I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again: Australia is expensive. Sydney is certainly no exception and is likely more expensive than any other city in the country. While the US dollar is nearly even with the Australian dollar, it will take you much more of those dollars to buy the same items. But with that said, there is so much to do in the city that you can’t even help yourself. Thankfully there are ways to see Sydney without blowing your budget.
The Free Things to Do in Sydney
The Outdoors
What Sydney has over the rest of Australia’s cities is their beaches. A visit to these beaches is the best way to see the area and is, best of all, completely free! While Bondi is the most popular, I’m also a fan of Coogee and Manly.
The Bondi to Coogee Walk, also known as the Eastern Beaches Coastal Walk, is one of the most beautiful sights in the city. You can start on either end, but be prepared for plenty of steps along the way.
Hyde Park is Sydney’s version of its London namesake, nestled into the CBD within walking distance of Town Hall. It’s a great place to sit and read a book and is stunning at night when the Anzac Memorial is lit up. There are dozens of other stunning parks in the city, but my favorites are Camperdown Park in Newtown, Observatory Hill and the Royal Botanic Gardens.
Other Sights
Wandering around neighborhoods like The Rocks, Sydney’s oldest part of town, or watching the buskers in Circular Quay and Darling Harbour won’t cost you a cent. The stunning Customs House Library is a nice alternative to Starbucks and you don’t have to feel obligated to buy a drink just to use the WiFi.
Pub trivia nights are another activity that won’t cost you anything, apart from beers and food. And of course, if you want to walk across the majestic Sydney Harbour Bridge, you can do so for free. To see more from above, the Pylon Lookout only costs $7.
The city is always putting on free events and festivals, so be sure to check out their website for details. Walking Tours are another way to get to know a city and it just so happens that Sydney offers a free tour, which leaves from Town Hall daily.
For art lovers, you can see works by world renowned artists as well as nationally recognized names at the Art Gallery of New South Wales and the Museum of Contemporary Art. Entry is free for both museums, but you may have to pay for special exhibits.
The Cheap Things to Do in Sydney
Museums
Sydney’s museums shouldn’t cost you more than $15 admission, but if you have a student ID card, try to get a concession ticket for cheaper. Museum of Sydney has an extensive collection of artifacts documenting the history of the city, while the Australian Museum focuses on the nation’s culture including the convict colony and Aboriginals.
The Sydney Observatory allows visitors to see the stars from the Southern Hemisphere, with both day and night visits available. The Powerhouse Museum is another science-focused museum.
Sights and Activities
You’ll spend a fair amount of money on most of the city’s top attractions, particularly Taronga Zoo ($44), Bridge Climb ($200+) and Sydney Tower ($25+). But a handful of quintessential Sydney experiences can be done on a budget. You can see multiple places on the historic walking tours through companies like Urban Adventures.
First up is the iconic Sydney Opera House, which you can tour for around $30, a steal when compared to ticket prices to see a show there. To cure your shopping bug, seek out the markets in Glebe, The Rocks and Bondi. Sports fans will enjoy a Sydney Swans AFL match for $30.
Accommodation
I’ve talked about before the best and worst of Australian hostels. I never stayed in any in Sydney since I was living there, but have heard good things about the YHA in the Rocks as well as Wake Up near Central Station. Expect to pay $25-30 AUD per night for a 6-8 bed dorm. Alternatively, there are a handful of budget hotels as well as the cheapest option, CouchSurfing.
Public Transportation
Sydney has no shortage of public transportation options, from buses to trains to light rail to ferries. A MultiPass is the most efficient way to travel as a tourist, which allows you a certain amount of travel on all forms of transportation.
The trains stop running around midnight but buses continue for every hour. Taxis will cost you a lot of money, so split one or take public transportation when possible. Many parts of the city aren’t bike-friendly, but it’s fairly walkable, particularly in the CBD.
Eating and Drinking
When possible, cook your own meals from the grocery stores Coles or Woolworth’s. A shared dinner of spaghetti bolognese or a barbecue with friends can cut costs dramatically. But when you do want to eat out, you can either go with pub specials, typically a steak or schnitzel with chips and salad for $10-15, or eat your bigger meal for lunch.
Areas like Chinatown are known for budget meals. My favorite budget eats in Sydney are burritos from Guzman y Gomez, meat pies from Harry’s Cafe de Wheels and a bahn mi from Marrickville Pork Roll, all under $10.
Drinking is what will really kill your budget, as a standard beer can cost you at least $7. Track down happy hours and backpacker bars like The Scary Canary and ScuBar for the cheapest drinks. Or BYO to restaurants rather than buying a bottle there.
Flights
Finding flights to Australia is brutal, so you’re going to have to bite the bullet and shell out at least $1,300 USD. Once you’re within Australia, you can find a few cheap flights on airlines like JetStar, Tiger or Virgin Australia. I also recommend Greyhound Australia as a substitute for flights.
I didn’t expect that Sydney Opera House is more fascinating than photos. It’s different when you really looking at it for real. (back when I was still 10)
Shaira
Nice pictures and lovely place
I was in Sydney last week and I can recommend the Rocks Market (Saturdays and Sundays) for cheap, delicious food. I had a Japanese pancake and two gyoza for $10. I was full for the rest of the day! There were plenty of other options all for around $10.