Planning a trip to Sydney?
Here you'll find the essential facts and figures about Sydney in one place. From Sydney’s sunny weather and local time zone to currency tips, transport options, and cultural highlights, we’ve compiled the key details to help you navigate and enjoy our vibrant harbour city.
Getting to Sydney
Visas
International visitors need a visa to enter Australia unless they are a citizen of Australia or New Zealand. Find current visa information on the Australian Government website.
Flights
Sydney Airport is the largest in Australia, with direct flights from 25+ countries. From late 2026, Western Sydney Airport will also operate with 24 hour service.
Travel from the Airport
Sydney Airport is only 8km from the Central Business District (CBD), which can be reached by train in under 15 minutes (approx. AUD$20), and by taxi or rideshare services (approx. 20 minutes, AUD$45-55).
Hotels and Accommodation
There are more than 44,000 hotel rooms in the city centre, with a range of options, whether you want luxury or affordability, heritage or ultra-modern. Click here to choose a hotel from our preferred suppliers.
Facts about Sydney
Weather
Sydney has a sunny climate year-round, with mild winters and warm summers.
Average temperatures:
• Spring (Sept-Nov) 11-23°C (52-73°F)
• Summer (Dec-Feb) 19-26°C (66-78°F)
• Autumn (Mar-May) 15-22°C (58-72°F)
• Winter (Jun-Aug) 9-17°C (48-63°F)
Time Zone
The local time zone in Sydney is Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST), which is generally UTC+10. Between October and April, we observe daylight savings and operate on Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT), which is generally
UTC+11.
Local Currency
The Australian currency is the dollar (AUD), which comes in notes ($5, $10, $20, $50 and $100) and coins (5, 10, 20 and 50 cents, and $1 and $2). Currency exchange services are available at the airport, in the city centre and at most banks and Australia Post offices.
Getting Around
Scenic and compact, Sydney is perfect for walking, with many of the city’s venues an easy distance from central hotels. It also has accessible and affordable public transport, with the option to pay for trips with contactless payment methods or an Opal card. There are also several taxi and rideshare options.
Exploring Sydney and NSW
Cultural life
Sydney is home to a truly diverse population and welcomes people with a range of identities, perspectives and experiences. This makes for a thriving cultural scene, with First Nations arts and cultures; libraries, galleries and museums; live music; and performing arts. Find upcoming cultural highlights in the Sydney.com calendar of events.
Food & Drink
Sydney might be relaxed, but it is serious about its food and drink. It has a dedicated coffee culture, commitment to brunch, and a range of great bars and restaurants – from the affordable
to the flash – with cuisine that spans Asian-fusion, fresh seafood, modern Australian, and European and Middle Eastern cuisine.
Experience Sydney
A diverse global city alive with energy and culture, Sydney is overflowing with incredible experiences and outstanding beauty – from shimmering waterways, leafy parklands, golden beaches, the Sydney Opera House and many hidden secrets beyond the icons. See the sites, by foot or by ferry. Climb the world-famous Harbour Bridge. Meet the wildlife at beautiful Taronga Zoo. Swim in a harbour pool. Daytrip
to World Heritage wilderness. Or just laze on one of the many stunning beaches.
Explore NSW
Sydney is the capital city of the state of New South Wales (NSW). Beyond the city there is much to explore in Regional NSW, from wine regions, oyster farms and towns with incredible restaurants, mountain ranges, beaches, rainforests and snowfields.
