Planning a vacation to Sydney? There’s so much to do in Australia’s top travel destination. For those wanting to see and do all they can whilst spending as little as possible, here are tips to make your Sydney escape special.
Time your trip wisely
It’s generally agreed the best times to visit Australia are out of season from September to November or from March to May. The temperature is manageable and the crowds aren’t so wild. The price of flights also drops during these seasons, as does accommodation rates. A December trip is not recommended, largely because airline costs are so high. If you need to be there over Christmas, you may be better off flying out in November and coming back in January.
Make the most of public transport
Sydney is far too big to get around by foot. The public transport service is fast and efficient. You can buy a MyMulti Pass to make travel cheaper – this allows you to use all trains, boats and buses in the city centre. You can even use this pass to head over to the Blue Mountains. Travelling by river has to be done – to the locals it’s just another public transport method, but as a tourist it can actually be quite exciting and a good opportunity to take snaps of the sights. Try to avoid taxis if you can – as with all cities these cost an arm and a leg.Save money on food and drink
Fine dining in Sydney is expensive and the tax on alcohol is outrageous. That said there are places off the beaten path where you can save some money. You’re certain to find an affordable and good quality Thai restaurant in Sydney Olympic Park. You can also grab fish and chips for cheap at Bondai Beach. There are then countless street food options on top of this. As for alcohol, you may be able to save a few dollars by visiting a backpacker bar.
Take advantage of freebies
There are a lot of free activities in Sydney. Most of the museums and galleries are free to enter. You then have a number of free walking tours in the city centre and in The Rocks where you can learn more about the local history and culture. The beaches of course are free as is a walk across Sydney Harbour Bridge (not the actual climb though – that costs money). There are some attractions worth paying for such as Taronga Zoo and the Sydney Tower Eye. Look out for vouchers online and in guide books – you may be able to get a discount.Divide up your accommodation
Because Sydney is so large, it can often be beneficial to divide up your trip and stay in different places to avoid spending too much time and money on travel. On top of the city centre, you have areas such as Manly, Botany Bay and various nearby national parks. If you’re staying in hotels, it could be worth spending one week somewhere and another week somewhere else. Alternatively, if you’re backpacking, you can try jumping from hostel to hostel.
If you have other recommendation on how to make the most of your Sydney trip, please share by sending in through the comments section below.
Enjoy and have a safe trip!
