Sydney Travel Budget
How much does it cost to visit Sydney, Australia? Plan your budget with our interactive calculator.
Estimated Total for 7 Days
A$1,750
Travel Style
Midrange
Destination
Travel Style
Compare by Travel Style
See how your 7-day trip budget varies across backpacker, midrange, and comfortable travel styles.
Largest Expense
Accommodation
42% of total budget
Price Level
Expensive
Compared to global average
Local Currency
AUD
Symbol: A$
Where Your Money Goes
Understanding your spending helps you travel smarter and stretch your budget further
Daily vs Total Cost
Switch between daily and total views to understand your spending
A$1,750
Total for 7 days
Accommodation
A$735
for 7 days
Food & Dining
A$438
for 7 days
Transport
A$210
for 7 days
Activities
A$280
for 7 days
Other
A$88
for 7 days
Planning Tip
Book accommodations early and compare prices across platforms. Mid-week stays often offer better rates than weekend arrivals, and flexibility with dates can save you up to 25%.
A Day in Sydney
See exactly what a real day costs, with insider tips for each expense
A Budget Day in Sydney
Total: A$58
Flat white and avocado toast at local café
Sydney invented this combo
Ferry to Manly (use Opal card)
Best harbor views for transit price
Morning swim at Manly Beach (free)
Arrive early for calmer waters
Fish and chips lunch at Manly
Eat by the water, feed the ibis (carefully)
Bondi to Coogee coastal walk (free)
Spectacular cliffs and hidden beaches
Sunset drinks at Coogee Pavilion
Happy hour specials available
Dinner at Thai Town (Haymarket)
Authentic and affordable
Daily Total
7 activities
From Someone's Journal
Sydney is expensive but the free stuff is extraordinary. Took the ferry to Manly—thirty minutes of gliding past the Opera House, under the Harbor Bridge, dolphins playing in the wake. Swam at Manly, walked the coastal track to Coogee watching whales breach in the distance. The cliffs, the ocean pools, the light—it's all free. Dinner in Thai Town reminded me that Sydney's diversity is delicious. Spent AUD$58 total.
Memory Prompts for Sydney
Reflect on your spending with these thoughtful prompts - perfect for your travel journal
How did Sydney's harbor define your experience of the city?
Iconic waterfront
Describe your best fish and chips moment by the water.
Aussie food culture
What surprised you about Sydney's cost of living?
Budget reality
How did you make the most of Sydney's incredible free beaches?
Beach culture
Free Things to Do in Sydney
Stretch your budget further with free attractions and insider money-saving tips
Bondi to Coogee Walk
Spectacular 6km coastal walk with beaches, cliffs, and ocean pools.
Sydney Harbour Bridge Walk
Walk across the bridge for free via the pedestrian path.
Circular Quay
Watch ferries and street performers with Opera House views.
The Rocks Markets
Weekend markets under the bridge with arts, crafts, and food.
Royal Botanic Garden
Beautiful gardens on the harbour with Opera House viewpoints.
Manly Beach
Take the ferry and enjoy one of Australia's best beaches. Ferry fare is the only cost.
Art Gallery of NSW
Free entry to the permanent collection including Australian art.
Barangaroo Reserve
Sydney's newest harbourside park with walking trails and views.
Queen Victoria Building
Beautiful heritage building with shops. Window shopping is free.
Mrs Macquarie's Chair
Free viewpoint with the classic Sydney Harbour panorama.
Practical Tips for Sydney
Getting Around
Opal card caps at AUD $16.80/day, $50/week. Off-peak travel (after 6:30pm and weekends) is 30% cheaper.
Where to Stay
Stay in inner west (Newtown, Glebe) or north shore for better value than CBD. Manly is worth the ferry commute.
Cheap Eats
Chinatown has $10-12 lunch specials. Thai and Vietnamese in Newtown and Marrickville are excellent value.
Tipping Guide
10% at restaurants is appreciated but not expected. Australians don't tip for counter service.
Best Value Season
May-August (winter) has lower rates but cool weather. Avoid January when locals vacation.
Watch Out For
Sydney is very safe. Main concerns are parking tickets and being overcharged at tourist restaurants.
Pro tip: Combine free activities with paid attractions for a balanced, budget-friendly itinerary
Neighborhood Guide for Sydney
Find the perfect area to stay based on your budget and travel style
Circular Quay/The Rocks
Iconic harbour area with Opera House, historic Rocks, and ferry terminal.
Best For
Darlinghurst/Surry Hills
Inner-city neighborhoods with cafés, bars, LGBTQ+ scene, and Sydney's best dining.
Best For
Newtown
Bohemian inner-west with vintage shops, live music, and Thai Town along King Street.
Best For
Bondi
Famous beach suburb with surf culture, coastal walks, and brunch spots.
Best For
Manly
Beach town accessible by ferry with surf, kayaking, and relaxed village atmosphere.
Best For
Glebe
University area with Saturday markets, bookshops, and backpacker hostels.
Best For
Location Tip
Consider staying in "moderate" neighborhoods for the best balance of cost and convenience. They often have better local restaurants, easier transport links, and more authentic experiences than the most central tourist areas—while still being safe and well-connected.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about traveling to Sydney on a budget
A 7-day trip to Sydney costs approximately A$1,750 for a midrange travel style. This breaks down to about A$250 per day, covering accommodation, food, local transportation, activities, and miscellaneous expenses.
Daily budgets in Sydney vary by travel style: Budget/Backpacker travelers spend around A$100/day, Mid-range travelers spend A$250/day, and Comfortable travelers spend A$500/day. These estimates include accommodation, meals, local transport, and activities.
Sydney is considered a relatively expensive destination for tourists. With mid-range daily costs of A$250, it requires careful planning to stay within budget compared to other popular destinations. The largest expense is typically accommodation (42% of budget).
Food typically accounts for about 25% of your daily budget in Sydney. For a midrange experience, expect to spend around A$63 per day on meals. Chinatown has $10-12 lunch specials. Thai and Vietnamese in Newtown and Marrickville are excellent value.
Sydney uses the AUD (A$). We recommend exchanging some cash before arrival for small purchases, though credit cards are widely accepted in most establishments. ATMs are readily available throughout the city, but check with your bank about international transaction fees.
Accommodation in Sydney is the largest expense, typically representing 42% of your budget. For 7 days with a midrange travel style, expect to spend approximately A$735 total. Stay in inner west (Newtown, Glebe) or north shore for better value than CBD. Manly is worth the ferry commute.
Top money-saving tips for Sydney: Get an Opal card, Bring your own coffee, Cook your own meals. These strategies can significantly reduce your daily costs.
Yes! Sydney has many free attractions including: Bondi to Coogee Walk, Sydney Harbour Bridge Walk, Circular Quay, The Rocks Markets, and more. These free activities can help you stretch your budget significantly.
Local transportation typically accounts for 12% of your budget in Sydney. Opal card caps at AUD $16.80/day, $50/week. Off-peak travel (after 6:30pm and weekends) is 30% cheaper. Budget around A$30 per day for transport.
10% at restaurants is appreciated but not expected. Australians don't tip for counter service.
May-August (winter) has lower rates but cool weather. Avoid January when locals vacation.
Sydney is very safe. Main concerns are parking tickets and being overcharged at tourist restaurants.
Data Source
Budget and cost of living data sourced from Numbeo. Prices are estimates based on crowdsourced data and may vary
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Your 7-Day Budget
A$1,750
A$250 per day
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