Why go
- Capital city of New South Wales, Australia.
- 1 hand-picked place to stay.
- Served by Sydney Airport (SYD).
History
Sydney is the capital of the state of New South Wales and the largest city in Australia. The metropolis surrounds Sydney Harbour and extends about 80 kilometres (50 mi) from the Pacific Ocean in the east to the Blue Mountains in the west, and about 80 kilometres (50 mi) from Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park and the Hawkesbury River in the north and north-west, to the Royal National Park and Macarthur in the south and south-west. Greater Sydney consists of 658 suburbs, spread across 33 local government areas. Residents of the city are colloquially known as "Sydneysiders". The estimated population in June 2025 was 5,638,830, which is about 66% of the state's population. The city's nicknames include the Emerald City and the Harbour City.
Where to stay
Indoor
199 George St, The Rocks NSW 2000, Australia · fourseasons.com
176 Cumberland St, The Rocks NSW 2000, Australia · shangri-la.com
2/45 Knox St, Double Bay NSW 2028, Australia · savoyhotel.com.au
Indoor
11 Jamison St, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia · amorahotels.com
68 Market St, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia · swissotelsydney.com.au
9-13 Marsden St, Camperdown NSW 2050, Australia · collectionisthotel.com.au
Hotel entrance via, 88 Broadway, 4 Central Park Ave, Chippendale NSW 2008, Australia · marriott.com
Lobby Level/1 Martin Pl, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia · fullertonhotels.com
2a Bradleys Head Rd, Mosman NSW 2088, Australia · taronga.org.au
143 York St, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia · yehshotel.com.au
26 Clarence St, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia · littlenationalhotel.com.au
6 Cremorne Rd, Cremorne Point NSW 2090, Australia · cremornepointmanor.com.au
110 Cumberland St, The Rocks NSW 2000, Australia · yha.com.au
79 Albert Ave, Chatswood NSW 2067, Australia · meritonsuites.com.au
Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour, 12 Darling Dr, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia · sofitel.accor.com
212 Riley St, Surry Hills NSW 2010, Australia · adgehotel.com.au
1 Ballantyne St, Mosman NSW 2088, Australia · ballantyne.net.au
205 Harris St, Pyrmont NSW 2009, Australia · thedunkirk.com.au
115 Regent St, Chippendale NSW 2008, Australia · lordgladstone.com.au
61 Harris St, Pyrmont NSW 2009, Australia · terminuspyrmont.com
1 Kensington St, Chippendale NSW 2008, Australia · odehotels.com
14 Queen St, Woollahra NSW 2025, Australia · thehughendenhotel.com.au
22 Shelley St, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia · all.accor.com
52-60 Enmore Rd, Newtown NSW 2042, Australia · theurbannewtown.com.au
93 York St, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia · megaboomhotel.com.au
717 George St, Haymarket NSW 2000, Australia · greatsouthernhotel.com.au
488 George St, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia · hilton.com
11 Hickson Rd, Dawes Point NSW 2000, Australia · marriott.com
161 Elizabeth St, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia · marriott.com
358 Elizabeth St, Surry Hills NSW 2010, Australia · cphsydney.com
30 Pitt St, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia · marriott.com
161 Sussex St, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia · hyatt.com
389 Pitt St, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia · rydges.com
114 Darlinghurst Rd, Darlinghurst NSW 2010, Australia · thesydneyboutiquehotel.com
8 Dixon St, Haymarket NSW 2000, Australia · apxhotelsapartments.com
28 Albion St, Surry Hills NSW 2010, Australia · rydges.com
7/11 Talavera Rd, North Ryde NSW 2113, Australia · marriott.com
Indoor
Indoor
Indoor
287 Military Rd, Cremorne NSW 2090, Australia · parkregisconcierge.com.au
Restaurants & places to go
Seafood, Restaurant · Features: outdoor seating Wikipedia: en:Doyles on the Beach · doyles.com.au
Australian, Regional, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 06:30-10:00,12:00-15:00,18:00-21:30; Sa 07:00-10:30,14:00-16:30,17:30-22:00, Su… · glassbrasserie.com.au
International, Restaurant · Opening hours: 06:30-23:00 Features: step-free access · 65 Sussex Street, 2000 · solanderdiningandbar.com.au
Italian, Restaurant · Italian cuisine with an amazing view of the coastline of Maroubra Beach in Sydney - welcome to barmilano | restaurant, bar & events… · barmilano.com.au
Turkish, Kebab, Fast Food · Authentic Turkish takeaway and dine-in restaurant. Offers tasty kebabs, snack packs, gozleme, charcoal grill and burgers. All food… · brotherskebab.com.au
Breakfast, Cafe · Cafe staples and artisanal coffee made from beans roasted on site in a hip, converted warehouse. Opening hours: Mo-Sa 05:00-15:00; Su… · doubleroasters.com
Middle Eastern, Restaurant · Previously La Grillade, Red Bird Opening hours: We-Th 17:00-21:00; Fr 17:00-22:00; Sa 12:00-15:00,17:00-22:00; Su… · mezepotamia.com.au
Portuguese, Restaurant · Portuguese Style Chicken & Burgers Opening hours: PH,Mo-Su 10:00-22:00 Features: vegan options, halal · ogalo.com.au
Japanese, Restaurant · Japanese restaurant, sushi, sashimi, udon, noodles, etc Opening hours: Mo-Sa 11:30-14:30, 17:00-21:00; Su 17:00-21:00 Features:… · instagram.com
Chinese, Restaurant · Kitchen closes at 2:15pm and 8:15pm Opening hours: Tu-Fr 11:00-15:30,17:00-22:30, Su,Tu-Fr 11:00-15:30,17:00-22:30 Features: vegan options · tiancivegan.com
Cafe, Coffee Shop, Restaurant · Offers DJs as entertainment Opening hours: Mo-Su 06:00-15:00 Features: outdoor seating · 3 Queen Elizabeth Drive · glorydaysbondi.com.au
Sandwich, Burger, Fish, Fish And Chips, Salad, Dessert, Cake, Chocolate, Cafe · Monday 7 am–2 pm Tuesday 7 am–2 pm Wednesday 7 am–2 pm Thursday 7 am–2 pm… · rosebudcafe.com.au
Cake, Coffee Shop, Dessert, Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 07:30-16:00; Sa 07:30-17:00; Su 07:30-16:30 · 85-113 Dunning Avenue · blackstarpastry.com
Chicken, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Su 10:00-23:00 Features: outdoor seating, takeaway, step-free access · 436 Pacific Highway · kfc.com.au
Ice Cream, Ice Cream · Opening hours: Mo-Th,Su 11:00-22:30; Fr,Sa 11:00-23:00 Features: step-free access · 138 Campbell Parade · benandjerry.com.au
Pizza, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo 10:00-22:00; Tu-Fr,Su 11:00-22:45; Sa 11:00-23:45 Features: delivery, step-free access · 85 Bondi Road, 2026 · dominos.com.au
Salad, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Su 11:00-17:00 Features: takeaway, step-free access · fishbowlbondi.com.au
Bubble Tea, Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Su 11:00-22:00 Features: takeaway · 49 Burwood Road, 2134 · gongchatea.com.au
Burger, Fast Food · Opening hours: Su-Th 10:30-22:00; Fr-Sa 10:30-23:00 Features: takeaway · 25-31 Barangaroo Avenue · grilld.com.au
Mexican, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 07:00-16:00 Features: outdoor seating, takeaway · 275 Kent Street · guzmanygomez.com.au
Vietnamese, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Th 09:30-14:30; Fr 10:30-14:00 Features: takeaway · rolld.com.au
Sushi, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 08:00-16:00 · sushihub.com.au
Bakery, Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Su 06:30-17:00 Features: takeaway, step-free access · 85A Bay Road · thegrumpybaker.com.au
Steak House, American, Burger, Barbecue, Wings, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 17:30-23:00 Features: outdoor seating, takeaway, delivery, step-free access… · elementsdmokehouse.com.au
Swedish, Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Su 07:00-14:00 Features: outdoor seating · 5B Market Lane, 2095 · fika.au
Thai, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Th 08:00-22:00; Fr-Su 08:00-23:00 · 704 George Street · revu.website
Curry, Sri Lankan, Restaurant · Opening hours: Tu 17:00-20:00; We-Su 12:00-20:00 · 210 Enmore Road · ceyloncurry.com.au
Indian, Restaurant · Opening hours: Su-Th 17:30-22:30; Fr-Sa 17:30-23:00 · delhiodelhi.com.au
Asian, Restaurant · Opening hours: Su-Th 12:00-21:00; Fr-Sa 12:00-22:00 · lunalu.com.au
Bangladeshi, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Th 11:30-22:00; Fr,Sa 11:30-23:30; Su 11:30-22:00 · tajla.com.au
Indonesian, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo 11:00-15:00; Tu-We 11:00-20:00; Th-Sa 11:00-21:00 · Shop 1, 432 Kent Street · thesambalonkent.com.au
Lebanese, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 11:00-22:00 · 189 Missenden Road, 2042 · alaseel.com.au
Taiwanese, Chinese, Beef Bowl, Noodles, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 11:00-21:00; Th-Sa 11:00-21:30 Features: outdoor seating, takeaway, step-free… · baodao.com.au
French, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 12:00-15:00, 17:30-22:30; Sa 17:30-22:30; Su 12:00-15:00, 17:30-21:30 · 2 Ash Street, 2000 · merivale.com.au
Mediterranean, Restaurant · Opening hours: Tu-Th 15:00-22:00, Fr-Sa 12:00-22:00, Su 12:00-22:00 · 429 Miller Street · follys.com.au
Crepe, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo 09:00-17:00; Tu 09:00-21:30; We-Th 07:30-21:30; Fr-Sa 07:30-22:00; Su 07:30-20:00 Features: outdoor seating, takeaway,… · fourfrogs.com.au
Coffee, Breakfast, Burger, Smoothie, Sandwich, Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Sa 07:00-17:00; Su 07:00-04:00 Features: outdoor seating · 13 Ernest Place, 2065 · freshcrowsnestcafe.com
German, Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-We 07:00-17:00; Th-Fr 07:00-18:00; Sa 07:00-15:00; Su,PH off Features: outdoor seating · 2A Sarsfield Circuit, 2207 · german-butchery.com.au
Korean, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 11:30-14:40, 15:30-21:30 · 39-41 Goulburn Street, 2000 · hansangsydney.com.au
Fish And Chips, Coffee, Seafood, Burger, Salad, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 07:30-19:30; Sa 07:30-03:00 Features: takeaway · 97 Greenwich Road, 2065 · hookedseafood.com.au
Malaysian, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 10:30-19:00; Sa-Su 11:00-15:00 · 83 York Street · ipohtown.com.au
Greek, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 07:00-20:30 Features: outdoor seating · 14-16 O'Brien Street · kazzibeachgreek.com.au
Dessert, Cafe · Opening hours: We-Su 10:00-20:00 Features: outdoor seating, takeaway, step-free access · 62-66 Blaxland Road · koidessertbar.com.au
Bagel, Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Su 07:00-14:30 Features: outdoor seating, takeaway · 312 Illawarra Road, 2204 · loxinabox.com.au
Fish, Regional, Seafood, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-We 12:00-22:00, Th 11:00-23:00, Fr,Sa 11:00-24:00, Su 11:00-22:00 · East Esplanade · manlyskiff.com.au
361 more places in the Ultimate edition. See the Ultimate edition →
Airports
Sydney Airport (SYD) 8.6 km to the centre
Sydney (Mascot), NSW, AU — You board from the indoor waiting area — no need to plan for the weather. ✈ 47 airlines (Qantas, Virgin Australia, Jetstar Airways, Regional Express…) · direct flights to 85 destinations incl. Auckland, Singapore, Christchurch, Melbourne, Los Angeles… (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 47 airlines, 85 direct destinations
- Qantas QF (737-800, Dash 8-300, A330-300, 747-400, Dash 8-400, DH8…) · 46 routes: Adelaide, Albury*, Alice Springs, Armidale*, Auckland, Bangkok, Brisbane, Broome, Cairns, Canberra, Christchurch*, Coff's Harbour*, Coolangatta, Dallas-Fort Worth, Darwin, Dubai, Dubbo*, Gladstone*, Ho Chi Minh City*, Hobart, Hong Kong, Honolulu, Jakarta, Johannesburg, Karratha, Lord Howe Island*, Los Angeles, Manila, Melbourne, Moree*, Nandi, Nanjing, Noumea, Perth, Port Macquarie*, Port Moresby*, Port-vila*, Queenstown International, Santiago, Seoul* … +6 more
- Virgin Australia VA (737-800, Embraer 190, A320, 737-700, ATR 72, A330-200…) · 32 routes: Abu Dhabi, Adelaide*, Albury*, Auckland*, Ballina Byron Bay*, Brisbane*, Cairns*, Canberra, Christchurch, Coff's Harbour*, Coolangatta*, Darwin*, Denpasar*, Faleolo*, Hamilton Island*, Hervey Bay*, Hobart*, Hong Kong*, Honolulu*, Launceston*, Los Angeles, Mackay*, Maroochydore*, Melbourne*, Nandi*, Perth*, Port Macquarie*, Singapore*, Tongatapu*, Townsville*, Uluru*, Wellington
- Jetstar Airways JQ (A320, A321, 787-8, A330-200) · 22 routes: Adelaide, Auckland, Avalon, Ballina Byron Bay, Brisbane, Cairns, Christchurch, Coolangatta, Darwin, Denpasar, Hamilton Island, Hobart, Honolulu, Launceston, Maroochydore, Melbourne, Nandi, Perth, Phuket, Queenstown International, Townsville, Uluru
- Regional Express ZL (Saab 340) · 17 routes: Albury, Armidale, Ballina Byron Bay, Bathurst, Broken Hill, Dubbo, Griffith, Lismore, Merimbula, Mildura, Moruya, Narrandera, Newcastle, Orange, Parkes, Taree, Wagga Wagga
- American Airlines AA (737, 767-300, 747-400, 330, 380) · 13 routes: Adelaide*, Alice Springs*, Auckland*, Brisbane*, Cairns*, Canberra*, Christchurch*, Dallas-Fort Worth*, Darwin*, Honolulu*, Los Angeles*, Melbourne, Perth*
- Air New Zealand NZ (A320, 767-300, 777, 330, 777-200, ATR 72) · 9 routes: Auckland, Avarua, Christchurch, Los Angeles*, Norfolk Island, Port Macquarie, San Francisco*, Shanghai*, Wellington
- Tiger Airways Australia TT (A320) · 9 routes: Adelaide, Alice Springs, Brisbane, Cairns, Coff's Harbour, Coolangatta, Melbourne, Perth, Prosserpine
- Emirates EK (A380, 777-300ER, 737-800, A330-300, 747-400) · 7 routes: Auckland, Bangkok, Christchurch, Dubai, Queenstown International*, Singapore*, Wellington*
- China Eastern Airlines MU (737-800, A330-200, A330-300, 747-400) · 6 routes: Auckland*, Christchurch*, Nanjing, Shanghai, Singapore*, Wellington*
- United Airlines UA (777) · 3 routes: Los Angeles, Melbourne, San Francisco
- Air China CA (330) · 2 routes: Beijing, Shanghai
- Air India Limited AI (787-8) · 2 routes: Delhi, Melbourne
- Air Pacific FJ (A330-200, 737-800, 737-700) · 2 routes: Nandi, Nausori
- China Airlines CI (A330-300) · 2 routes: Auckland, Taipei
- Garuda Indonesia GA (A330-200) · 2 routes: Denpasar, Jakarta
- LAN Airlines LA (A340-300, 747-400) · 2 routes: Auckland, Santiago*
- Turkish Airlines TK (747, 777-200) · 2 routes: Bangkok*, Seoul*
- Aero Condor Peru Q6 (Dash 8-300) · 1 route: Toowoomba
- Air Caledonie International SB (A320, A330-200) · 1 route: Noumea
- Air Canada AC (777-200LR) · 1 route: Vancouver
- Air Niugini PX (737-800) · 1 route: Port Moresby
- Air Tahiti Nui TN (737-800) · 1 route: Auckland*
- Air Vanuatu NF (737-800) · 1 route: Port-vila
- AirAsia X D7 (330) · 1 route: Kuala Lumpur
- Alitalia AZ (A340-600, 777-300ER) · 1 route: Abu Dhabi*
- Asiana Airlines OZ (777-200) · 1 route: Seoul
- British Airways BA (777) · 1 route: Singapore
- Cathay Pacific CX (A330-300) · 1 route: Hong Kong
- China Southern Airlines CZ (A330-200, A330-300) · 1 route: Guangzhou
- Delta Air Lines DL (777-200LR) · 1 route: Los Angeles
- Ethiopian Airlines ET (A380) · 1 route: Singapore
- Etihad Airways EY (A340-600, 777-300ER) · 1 route: Abu Dhabi
- Finnair AY (A380, 747-400) · 1 route: Hong Kong*
- Hawaiian Airlines HA (A330-200) · 1 route: Honolulu
- Iberia Airlines IB (777) · 1 route: Singapore*
- Japan Airlines Domestic JL (777) · 1 route: Tokyo
- Korean Air KE (A330-300) · 1 route: Seoul
- Malaysia Airlines MH (A330-300) · 1 route: Kuala Lumpur
- Philippine Airlines PR (A340-300) · 1 route: Manila
- Scoot TZ (777-200) · 1 route: Singapore
- Sichuan Airlines 3U (330) · 1 route: Chongqing
- Singapore Airlines Cargo SQ (A380, 777-200, 777-300) · 1 route: Singapore
- South African Airways SA (747-400) · 1 route: Johannesburg*
- Thai Airways International TG (747) · 1 route: Bangkok
- US Airways US (A320, 767-300, 777-200) · 1 route: Auckland*
- Vietnam Airlines VN (330) · 1 route: Ho Chi Minh City
- Virgin Atlantic Airways VS (A340-600) · 1 route: Hong Kong
Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.
Sydney Bankstown Airport (BWU) 20 km to the centre
Sydney, NSW, AU — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day.
Getting there by ferry
Darling Harbour Wharf 9
Ferry terminal · 0.3 km from the centre
Pyrmont Bay Wharf
Ferry terminal · 0.4 km from the centre · Transdev Sydney Ferries
Darling Harbour, King St Wharf 7
Ferry terminal · 0.4 km from the centre
Darling Harbour, King St Wharf 6
Ferry terminal · 0.4 km from the centre
Darling Harbour, King St Wharf 8
Ferry terminal · 0.4 km from the centre
Darling Harbour Wharf 3
Ferry terminal · 0.5 km from the centre · NSW Maritime
Barangaroo - Pyrmont Bay
Ferry route · Transdev Sydney Ferries
Barangaroo - Blackwattle Bay
Ferry route
Barangaroo - Circular Quay
Ferry route · Transdev Sydney Ferries
Barangaroo - White Bay Cruise Terminal
Ferry route
F10 Blackwattle Bay via Pirrama Park
Ferry route · Transdev Sydney Ferries
F10 B Blackwattle Bay
Ferry route · Transdev Sydney Ferries
Manly Fast Ferry
Ferry route
Circular Quay - Manly
Ferry route · Transdev Sydney Ferries
Where things are
Local search powered by Geoverts and geo-intelligence by Better Mapping
base map © OSM
Photographs
credit: Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons · See source page
When to go
Tourist season
October – March
The warmer, longer-day half of the southern-hemisphere year.
Shoulder season
April – May, September
Milder and quieter, with better value.
Worth avoiding
June – August
The southern winter — check local conditions before travelling.
Getting there & around
Getting there. The nearest airport on record is Sydney Airport (SYD); 1 other airport serves the wider area. Check rail and road links from the tourism sources below. By air: SYD has direct flights to 85 destinations on 47 airlines (incl. Auckland, Singapore, Christchurch, Melbourne, Los Angeles…). By water: 6 ferry terminals within 20 km (nearest: Darling Harbour Wharf 9, 0.3 km); routes include Barangaroo - Pyrmont Bay, Barangaroo - Blackwattle Bay, Barangaroo - Circular Quay.
Getting around. Use the map above to orient yourself; nearby hotels, attractions and places to eat are listed from the live Ultimate data for Sydney, Australia. Local transit details will be added as the guide is expanded.
Local transit
Train, metro, bus, ferry · Sydney's trains, metro, buses, light rail and harbour ferries. · Fares: Opal card or contactless · Airport: Airport Link train to Central in 13 min
Trains & rail
Rail operator
Rail operator
Rail operator
Sydney to Perth across the Nullarbor, four days coast to coast. · Perth, Western Australia guide →
National rail
Coaches & shuttles
About three and a half hours to the capital. · Canberra guide →
Overnight coach up the Hume Highway, about 12 hours. · Melbourne, Australia guide →
Private aviation
On-demand charter, jet cards and the semi-private scheduled carriers that serve this city.
Charter, management · Managed fleet · Sydney-based charter and management.
Broker · Any aircraft via operators worldwide · Global charter broker with 30+ offices; private jets, group charters and cargo.
FBO, charter, management · Managed fleet · FBO network and management across Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific.
Fractional, jet card · Embraer Praetor, Bombardier Challenger & Global, Gulfstream · Fractional ownership and jet cards in North America and Europe.
Charter, management · Large-cabin & VIP airliners · Geneva-based operator known for large-cabin and VIP airliner charters.
Tours & experiences
Cruise · 2 hours · from A$115/pp
Boat Tour · from A$14/pp