Sydney

Australia

Harbour, beaches, and endless sunshine

Find stays in Sydney
9/10Tourist score
5/5Safety level

Best time to visit

September to November, March to May

Monthly temperatures

27°
20°Jan
27°
20°Feb
26°
19°Mar
23°
16°Apr
20°
13°May
18°
10°Jun
17°
9°Jul
19°
10°Aug
21°
13°Sep
23°
15°Oct
24°
17°Nov
26°
19°Dec

Currency

CurrencyAustralian Dollar (AUD)
Exchange rate1 USD = 1.53 AUD / 1 EUR = 1.65 AUD

Australia is almost completely cashless. Tap-and-go everywhere. If you need cash, exchange at the airport is actually decent (Travelex price match).

ATMs & cards

Big 4 bank ATMs (CBA, ANZ, NAB, Westpac) don’t charge local fees. Your bank’s overseas fee applies. Cash is rarely needed.

Getting around

  • Opal card — tap-on/tap-off for trains, buses, ferries, light rail. Also tap bank card directly
  • Trains — extensive network from city to suburbs and Blue Mountains
  • Ferries — take the ferry to Manly Beach, best harbour views
  • Walking — CBD, Circular Quay, Bondi coastal walk are all walkable
  • Airport: Airport Link train to Central (13 min, A$18.70)

Must-see

Sydney Opera HouseBondi to Coogee walkHarbour BridgeManly BeachRoyal Botanic Garden

Food tip

Sydney is a food city. Try the fish market, eat Thai on King St (Newtown), and get flat whites everywhere — Australians invented them.

Safety

Very safe city. Swim between the red and yellow flags at beaches. Wear sunscreen — Australian UV is no joke, even on cloudy days.

Things to do

  • Walk the Bondi to Coogee coastal trail
  • Visit the Opera House
  • Climb or walk across the Harbour Bridge
  • Take the ferry to Manly Beach
  • Explore The Rocks historic area
  • Visit Taronga Zoo

Nearby day trips

Blue Mountains (1.5h)Hunter Valley wine region (2h)Royal National Park (1h)Palm Beach - Home and Away (1h)Jervis Bay white sand (2.5h)