Which city is cheaper, Newcastle or Sydney?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
A Travel Price Comparison for Australia Sydney vs. Newcastle for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons
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Should you visit Sydney or Newcastle?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Sydney or Newcastle, 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 Newcastle?
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.
Newcastle
Newcastle is 150 kilometers north of Sydney in New South Wales. It is also the second largest city in the state, and serves as a central point to explore the area's beaches, wineries, and beautiful natural landscape. North of the city is Stockton beach, which has many miles of isolated, beautiful beaches, stretching all the way up to Nelson Bay. The wineries are inland to the west and have some of Australia's finest wine which you can taste. If you want to see rainforests, you can head northwest to Barrington Tops National Park, which has great rainforests and freshwater streams. You may even get to see a platypus. The city also has the country's oldest sea port. In the past the city's economy was centered around the steel industry, but today the University of Newcastle is one of the area's most important employers.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySydney $292Newcastle $93
The average daily cost (per person) in Sydney is $292, while the average daily cost in Newcastle is $93. 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 Newcastle in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSydney $100Newcastle $46
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSydney $200Newcastle $92
Compare Hotels in Sydney and Newcastle
Looking for a hotel in Sydney or Newcastle? 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 Newcastle Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sydney $15Newcastle $8.55
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Newcastle
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Newcastle:
- Newcastle Airport (NCL) Departure Private Transfer from Hotels: $47
- Private Transfer from Newcastle to Belfast Airport (BFS): $148
- Private Transfer from Newcastle to Belfast City Airport (BHD): $128
Is it cheaper to fly into Sydney or Newcastle?
Prices for flights to both Newcastle 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 $45Newcastle $36
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Newcastle
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Newcastle.
- Looking for a fun experience, hit the sweet spot with beer and pizza at Slice!: $73
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sydney $32Newcastle $16
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 Newcastle
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Newcastle are as follows:
- True Crime Guided Walking Tour: $25
- Maitland's True Crime Tour: $25
- Newcastle Dark Stories True Crime Tour: $27
- Harbor and Coast 2.5-Hour Sightseeing Cruise: $71
- Humpback Whale Encounter Tour from Newcastle: $78
- Hunter Coastal Adventure Tour by Boat from Newcastle: $78
- From Hunter Valley Beer & Wine Small Group Tour: $136
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySydney $15Newcastle $10
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
Sample the Local Flavors in Newcastle
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Newcastle:
- From Hunter Valley Brewery Tour with Lunch: $136
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sydney and Newcastle, we can see that Sydney is more expensive. And not only is Newcastle much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Newcastle would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Newcastle 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 Newcastle.
When is the best time to visit Sydney or Newcastle?
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 Newcastle in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Sydney and Newcastle.
Sydney is around the same temperature as Newcastle in the summer. The temperature in Sydney is usually 23°C (73°F) in January, and Newcastle stays around 22°C (72°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Newcastle 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 Newcastle during summer. Sydney gets 236 hours of sunny skies, while Newcastle receives 232 hours of full sun in the summer.
Newcastle receives a lot of rain in the summer. Sydney gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Sydney usually receives around the same amount of rain as Newcastle. Sydney gets 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Newcastle receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JanuarySydney 23°C (73°F)Newcastle 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Sydney or Newcastle in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Sydney as well as Newcastle.
In the autumn, Sydney is around the same temperature as Newcastle. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Sydney in April are around 19°C (65°F), and Newcastle is about 19°C (67°F).
In the autumn, Sydney often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Newcastle. Sydney gets 195 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Newcastle receives 199 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Newcastle. Sydney receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Sydney usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Newcastle. Sydney gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Newcastle receives 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures AprilSydney 19°C (65°F)Newcastle 19°C (67°F)
Should I visit Sydney or Newcastle in the Winter?
Both Newcastle and Sydney are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.
In July, Sydney is generally around the same temperature as Newcastle. Temperatures in Sydney average around 12°C (53°F), and Newcastle stays around 13°C (55°F).
It's quite sunny in Newcastle. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sydney. Sydney usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Newcastle during winter. Sydney gets 208 hours of sunny skies, while Newcastle receives 206 hours of full sun in the winter.
In July, Sydney usually receives less rain than Newcastle. Sydney gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Newcastle receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JulySydney 12°C (53°F)Newcastle 13°C (55°F)
Should I visit Sydney or Newcastle in the Spring?
Both Newcastle and Sydney during the spring are popular places to visit.
Sydney is around the same temperature as Newcastle in the spring. The temperature in Sydney is usually 18°C (64°F) in October, and Newcastle stays around 18°C (64°F).
In Newcastle, 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 Newcastle. Sydney gets 240 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Newcastle receives 237 hours of full sun.
Sydney usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Newcastle. Sydney gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Newcastle receives 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures OctoberSydney 18°C (64°F)Newcastle 18°C (64°F)
Typical Weather for Newcastle and Sydney
| Sydney | Newcastle | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 23°C (73°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| Feb | 23°C (73°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| Mar | 21°C (70°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) | 21°C (71°F) | 124 mm (4.9 in) |
| Apr | 19°C (65°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) |
| May | 15°C (60°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 102 mm (4 in) |
| Jun | 13°C (55°F) | 128 mm (5 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Jul | 12°C (53°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 13°C (55°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Sep | 15°C (59°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Oct | 18°C (64°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
| Nov | 20°C (67°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Dec | 22°C (71°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
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