Heading to Sydney? This short, sharp guide skips the fluff—get the essentials for an epic trip (top hostels below)!
QUICK FACTS
- Sydney is Australia’s most populous city, with a population of around 5.3 million.
- The city was founded on 26 January, 1788 (now celebrated as Australia Day).
- Considered “one of the most liveable cities on earth” with diverse population adding to cultural flavor.
- Sydney’s Harbour is the largest in the world (562 million cubic meters of water).
- Nicknames: Harbour City, Syd, Steak & Kidney, The Emerald City.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
- Currency: Australian Dollar (AUD)
- Spoken languages: Australian English (an acquired accent, featuring plenty of slang).
- Best time to visit: from November to January (summertime in the Southern Hemisphere). This is also peak tourist season, with excellent beach weather and lots of festivals going on.
- Shoulder season: late spring (September to November) or early autumn (March to May) for milder weather and smaller crowds.
- Summer (December to February) can be hot, with temperatures often exceeding 30°C (86°F). In contrast, winter (June to August) can be mild, with temperatures ranging from 8-16°C (46-61°F).
- Arriving via airport: train (AirLink) is $16 AUD, while taxi is about $45-55 AUD.
WHERE TO STAY
- Best hostel for solo travelers in Sydney: The Pacific House. Newly refurbished, this place will blow you away with how clean and comfortable everything is (rooms, common areas, bathrooms, beds, etc.)
– Friendly staff, and an interesting mix of travelers – great for meeting friends (but not a party hostel).
– Daily breakfast included.
– Central location – 20 minute walk to the Opera House.
– Book ahead to reserve your spot! - Top-notch hotels can be found in The Rocks, Darling Harbour and at the heart of the CBD.
GETTING AROUND
- Sydney has an extensive rail network, consisting of both skytrains and subway lines. Fares are lower off-peak.
– Peak hours: weekdays before 9am and 4:30pm-6:00pm - The city’s bus network features several free shuttle loop buses that will take you the most popular attractions. Bus fares start at $2.20.
- The Opal Card is a smartcard used for travel on public transport in Sydney, offering a more convenient option than buying single trip tickets. Travels with the Opal Card also offer daily caps which can make it more budget-friendly.
- Fare Free Fridays – ongoing program where public transport is free on Fridays (simply tap on/off and you won’t be charged).
- Arguably the best way to see Sydney is by boat. There are numerous ferries between key points in the city, with fares starting at $5.80.
- Uber is a safe and convenient alternative to taxis, especially late at night.
SYDNEY NIGHTLIFE
- Drinking age is 18, no official last call (nightclubs start closing around 3 AM)
- Hip scene: Darling Harbour is the place to be (some nightclubs stay open until 6 AM).
- Out of town crowd: Bondi Beach is Australia’s most visited beach, and its bars/clubs will appeal to all.
- Great bars to start your night in Sydney: Tio’s Cerveceria, Shady Pines Saloon. Also check out: Frankie’s Pizza (rock music with pinball machines, great for 4-6 PM happy hour).
UNIQUE LANDMARKS TO VISIT
- The Sydney Opera House is one of the most iconic buildings in the world. A must-see.
- Opened in 1932, the Harbour Bridge is the world’s tallest steel arch bridge (134 meters).
- Darling Harbour is Sydney’s most popular tourist area, featuring restaurants, museums, parks and boardwalk activities.
- The Royal Botanic Gardens cover 30 hectares and overlook the Sydney harbour. Home to over 7000 species of plants, the gardens make for a great picnic location.
- One of the best things you can do is wake up really early and take a sunrise kayak tour under the Harbour Bridge. Check out Sydney by Kayak.
- Day trip ideas: Hunter Valley for wine tasting or the Royal National Park for stunning coastal walks.
INTERESTING WALKS
- Go for a mid-day stroll through the Royal Botanic Gardens. Guided tours are available; alternatively, you can simply explore yourself.
- Darling Harbour is best seen mid-day, before the hoards of tourists arrive. Walk to the National Maritime Museum and check out the warships on display.
- Balmain’s main street is packed with hundreds of cafes, shops, and restaurants. Take the ferry to east Balmain and walk west towards Rozelle along the famous Darling Street.
- If you’re into hiking at all, you owe it to yourself to take an overnight trip to Katoomba (Blue Mountains).
– Takes 2 hours to get there by train. I recommend staying overnight to relax and take full advantage of the local trails. - Catch the ferry to Manly and explore the area – and Manly Beach (beautiful sunsets here).
WHERE TO EAT
- Great restaurants to try: Ippudo, Bar Luca (hamburgers), The Spice Room (Indian), Anason (Turkish), Winghaus Barangaroo (gastropub), Bistecca ($$$ – steak), 6HEAD (fine dining – steak), Cirrus Dining ($$$ – seafood), Cafe Sydney ($$$$ – if you’re headed to the Opera afterwards).
- Food markets to check out: Paddy’s Markets and Carriageworks Farmers Market.
- Where to find good cheap eats: hard to find in Sydney. If you’re really on a budget, get something to go at Aldi (supermarket).
- Budget picks: hearty ramen at Gumshara, Mappen (Japanese), Maltese pastries at Pastizzi Cafe.
- Easy mode: do a Google Maps search for the nearest “Banh Mi” (Vietnamese sandwiches) – usually a solid bet in Sydney!
LOCAL WISDOM
- Sydney’s traffic can be frustrating for pedestrians (traffic lights every 200 meters).
- Dangerous areas: Sydney is generally very safe. Avoid crowds of drunk youngsters in nightlife areas (while harmless, they can be very annoying).
Recommended trip duration: 2-3 days