A Travel Price Comparison for Australia Sydney vs. Surfers Paradise for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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Should you visit Sydney or Surfers Paradise?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Sydney or Surfers Paradise, 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 Surfers Paradise?

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.

Surfers Paradise

A tourist mecca, Surfers Paradise is one of the most popular travel destinations along Australia's famed Gold Coast. The beach stretches for miles and there is an endless supply of almost constant parties. You'll find high rise apartments lined up along the shore and plenty of shopping areas, restaurants, nightclubs, and bars. Travelers from around the world visit the area, and it's a right of passage for Australia's teens to vacation in or near Surfers Paradise. For many travelers, Surfers Paradise comes across as little more than a mass marketed, over commercialized, party destination, but for others it is a vacation dream. Prices are highly inflated so you have to keep your whits about you to avoid being ripped off. Surfers Paradise is a destination of extremes and it conjures up extreme emotions in many travelers, be it positive or negative.

Which city is cheaper, Surfers Paradise or Sydney?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Sydney is $292, while the average daily cost in Surfers Paradise is $106. 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 Surfers Paradise in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Sydney $100
    Surfers Paradise $68
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Sydney $200
    Surfers Paradise $136
Compare Hotels in Sydney and Surfers Paradise

Looking for a hotel in Sydney or Surfers Paradise? 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 Surfers Paradise


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.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Sydney $15
    Surfers Paradise $11
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
    $17

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sydney

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sydney:

  • Transfer in private vehicle from Sydney Downtown City to Airport: $55
  • Transfer in private vehicle from Sydney Airport to Sydney Downtown: $55
  • Transfer in private minivan from Sydney Airport to Sydney Downtown: $75
  • Transfer in private Minivan from Sydney City Downtown to Airport: $75
  • Transfer from Sydney Airport to Sydney Central Business District - ROUND TRIP: $176
  • Private Transfer to or from Sydney Airport: $61
  • Premium Airport Transfer with Meet and Greet: $56
  • Airport to/from City Private Transfer: $74
  • Airport Shuttle Transfer to and from CBD Hotels: $18
  • Sydney's Best Chauffeured Airport Transfers: $50
  • Sydney to Sydney Airport (SYD) - Departure Private Transfer: $42
  • Sydney Transfer (Airport to Hotel in Sydney Central Business) ROUND-TRIP: $149

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Surfers Paradise

Also for Surfers Paradise, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Gold Coast: Airport to Hotel Return Transfer: $33
  • Private Brisbane Airport Departure Transfer From Gold Coast: $177
  • One-Way Shared Transfer to Byron Bay: $30

Is it cheaper to fly into Sydney or Surfers Paradise?

Prices for flights to both Surfers Paradise 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 $45
    Surfers Paradise $27
Typical Food prices in Sydney

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


  • Tea
    $2.66
  • Lunch Special
    $9.97
  • Food/Drink Coogie Beach
    $9.97
  • 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 Surfers Paradise

For Surfers Paradise, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Surfers Paradise Sunset Kayak and Dinner: $40
  • Dinner Buffet Cruise on the Gold Coast: $70
  • Gold Coast: Spirits of the Red Sand Aboriginal Show & Dinner: $87

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Sydney $32
    Surfers Paradise $24
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
    $30
  • Sydney Tower Visit (for 2)
    $31
  • Blue Mountain Tour/Featherdale Park (for 2)
    $127
  • Powerhouse Museum
    $10

Tours and Activities in Sydney

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

  • 1 Hour Northern Beaches Trike Tour: $127
  • 10-Day Surf Adventure from Sydney to Brisbane Including Coffs Harbour, Byron Bay and Gold Coast: $2,371
  • 2 Hours Running Tour in Sydney: $170
  • 2-Day Hunter Valley Small-Group Tasting Tour: $420
  • 2hr Explorer Cruise - Sydney's best value whale watching cruise: $47
  • 3 Hour Discovery Cruise Ultimate Whale Watching Experience: $69
  • 3-Day Blue Mountains and Hunter Valley Small-Group Eco-Tour: $908
  • 3-Day Tour from Sydney to the Gold Coast Including Port Stephens and Byron Bay: $832
  • 3.5 Hours Explore Bondi Beach and Sydney Sightseeing Tour: $168
  • 4 Day Blue Mountains & the Southern Highlands Adventure: $1,367
  • 4-Hour Private Sydney Sightseeing Tour with Pickup: $427
  • 6 Hour South Coast Tour: $340

Typical Entertainment prices in Surfers Paradise

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Surfers Paradise's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Surf Lesson
    $80

Tours and Activities in Surfers Paradise

For Surfers Paradise, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Green Cabs Surfers Paradise Tours: $16
  • Gold Coast Morning Tea Cruise from Surfers Paradise: $18
  • Gold Coast 1.5-Hour Sightseeing River Cruise from Surfers Paradise: $20
  • Gold Coast 1.5-Hour Sightseeing River Cruise from Surfers Paradise: $21
  • Gold Coast Sightseeing Cruise: $23
  • Infinity Attraction in Queensland Admission Ticket: $23
  • Skip the Line:Wax Museum Ticket-World in Wax & Guided Tour of Chamber of Horrors: $25
  • Gold Coast: Aquaduck City Tour and River Cruise: $29
  • Aquaduck Gold Coast 1 hour City and River Tour: $32
  • Gold Coast Quack'rDuck Amphibious Tour from Surfers Paradise: $32
  • Stand Up Paddle Board Tour: $36
  • Private Stand Up Paddle Tour: $46

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Sydney $15
    Surfers Paradise $11
Typical Alcohol prices in Sydney

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


  • 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 Surfers Paradise

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Surfers Paradise:

  • Private Half Day Wine Tour from Gold Coast to Tamborine Mountain: $119
  • Hipster Sipster Brewery and Distillery Tour: $154

About these numbers

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


When is the best time to visit Sydney or Surfers Paradise?

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 Surfers Paradise in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Sydney as well as Surfers Paradise.

Sydney is cooler than Surfers Paradise in the summer. The temperature in Sydney is usually 23°C (73°F) in January, and Surfers Paradise stays around 25°C (77°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Surfers Paradise. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sydney this time of the year. In the summer, Sydney often gets less sunshine than Surfers Paradise. Sydney gets 236 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Surfers Paradise receives 256 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Surfers Paradise. Sydney receives a lot of rain in the summer. Sydney usually gets less rain in January than Surfers Paradise. Sydney gets 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January
    Sydney 23°C (73°F) 
    Surfers Paradise 25°C (77°F)

Should I visit Sydney or Surfers Paradise in the Autumn?

Both Surfers Paradise and Sydney are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities.

In the autumn, Sydney is cooler than Surfers Paradise. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Sydney in April are around 19°C (65°F), and Surfers Paradise is about 22°C (71°F).

It's quite sunny in Surfers Paradise. Sydney usually receives less sunshine than Surfers Paradise during autumn. Sydney gets 195 hours of sunny skies, while Surfers Paradise receives 214 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Surfers Paradise. It's quite rainy in Sydney. In April, Sydney usually receives more rain than Surfers Paradise. Sydney gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 101 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April
    Sydney 19°C (65°F) 
    Surfers Paradise 22°C (71°F)

Should I visit Sydney or Surfers Paradise in the Winter?

Both Surfers Paradise and Sydney during the winter are popular places to visit.

In July, Sydney is generally cooler than Surfers Paradise. Temperatures in Sydney average around 12°C (53°F), and Surfers Paradise stays around 15°C (59°F).

In Surfers Paradise, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Sydney. In the winter, Sydney often gets less sunshine than Surfers Paradise. Sydney gets 208 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Surfers Paradise receives 226 hours of full sun.

Sydney usually gets less rain in July than Surfers Paradise. Sydney gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July
    Sydney 12°C (53°F) 
    Surfers Paradise 15°C (59°F)

Should I visit Sydney or Surfers Paradise in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Sydney and Surfers Paradise.

Sydney is cooler than Surfers Paradise in the spring. The temperature in Sydney is usually 18°C (64°F) in October, and Surfers Paradise stays around 21°C (69°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Surfers Paradise this time of the year. In Sydney, it's very sunny this time of the year. Sydney usually receives less sunshine than Surfers Paradise during spring. Sydney gets 240 hours of sunny skies, while Surfers Paradise receives 259 hours of full sun in the spring.

Surfers Paradise receives a lot of rain in the spring. In October, Sydney usually receives less rain than Surfers Paradise. Sydney gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October
    Sydney 18°C (64°F) 
    Surfers Paradise 21°C (69°F)

Typical Weather for Surfers Paradise and Sydney

Sydney Surfers Paradise
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 23°C (73°F) 116 mm (4.6 in) 25°C (77°F) 167 mm (6.6 in)
Feb 23°C (73°F) 113 mm (4.4 in) 25°C (77°F) 157 mm (6.2 in)
Mar 21°C (70°F) 148 mm (5.8 in) 24°C (75°F) 140 mm (5.5 in)
Apr 19°C (65°F) 120 mm (4.7 in) 22°C (71°F) 101 mm (4 in)
May 15°C (60°F) 88 mm (3.5 in) 19°C (66°F) 91 mm (3.6 in)
Jun 13°C (55°F) 128 mm (5 in) 16°C (61°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Jul 12°C (53°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) 15°C (59°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Aug 13°C (55°F) 90 mm (3.5 in) 16°C (61°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)
Sep 15°C (59°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 18°C (65°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Oct 18°C (64°F) 79 mm (3.1 in) 21°C (69°F) 103 mm (4 in)
Nov 20°C (67°F) 101 mm (4 in) 23°C (73°F) 118 mm (4.6 in)
Dec 22°C (71°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) 24°C (76°F) 129 mm (5.1 in)


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Sydney vs. Surfers Paradise Travel Comparison

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