A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Sydney vs. Punta Arenas for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Sydney or Punta Arenas?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Sydney or Punta Arenas, 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 Punta Arenas?

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.

Punta Arenas

Punta Arenas is in the far south of Chile and has a long history of maritime commerce, oil extraction, and sheep farming. It's the most populated city on the Strait of Magellan and has all the facilities you might need as a traveler, including banks, markets, drugstores and equipment shops. With a population of about 130,000, the city is a comfortable place to spend time. It serves as a base for Antarctic expeditions, although many expeditions also start in Ushuaia, Argentina, and Christchurch New Zealand.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Contiki Tours to Australia, The Best G Adventures Tours to Australia, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Chile, and The Best Luxury Tours to Chile.


Which place is cheaper, Punta Arenas or Sydney?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Sydney is $207, while the average daily cost in Punta Arenas is $79. 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 Punta Arenas in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Sydney $103
    Punta Arenas $32
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Sydney $206
    Punta Arenas $64
Compare Hotels in Sydney and Punta Arenas

Looking for a hotel in Sydney or Punta Arenas? 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 Punta Arenas


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 Punta Arenas Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Sydney $15
    Punta Arenas $1.80
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:

  • From Special Event, Festival or Conference Transfers: $661
  • Hunter Valley Sunrise Balloon Flight with Transfer: $363
  • From Sydney Hotels - Hotel Transfer to Airport: $355
  • Airport Transfer from Sydney Airport to Hotels: $295
  • Private City, Harbour, and Bondi Tour with Transfer: $274
  • Private Transfer from Sydney Hotels to Airport: $255
  • Private Transfer from Sydney City Hotels to Newcastle Cruise Port: $252
  • Private Transfer - Sydney Airport (SYD) to Newcastle Cruise Port: $252
  • Tandem Skydive with Optional Transfers: $251
  • Premium Private Transfer FROM Sydney CBD/Downtown to Sydney Airport 1-11 people: $242
  • Premium Private Transfer FROM Sydney Airport to Sydney CBD/Downtown 1-11 people: $242
  • Featherdale Wildlife Park with Exclusive Private Transfers: $234

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Punta Arenas

Also for Punta Arenas, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Oneway Private Transfer from Punta Arenas Airport to Punta Arenas: $37
  • Transfer Airport Punta Arenas : $30
  • Transfer from Punta Arenas to Puerto Natales: $267

Is it cheaper to fly into Sydney or Punta Arenas?

Prices for flights to both Punta Arenas 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 $77
    Punta Arenas $36
Typical Food Prices in Sydney

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Sydney:


  • Tea
    $2.62
  • Lunch Special
    $9.81
  • Food/Drink Coogie Beach
    $9.81
  • Meat Pies
    $3.27

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sydney

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Sydney.

  • Vivid Festival of Light Harbor Cruise with Dinner: $36
  • City Highlights Walking Food Tour with Harbor Cruise: $45
  • Roti Making Class with 5-Course Dinner: $50
  • Harbour Dinner Cruise with Buffet: $50
  • Sydney Harbour Discovery Dinner Cruise Scenic Sights and Buffet: $50
  • Foraging Food Tour Sydney Native Aussie Food: $53
  • Sydney's Little Italy Food Tour: $54
  • Harbor Sunset Cruise with Dinner: $59
  • Twilight Dinner Cruise on Coral Trekker: $59
  • Sydney Harbour Tall Ship Twilight Dinner Cruise: $60
  • Taste of Sydney Fish Market Food Tour: $64
  • Kids Cooking Classes: $64

Typical Food Prices in Punta Arenas

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Punta Arenas:


  • Donut
    $1.05
  • Dinner
    $25

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Sydney $31
    Punta Arenas $6.44
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)
    $125
  • Powerhouse Museum
    $9.85

Tours and Activities in Sydney

Here are a few actual costs in Sydney for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Sunrise Serenity Kayak Tour of Sydney Harbour: $104
  • #1 Blue Mountains Tour Scenic World Waterfalls Wildlife Park: $188
  • 1 Day Thredbo Snow Adventure: $113
  • 1 Day Thredbo Snow Tour From Sydney: $117
  • 1/2 day Sydney Sightseeing and Bondi Beach Tour: $45
  • 14-Day Sydney to Cairns, Fraser, Whitsundays Comfort Tour: $5,614
  • 2 Hours Running Tour in Sydney: $99
  • 3 Hours Elvis Tribute Cruise on Sydney Harbour: $53
  • 30 Minute Shared Sydney Harbour Scenic Helicopter Tour: $238
  • 30-minute Private Sydney Harbour Helicopter Tour for 2: $331
  • 45-Minute Sydney Harbour Adventure Jet Boat Ride: $66
  • 45-Minute Vivid Sydney Scenic Jet Boat Cruise Tour: $40

Tours and Activities in Punta Arenas

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Punta Arenas.

  • Fort Bulnes Historical Tour: $39
  • City Tour: $60
  • City Tour Shore Excursion for Cruisers: $60
  • Punta Arenas City Tour Shore Excursion: $60
  • Cruises Shore Excursions : City tour Cruises Regular: $70
  • Fuerte Bulnes Shore Tour for Cruisers: $70
  • Bike Tour in Punta Arenas, 100% local tour.: $70
  • Fuerte Bulnes Shore Tour for Cruisers in Punta Arenas: $80
  • Full-Day Torres del Paine Tour: $88
  • Monte Tarn Trekking Tour with Guide: $129
  • Torres Del Paine and Milodon Cave Full Day Tour: $135
  • King Penguin & Tierra del Fuego Tour: $154

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Sydney $15
    Punta Arenas $4.86
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:

  • Wollongong Bar Crawl Go Out with a Gong: $15
  • Big Night Out Pub Crawl with Local Party Hosts: $32
  • Private Wine Tasting at The Rocks: $46
  • Sydney Cellar Door - Old Vine Expressions Wine Tasting: $47
  • Marrickville Brewery Tour: $78
  • From: Sydney - Hunter Valley Wine Tasting Guided Day Tour: $89
  • Sydney Beer and Brewery Tour: $103
  • Brewery, Winery, and Distillery Tasting Tour: $112
  • From Full-Day Hunter Valley Wine Tour & Lunch: $145
  • From Hunter Valley Wine Tasting Day Tour: $145
  • From Hunter Valley Multi-Brewery Tour with Lunch: $149
  • Small Group Hunter Valley Wine Tour + Lunch, Gin & Choc ex Sydney: $151

Typical Alcohol Prices in Punta Arenas

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Punta Arenas:


  • Alcohol
    $7.33


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

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


Which is Bigger, Sydney or Punta Arenas?

Sydney has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Punta Arenas. When comparing the sizes of Sydney and Punta Arenas, 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 Punta Arenas?

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 Punta Arenas in the Summer?

Both Punta Arenas and Sydney during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Sydney in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

Sydney is much warmer than Punta Arenas in the summer. The daily temperature in Sydney averages around 23°C (73°F) in January, and Punta Arenas fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In Punta Arenas, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Sydney. In the summer, Sydney often gets more sunshine than Punta Arenas. Sydney gets 236 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Punta Arenas receives 208 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Sydney. Sydney usually gets more rain in January than Punta Arenas. Sydney gets 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Punta Arenas receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January
    Sydney 23°C (73°F) 
    Punta Arenas 11°C (52°F)

Should I visit Sydney or Punta Arenas in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Sydney and Punta Arenas. Most visitors come to Sydney for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Sydney is much warmer than Punta Arenas. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Sydney in April average around 19°C (65°F), and Punta Arenas averages at about 7°C (44°F).

Sydney usually receives more sunshine than Punta Arenas during autumn. Sydney gets 195 hours of sunny skies, while Punta Arenas receives 119 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Sydney gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Sydney usually receives more rain than Punta Arenas. Sydney gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Punta Arenas receives 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April
    Sydney 19°C (65°F) 
    Punta Arenas 7°C (44°F)

Should I visit Sydney or Punta Arenas in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Sydney as well as Punta Arenas. The winter months attract visitors to Sydney because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Punta Arenas in the winter. In July, Sydney is generally much warmer than Punta Arenas. Daily temperatures in Sydney average around 12°C (53°F), and Punta Arenas fluctuates around 1°C (35°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sydney this time of the year. In the winter, Sydney often gets more sunshine than Punta Arenas. Sydney gets 208 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Punta Arenas receives 70 hours of full sun.

Sydney usually gets more rain in July than Punta Arenas. Sydney gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Punta Arenas receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July
    Sydney 12°C (53°F) 
    Punta Arenas 1°C (35°F)

Should I visit Sydney or Punta Arenas in the Spring?

Both Punta Arenas and Sydney are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Sydney this time of year.

Sydney is much warmer than Punta Arenas in the spring. The daily temperature in Sydney averages around 18°C (64°F) in October, and Punta Arenas fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sydney. Sydney usually receives more sunshine than Punta Arenas during spring. Sydney gets 240 hours of sunny skies, while Punta Arenas receives 183 hours of full sun in the spring.

In October, Sydney usually receives more rain than Punta Arenas. Sydney gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Punta Arenas receives 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October
    Sydney 18°C (64°F) 
    Punta Arenas 7°C (44°F)

Typical Weather for Punta Arenas and Sydney

Sydney Punta Arenas
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 23°C (73°F) 116 mm (4.6 in) 11°C (52°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Feb 23°C (73°F) 113 mm (4.4 in) 11°C (52°F) 28 mm (1.1 in)
Mar 21°C (70°F) 148 mm (5.8 in) 9°C (48°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Apr 19°C (65°F) 120 mm (4.7 in) 7°C (44°F) 36 mm (1.4 in)
May 15°C (60°F) 88 mm (3.5 in) 4°C (39°F) 42 mm (1.7 in)
Jun 13°C (55°F) 128 mm (5 in) 2°C (35°F) 28 mm (1.1 in)
Jul 12°C (53°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) 1°C (35°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Aug 13°C (55°F) 90 mm (3.5 in) 3°C (37°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Sep 15°C (59°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 5°C (40°F) 24 mm (0.9 in)
Oct 18°C (64°F) 79 mm (3.1 in) 7°C (44°F) 29 mm (1.1 in)
Nov 20°C (67°F) 101 mm (4 in) 9°C (48°F) 32 mm (1.3 in)
Dec 22°C (71°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) 11°C (51°F) 29 mm (1.1 in)