Comparison · Melbourne vs Sydney · Australia
Melbourne vs Sydney
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Melbpal, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Choose Melbourne for Laneway cafés and Street art; choose Sydney for Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Day-to-day costs are similar, and the two are about 713 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 713 km
- Less expensive
- About the same
- Best time for Melbourne
- February–April and October–November
- Best time for Sydney
- March–April and September–November
Side by side
| Melbourne | Sydney | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Australia | Australia |
| Known for | Laneway cafés, Street art and Trams | Sydney Opera House, Harbour Bridge and Bondi Beach |
| Best time to visit | February–April and October–November | March–April and September–November |
| Ideal stay | 5 days | 5 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $180–$320 | $200–$350 |
| Cost level | Expensive | Expensive |
| Warmest month | January, 26°C (79°F) | January, 26°C (79°F) |
| Coldest month | June, 14°C (57°F) | July, 17°C (63°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 12 | 11 |
| Day trips in our guide | 7 | 6 |
| Beaches | St Kilda Beach | Bondi Beach |
| Airports | MEL, AVV | SYD |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Melbourne for…
Laneway cafés and Street art. Melbourne is a grid-planned city on the Yarra River, known less for single landmarks than for laneway cafés, galleries, sport and food. The CBD's Hoddle Grid is covered by a free tram zone, and inner suburbs such as Fitzroy, Carlton, Richmond and St Kilda…
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Choose Sydney for…
Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Sydney wraps around a deep natural harbour, with the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge facing each other across Circular Quay and surf beaches strung along the ocean coast to the east and north. Most visitors base themselves between Circular Quay, the CBD…
Top sights compared
| # | Melbourne | Sydney |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Federation Square and Flinders Street Station | Sydney Opera House |
| 2 | Hosier Lane and the CBD laneways | Sydney Harbour Bridge |
| 3 | National Gallery of Victoria | Royal Botanic Garden and Mrs Macquarie's Chair |
| 4 | Queen Victoria Market | The Rocks |
| 5 | Royal Botanic Gardens | Bondi Beach |
Food compared
| Melbourne | Sydney |
|---|---|
| Specialty coffee and the 'magic' | Sydney rock oysters |
| Melbourne brunch | Meat pie |
| Dim sim | Flat white |
| Souvlaki | Smashed avocado and ricotta hotcakes |
Which is cheaper?
Melbourne and Sydney cost about the same: a mid-range day is roughly $180–$320 in Melbourne and $200–$350 in Sydney (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Melbourne on a budget.
Can you visit both?
They are about 713 km apart, so combining them means a flight. With 11 days or more it works; otherwise pick one.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Melbourne or Sydney cheaper?
Neither is clearly cheaper: a mid-range day costs about $180–$320 in Melbourne and $200–$350 in Sydney (estimates).
+Is Melbourne or Sydney better for a first trip?
Pick Melbourne for Laneway cafés and Street art, or Sydney for Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge.
+How far is Melbourne from Sydney?
About 713 km in a straight line.