Sydney is one of Australia’s most popular and alluring cities. With many of the country’s most iconic landmarks, a vibrant food scene, and famous mile-long beaches, the city is known around the world as one of the best travel destinations on the continent. There are so many amazing cheap things to do in Sydney.
However, Sydney, Australia, is not only Australia’s most popular destination but also the most expensive. Sydney ranks as the most expensive city in Australia by a mile, costing at least a quarter more than Melbourne or Perth. However, this doesn’t mean you can’t experience the city (and have an amazing time) on a tighter budget.
Want a guided tour to start out your trip and get acclimated to the city? Then check out Guru Walks for a free guided tour. You can book online to reserve your spot and pay what you wish when you get there. Check out the tours in Sydney here.
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Table of Contents
Visa for Australia
In order to visit Australia as a US Citizen (and many other countries), you need a visa to enter. I recommend buying one through iVisa prior to visiting so it will be one less thing you have to worry about.
GoCity Pass
GoCity offers a ton of different sightseeing passes for cities around the world. These passes allow you to visit the best of each city for one low price, rather than paying individually for each attraction, and it is a great way to save money! Check out the options for the Sydney GoCity pass here.
Where to Stay for Two Days in Sydney
TripAdvisor is a great place to start your hotel search. Search for the best Sydney hotels here!
The most centrally located area to stay in is the Central Business District (CDB), downtown by the Sydney Opera House or near Darling Harbor. We opted to stay by Darling Harbor because it was cheaper than the Opera House. We stayed at the Megaboom City Hotel. It was reasonably priced and centrally located. The hotel was a short walk to Darling Harbor and the nearest tram stop. It costs $95 a night to stay here.
Other Sydney hotel options include:
- Hilton Sydney
- Intercontinental Sydney
- Holiday Inn Darling Harbour
- Crowne Plaza Sydney Darling Harbor
- Kimpton Margot Sydney
- Hyatt Regency
- Park Hyatt
- Sydney Harbor Marriott
- W Sydney
- Sheraton Grand Hyde Park
Cheap Things to Do in Sydney on a Budget
So, without further ado, here are 10+ cheap things to do in Sydney in 2024 that won’t break the bank!
Take a Ferry from Circular Quay to Luna Park (and see the Harbour Bridge up close)
One of the best ways to see the harbor bridge (and go right under it, in fact) is to catch a ferry, and guess what… it costs less than $5! Thus, this is one of the best cheap things to do in Sydney. Head to Circular Quay (the access point for most of Sydney’s architectural landmarks) by train or Light Rail and catch a ferry from the harbor across to Luna Park.
Head to the roof or the front of the ferry for the best views as you pass right by the Sydney Opera House, see the Sydney skyline, get up close, and eventually go right under the Harbor Bridge! And once you get off the ferry, the fun keeps going. You’ll have landed right at one of the city’s other most famous landmarks… Luna Park!
While it’s quite expensive to buy a ride pass, this doesn’t stop you from exploring the park itself (and getting an iconic photo with the famous entrance).
Train Ride Back to Circular Quay
And if you want to go the extra mile and see a third perspective, you still don’t have to pay hundreds of dollars. Simply take a short walk from Luna Park to Milsons Point Station and get a train back to Circular Quay.
This short 5- to 10-minute train ride is one of the most scenic in the city… taking you right over the Harbor Bridge! Thus, making it another one of the cheap things to do in Sydney. Look out the train windows to see some of the best views of Sydney Harbor and the Opera House, and cross right under the bridge’s famous arc. All for less than $3!
Have a Picnic in the Royal Botanic Gardens
Right next to the famous Opera House, you can find the city’s beautiful Botanical Gardens. Spend some time strolling around its winding pathways, with pop-up art exhibitions and colorful flowers, fountains, and trees, before settling down with a picnic blanket to enjoy a lovely, calm afternoon.
If the weather’s nice (which it often is!), you could spend a whole afternoon exploring and relaxing in the city’s famous gardens, and it’s completely free, making it one of the best cheap things to do in Sydney.
Explore the Art and Vintage Scene in Newtown
For young travelers, especially solo travelers (Newtown is one of the best places to make friends as a solo traveler!), this is the place to be. A hub for young people all across the region, the town is often compared to the nearby city of Melbourne due to its live music scene, countless second-hand and vintage stores, and local galleries.
If you have a day to spare, Newtown is a must. Have a delicious coffee at a cute backstreet cage or stretchy Turkish ice cream at Hakiki. Then walk end to end along the main street known as ‘King Street’, and pass everything from low-key second-hand shops to high-end vintage and streetwear.
During the night, the town livens up with small, crowded bars, house parties, and concerts. Head to Birdcage (only open on Wednesdays), commonly known as the best club in the area.
Enjoy a Sunset Dinner Under the Opera House
Though the food at the Opera House is undeniably overpriced, it is worth it for the view alone (and what does one meal do to the budget anyway!). Along the edge of the harbor and one floor down from the Opera House itself is one of the city’s most bustling food strips.
Get there early to get a table near the edge, keeping in mind that most Australians eat dinner around 7pm, and settle in with views of sunset over the Harbor Bridge and the Opera House above. If you don’t feel like heading in afterward, walk across to the Rocks, an area right nearby known for having some of the best bars in the city!
Spend a Day Relaxing and Exploring Manly Beach
It would be criminal not to mention Manly as one of the best beaches in Sydney. With crystal green-blue water, a vibrant surf culture, health-focused cafes with brilliant coffee, and Sydney’s most famous ocean pools, Manly is the place to be. It is one of the best cheap things to do in Sydney.
And it’s no wonder the place is infamous among locals as a spot where people go to take photos pretending they are in Greece. The blue and white buildings with stone pathways along the vibrant coastline do give a Mediterranean feel.
When in Manly, make sure to walk along the coastal walk to some of the nicest ocean pools, swim, sunbathe, and have a delicious acai bowl for $15 or less. Then, spend the afternoon exploring the trendy beach town before heading back into the city.
Catch a Train to the Blue Mountains
When in Sydney, it is an absolute must to visit the Blue Mountains, too. The area is a UNESCO World-Hertiage and the country’s most visited National Park. It is also the closest area to the city that gets snow! So, if you’re heading over in winter, make sure to read this local guide on snow in Australia, which talks all about the Blue Mountains as well.
The train ride from Sydney Central to Katoomba (the largest city in the area) usually takes 2 hours by train and costs between $5- $15. Make sure to visit one of the many stunning waterfalls and take a hike through the world-famous scenery. For more information on travel to the Blue Mountains, read this fully inclusive guide, including where to stay, what to do, prices, and more!
Head Outside for a Coastal Walk
Sydney also has some of the country’s most accessible and beautiful coastal walks. And though there are many to choose from, these are the best cheap things to do in Sydney.
- Bondi to Coogee: This is by far the most iconic and popular walk, from one of Australia’s most iconic beaches to another. The walk is 6km one way and takes an average of 2-3 hours (depending on how long you spend taking photos!)
- Bundeena to Wedding Cake Rock: If you have a car, you can’t miss this trail. Not only does it wind along some of the state’s most beautiful stretches of coastline, lined with native flora and fauna, but the obvious highlight is the wedding cake rock itself. The walk is 3.5km one way and usually takes 1 hour.
- Royal National Park Coastal Track: If you’re looking for something more challenging (and longer than a day), this track may be for you. This 26km track stretches the state’s most beautiful and rugged coastline and is an experience you’ll never forget. Check out the National Park Website prior to leaving to make sure every section is open!
Buy beautiful handmade and second-hand pieces at the Glebe Markets
The Glebe Markets have long been a local favorite, with delicious food, second-hand clothing, acoustic concerts, beautiful artisan handmade jewelry, clothing, accessories, and so much more. The market runs from 10am to 4pm every Saturday and is a popular place for locals to visit.
Spend an afternoon browsing the endless stalls before sitting down for a picnic spread with delicious foods from local businesses and individuals. And while things like this usually cost a bucket, this local flea market has reasonable prices, and you’re guaranteed to have a good time!
Have some of Sydney’s cheapest and most delicious food at Spice Alley
One of the city’s most bustling and lively food strips, Spice Alley is the best place to eat in the whole of the city, simply for the atmosphere and experience (plus… It’s CHEAP). The strip can be found in a semi-hidden back alley right in the heart of the city’s CBD, just a 5-minute walk from the central station.
Once you arrive, you’ll find yourself in a partially covered laneway, with seating on one side lit by fairy lights and lanterns and countless authentic-looking street stalls serving delicious Asian food. Spice Alley has hundreds and hundreds of food options, with everything from sushi to Malaysian food, to Indian to Chinese, ranging from $10 to $25 per plate.
And the best part of the whole experience has to be the atmosphere, with hundreds of people bustling through the tiny strip. There’s always an electric buzz in the air! Spice Alley is one of the best cheap things to do in Sydney.
Where to Stay in Sydney
Sydney accommodations can be pricey, but these are some of the best hotels to stay at in Sydney that are on the more affordable side.
- Hilton Sydney
- Holiday Inn Darling Harbour
- Crowne Plaza Sydney Darling Harbor
- Hyatt Regency
- Sheraton Grand Hyde Park
- Megaboom City Hotel
Final Thoughts About Cheap Things to Do in Sydney
So even if Sydney may be the most expensive city to travel to in Australia, that does not mean you can’t enjoy the best of the city on a budget. Everything you find on this list is things that locals do to enjoy the city for cheap and that you can do as well in order to experience Sydney without breaking the bank! From live music to beaches to famous landmarks and gardens, Sydney has it all and more. There are endless cheap things to do in Sydney, so get exploring!
Meet the Author: Luca!
Written by Lucal Saunders, a Sydney local and writer of the youth-focused travel blog Hello World, Here I Come.
