Budget-friendly Travel in NSW: Tips for Saving Without Sacrificing the Experience 

Australia is no doubt an expensive country to visit, but if your budget planning is right, even a cheap vacation can provide adventure and thrilling experiences. 

For starters, New South Wales (NSW) is not only known for its beauty, culture, food and exciting attractions, but a destination where you can stretch your Aussie dollar much further than in other places.

 In fact, you can spend days soaking up the atmosphere around Sydney’s harbour or its spectacular beaches while making the most of the other free things to do, without having to spend a penny.

Here are some of our top tips on traveling to NSW on a budget, not only without compromising on the quality of the experiences, but saving money in the long run as well.

We all know that Sydney can be an expensive place to travel like many big cities in Australia. NSW Travel have put together tips for you and your family to make sure you see as much of NSW that you can on a budget!

Pick a Budget-Friendly Accommodation

NSW is by no means a cheap destination, but there are short-term rentals in Sydney that can cater to different preferences and budgets.

Among these short-term rentals, some popular choices are waterfront properties near Bondi Beach and studio apartments in the heart of Strathfield, Cbd. For a more relaxed vibe, consider staying in the harbourside suburbs of Pyrmont or Darling Harbour.

Try a reliable search engine like cozycozy, that allows users to compare the full range of accommodation options available, to find a place that suits your budget most. You are sometimes overwhelmed with options on where to stay but a bad decision can really put a bad taste in your mouth or make your holiday not as nice. It’s worth putting in the effort when choosing a nice place to stay and doing your homework before you leave home.

Travel outside the school holiday season

The most expensive period to travel within NSW is during the Australian summer, from December to February, plus Easter and the school break in late September.

During winter, from June to August, you will find more affordable accommodation options, including “pay for two and get an extra night free” type promotions. However, remember that in winter the Sun sets very early and leaves less time for outdoor activities such as surfing or kayaking.

Best things to do in Sydney are free

Sydney is pricey, and spending only a couple of days there can seriously make a dent in your travel budget. On the other hand, some experiences, like visiting national parks and beaches, are free.

Take a stroll across the majestic Sydney Harbour Bridge, enjoy the beautiful scenery on a walk from Bondi Beach to Coogee or board the  (reasonably priced) Manly Ferry for spectacular harbour views, at a significantly lower price than a traditional harbour cruise.

The city centre also has plenty of free historical attractions, including the Art Gallery of NSW, the Sydney Modern Project and the excellent Rocks Discovery Museum, among others.

Eat at Markets, Pubs and Food Trucks 

NSW has some high-end dining options, but they can have a hefty price tag. The other alternative for budget travellers is to eat at one of the local markets, in parks or in the laneways to savour authentic street food, as well as Greek and Thai delights.

You can try Sydney’s Chinatown night market on Fridays, where dishes are priced at just AU$ 5. In some regions, farmers’ markets operate on weekends where you can find everything from freshly baked pastries to foods for a picnic.

Food trucks are another wallet-friendly option, with around 500 operating in Sydney and the suburbs alone. From Texas BBQ to Filipino fare, these food trucks offer a wide range of dishes that every visitor should try.

Getting there

Sydney is one of the cheapest destinations to fly to for your NSW holiday. From the airport, you have three options to reach the city centre: by train, taxi and shuttle.

Trains depart from the terminal but they have a steep price, considering the short distance. Buses cost about AU$ 25 and will drop you at a city hotel. Shared taxis can be affordable (AU$ 50), allowing you to split the fare with fellow passengers.

While it can be a little difficult to move around in Sydney, the public transport system is reliable and more importantly, reasonably priced, and more convenient than driving. Travelling by water taxi or ferry is by far the best way to travel around Sydney.