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Sydney is not only one of the most popular travel destinations in the world but also one of the most expensive. However, that does not mean your wallet has to suffer or that you even have to skip your Sydney adventure altogether. In this post, I will tell you everything you need to know to make your stay in Sydney as affordable and perfect as possible.
Sydney on a Budget: All Tips, Including Must-Sees & Restaurant Recommendations
Accommodation in Sydney – Our Hotel Tip
The Mariners Court Hotel is located on the edge of the city center, just a few minutes’ walk from the Royal Botanic Gardens, through which you can reach the Sydney Opera House. In addition to clean rooms with all amenities and a balcony, the hotel offers a breakfast buffet, washing machines and dryers, as well as luggage storage. The good connection to public transport also speaks in favor of the Mariners Court Hotel.
You can find more hotels in Sydney in other popular neighborhoods like Kings Cross or Darling Harbour here.
When Is the Best Time to Travel to Sydney?
In my experience, this is during the off-season, that is, in October/November and February/March/April. Simply because the Christmas and New Year holiday tourist crowds are then not yet or no longer taking over and the accommodation prices are therefore significantly lower.
Transport
The easiest and fastest way to get from A to B is by train or bus. There is no subway here. The best thing to do is get an OPAL card, which you can top up with any amount of travel credit (available at every 7-Eleven or kiosk).
Tips: 1. The prices of individual trips vary depending on how often you travel. The more often, the cheaper. 2. On Sundays you can travel the entire day for only $2.50!
8 Things You Should Not Miss
The trick to making your Sydney stay perfect in terms of value for money is knowing where to save and what you should definitely not miss. Some of the best experiences cost me less than $12 or even nothing at all. Here are a few examples:
1. Pylon Lookout
Instead of a Harbour Bridge Climb for $200 or more, simply climb up to the Pylon Lookout in one of the bridge’s pylons and you will be rewarded with a fantastic view of the Opera House and the skyline. All of this for just $12.
Bonus: The Pylon Lookout is also a museum where you can learn everything about the bridge and its construction.
2. Sydney North Olympic Swimming Pool
Walk across the Harbour Bridge with the Sydney North Olympic Swimming Pool as your destination. For just $7 you can enjoy a very special cool down with a fantastic view.
3. Coastal Walks
Hike along one of the many great coastal walks and keep an eye out for whales and dolphins. My absolute favorites were the Bondi to Coogee Walk, the South Head Heritage Trail with the old lighthouse, and the Beach Cliff Walk through Malabar Headland National Park.
4. Manly
Save yourself the expensive harbor cruise ticket and take the ferry over to Manly instead. You will be carried right between the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House. Manly is known for its relaxed beach town atmosphere and is therefore a welcome change from the hustle and bustle of city life.
5. Darling Harbour
Every Saturday evening in summer, a fireworks show takes place at Darling Harbour that will leave you in awe. The great thing is that you can enjoy the spectacle completely free of charge.
Tip: Before you go, check the Darling Harbour website to make sure it is actually taking place.
6. Sunset at Milk Beach
For a spectacular sunset, pack a picnic and head to Milk Beach. From there you have a perfect view of the city’s now golden skyline.
7. Ocean Pools
Swim in one of the many ocean pools, such as the famous Bondi Icebergs or at Bronte or Bilgola Beach.
8. Taronga Zoo
Among the slightly more expensive experiences that are definitely worth the money are Taronga Zoo and Westfield Tower, where you can also buy online tickets in advance.
Tips for Restaurants, Cafés and Bars
From crazy milkshakes, the so-called freak shakes, to super healthy smoothie bowls. In Sydney you will find pretty much everything your heart desires. And since, in my opinion, there is nothing better than food, I tested a proud number of cafés and restaurants for you. Here are a few of my absolute favorites:
1. Acai Brothers Bondi: Whether you are already in love with acai or have never tried it before, these acai bowls are simply… indescribable!
2. Speedos Cafe: The pancakes and smoothie bowls decorated with flowers and fresh fruit are almost too beautiful to eat.
3. Bare Grill Burgers: Here you not only get the above-mentioned freak shakes but also the burger of your dreams!
4. Coogee Pavilion: Enjoy the view while the fresh sea breeze blows around your nose and you sip a cocktail. Or watch your pizza sizzle in an old-fashioned stone oven. You can do all of this in the super cozy and very popular Coogee Pavilion.
Tip: If you would like to eat there on the weekend, I recommend booking a table early!
5. El Topo: The lovingly designed rooftop area of this wonderful Mexican restaurant makes you feel like you are stepping into another world. The colorful tables, super tasty cocktails and heavenly tacos are sure to make this restaurant your favorite as well.
Tip: On Taco Tuesdays there is a 50% discount on all gourmet tacos, which means you can feast as much as you like for just $3 each.
Day Trips From Sydney
Sydney’s hinterland has a lot to offer and is definitely worth exploring. So do not miss out on this natural spectacle.
1. Blue Mountains National Park
Marvel at original cave paintings, let yourself be enchanted by beautiful forest hiking trails and viewpoints, or swim in refreshing waterfalls. The 2,690 km² Blue Mountains National Park has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000 and is a true hiker’s paradise. Around two hours’ drive from Sydney.
Tip: First stop by the Three Sisters and pick up some advice from the visitor information center if you are not traveling with a tour.
2. Royal National Park
This coastal national park is particularly known for its beautiful cliff walks and unique swimming beaches, such as Wattamolla Beach and the Figure 8 Pools.
If you are planning a visit, you should avoid weekends, as Wattamolla Beach may close its access once capacity is reached. Otherwise, I recommend simply getting there early. About one hour’s drive from Sydney.
Warning: The Figure 8 Pools can be very dangerous and should not be underestimated. Check thoroughly with the visitor center about the current conditions before you start your hike!
3. Featherdale Wildlife Sanctuary
This is a wonderful place to get up close to Australian wildlife. Feed small wallabies or take a souvenir photo with a cuddly koala or kangaroo at the Featherdale Wildlife Sanctuary.
4. Mermaid Pools
This day trip is particularly popular with backpackers, as cliff jumping is a big thing here. The stunning rock formations are also perfect for sunbathing and the fresh water of the Bargo River is a welcome way to cool off.
And Finally
Sydney is famous for its beautiful, lifeguard-patrolled beaches. Nevertheless, there are more swimming accidents every year than necessary because happy tourists keep underestimating the undercurrents. So I cannot recommend strongly enough that you always swim between the flags! For two of my friends, what was meant to be a relaxed afternoon at the beach almost became their last.
Sydney: Tours and Tickets
Do you prefer to travel with a guide who knows the area very well? Then we recommend a guided tour with a local. This way you can get to know Sydney in a completely different way. GetYourGuide offers a wide selection of exciting tours for Sydney.
How to Get to Sydney
Sydney has the largest airport in Australia and is therefore very easy to reach from many parts of the world. There are many flights with a stopover, but also direct flights, for example, from Asia or the United Arab Emirates. From Europe there is usually one stopover, as the total flight time is over 20 hours. It is best to compare prices and times on Skyscanner.
Tip: Due to the long flight time, it is worth planning a stopover in Asia, for example in Singapore, Kuala Lumpur or Bangkok, before continuing on to Sydney.
To get from the airport to the city, there are several options. The Airport Link train takes you to the main train station in just under 13 minutes. Buses 400, 420 regular and 420N (night services) are other options for getting to the city cheaply. These serve neighborhoods such as Kings Cross or Circular Quay. The last option is to book an airport shuttle cheaply online in advance, which will take you directly to your accommodation.
Have you ever been to Sydney? How did you like it and what were your highlights? We look forward to your comment.
