10 ways to see Sydney on a budget

06.11.2023 - 22:42 / lonelyplanet.com / Sydney Harbour

Sydney is not a cheap city to visit.

Unless you’re already nearby, you may need to take a costly flight to get there, for a start. Then there's the cost of accommodation, transportation, food and drink and activities to factor in.

Luckily, there are some ways to make your Aussie dollars go further in Sydney. Avoid visiting during the peak holiday seasons. Use public transport. Plan picnic meals at city parks, by the harbor or at the beach. And make the most of free things to do, from art galleries and museums to public festivals.

Here are our top tips on visiting Sydney on a budget, along with a guide to daily costs.

Average daily cost: AUD$200 to $300, including three meals a day and modest accommodation and activities.

Sydney is generally not a cheap city to stay in, but there are accommodations that fit different budgets. At the more affordable end of the spectrum, there are a few excellent hostel options – like the Sydney Harbour YHA.

In the midrange field, Sydney is winning at super-hip boutique hotels that are as friendly and charming as they are cool. Yes, they’re not cheap, but then you won’t want to leave hotels like these with unique features like gorgeous architecture, rooftop decks and even a basement cinema at Paramount Hotel. You'll find smaller, cheaper hotels further from the city center in Kings Cross, Glebe and at the beaches, but then you'll have to factor in travel time and costs.

The most expensive times to stay in Sydney are during the Australian holidays, particularly the Australian summer (December to February), plus Easter and the late September school holidays. 

Winter (June to August) is when you’ll find deals like “pay for two nights but stay three” at hotels. It may not get very cold in Sydney during winter, but the sun goes down early, leaving less time for many of Sydney’s most memorable experiences, like kayaking in the harbor, learning to surf and walking its stunning headlands.

Food isn’t cheap in Sydney – even takeout – but it does present value for money. Looking at a menu with mains starting at $30 may make your eyes water, but when you consider the quality of the produce, the professionalism of the hospitality staff and, in many cases, the gorgeous surroundings – that $50 dinner may end up being one of the most memorable meals of your life. It's also worth noting that the price on menus always includes your tax and tip.

Dining outdoors is another way to make your pennies go further and still enjoy Australia’s blessed foodie bounties. Sydney is dotted with metro-style supermarkets and small grocers with mouth-watering produce, from fresh fruit and vegetables to delicious deli treats.

Take a bag (and your refillable water bottle) and scoop up a picnic-style meal to be eaten al