Sydney Travel Budget: My First Month Costs in Australia

On By saar.decosterIn Australia

Wondering how much it costs to travel Sydney? In this Sydney travel budget, I’m breaking down exactly what I spent during my first month in Australia, including accommodation, transport, activities, food, drinks and those random little expenses you don’t really plan for.

I arrived in Sydney for my Australia Working Holiday and spent several weeks travelling around the city and nearby areas. My total came to approximately €1,161 for one month, although my spending wasn’t exactly what you’d call a perfectly controlled backpacker budget.

If you’re planning a longer trip around Australia, my Ultimate East Coast Australia Itinerary can help you plan the rest of your route, while my Australia Backpacking Budget looks at what I spent across nine months travelling and working around Australia.

Sydney travel budget Surf Camp Australia surfing lesson beginner waves beach Seven Mile Beach Australia

Sydney Travel Budget: Quick Overview

Here’s what I spent during approximately one month around Sydney:

CategoryApprox. cost
Accommodation€740
Transport & activities€33
Extras & essentials€38
Food & drinks€350
Total€1,161

That works out at roughly €39 per day, based on the total above.

Keep in mind that this is my personal Sydney travel budget, not a fixed price for everyone. I stayed in hostels, cooked a lot of my own food and also spent money on a surf camp, so your costs could look very different depending on how you travel.

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How Much Does Accommodation Cost in Sydney?

Accommodation was by far my biggest expense.

During my time in Sydney and nearby areas, I stayed in a combination of hostels, budget accommodation and a surf camp. Some of my accommodation was also free, which obviously helped bring the average down.

DatePlaceCost
11–16 OctWake Up! Hostel€0
16–25 OctHump Backpackers€20 × 9 nights = €180
1 nightIvy Club€15
25–30 OctHostel Wollongong€17 × 5 nights = €85
1 nightWake-Up Hostel€20
31 Oct–3 NovSurf Camp Seven Mile Beach€320 (~$495 AUD)
3–9 NovHump Backpackers€20 × 6 nights = €120

Accommodation total: €740

Accommodation will probably be one of the biggest things to consider when planning your Sydney backpacking budget. Staying in hostels, booking strategically and being flexible with where you sleep can make a huge difference.

If you’re looking for accommodation in Sydney, my Sydney Travel Guide also covers where I recommend staying and how I approached accommodation as a backpacker.

How Much Does Transport Cost in Sydney?

I didn’t spend a huge amount on transport and activities during this period.

ActivityCost
Blue Mountains day trip€8
Ferry to Manly€10
Other local transport€15

Transport & activities total: €33

Sydney can be explored surprisingly cheaply if you combine public transport with walking. Some of my favourite experiences didn’t cost much at all.

For example, the Blue Mountains day trip was one of my favourite low-cost experiences during my time in Sydney.

Sydney travel budget Blue Mountains Australia scenic viewpoint cliffs eucalyptus forest day trip Sydney

If you’re planning Sydney as part of a longer East Coast trip, my guide on how many days you need on Australia’s East Coast can also help you work out how much time to spend in each destination.

Food & Drinks: How Much I Spent

Food was another major part of my Sydney travel budget.

I mostly cooked my own meals or kept things relatively cheap, which meant I spent approximately €10–12 per day on breakfast, lunch and dinner.

I also occasionally bought wine or goon, which added around €3–5 per day.

For roughly 30 days, I estimated my total food and drinks spending at:

Food & drinks: approximately €350

Sydney travel budget Surf Camp Australia Seven Mile Beach BBQ burgers group meal surf camp Australia experience

If you’re trying to keep your Sydney backpacker budget low, cooking your own food is one of the easiest ways to save money. Hostels with kitchens make this much easier.

Extra Costs & Essentials

Then there are the expenses you don’t really think about before leaving home.

In my case:

ItemCost
Water bottle replacement€18
Toiletries & miscellaneous expenses€20

Extras total: €38

Nothing dramatic, but these little expenses add up surprisingly quickly when you’re travelling for weeks.

My Total Sydney Travel Budget

So, how much did I actually spend?

CategoryTotal
Accommodation€740
Transport & activities€33
Extras & essentials€38
Food & drinks€350
Total€1,161

My total Sydney travel cost: approximately €1,161

That’s roughly €39 per day based on my total spending.

However, don’t take that number as the exact amount you’ll need for a month in Sydney. My trip included some free accommodation, hostels, a surf camp and a mix of very cheap and more expensive days.

Your Sydney travel budget will depend heavily on your accommodation, how often you eat out, how much you drink, whether you do paid activities and whether you’re travelling during a more expensive period.

Want to know what travelling around Australia cost me overall? I also shared my complete Australia Backpacking Budget after nine months of travelling and working around Australia.

How to Travel Sydney on a Budget

If you’re trying to keep your Sydney backpacking costs under control, these are the things that helped me most.

1. Stay in Hostels

Hostels are one of the easiest ways to reduce accommodation costs while travelling Australia. They’re also great for meeting people, especially if you’re travelling solo.

2. Cook Your Own Meals

Sydney isn’t the cheapest place to eat out every day. Using the hostel kitchen for breakfast, lunch or dinner can save a lot of money over several weeks.

You don’t have to cook every meal, either. I still went out for food and drinks, just not every day.

3. Use Public Transport

Ferries, trains and buses make it possible to explore Sydney without hiring a car.

And some journeys are experiences in themselves. The ferry to Manly, for example, gives you amazing harbour views while getting you where you need to go.

4. Mix Free & Paid Activities

You don’t need to spend money every day to enjoy Sydney.

Beaches, coastal walks, parks, markets and exploring different neighbourhoods can fill an entire day without costing much.

My Sydney 5 Day Itinerary includes several of these budget-friendly experiences, including Bondi Beach, the Bondi to Coogee walk, Glebe Markets, Manly and the Blue Mountains.

5. Expect Random Expenses

There will always be something.

A replacement water bottle. Toiletries. A spontaneous drink. A random snack because you’re starving after walking 15 kilometres.

Budgeting for these little things makes travelling much less stressful.

6. Track Your Spending

This is probably the most useful tip.

You don’t need an elaborate spreadsheet. Just keep track of what you’re spending and check your total every few days.

That way, you know whether you can afford another night out or whether it’s time for a few cheap hostel dinners.

Final Thoughts on My Sydney Travel Budget

So, is Sydney expensive?

Honestly, it can be.

But I don’t think you need an enormous budget to enjoy it. My own month cost approximately €1,161, and a big part of that came from accommodation and the surf camp.

There were also plenty of days where I spent very little: walking along the coast, going to the beach, cooking at the hostel or simply hanging out with people I’d met.

My biggest advice is to budget realistically rather than trying to travel Sydney on an impossibly low daily amount. Leave room for the spontaneous stuff too, because that’s often where the best memories happen.

And yes, sometimes that spontaneous thing is a ridiculous sombrero and $2 tacos.

Planning Your Australia Trip?

Planning a trip to Australia can feel overwhelming, especially with so many places to visit and things to organise.

That’s why I created my complete Australia Travel Guide, where I share everything you need to know, from itineraries and budgets to practical tips and travel inspiration.

→ START HERE: Australia Travel Guide
→ GET MY MAP: Australia Google Map

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FAQ

How much money do you need for Sydney on a working holiday?

For my first month in Sydney, I spent approximately €1,161 in total, including accommodation, food, transport, activities, and small extras. My biggest expense was accommodation, especially because I stayed in hostels for most of the month. Your budget can be lower if you find cheaper accommodation, cook more often, or travel with a campervan.

Is Sydney expensive for backpackers?

Yes, Sydney is one of the more expensive cities in Australia, especially when it comes to accommodation and eating out. Staying in hostels, cooking your own meals, and choosing free or low-cost activities helped me keep my budget under control. Luckily, Sydney also has many amazing free experiences, like beaches, walks, and viewpoints.

How much does one month in Sydney cost?

Based on my experience, one month in Sydney cost me around €1,161. This included €740 for accommodation, around €350 for food and drinks, €33 for transport and activities, and €38 for essentials. Of course, this can change depending on your travel style, especially if you go out often or book expensive tours.

How much does accommodation cost in Sydney for backpackers?

Hostels in Sydney usually cost around €15–25 per night depending on the location, season, and type of room. During my stay, I mostly paid around €20 per night for hostel accommodation. Booking longer stays or working in exchange for accommodation can help reduce costs.

Can you do Sydney on a budget?

Yes, absolutely. I saved money by staying in hostels, cooking most of my meals, using public transport, and choosing affordable activities. Some of my favourite Sydney experiences, like exploring beaches and viewpoints, were completely free.

What are the cheapest things to do in Sydney?

Some of the best budget-friendly activities in Sydney include visiting beaches like Bondi and Manly, walking along the harbour, exploring the Royal Botanic Garden, and taking affordable day trips like the Blue Mountains. You don’t need to spend a lot to experience the city.

Is Sydney worth visiting during a working holiday?

Definitely. Even though Sydney was more expensive than some other places I visited in Australia, it was a great first introduction to the country. The beaches, harbour views, and international atmosphere make it a city worth experiencing, especially when you first arrive.

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