Sydney Accommodation: Where to Stay in Sydney by Area, Budget and Traveller Type

Getting ready for your trip to Sydney? Australia's most famous city stretches a long way in every direction, from the harbour to the beaches to the quieter suburbs across the bridge, and there is somewhere to stay in all of them. Working out which area suits you is the part that trips people up. This guide covers Sydney accommodation by area, from CBD hotels to Darling Harbour, Potts Point, Surry Hills, North Sydney, the beaches, stays near the airport, cheap beds and pet friendly rooms.

Where to Stay in Sydney: The Areas Compared

Sydney accommodation clusters in eight or nine spots, with trade offs across the board.

Accommodation Sydney CBD: The Best Choice for Most Travellers

Accommodation in the Sydney CBD costs more per night than anywhere else on this list, but for a first trip it is still usually the right call. Every train, metro, bus, ferry and light rail line in the city funnels through it, and you can walk to most of the landmarks. I'm going to break it down into three different areas inside the CBD, each with a different feel.

The Rocks and Circular Quay

This is the picturesque part of the Sydney CBD that you'll see in photos, with the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge on your doorstep and the ferry wharves right there for Manly and Taronga Zoo. Rates are the highest in the city and rooms are often small for the money. Still, this is the first place I start looking whenever I'm staying in Sydney. Paying a bit extra to be smack bang in the middle of all the action (and only a short walk from the ferries) is worth it in my opinion.

Central CBD: Wynyard to Town Hall

A few blocks back from the water, this is where the big dependable four-stars sit, next to the shopping and Hyde Park. You lose the harbour view but keep the walkability, and prices on average fall a little bit than if you're staying in The Rocks or Circular Quay. Attractions like the Sydney Tower Eye and St. Mary's Cathedral are in this stretch, and it also gives you the most 'in the city' feel of all areas.

Southern CBD, Haymarket and Chinatown

South towards Central Station, prices drop further, and puts you within distance of Chinatown, Paddy's Markets and the light rail. It is busier and scruffier than the northern end, and it is the best value in the city centre.

Darling Harbour and Pyrmont

Darling Harbour accommodation suits families and anyone in town for an event at the ICC, with the Sydney Aquarium, the Maritime Museum and a wall of restaurants around the water. Pyrmont sits just behind it and is quieter and a smidge more affordable for much the same access. 

A few things to consider though. This is the most touristy part of Sydney, and locals largely avoid the waterfront restaurants. Plus, the walk to a train station is a bit longer than you might think when looking at the maps.

Potts Point, Kings Cross and Woolloomooloo

Immediately east of the CBD are the areas of Potts Point, Kings Cross, and Woolloomooloo. In Potts Point, you'll find leafy streets, small bars, and some of the best breakfast in Sydney. A hotel in Potts Point also means you can walk into the CBD in about 20 minutes, through the Domain and the Botanic Gardens. A pretty nice commute for a good price.

Kings Cross carries an old reputation for gaudy nightlife that isn't true anymore, and Woolloomooloo below it puts you a short walk from the Art Gallery of NSW. The area skews younger and noisier on weekends. 

Surry Hills and Darlinghurst

Southeast of the CBD are the areas of Surry Hills and Darlinghurst, which you also might consider. Surry Hills accommodation is the pick if the food is the point of the trip. Crown Street and the surrounding blocks carry a huge amount of top quality restaurants. Plus, Central Station is a walk away, and the light rail runs through the area. Darlinghurst next door is much the same with a slightly more city feel.

The Australian Museum in Darlinghurst is a highlight of the area.

Accommodation North Sydney

Accommodation in North Sydney sits across the Harbour Bridge and has become a much stronger option since Victoria Cross metro station opened, giving the area metro, heavy rail and buses within a few blocks. Rates generally run below the equivalent CBD room, and the strong public transport means you can be there within about 10 minutes anyway.

Sydney Airport Accommodation

Sydney Airport accommodation is a functional choice only when you've got a flight departing before 8am or if you're arriving after 11pm. The airport is in Mascot, roughly 8km south of the city, so being right next to the airport is a lifesaver on those occasions.

As Australia's busiest airport, there are a lot of hotels to choose from. A lot are within walking distance of the airport, but note that others you'll still need to catch a taxi or a shuttle bus to and from the terminals. Honestly, for Aussies visiting Sydney, it's not a great option. I only stay in the area when I'm flying in and out of the international airport, and even then, only if my flight is leaving early or departing late.

Beach Accommodation in Sydney: Bondi, Coogee and Manly

Bondi Beach is one of Sydney's most popular areas for tourists, and with good reason. I grew up watching Bondi Rescue, like a lot of others in Australia, and apparently the rest of the world, and it's a magnet for visitors after having seen it so much on the telly. Staying near this famous strip of sand (or further south at Coogee Beach) lets you go for a swim before brekky, eat at a cafe with salt-crusted hair, and explore the Bondi to Coogee coastal walk before the day trippers arrive. Both suburbs also have proper ocean pools as well; swimming in either is one of the most Sydney things you can do.

• Bondi is the busier of the two, with the surf schools, Icebergs and a strong backpacker scene, plus Bondi Junction behind it for the shopping centre and the train line.
• Coogee is calmer and more family-oriented, with sheltered swimming and a set of rock pools that suit kids and nervous swimmers better than Bondi's surf does.

The transport is the trade-off. Bondi has no station of its own, so it's a bus to Bondi Junction and then a ride on the Eastern Suburbs line. Coogee has no train at all, only buses into the city. A bit of a pain if you're visiting and also want to see the big sights in the city centre, but not a deal breaker.

Manly is the third option for a beach stay in Sydney, but I think it only makese sense for a longer stay. That's because you'll need to get the ferry every time you want to visit what Sydney has to offer, and you'll have to catch it back. The ferry is great, providing some amazing views of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House, but for a long weekend I wouldn't recommend staying here.

Bondi Beach is one of Sydney's most popular areas to visit for beach-lovers. Photo via Unsplash.

Cheap Accommodation Sydney

Cheap accommodation in Sydney comes down to the season, the suburb and the type of bed. Winter is the bargain, with June through August off-peak and rates soft across the board, while the fortnight from Christmas Eve into early January is the most expensive stretch of the year. Worth knowing if you are visiting over Christmas: a lot of restaurants and bars close between Christmas and New Year.

Accommodation around Haymarket and Kings Cross are the cheapest beds going close to the CBD. Further out, if you don't mind a commute, staying in areas like Newtown, Chatswood, Parramatta and Macquarie Park (all on good train lines) will save you money on your accommodation.

Pet Friendly Accommodation Sydney

If you're bringing your pet to Sydney with you, you'll need to pick a hotel that accepts furry friends as well. Search for pet-friendly hotels on Trip.com, and check out some of my recommendations below as well! Just make sure to note whether you need to let them know in advance or not.