Which city is cheaper, Katoomba or Sydney?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
A Travel Price Comparison for Australia Sydney vs. Katoomba for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons
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Should you visit Sydney or Katoomba?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Sydney or Katoomba, 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 Katoomba?
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.
Katoomba
Designated an UNESCO World Heritage site in 2000, the Blue Mountains are located just west of Sydney in the highlands of New South Wales, Australia.
This area can be generally expensive, but is on par with other destinations in Australia and around Sydney. Plenty of luxury places can be found here that cost more than average, but plenty of cheaper places to stay can be found here, too. Expect to pay for various activities such as tours and entrance fees, too.
The landscape is sprawling with majestic scenery over a rugged terrain of steep cliffs, forests, waterfalls, and villages. Whether you come to hike, climb, bike, or drive to the scenic viewpoints, a curtain of tranquility falls upon the mountains in a blue haze from which they get their name.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySydney $292Katoomba $137
The average daily cost (per person) in Sydney is $292, while the average daily cost in Katoomba is $137. 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. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Sydney and Katoomba in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSydney $100Katoomba $79
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSydney $200Katoomba $158
Compare Hotels in Sydney and Katoomba
Looking for a hotel in Sydney or Katoomba? 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.
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 and Katoomba Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sydney $15Katoomba $51
Typical Local Transportation prices in Sydney
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Sydney:
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Taxi Ride$13
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Taxi to Airport$17
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
Is it cheaper to fly into Sydney or Katoomba?
Prices for flights to both Katoomba 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
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Food Meals for one daySydney $45Katoomba $18
Typical Food prices in Sydney
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Sydney:
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Tea$2.66
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Lunch Special$9.97
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Food/Drink Coogie Beach$9.97
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Meat Pies$3.32
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sydney $32Katoomba $55
Typical Entertainment prices in Sydney
Here are a few typical costs in Sydney for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Theatre Show$30
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Sydney Tower Visit (for 2)$31
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Blue Mountain Tour/Featherdale Park (for 2)$127
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Powerhouse Museum$10
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
Tours and Activities in Katoomba
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Katoomba are as follows:
- Blue Mountains Explorer Bus: 1-Day Hop-On Hop-Off Tour: $35
- Blue Mountains Hop-on Hop-off Tour with Optional Scenic World Rides: $43
- Ninety Minute Wombat Adventures Guided Tour: $67
- Small-Group Half-Day Abseiling Adventure from Katoomba: $99
- Blue Mountains 1-Hour Trike Tour of Three Sisters: $111
- Blue Mountains Secret Places Adventure: $118
- Half-Day Abseiling Adventure in Blue Mountains National Park: $119
- Blue Mountains Botanic Garden and Bilpin Tour from Katoomba with Cider Tasting: $167
- Small-Group Full-Day Canyoning and Abseiling Adventure from Katoomba: $174
- Small-Group Full-Day Rock Climbing Adventure from Katoomba: $174
- From Sydney: Blue Mountains Small-Group Tour Picnic & Hike: $181
- Blue Mountains: Private Scenic Tour with Optional Stops: $184
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySydney $15Katoomba -
Typical Alcohol prices in Sydney
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Sydney:
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Wine$11
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
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sydney and Katoomba, we can see that Sydney is more expensive. And not only is Katoomba much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Katoomba would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Katoomba 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 Katoomba.
When is the best time to visit Sydney or Katoomba?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the southern hemisphere, summer is in January and winter is in July.
Should I visit Sydney or Katoomba in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Sydney and Katoomba.
In the summer, Sydney is around the same temperature as Katoomba. Typically, the summer temperatures in Sydney in January are around 23°C (73°F), and Katoomba is about 24°C (74°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Katoomba this time of the year. In Sydney, it's very sunny this time of the year. Sydney usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Katoomba during summer. Sydney gets 236 hours of sunny skies, while Katoomba receives 236 hours of full sun in the summer.
Katoomba receives a lot of rain in the summer. Sydney gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Sydney usually receives more rain than Katoomba. Sydney gets 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 105 mm (4.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JanuarySydney 23°C (73°F)Katoomba 24°C (74°F)
Should I visit Sydney or Katoomba in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Sydney as well as Katoomba.
In April, Sydney is generally around the same temperature as Katoomba. Temperatures in Sydney average around 19°C (65°F), and Katoomba stays around 18°C (65°F).
In the autumn, Sydney often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Katoomba. Sydney gets 195 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Katoomba receives 195 hours of full sun.
Sydney receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Sydney usually gets more rain in April than Katoomba. Sydney gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures AprilSydney 19°C (65°F)Katoomba 18°C (65°F)
Should I visit Sydney or Katoomba in the Winter?
Both Katoomba and Sydney are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.
Sydney is a little warmer than Katoomba in the winter. The temperature in Sydney is usually 12°C (53°F) in July, and Katoomba stays around 11°C (51°F).
It's quite sunny in Katoomba. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sydney. Sydney usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Katoomba during winter. Sydney gets 208 hours of sunny skies, while Katoomba receives 208 hours of full sun in the winter.
In July, Sydney usually receives more rain than Katoomba. Sydney gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JulySydney 12°C (53°F)Katoomba 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Sydney or Katoomba in the Spring?
Both Katoomba and Sydney during the spring are popular places to visit.
In the spring, Sydney is around the same temperature as Katoomba. Typically, the spring temperatures in Sydney in October are around 18°C (64°F), and Katoomba is about 18°C (64°F).
In Katoomba, 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 Katoomba. Sydney gets 240 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Katoomba receives 240 hours of full sun.
Sydney usually gets more rain in October than Katoomba. Sydney gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures OctoberSydney 18°C (64°F)Katoomba 18°C (64°F)
Typical Weather for Katoomba and Sydney
| Sydney | Katoomba | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 23°C (73°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) |
| Feb | 23°C (73°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) |
| Mar | 21°C (70°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) |
| Apr | 19°C (65°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| May | 15°C (60°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jun | 13°C (55°F) | 128 mm (5 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jul | 12°C (53°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| Aug | 13°C (55°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Sep | 15°C (59°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 42 mm (1.6 in) |
| Oct | 18°C (64°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Nov | 20°C (67°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) |
| Dec | 22°C (71°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
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