

Houston is a good city for couples to visit. There's a surprising diversity of restaurants around the city. There are also performing arts productions and many outdoor parks and gardens.

Is Sydney or Houston Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Sydney is a world-class destination for backpackers. However, Houston is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

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.

Houston is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Sydney or Houston Better for Students?

Sydney is a world-class destination for students. Also, Houston is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

Sydney is a very popular place to visit 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 Houston. It's a large city with a number of universities and a large student population.

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

Sydney is a world-class destination for its public transit. However, Houston is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

With a huge network, the transit system in Sydney can get you around easily. There are a variety of types of public transit in town including buses, trains, ferries and light rail.

Public transit is mostly limited in Houston. The system includes buses and a limited light rail. Houston is known as a car-centric city and you really need a car to fully experience it.

Is Sydney or Houston a more walkable city?

Sydney is well known for its high level of walkability. However, Houston is not particularly known for its ease of walking around.

Sydney is a very walkable city. 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.

Houston is generally not a very walkable city. The most walkable neighborhood is the historic Houston Heights, but most parts of the city aren't very walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Houston or Sydney?

How long in Sydney or Houston?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Sydney and Houston. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Sydney than in Houston. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Sydney, and 2-3 days is enough time in Houston.

Families should spend more time in Sydney than Houston. 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 Houston. 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 Houston 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 Houston?

Because Sydney is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the big city destination of Houston. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Sydney or Houston?

Because Sydney is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Houston is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. 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 Houston?

Sydney is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Sydney has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Houston. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Sydney or Houston?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Sydney. Because Sydney is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the diverse big city of Houston. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City.

When comparing the travel costs between Sydney and Houston, 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 Houston 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 Houston Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Sydney or Houston?

Sydney has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Houston. When comparing the sizes of Sydney and Houston, 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 Houston?

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

Should I visit Sydney or Houston in the Summer?

Both Houston and Sydney are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Sydney for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Houston in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In January, Sydney is generally cooler than Houstonin July. Daily temperatures in Sydney average around 23°C (73°F), and Houston fluctuates around 84°F (29°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Houston. It's quite rainy in Sydney. In January, Sydney usually receives around the same amount of rain as Houstonin July. Sydney gets 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Houston receives 4.8 inches (122 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Sydney or Houston in the Autumn?

Both Houston and Sydney during the autumn are popular places to visit. 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 Houston for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene during these months.

Sydney is cooler than Houston in the autumn. The daily temperature in Sydney averages around 19°C (65°F) in April, and Houston fluctuates around 71°F (22°C)in October.

Houston gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Sydney. Sydney usually gets more rain in April than Houstonin October. Sydney gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Houston receives 4.2 inches (107 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sydney or Houston in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Sydney and Houston. Most visitors come to Sydney for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Houston because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Sydney is around the same temperature as Houston. Typically, the winter temperatures in Sydney in July average around 12°C (53°F), and Houston averages at about 52°F (11°C)in January.

In July, Sydney usually receives less rain than Houstonin January. Sydney gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Houston receives 3.6 inches (91 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Sydney or Houston in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Sydney as well as Houston. The spring months attract visitors to Sydney because of the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty. Also, the activities around the city are the main draw to Houston this time of year.

In October, Sydney is generally cooler than Houstonin April. Daily temperatures in Sydney average around 18°C (64°F), and Houston fluctuates around 70°F (21°C).

Sydney usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Houstonin April. Sydney gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Houston receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Houston and Sydney