Sydney is an absolute must if you are visiting Australia, but unfortunately it’s generally more expensive than you might expect, especially when the currency is strong as it is in 2014. Hostels and hotels are of high standard, and you tend to pay an extra price for it. The backpacker neighborhood of Kings Cross might be the best place to find accommodation bargains, though it’s also more seedy than you’d probably expect.
The main Sydney attractions are also quite expensive, but this is a city where much of it can be seen and appreciated from outside, especially the lovely beaches, so you can have a great time without paying high admission fees everywhere you go.
| Population | 4,900,000 |
| Area | 4,900,000 |
| Timezone | UTC+10 |
| Currency | Australian dollars |
| Airports | Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport (SYD) |
Thanks to labor costs and high taxes, prices for food and drink are fairly high, so it takes some creativity (and self-catering) to get by on a backpacker budget in Sydney. Beer, wine, and spirits are also pricey, even when you buy them in markets, though local wines can be decent bargains when bought in large stores.
| Budget breakfast | Many restaurants will include breakfast, but if yours doesn't then fast food might be the only cheap option. | $4.64 - $7.95 |
| Budget lunch | Sandwiches and Asian restaurants are good budget lunch options in Sydney. | $5.96 - $9.93 |
| Budget dinner | It's hard to find cheap meals at sit-down restaurants, but those on a budget can often find good deals at pubs, often along with a beer. | $7.95 - $13.25 |
| Beer (pint) | Cheapskates should look in King's Cross near the hostels for cheaper pints. Irish pubs in other areas sometimes have deals on one particular lager. | $4.30 - $5.96 |
| Month | High F | Low F | PRECIP (inches) |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 79 | 66 | 4 |
| February | 78 | 66 | 4.6 |
| March | 76 | 64 | 5.1 |
| April | 72 | 58 | 5 |
| May | 67 | 53 | 4.7 |
| June | 62 | 49 | 5.1 |
| July | 61 | 46 | 3.8 |
| August | 64 | 48 | 3.2 |
| September | 68 | 52 | 2.7 |
| October | 72 | 56 | 3.1 |
| November | 74 | 60 | 3.3 |
| December | 77 | 64 | 3.1 |
Sydney is known for it’s pleasant and moderate climate, but it’s not all sunshine and fun. The southern hemisphere summers are usually pleasantly warm, but usually also humid so being inland can be rough during the warmest days. The winters are usually easy to deal with and snow is extremely rare, but it can get near freezing at night.
This is also one of the wettest major cities in the world, with rain recorded on almost half the days each year. It’s not the kind that will ruin your visit, but still it’s a good idea to be prepared with some gear for wet weather at any time of the year.
| 21 Mar | 6:58am | 7:05pm |
| 21 Jun | 7:00am | 4:53pm |
| 21 Sep | 5:47am | 5:50pm |
| 21 Dec | 5:40am | 8:05pm |
Not surprisingly, the high season in Sydney is during the warm summer time, generally from October through April, with January and February being the peak season. From May through September things are quieter as the weather cools, and hotel bargains can be found, especially near the beach areas during the coolest months.
| Rating | Price(USD) |
|---|---|
 | 19.87 - 49.67 |
| 43.05 - 51.66 |
| 48.34 - 132.45 |
| 66.89 - 167.55 |
| 109.93 - 264.24 |
| Type | Price(USD) |
|---|---|
| Hostel Bed | 13.91 - 21.19 |