Eat, Live & Laugh on a Budget in Sydney

After all Sydney can be enjoyed at a budget too

It's lively, beautiful, cultural and coastal too. That's Sydney for you! No wonder, this sprawling city is admired by several nicknames, which eventually ranks it as one of the most expensive cities of Australia and 20th most expensive city on the planet, inviting frequent flights to Sydney. This should not discourage you, in case you're travelling there for the first time. You need not worry about the usual cost of living in Sydney. Being a traveller to a new city, the concerns for food, drinks and sightseeing does discourage many from fulfilling their dream trip.

On one side, where tourism is on the rise, there are cash-saving alternatives that will definitely turn out to be a treat on your Sydney visit. Hence, it's not just being a 'traveller', but a 'smart-traveller' overall, so that you can enjoy a new city without burning a hole in your pocket with tickets to Sydney. So, where do we begin? Let's begin by Food & Drinks as we love to sample the cuisine of a particular city, but refrain when we see things are quite expensive.

Food & Drinks

Surviving solely on a vegetable sandwich just might not do any good while you're in Sydney. You need real elements, you cannot just live totally on burger and fries and also see that your wallet does not cry out. In order not to break your bank with your three meals a day, jut stay glued to sidewalk bakeries and the roadside cafes that you'll come across frequently.

The exciting part is, you can enjoy discounts if you walk away with your coffee and doughnuts. To relish something more stuffed, you can enjoy pies with meat fillings at the Circular Quay. There are options for vegetarian fillings also. Head towards Chinatown or more towards the interiors to find even more cheaper things to eat at several of the Asian and Indian food courts.

In case Plan A does not work out, switch to Plan B. With cheap flights to Sydney, enjoy a getaway at Surry Hillsand either grab sandwiches, burgers or a bowl full of soup by just paying peanuts. With over 70 restaurants and alluring street food, Chinatown is surely the most promising place for chomping Japanese, Korean and Thai delicacies. Well, you need to check out - George Street, Glebe, Tuesdays, CBD and Big Bite Sydney.

The Food Districts of Sydney:

·         Potts Point

·         Darling Harbour

·         The Rock District

·         Chinatown

·         Surry Hills

·         Bondi Beach

·         The CBD 

Accommodation

In any city, hostels are on the cheaper side. The cheapest dig ranges from $20 to $60, totally depending on the privacy that you are looking for. The largest chain of hostels in Sydney is run by YHA and it's highly regarded for its tidy rooms, amiable staff and minimal rowdiness.

You can try Australian Heritage Hotel, Macleay Lodge Sydney or the Glenferrie Lodge. Most of these hostels range in between $54-$74 per night. For other alternatives, you can also opt for University of Sydney's Wesley College that offers B&B for $60 and St. John's College for $65 a night.

Budget Accommodation in Sydney:

·         Ibis Budget St. Peter

·         Central Railway Hotel

·         Meriton Serviced Apartments Campbell Street

·         Sydney Wattle Hotel

·         Springfield Lodge

·         Hotel Coronatino

·         Macleay Lodge Sydney

·         Southern Cross Hotel

Shopping & Entertainment

Yes, there's Armani, Gucci and even Burberry, but those with less cash can rush towards Paddy's Market to buy some eye-boggling apparels, souvenirs and other things for cheap. With cheap tickets to Sydney from London, you can enjoy some cheaper shows for as low as $30, but not in the nosebleed area. The Sydney Conservatorium holds a couple of Musical Series, where you can enjoy classical music for just $15.

Where to explore shopping stores?

·         Darlinghurst to Paddington

·         The Intersection

·         Glenmore Road

·         Queen Street

·         Sydney Harbour

·         Knox

·         Cross Street

·         Surry Hills

·         Kings Street

Is getting around Sydney cheap?

Walking around the Sydney CBD is gratifying, but if you wish to be somewhere else further, you can call for a taxi that will cost $8 for 1.2 miles. The taxi drivers in Sydney are pretty slow.

The city bus or the train network is quite convenient. If you get a My10Pass, it will save you a lot of money. With the pass you can enjoy 10 bus rides or 5 round trips. Buy a single ride and get a return ticket. The 555 shuttle bus is free in and around the CBD.