City in New South Wales, Australia
Sydney
Australia's biggest harbour city mixes beaches, ferries, great food and a large working-holiday scene. Rents are among the world's highest and summer is humid.
At a glance
- Safety4/5Safe with normal careDetails
- Monthly budget$3,820–5,210Comfortable, one person · A$5,500–7,500Details
- Value for money8/100Better value than 7% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goMar–Apr, Sep–NovWarmest: Jan, 25°CDetails
- Air quality11 µg/m³PM2.5 annual average (2019) · ModerateDetails
- Internet174 MbpsFixed broadband, Australia medianDetails
- Tap waterYes, drinkableSydney tap water is safe and good.Details
- LGBTQ+5/5Very welcomingDetails
- Solo travel5/5English: spoken almost everywhereDetails
- Doctor's visit$63–118Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundUberWalkable centerDetails
- Cash or cardPractically cashlessTap-to-pay works almost everywhere, including trains and ferries; some cafés are card-only.Details
Where to stay in Sydney
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Surry Hills–Darlinghurst | Central, walkable, cafés and nightlife; pricey |
| Newtown–Enmore | Younger crowd, live music, cheaper shared houses |
| Manly | Beach life with a ferry commute to the center |
| Bondi–Coogee | Surf, coastal walks and a big backpacker scene |
| Glebe–Ultimo | Near UTS and the CBD, quieter and good value |
Apps that work in Sydney
Ride-hailing
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: WhatsApp, iMessage/SMS
- BOM Weather: Official forecasts and storm, heat, fire warnings
- Emergency+: Calls 000 and reads out your GPS location
- Taxis: Licensed taxis use meters and accept cards; airport rides add a fee. Surge pricing hits Uber on weekend nights.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Australia.
- Practically cashless Tap-to-pay works almost everywhere, including trains and ferries; some cafés are card-only. Carry a little cash only for markets.
- Currency: Dollar (AUD). US$1 ≈ A$1.44 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: ATMs are everywhere in towns; independent machines in pubs and shops charge about A$3–4. Decline the ATM's currency conversion.
- Tipping: Not expected; wages are high. Rounding up or about 10% for great restaurant service is appreciated. Weekend and public-holiday surcharges (10–15%) remain legal.
- Paying by phone: Apple Pay and Google Pay work almost everywhere, including contactless transit fares in Sydney and Brisbane.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Most visitors need an ETA, applied for only in the Australian ETA app (A$20 service charge), or a free eVisitor for EU and UK passports.
- Visitor visas don't allow work for Australian businesses; 18–30-year-olds (up to 35 for some nationalities) can apply for a Working Holiday visa.
- Biosecurity is strict: declare all food, plant and animal products on arrival; bags are X-rayed and false declarations bring fines or visa cancellation.
Emergency numbers
Police 000 · Ambulance 000 · Fire 000 · All emergencies 000
Plugs
Type I · 230 V, 50 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Prepaid SIMs from airports, supermarkets and post offices, about A$30–50 for 28 days; passport ID check at activation. Telstra covers the outback best. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in Australia
Going to Sydney solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Sydney meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.