{"id":1310407,"date":"2026-10-23T04:08:10","date_gmt":"2026-10-23T04:08:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/?page_id=1310407"},"modified":"2026-10-23T16:37:23","modified_gmt":"2026-10-23T16:37:23","slug":"sydney","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/oceania\/australia\/sydney\/","title":{"rendered":"Sydney"},"content":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":200,"featured_media":1313907,"parent":1310389,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"hw-hub-city","meta":{"footnotes":"","hw_hub_hero_eyebrow":"","hw_hub_hero_h1":"","hw_hub_hero_intro":"","hw_hub_hero_image":"","hw_hub_hero_overlay":"","hw_hub_hero_cta":"","hw_hub_why_title":"","hw_hub_why_body":"","hw_hub_why_link_label":"","hw_hub_why_link_url":"","hw_hub_why_cards":"","hw_hub_stats":"","hw_hub_countries_title":"","hw_hub_countries_intro":"","hw_hub_featured":"","hw_hub_regions":"","hw_hub_hostels_title":"","hw_hub_hostels_intro":"","hw_hub_hostels_cta_label":"","hw_hub_hostels_cta_url":"","hw_hub_hostels_source":"","hw_hub_hostels_location_type":"","hw_hub_hostels_location_id":"","hw_hub_hostels_currency":"","hw_hub_hostels_count":"","hw_hub_hostels_cache":"","hw_hub_hostels":"","hw_hub_when_title":"","hw_hub_when_intro":"","hw_hub_seasons":"","hw_hub_costs_title":"","hw_hub_costs_body":"","hw_hub_cost_rows":"","hw_hub_cost_note":"","hw_hub_money_reads":"","hw_hub_rail_title":"","hw_hub_rail_body":"","hw_hub_rail_link_label":"","hw_hub_rail_link_url":"","hw_hub_rail_image":"","hw_hub_routes":"","hw_hub_events_title":"","hw_hub_events_intro":"","hw_hub_events_source":"","hw_hub_events_continent":"","hw_hub_events_count":"","hw_hub_events_cache":"","hw_hub_events_cta_label":"","hw_hub_events_cta_url":"","hw_hub_events":"","hw_hub_events_pills":"","hw_hub_reads_intro":"","hw_hub_article_rows":"","hw_hub_show_read_time":"","hw_hub_all_title":"","hw_hub_all_body":"","hw_hub_all_cta":"","hw_hub_trips_title":"","hw_hub_trips_note":"","hw_hub_trips":"","hw_hub_faq_title":"","hw_hub_faq_note":"","hw_hub_faqs":"","hw_hub_cta_title":"","hw_hub_cta_body":"","hw_hub_cta_buttons":"","hw_hub_newsletter_title":"","hw_hub_newsletter_body":"","hw_hub_newsletter_shortcode":"","hw_hub_hub_term":"","hw_hub_scope_rows":"","hw_hub_country_hero_eyebrow":"","hw_hub_country_hero_h1":"","hw_hub_country_hero_intro":"","hw_hub_country_hero_image":"","hw_hub_country_hero_overlay":"","hw_hub_country_hero_cta":"","hw_hub_country_stats":"","hw_hub_country_intro_title":"","hw_hub_country_intro_body":"","hw_hub_country_facts":"","hw_hub_country_cities_title":"","hw_hub_country_cities_intro":"","hw_hub_country_cities_live":"","hw_hub_country_cities":"","hw_hub_country_trips_title":"","hw_hub_country_trips_intro":"","hw_hub_country_trip_types":"","hw_hub_country_do_title":"","hw_hub_country_do_body":"","hw_hub_country_do_points":"","hw_hub_country_do_tag":"","hw_hub_country_do_more":"","hw_hub_country_food_title":"","hw_hub_country_food_body":"","hw_hub_country_food_points":"","hw_hub_country_food_tag":"","hw_hub_country_food_more":"","hw_hub_country_nightlife_title":"","hw_hub_country_nightlife_body":"","hw_hub_country_nightlife_points":"","hw_hub_country_nightlife_tag":"","hw_hub_country_nightlife_more":"","hw_hub_country_transport_title":"","hw_hub_country_transport_body":"","hw_hub_country_transport_points":"","hw_hub_country_transport_tag":"","hw_hub_country_transport_more":"","hw_hub_country_money_title":"","hw_hub_country_money_body":"","hw_hub_country_money_points":"","hw_hub_country_money_tag":"","hw_hub_country_money_more":"","hw_hub_country_safety_title":"","hw_hub_country_safety_body":"","hw_hub_country_safety_points":"","hw_hub_country_safety_tag":"","hw_hub_country_safety_more":"","hw_hub_country_entry_title":"","hw_hub_country_entry_body":"","hw_hub_country_entry_points":"","hw_hub_country_entry_tag":"","hw_hub_country_entry_more":"","hw_hub_country_season_title":"","hw_hub_country_season_intro":"","hw_hub_country_season_note":"","hw_hub_country_season_rows":"","hw_hub_country_budget_title":"","hw_hub_country_budget_intro":"","hw_hub_country_budget_note":"","hw_hub_country_budget_rows":"","hw_hub_country_budget_currency":"","hw_hub_country_events_title":"","hw_hub_country_events_intro":"","hw_hub_country_events_source":"","hw_hub_country_events_country":"","hw_hub_country_events_count":"","hw_hub_country_events_cache":"","hw_hub_country_events_cta_label":"","hw_hub_country_events_cta_url":"","hw_hub_country_events":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_title":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_intro":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_cta_label":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_cta_url":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_source":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_location_type":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_location_id":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_currency":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_count":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_cache":"","hw_hub_country_hostels":"","hw_hub_country_team_title":"","hw_hub_country_team_intro":"","hw_hub_country_team":"","hw_hub_country_faq_title":"","hw_hub_country_faq_note":"","hw_hub_country_faqs":"","hw_hub_country_cta_title":"","hw_hub_country_cta_body":"","hw_hub_country_cta_buttons":"","hw_hub_country_newsletter_title":"","hw_hub_country_newsletter_body":"","hw_hub_country_newsletter_shortcode":"","hw_hub_country_hub_term":"","hw_hub_country_parent_hub":"","hw_hub_country_scope_rows":"","hw_hub_city_hero_eyebrow":"Australia city guide","hw_hub_city_hero_h1":"Sydney Travel Guide","hw_hub_city_hero_intro":"Sydney is where most Australia trips start, and it earns the hype: a harbour you cross by public ferry, an ocean coastline with a free cliff walk between beaches, and the Blue Mountains two hours inland. It's expensive, so the trick is using what's free, which is most of the good stuff.","hw_hub_city_hero_image":"1313907","hw_hub_city_hero_overlay":"medium","hw_hub_city_hero_cta":"Where to stay | #areas\r\nWhat it costs | #budget","hw_hub_city_live_stats":"1","hw_hub_city_stats":"About 6 km | Bondi to Coogee coastal walk\r\nFrom AU$32 | Dorm beds on Hostelworld\r\n60 | Hostels on Hostelworld","hw_hub_city_intro_title":"Sydney at a glance","hw_hub_city_intro_body":"Sydney is built around one of the world's great natural harbours, and the water shapes everything. The Opera House and the Harbour Bridge sit at Circular Quay, ferries fan out from there to Manly, Taronga Zoo and the harbour beaches, and the Pacific coast is a string of surf beaches joined by cliff-top walks.\r\n\r\nThe city is big and spread out. The CBD and The Rocks are the historic centre, Kings Cross and Potts Point the old backpacker quarter, Newtown and Surry Hills the inner-west and inner-south neighbourhoods for food and bars, and Bondi, Coogee and Manly the beach suburbs where a lot of travellers end up staying.\r\n\r\nMost people arrive in Sydney jet-lagged and spend their first week here sorting out a phone, a bank account and a tax file number if they're on a working holiday visa. That makes it the easiest city in Australia to land in, and the hostels are set up for it.\r\n\r\nIt's also the most expensive. Dorms cost more than anywhere else on the east coast, and a beer in a bar is a real decision. But the harbour, the coastal walks, the beaches and the views cost nothing.\r\n\r\nFour or five days covers the harbour, the coast and a day in the Blue Mountains. Many people stay months.","hw_hub_city_facts":"Airport transfer | About 10 km; bus is cheaper than the train\r\nGetting around | Opal: tap on and off with a bank card\r\nTransport app | Ride-hailing apps work everywhere\r\nCurrency | Australian dollar\r\nTap water | Safe to drink\r\nTipping | Not expected; round up for good service\r\nLanguage | English\r\nHow long to stay | Four to five days\r\nBest area to stay | Near Central, Kings Cross, Bondi or Coogee\r\nBeaches | Swim between the red and yellow flags","hw_hub_city_areas_title":"Where to stay in Sydney","hw_hub_city_areas_intro":"Stay near Central or in Kings Cross for transport and nightlife, or at Bondi or Coogee for the beach. Newtown suits a longer stay with a local feel.","hw_hub_city_areas_map":"1","hw_hub_city_areas_zoom":"11","hw_hub_city_hostels_pins":"1","hw_hub_city_areas_live":"1","hw_hub_city_areas":"CBD and The Rocks | First-timers and sightseeing | The Opera House, the bridge, Circular Quay ferries and the oldest streets. | -33.86 | 151.209 |  | \nKings Cross and Potts Point | Nightlife and backpackers | The classic backpacker quarter, with hostels and bars, a short walk from the centre. | -33.873 | 151.222 |  | \nBondi | Beach life | Surf beach, the coastal walk and caf\u00e9s, about 25 minutes by bus. | -33.891 | 151.277 |  | \nCoogee | Quieter beach base | Beach suburb at the end of the coastal walk, with ocean pools and pubs. | -33.92 | 151.258 |  | \nNewtown | Food and longer stays | Inner-west neighbourhood with pubs, live music and cheap Thai food. | -33.897 | 151.179 |  | ","hw_hub_city_itin_title":"Sydney itineraries","hw_hub_city_itin_intro":"Three days covers the harbour, a ferry to Manly and the Bondi to Coogee walk. With five, add the Blue Mountains and a day in Newtown or on the northern beaches.","hw_hub_city_itin":"","hw_hub_city_do_title":"The harbour, the coast and a ferry ride","hw_hub_city_do_body":"Start at Circular Quay. The Opera House and the Harbour Bridge are the postcard, and you can walk around both for free. The Opera House runs guided tours, and the BridgeClimb takes you over the top of the bridge, though it is one of the most expensive things to do in the city. Walking across the bridge's pedestrian path costs nothing and the view is almost as good.\r\n\r\nTake the public ferry to Manly. It's a commuter service, priced like a bus, and it passes the Opera House, the harbour headlands and the open sea at the heads. Manly has a surf beach, a corso of caf\u00e9s and a walk to Shelly Beach.\r\n\r\nThe Bondi to Coogee coastal walk is the classic. It's about 6 km of cliff path past Tamarama, Bronte and Clovelly, with ocean pools along the way. Start early in summer, before the heat.\r\n\r\nThe Royal Botanic Garden and Mrs Macquarie's Chair give the best free view of the Opera House and the bridge together. The Rocks, beside the bridge, is the oldest part of the city, with laneways, pubs and a weekend market.\r\n\r\nThe Art Gallery of New South Wales and the Museum of Contemporary Art are free to enter.\r\n\r\nDay trips go to the Blue Mountains, two hours west by train, for the Three Sisters, bushwalks and lookouts, and to the Royal National Park, south of the city, for coastal walking.","hw_hub_city_do_points":"Opera House and Harbour Bridge | Free to walk around and across\r\nFerry to Manly | Priced like a bus, harbour views\r\nBondi to Coogee walk | About 6 km of cliffs and beaches\r\nRoyal Botanic Garden | Mrs Macquarie's Chair view\r\nThe Rocks | Oldest streets and a weekend market\r\nBlue Mountains | Two hours by train","hw_hub_city_do_tag":"things-to-do","hw_hub_city_do_more":"All things to do in Sydney","hw_hub_city_free_title":"Sydney for free (or nearly)","hw_hub_city_free_body":"Sydney is expensive, but most of what makes it great is free.\r\n\r\nThe Bondi to Coogee coastal walk, the beaches, the ocean pools and the harbour foreshore cost nothing.\r\n\r\nWalk across the Harbour Bridge on the pedestrian path, then around the Opera House and through the Royal Botanic Garden to Mrs Macquarie's Chair.\r\n\r\nThe Art Gallery of New South Wales and the Museum of Contemporary Art are free.\r\n\r\nThe ferry to Manly costs the same as a bus fare and is one of the best harbour trips you can take.\r\n\r\nHostels run free walking tours, barbecues and beach days, and the weekend markets at The Rocks and Glebe are free to browse.","hw_hub_city_free_points":"Coastal walks | Bondi to Coogee\r\nBeaches and ocean pools | Free all year\r\nHarbour Bridge walk | Pedestrian path\r\nArt Gallery of NSW | Free entry\r\nHostel events | Walking tours and barbecues","hw_hub_city_free_tag":"free","hw_hub_city_free_more":"All free things to do in Sydney","hw_hub_city_food_title":"Brunch, Asian food and a pub schnitzel","hw_hub_city_food_body":"Sydney eats out a lot, and brunch is close to a religion: smashed avocado, eggs and very good flat whites in every neighbourhood caf\u00e9.\r\n\r\nThe best-value food is Asian. Chinatown and Haymarket, near Central, have Chinese, Thai, Malaysian, Korean and Japanese restaurants and food courts where a filling meal costs AU$15 to AU$20. Newtown and Marrickville add Thai and Vietnamese.\r\n\r\nPubs serve schnitzel, burgers and parmigiana, often with cheap weekday specials.\r\n\r\nFish and chips on the beach at Bondi or Manly is the classic.\r\n\r\nSupermarkets (Coles and Woolworths) and hostel kitchens are how most backpackers keep food costs down.\r\n\r\nA beer in a bar costs AU$10 to AU$14. Tap water is safe to drink.","hw_hub_city_food_points":"Brunch | Flat whites and smashed avo\r\nChinatown food courts | AU$15\u201320 a meal\r\nPub meal | AU$22\u201335\r\nFish and chips | On the beach\r\nBeer | AU$10\u201314 in a bar\r\nSelf-catering | Coles, Woolworths and hostel kitchens","hw_hub_city_food_tag":"food","hw_hub_city_food_more":"All food guides for Sydney","hw_hub_city_nightlife_title":"Rooftops, pubs and Kings Cross","hw_hub_city_nightlife_body":"Sydney's nightlife is spread across neighbourhoods. Kings Cross and Potts Point are the old backpacker party area, with hostel bars and clubs. Newtown has pubs, live music and a more alternative crowd. Surry Hills and Darlinghurst have cocktail bars and small venues. The Rocks has historic pubs.\r\n\r\nRooftop bars in the CBD give harbour views, at a price.\r\n\r\nHostel bars and pub crawls are the cheapest way to go out, and many hostels have their own bar or run nights out.\r\n\r\nDrinks are expensive, so most backpackers start at the hostel.\r\n\r\nLate-night trains and buses run, and taxis and ride-hailing are easy. Watch your drinks and stick with friends.","hw_hub_city_nightlife_points":"Kings Cross | Hostel bars and clubs\r\nNewtown | Pubs and live music\r\nSurry Hills | Cocktail bars\r\nRooftops | Harbour views, at a price\r\nPub crawls | The cheapest night out","hw_hub_city_nightlife_tag":"nightlife","hw_hub_city_nightlife_more":"All nightlife in Sydney","hw_hub_city_transport_title":"Getting to and around Sydney","hw_hub_city_transport_body":"Sydney Airport is about 10 km south of the centre. The airport train is quickest but charges a station access fee on top of the fare, so the bus is cheaper if you are on a budget.\r\n\r\nPublic transport uses the Opal system. Tap on and off with a contactless bank card or an Opal card on trains, buses, ferries and light rail. Fares are capped daily and weekly.\r\n\r\nFerries from Circular Quay go to Manly, Taronga Zoo, Watsons Bay and around the harbour.\r\n\r\nTrains run to the Blue Mountains from Central.\r\n\r\nFor the east coast, Greyhound buses and domestic flights leave for Byron Bay, Brisbane and Cairns, and many travellers buy a camper van here.","hw_hub_city_transport_points":"Opal | Tap on with a bank card; daily caps\r\nAirport | Train is quick but has a station fee\r\nFerries | Circular Quay to Manly and Taronga\r\nBlue Mountains | Train from Central\r\nUp the coast | Greyhound, flights or a camper van","hw_hub_city_transport_tag":"transport","hw_hub_city_transport_more":"All transport guides for Sydney","hw_hub_city_money_title":"What Sydney costs","hw_hub_city_money_body":"Sydney is the most expensive city in Australia for travellers. Hostelworld lists dorm beds from about AU$32 at Mad Monkey Coogee Beach and AU$40 to AU$75 at the central hostels, rising in summer.\r\n\r\nFood is where you save: cook in the hostel kitchen and shop at Coles or Woolworths. Asian food courts serve meals for AU$15 to AU$20, and a pub meal costs AU$22 to AU$35.\r\n\r\nA beer in a bar is AU$10 to AU$14.\r\n\r\nTransport fares are capped daily and weekly on Opal.\r\n\r\nThe coastal walks, beaches, harbour and galleries are free.\r\n\r\nWithout working, allow around AU$100 to AU$140 a day.","hw_hub_city_money_points":"Dorm bed | From about AU$32 on Hostelworld\r\nFood court meal | AU$15\u201320\r\nPub meal | AU$22\u201335\r\nBeer | AU$10\u201314\r\nA day, all in | AU$100\u2013140 without working","hw_hub_city_money_tag":"budget","hw_hub_city_money_more":"All budget guides for Sydney","hw_hub_city_safety_title":"Staying safe in Sydney","hw_hub_city_safety_body":"Sydney is a safe city. Petty theft happens at beaches and in nightlife areas, so don't leave your things unattended on the sand.\r\n\r\nThe ocean is the real danger. Rip currents drown swimmers every year. Swim only between the red and yellow flags on patrolled beaches, and use the ocean pools if you're not a strong swimmer.\r\n\r\nThe sun is extreme. Wear sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses, and avoid the midday sun in summer.\r\n\r\nOn the coastal walks, stay on the path and away from cliff edges and rock platforms, where waves can knock people into the sea.\r\n\r\nAt night, watch your drinks in bars and stick with friends. Kings Cross is busy and generally safe, but take the usual care.","hw_hub_city_safety_points":"Rip currents | Swim between the flags\r\nSun | Extreme UV; cover up\r\nCoastal walks | Stay off rock platforms\r\nBeach theft | Watch your bags\r\nNights out | Watch your drinks","hw_hub_city_safety_tag":"safety","hw_hub_city_safety_more":"All safety guides for Sydney","hw_hub_city_trips_title":"Day trips from Sydney","hw_hub_city_trips_intro":"Sydney has mountains, national parks and beaches within a train or ferry ride.","hw_hub_city_trips":"Blue Mountains | About 2 hours | Train from Central | The Three Sisters, lookouts and bushwalks along the escarpment. |  | 1313905\nManly | 30 minutes | Ferry from Circular Quay | Surf beach, Shelly Beach and the walk to North Head. |  | 1310518\nRoyal National Park | About 1 hour | Train and ferry or car | Coastal walks, beaches and waterfalls south of the city. |  | 1313906\nPalm Beach and the northern beaches | About 1.5 hours | Bus | A string of surf beaches ending at the Barrenjoey lighthouse. |  | 1310519","hw_hub_city_trips_tag":"day-trips","hw_hub_city_trips_more":"All day trips from Sydney","hw_hub_city_season_title":"When to go to Sydney","hw_hub_city_season_intro":"Sydney has mild winters and warm summers, with highs from 17\u00b0C in July to 26\u00b0C in January. September to November and March to May are the best months. December to February is hot, busy and the beach season.","hw_hub_city_season_note":"Average daily highs from weather2travel's Sydney climate data. Crowd levels are our rough guide.","hw_hub_city_season_rows":"January | 26 | 5 | Hot; beach season; Sydney Festival\r\nFebruary | 26 | 4 | Hot; Mardi Gras (Feb or Mar)\r\nMarch | 25 | 4 | Warm and settled\r\nApril | 23 | 3 | Mild; Easter\r\nMay | 20 | 3 | Mild; Vivid begins\r\nJune | 18 | 3 | Cool; Vivid light festival\r\nJuly | 17 | 2 | Coolest month\r\nAugust | 18 | 2 | Cool; City2Surf\r\nSeptember | 20 | 3 | Spring; warming up\r\nOctober | 22 | 3 | Warm; Sculpture by the Sea\r\nNovember | 24 | 4 | Warm; beaches filling\r\nDecember | 26 | 5 | Hot; New Year's Eve fireworks","hw_hub_city_events_title":"What's on in Sydney","hw_hub_city_events_intro":"Sydney's calendar runs from New Year's Eve fireworks over the harbour to Vivid's winter light festival.","hw_hub_city_events_source":"api","hw_hub_city_events_count":"8","hw_hub_city_events_cache":"24","hw_hub_city_events_cta_label":"All events in Sydney","hw_hub_city_events_cta_url":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/events\/oceania\/australia\/sydney\/","hw_hub_city_events":"New Year's Eve fireworks | 31 December | Sydney Harbour | Fireworks over the bridge and the Opera House; claim a spot early. |  | \nSydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras | February or March | Oxford Street | A huge parade and weeks of events. |  | \nVivid Sydney | May to June | Circular Quay and the CBD | Light projections on the Opera House and buildings, plus music. |  | \nCity2Surf | August | CBD to Bondi | A 14 km fun run to the beach with tens of thousands of runners. |  | \nSculpture by the Sea | October to November | Bondi to Tamarama | Free outdoor sculptures along the coastal walk. |  | ","hw_hub_city_budget_title":"How much does Sydney cost per day?","hw_hub_city_budget_intro":"Pick a style and a number of nights for a rough total. Per day, for one person, in Australian dollars.","hw_hub_city_budget_note":"Estimates. Beds are based on Hostelworld prices in October 2026, converted from US dollars. Day trips and BridgeClimb sit outside these figures.","hw_hub_city_budget_rows":"Shoestring | 35 | 25 | 10 | 10\r\nMiddle of the road | 55 | 55 | 15 | 40\r\nComfortable | 110 | 95 | 25 | 80","hw_hub_city_budget_currency":"AU$","hw_hub_city_hostels_title":"Hostels in Sydney","hw_hub_city_hostels_intro":"Sydney has around 60 hostels on Hostelworld, from Kings Cross party hostels to quiet beach houses at Coogee and Bondi.","hw_hub_city_hostels_cta_label":"All hostels in Sydney","hw_hub_city_hostels_cta_url":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/hostels\/oceania\/australia\/sydney\/","hw_hub_city_hostels_source":"api","hw_hub_city_hostels_count":"12","hw_hub_city_hostels_cache":"12","hw_hub_city_picks":"Harbour views | YHA Sydney Harbour | Rated 9.6 from 1,797 reviews, in The Rocks next to the bridge, with a rooftop looking over the Opera House. Dorms from about AU$74. | https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/hostels\/p\/38843\/yha-sydney-harbour\/\nBeach base | Mad Monkey Coogee Beach | Rated 9.5 from 1,144 reviews, at the end of the coastal walk, with dorms from about AU$32. | https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/hostels\/p\/285693\/mad-monkey-coogee-beach\/\nNear Central | Sydney Central Inn | Rated 10 from 185 reviews, about 1.4 km from the centre and close to Central station, with dorms from about AU$42. | https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/hostels\/p\/36319\/sydney-central-inn\/","hw_hub_city_hostels":"","hw_hub_city_team_title":"","hw_hub_city_team_intro":"","hw_hub_city_team":"","hw_hub_city_faq_title":"Sydney FAQs","hw_hub_city_faq_note":"Prices and timetables change. Check before you travel.","hw_hub_city_faqs":"Where should backpackers stay in Sydney? | Near Central or in Kings Cross for transport and nightlife, or at Bondi or Coogee for the beach. Newtown suits longer stays.\r\nHow do I get from Sydney Airport to the city? | By train, which is quickest but adds a station access fee, or by bus, which is cheaper. Both take Opal or a contactless bank card.\r\nIs Sydney expensive? | Yes, it's the most expensive city in Australia. Dorms start around AU$32, and a day without working is AU$100 to AU$140. The beaches, walks and harbour are free.\r\nWhat is the best free thing to do in Sydney? | The Bondi to Coogee coastal walk, then a swim in an ocean pool. The ferry to Manly is cheap and almost as good as a harbour cruise.\r\nCan I visit the Blue Mountains as a day trip? | Yes. Trains from Central take about two hours to Katoomba, for the Three Sisters and the bushwalks.\r\nIs it safe to swim at Sydney's beaches? | On patrolled beaches between the red and yellow flags, yes. Rip currents are strong, so never swim outside the flags.\r\nHow many days do you need in Sydney? | Four to five days for the harbour, the coast and the Blue Mountains.","hw_hub_city_cta_title":"Say yes to hostels, meet the world","hw_hub_city_cta_body":"Compare Sydney hostels: live prices, real reviews and free cancellation on most bookings. Then meet the people already there in the app.","hw_hub_city_cta_buttons":"Find a hostel in Sydney | https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/hostels\/oceania\/australia\/sydney\/\r\nGet the app | https:\/\/hostelworld.onelink.me\/IdiK\/f5a50nhd","hw_hub_city_newsletter_title":"Get the good stuff monthly","hw_hub_city_newsletter_body":"New city guides, deals and route ideas. No filler.","hw_hub_city_newsletter_shortcode":"","hw_hub_city_hub_term":"sydney-australia","hw_hub_city_city_slug":"sydney","hw_hub_city_country_slug":"australia","hw_hub_city_parent_hub":"oceania\/australia","hw_hub_city_good_for":"","hw_hub_city_currency":"AUD","hw_hub_city_scope_rows":"1","hw_hub_country_states_title":"","hw_hub_country_states_intro":"","hw_hub_country_state_regions":"","hw_hub_country_states":"","hw_hub_state_hero_eyebrow":"","hw_hub_state_hero_h1":"","hw_hub_state_hero_intro":"","hw_hub_state_hero_image":"","hw_hub_state_hero_overlay":"","hw_hub_state_hero_cta":"","hw_hub_state_live_stats":"","hw_hub_state_stats":"","hw_hub_state_intro_title":"","hw_hub_state_intro_body":"","hw_hub_state_facts":"","hw_hub_state_areas_title":"","hw_hub_state_areas_intro":"","hw_hub_state_areas_zoom":"","hw_hub_state_hostels_pins":"","hw_hub_state_areas":"","hw_hub_state_itin_title":"","hw_hub_state_itin_intro":"","hw_hub_state_itin":"","hw_hub_state_do_title":"","hw_hub_state_do_body":"","hw_hub_state_do_points":"","hw_hub_state_do_tag":"","hw_hub_state_do_more":"","hw_hub_state_free_title":"","hw_hub_state_free_body":"","hw_hub_state_free_points":"","hw_hub_state_free_tag":"","hw_hub_state_free_more":"","hw_hub_state_food_title":"","hw_hub_state_food_body":"","hw_hub_state_food_points":"","hw_hub_state_food_tag":"","hw_hub_state_food_more":"","hw_hub_state_nightlife_title":"","hw_hub_state_nightlife_body":"","hw_hub_state_nightlife_points":"","hw_hub_state_nightlife_tag":"","hw_hub_state_nightlife_more":"","hw_hub_state_transport_title":"","hw_hub_state_transport_body":"","hw_hub_state_transport_points":"","hw_hub_state_transport_tag":"","hw_hub_state_transport_more":"","hw_hub_state_money_title":"","hw_hub_state_money_body":"","hw_hub_state_money_points":"","hw_hub_state_money_tag":"","hw_hub_state_money_more":"","hw_hub_state_safety_title":"","hw_hub_state_safety_body":"","hw_hub_state_safety_points":"","hw_hub_state_safety_tag":"","hw_hub_state_safety_more":"","hw_hub_state_layout":"","hw_hub_state_cities_title":"","hw_hub_state_cities_intro":"","hw_hub_state_cities_live":"","hw_hub_state_cities":"","hw_hub_state_cities_tag":"","hw_hub_state_cities_more":"","hw_hub_state_season_title":"","hw_hub_state_season_intro":"","hw_hub_state_season_note":"","hw_hub_state_season_rows":"","hw_hub_state_events_title":"","hw_hub_state_events_intro":"","hw_hub_state_events_source":"","hw_hub_state_events_count":"","hw_hub_state_events_cache":"","hw_hub_state_events_cta_label":"","hw_hub_state_events_cta_url":"","hw_hub_state_events":"","hw_hub_state_budget_title":"","hw_hub_state_budget_intro":"","hw_hub_state_budget_note":"","hw_hub_state_budget_rows":"","hw_hub_state_budget_currency":"","hw_hub_state_hostels_title":"","hw_hub_state_hostels_intro":"","hw_hub_state_hostels_cta_label":"","hw_hub_state_hostels_cta_url":"","hw_hub_state_hostels_source":"","hw_hub_state_hostels_count":"","hw_hub_state_hostels_cache":"","hw_hub_state_picks":"","hw_hub_state_hostels":"","hw_hub_state_faq_title":"","hw_hub_state_faq_note":"","hw_hub_state_faqs":"","hw_hub_state_cta_title":"","hw_hub_state_cta_body":"","hw_hub_state_cta_buttons":"","hw_hub_state_newsletter_title":"","hw_hub_state_newsletter_body":"","hw_hub_state_newsletter_shortcode":"","hw_hub_state_hub_term":"","hw_hub_state_country_slug":"","hw_hub_state_parent_hub":"","hw_hub_state_currency":"","hw_hub_state_scope_rows":""},"class_list":["post-1310407","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","wpbf-post"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.7 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Sydney Travel Guide: Harbour, Beaches and Coastal Walks<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Sydney on a budget: the harbour and ferries, Bondi to Coogee, Manly, the Blue Mountains, where to stay from Kings Cross to Coogee, hostels and safety.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/oceania\/australia\/sydney\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Sydney Travel Guide: Harbour, Beaches and Coastal Walks\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Sydney on a budget: the harbour and ferries, Bondi to Coogee, Manly, the Blue Mountains, where to stay from Kings Cross to Coogee, hostels and safety.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/oceania\/australia\/sydney\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Hostelworld Travel Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/Hostelworld\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-10-23T16:37:23+00:00\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@hostelworld\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.hostelworld.com\\\/blog\\\/oceania\\\/australia\\\/sydney\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.hostelworld.com\\\/blog\\\/oceania\\\/australia\\\/sydney\\\/\",\"name\":\"Sydney Travel Guide: Harbour, Beaches and Coastal Walks\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.hostelworld.com\\\/blog\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.hostelworld.com\\\/blog\\\/oceania\\\/australia\\\/sydney\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.hostelworld.com\\\/blog\\\/oceania\\\/australia\\\/sydney\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.hostelworld.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/dan-freeman-7Zb7kUyQg1E-unsplash-1-1-scaled.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-10-23T04:08:10+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-10-23T16:37:23+00:00\",\"description\":\"Sydney on a budget: the harbour and ferries, Bondi to Coogee, Manly, the Blue Mountains, where to stay from Kings Cross to Coogee, hostels and safety.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.hostelworld.com\\\/blog\\\/oceania\\\/australia\\\/sydney\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.hostelworld.com\\\/blog\\\/oceania\\\/australia\\\/sydney\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.hostelworld.com\\\/blog\\\/oceania\\\/australia\\\/sydney\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.hostelworld.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/dan-freeman-7Zb7kUyQg1E-unsplash-1-1-scaled.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.hostelworld.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/dan-freeman-7Zb7kUyQg1E-unsplash-1-1-scaled.jpg\",\"width\":2559,\"height\":1706},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.hostelworld.com\\\/blog\\\/oceania\\\/australia\\\/sydney\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Travel Blog\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.hostelworld.com\\\/blog\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Oceania\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.hostelworld.com\\\/blog\\\/oceania\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"Australia\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.hostelworld.com\\\/blog\\\/oceania\\\/australia\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":4,\"name\":\"Sydney\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.hostelworld.com\\\/blog\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.hostelworld.com\\\/blog\\\/\",\"name\":\"Hostelworld Travel Blog\",\"description\":\"Cheap Travel and Backpacking Tips\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.hostelworld.com\\\/blog\\\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.hostelworld.com\\\/blog\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.hostelworld.com\\\/blog\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Hostelworld\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.hostelworld.com\\\/blog\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.hostelworld.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"\",\"contentUrl\":\"\",\"caption\":\"Hostelworld\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.hostelworld.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.facebook.com\\\/Hostelworld\",\"https:\\\/\\\/x.com\\\/hostelworld\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.instagram.com\\\/hostelworld\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.pinterest.co.uk\\\/hostelworld\\\/\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.youtube.com\\\/hostelworld\"]}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Sydney Travel Guide: Harbour, Beaches and Coastal Walks","description":"Sydney on a budget: the harbour and ferries, Bondi to Coogee, Manly, the Blue Mountains, where to stay from Kings Cross to Coogee, hostels and safety.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/oceania\/australia\/sydney\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Sydney Travel Guide: Harbour, Beaches and Coastal Walks","og_description":"Sydney on a budget: the harbour and ferries, Bondi to Coogee, Manly, the Blue Mountains, where to stay from Kings Cross to Coogee, hostels and safety.","og_url":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/oceania\/australia\/sydney\/","og_site_name":"Hostelworld Travel Blog","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/Hostelworld","article_modified_time":"2026-10-23T16:37:23+00:00","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_site":"@hostelworld","schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/oceania\/australia\/sydney\/","url":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/oceania\/australia\/sydney\/","name":"Sydney Travel Guide: Harbour, Beaches and Coastal Walks","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/oceania\/australia\/sydney\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/oceania\/australia\/sydney\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/dan-freeman-7Zb7kUyQg1E-unsplash-1-1-scaled.jpg","datePublished":"2026-10-23T04:08:10+00:00","dateModified":"2026-10-23T16:37:23+00:00","description":"Sydney on a budget: the harbour and ferries, Bondi to Coogee, Manly, the Blue Mountains, where to stay from Kings Cross to Coogee, hostels and safety.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/oceania\/australia\/sydney\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/oceania\/australia\/sydney\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/oceania\/australia\/sydney\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/dan-freeman-7Zb7kUyQg1E-unsplash-1-1-scaled.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/dan-freeman-7Zb7kUyQg1E-unsplash-1-1-scaled.jpg","width":2559,"height":1706},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/oceania\/australia\/sydney\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Travel Blog","item":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Oceania","item":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/oceania\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Australia","item":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/oceania\/australia\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":4,"name":"Sydney"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/","name":"Hostelworld Travel Blog","description":"Cheap Travel and Backpacking Tips","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/#organization","name":"Hostelworld","url":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"","contentUrl":"","caption":"Hostelworld"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/Hostelworld","https:\/\/x.com\/hostelworld","https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/hostelworld","https:\/\/www.pinterest.co.uk\/hostelworld\/","https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/hostelworld"]}]}},"lang":"en","translations":{"en":1310407,"fr":1311588,"de":1312678},"brizy_media":[],"pll_sync_post":{},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1310407","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/200"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1310407"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1310407\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1310541,"href":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1310407\/revisions\/1310541"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1310389"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1313907"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1310407"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}