How to Survive Traveling in Sydney While on a Budget

Sydney has been called one of the “Most Expensive Cities in the World” by New York Times recently, so visiting the great Down Under poses some problems for travelers on a budget. Luckily, many of the most famous sites are available at absolutely no charge and the city is now replete with backpacker's hotels and hostels. So, if you are careful, there is a good chance that you can survive your vacation with your wallet still intact.

One of, if not the most, famous landmark in Sydney is the Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge. The Opera House was built in 1973 after the architect's design won an international competition. It was named a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2007 and is one of the most visited places in all of Australia. For tourists looking for a great photo-op, take at least part of the day to go and wander around the base of the building. Although the area is notoriously touristy, it is still awesome to see the huge fan-like wings jut into thin air and there is no better view than from the top of the 84 steps out front. Best of all, this entire visit and tour can be conducted entirely for free.

Just next door from the harbor and the Opera House lies the Royal Botanical Gardens. Entrance to these gardens is open to the public, so take the opportunity to wander around the winding paths and find a nice spot for a picnic. The majority of the flora in the gardens is native to Australia so there is always something unique and beautiful for tourists to see.

From the Gardens, catch a bus and scoot on over to China Town. Australia's – relative – proximity to China means that many of the cultural sites and products are shipped over at extremely low prices. Everything from food to clothing to trinkets is on sale, so it is a great place to visit if you are looking for a good price on souvenirs. Make sure to visit the open-air Paddy's Markets to see everything that China Town has to offer.

The nightlife in Sydney is varied and there is always something going on. Unfortunately, not all of these events are cheap. Tickets to the Opera House can cost upwards of $100 per ticket and getting into a club can cost sometimes $50 a person. Luckily, there are some options that are more affordable. One of the best things to do is a pub crawl. Tickets are usually about $30 per person, but they usually include at least one free drink or taster at each bar. Plus, they're tons of fun and a great way to make new friends in the city.

Although Sydney can be extremely expensive, there are still ways to avoid paying too much if you are traveling on a budget. If you are worried about managing your money while you are there, you can also ask for advice at your hotel and they can give you good tips.

Written by the Marketing Department for Los Angeles car accident lawyer, Paul E. Lee