A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Sydney vs. New York City for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Sydney or New York City?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Sydney or New York City, 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. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include beaches, hiking, and shopping.

New York City

New York City is a vibrant, energetic, and cosmopolitan city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include food, shopping, and museums.

Sydney and New York City: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sydney or New York City?

You'll generally find more things to do in New York City than Sydney. New York City is bigger than Sydney, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. New York City is better known for its theatre productions, food, music, and christmas markets, while Sydney is more popular for its scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty. New York City is more touristy than Sydney and is popular for its high-reaching skyscrapers, iconic landmarks, world-class theater scene, and endless energy. Also, New York City is famous for The Statue of Liberty. Sydney is well known for its iconic buildings, world-renowned beaches, colorful nightlife, and cosmopolitan restaurants.

How is Sydney different from New York City?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between New York City 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 New York City?

For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Sydney or New York City.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Sydney on the map. 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.

Travelers visit New York City from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. The sights and museums around the city are too numerous to list, but some of the most famous include the Statue of Liberty, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art, Central Park, and the Empire State Building. This is a city that is filled with iconic landmarks and you could spend weeks here and still not see it all.

Is Sydney or New York City Better for Theater?

New York City is an unbeatable place for its shows and theatre. However, Sydney is not a theatre destination.

Famous for its theaters and plays, you'll find world-renowned shows in New York City. Visiting Broadway is a quintessential NYC experience. Whether you enjoy the theater or simply want to experience something new, seeing a Broadway show is a true bucket list activity.

Sydney is not a theatre destination.

Is the Food Better in Sydney or New York City? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

New York City is an unbeatable place for its restaurant scene. Also, Sydney is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, New York City is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. The city has a diverse variety of restaurants, with everything from local dives to Michelin star options. There are many neighborhoods that are notable for their ethnic cuisine, particularly Little Italy and Chinatown. Quintessential NYC dishes include NYC pizza, NYC hot dogs, bagels, and Chinese dim sum.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in 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.

Is Sydney or New York City Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Sydney and New York City.

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.

New York City is a world class party destination. Known as the city that never sleeps, you can be assured that NYC has some of the best nightlife in the world. There are world class bars and clubs, but also local venues that have a more relaxed atmosphere. Several famous clubs include Paul's Cocktail Lounge, Le Bain, and Avant Gardner.

Is Sydney or New York City Better for Music?

New York City is an unbeatable place for its music scene. However, Sydney is not a live music destination.

In New York City you'll find nightly musicians performing at a variety of venues. Popular music venues include Music Hall of Williamsburg, Radio City Music Hall, Beacon Theatre, and Forest Hills Stadium.

Sydney is not a live music destination.

Is Sydney or New York City Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Sydney is a good destination for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, New York City 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.

New York City is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Sydney or New York City Better for Beaches?

Sydney is a must-visit destination for its beaches. However, New York City 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.

New York City is not a beach destination.

Is Sydney or New York City Better for Hiking?

Sydney is an excellent place to visit for its hiking trails. However, New York City is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting 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.

New York City is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Sydney or New York City?

Shopping is a popular activity in both New York City and Sydney.

Sydney is a world class destination for shoppers. 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.

People travel from around the world to go shopping in New York City. The shopping is as diverse as the city itself. Head for Fifth Avenue for high end shopping or check out any of the many street markets for local items. New York is known for its many flea markets where you can find vintage items at a good price. And if you're looking to pick up a souvenir shirt or knick knack, there are plenty of souvenir shops around town as well.

Is Sydney or New York City Better for Christmas?

New York City is an unbeatable place for its Christmas activities. However, Sydney does not offer Christmas activities.

During Christmas, New York City is not to be missed. Christmas in the city is a quintessential experience. From the Christmas tree and ice skating at Rockefeller Center to seeing a live performance of the Nutcracker, everyone enjoys the holidays in New York.

Sydney does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Sydney or New York City Better for Christmas Markets?

New York City is well known for its Christmas markets. However, Sydney does not offer Christmas markets.

New York City has a large number of Christmas markets. There are a number of Christmas markets that pop up around town during the holiday season. Nothing will get you more in the holiday spirit than wandering these unique venues.

Sydney does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Sydney or New York City Better for Families?

Sydney is a must-visit destination for its kid-friendly activities. Also, New York City is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-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.

New York City is a very kid-friendly city. The city has many activities for kids of all ages including world class museums, beautifully designed playgrounds, and theater shows designed just for young ones. There are many kid-friendly restaurants as well and older kids will enjoy visiting the iconic landmarks in this world-class city.

Is Sydney or New York City Better for Couples?

Sydney and New York City are both world-class to visit as a couple.

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.

New York City is a great city for couples, as it has plenty to offer. From a beautiful carriage ride through Central Park, to a romantic river cruise at night, there is an endless list of unique activities that couples can enjoy in the city. Whether you're interested in theater, the arts, music, or nightlife, this city has it all.

Is Sydney or New York City Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Sydney is a must-visit destination for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, New York City is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Many backpackers frequent 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.

New York City is a great city to visit for backpackers. It isn't a particularly budget-friendly destination, but it does get its share of backpackers, so you'll find a nice list of hostels and affordable hangouts that are perfect for the backpacker crowd. This is probably one of the most popular cities for backpackers in the entire United States.

Is Sydney or New York City Better for Students?

Sydney and New York City are world-class places to visit for students.

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.

New York City is a very popular city for students. The city has a diverse population, and international students will feel right at home here exploring the city. There are also plenty of major universities including NYU, Columbia University, and Cornell University.

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

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Sydney and New York City.

Visitors in Sydney can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. There are a variety of types of public transit in town including buses, trains, ferries and light rail.

New York City has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. The city has one of the largest subway systems in the world. There's also an elaborate bus system, ferry system, and yellow taxis all around town.

Is Sydney or New York City a more walkable city?

New York City 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 New York City on foot is easy. The majority of the neighborhoods in Manhattan are very walkable and easy to explore on foot. Most people prefer not to drive here as it can be overwhelming and chaotic.

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 New York City Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in New York City or Sydney?

How long in Sydney or New York City?

Both Sydney and New York City have a number of activities to choose from. In our opinion, New York City has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in New York City than Sydney. However, 3-7 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Sydney than New York City. 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 New York City than Sydney. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in New York City that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Sydney than New York City 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 New York City?

Sydney is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

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

A weekend in Sydney or New York City?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Sydney. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

New York City 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.

Five days in Sydney or New York City?

Sydney is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have five days, this is a great place to go. Five days is usually enough time to experience most activities.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in New York City. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. 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 New York City?

Sydney is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling.So, one week is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and theater when visiting the one-of-a-kind big city of New York City. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Australia, The Best 10-Day Tours in Australia, The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America, and The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sydney and New York City, we can see that New York City is more expensive. And not only is Sydney much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Sydney is in Pacific and New York City is in North America, 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 Sydney would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Sydney 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 New York City would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in New York City than you might in Sydney.

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

Which is Bigger, Sydney or New York City?

New York City has a larger population, and is about 82% larger than the population of Sydney. When comparing the sizes of Sydney and New York City, 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 New York City?

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 New York City has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Sydney or New York City in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Sydney as well as New York City. Many travelers come to Sydney for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to New York City in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Sydney is cooler than New York City. Typically, the summer temperatures in Sydney in January average around 23°C (73°F), and New York City averages at about 77°F (25°C)in July.

It's quite rainy in New York City. Sydney receives a lot of rain in the summer. Sydney usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as New York Cityin July. Sydney gets 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while New York City receives 4.5 inches (114 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sydney or New York City in the Autumn?

Both New York City and Sydney are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. 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 New York City for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In April, Sydney is generally a little warmer than New York Cityin October. Daily temperatures in Sydney average around 19°C (65°F), and New York City fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).

It's quite rainy in Sydney. In April, Sydney usually receives more rain than New York Cityin October. Sydney gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while New York City receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Sydney or New York City in the Winter?

Both New York City and Sydney during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Sydney for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to New York City because of the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

The weather in New York City can be very cold. Sydney is much warmer than New York City in the winter. The daily temperature in Sydney averages around 12°C (53°F) in July, and New York City fluctuates around 31°F (-1°C)in January.

Sydney usually gets less rain in July than New York Cityin January. Sydney gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while New York City receives 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sydney or New York City in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Sydney and New York City. The spring months attract visitors to Sydney because of the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty. Furthermore, the activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to New York City this time of year.

In the spring, Sydney is much warmer than New York City. Typically, the spring temperatures in Sydney in October average around 18°C (64°F), and New York City averages at about 52°F (11°C)in April.

In October, Sydney usually receives less rain than New York Cityin April. Sydney gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while New York City receives 3.8 inches (98 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for New York City and Sydney