Sydney is damn expensive. Even though we can’t get enough of this city, it’s price tag is definitely one of its fallbacks. From $20 cocktails to $100 dinners, sometimes it feels like we’ve drained our bank accounts in a single weekend.
And when you’re just visiting, sometimes it makes sense to splash out on great food and fun activities, but when we take off our tourist hats, we’re actually pretty great at spending an awesome day in Sydney on the (very) cheap.
Even if you’re visiting, doing Sydney on the cheap is actually a great way to live like a local in the city.
Grab coffee on the go
Sydney has amazing coffee when you know where to look, and it’s completely worth the $3.50 you’ll spend. If you grab a cup to go, you’ll be less likely to *accidentally* purchase two muffins, an acai bowl, and an avocado smash, too. Many take-away coffee cafes have a breakfast and coffee combo deal so you can grab a small breakfast for only a couple dollars more.
We love looking at reviews to see which cafes have great coffee, but if you’re out and about, the key is avoiding chains like Starbucks or Gloria Jeans and heading to a cafe that has plenty of people, even if that means waiting in line for a couple of minutes.
Market yourself
Sydney has some truly special markets. Some, like the Circular Quay market, are pricier, while others offer secondhand clothing, which can be an absolut
e steal. You might be twenty or thirty bucks down after visiting a market, but you’ll be dragging around a few bags of clothing for that price.
One of our very favorites is the Kirribilli Markets. This market features both arts and crafts and clothing, both new and secondhand. After you’re done revamping your wardrobe, Kirribilli and Milson’s Point are awesome places to explore on foot. You can even walk through Luna Park for free, only paying if you want to go on rides or buy some food.
Put on your walking shoes
Sydney isn’t considered one of the most walkable cities in the world, but walking is an awesome way to see the city while spending exactly zero dollars. Coastal walks are a huge hit in our book. Our favorites are the classic Bondi to Coogee walk and the lesser-known Chowder Bay to Balmoral walk. Both offer spectacular views and you get to hit the beach while you’re at it.
Walking the Sydney Harbour Bridge is another great way to see the city without spending a dime. While the official Bridge Climb is quite expensive, climbing one of the bridge’s pylons is cheap and still offers amazing views.
Life’s a picnic
Call us old fashioned, but we love a good picnic. Sydney has so many stunning picnic locations that are perfect for laying out a blanket and chowing down. Even better, buying a few essentials in the supermarket is cheaper than any restaurant you’ll find in town. Head to Cremorne Point Reserve for a quiet harbor view, or to Manly beach for a buzzy atmosphere.
You can find a Woolworths or Coles almost anywhere, so grab some crusty bread, at least two kinds of cheese, some prosciutto or jamon, and you’re ready for a beautifully lazy afternoon.
Share the love (and the grub)
One of our favorite ways to save money in Sydney is to share food when we go out. Eating and drinking out on the town is undoubtedly expensive in Sydney, so finding a place with easily shareable food like pizza or tapas is a must. Head somewhere like Fratelli Fresh for outstanding Italian. You won’t be sorry.
Sydney can drain your bank account faster than you’d think. But a little outside the box thinking can have you enjoying an entire day while only opening your wallet a time or two.
The Broken Compass 