When Is the Best Time to Buy House in Sydney

Sydney is bloody expensive, there'southward no getting effectually that. Many surveys accept shown that Sydney has one of the highest costs of living in the world.

Simply there are still lots of great means to save money hither, and so whether you're here for just a few days or for the rest of your life, this post volition aid scrimp some coin together to spend on the more meaningful stuff (like more travel!).

Salve on send

1. Avert the expensive airdrome railroad train trip

If yous get on the train at either Domestic or International Aerodrome stations, expect to get slugged with a fare of around $18 when y'all get off. This is considering these two stations are privately endemic, and so there is a "station access fee" of $fourteen.30 for adults and $12.80 for children (ages 5-fifteen).

To avoid this fee, combine your train trip with either the 350 or 420 omnibus, which both get to Domestic and International airports. It will add about 15-20 minutes to your trip only save you effectually $xv – that'due south worth it in my books!

If you're heading to the drome, get off the train at Mascot station, walk upstairs and around the corner to Coward Street, and get on at Stand up B. If you're arriving into Sydney International airport, the bus end is to the right as you come out of the drome, not far from where the charabanc buses pull in. At Sydney Domestic drome, the coach cease is near Terminal 3 (come across paradigm below).

Pro tip: I recommend using TripView to check bus schedules and departure points (Apple, Android ).

2. Have advantage of the weekend transport discount

On Saturdays and Sundays, all-day travel on public transport will only cost $eight.15, no matter how much you travel. This is a bully day to head out the Blueish Mountains (a train ride from Central to Katoomba normally costs $6.xx 1-way) or take the ferry to Manly or Watsons Bay. To give y'all an thought of how much you're saving, unremarkably a ferry will toll (ane-style) $7.65 to Manly or $half dozen.12 to Watsons Bay.

3. Travel outside of peak times

If travelling by train, try to time the start of your journey exterior of peak times. If you do so, your fares are discounted by 30%. Meridian times are ordinarily from 7:00 am to 9:00 am and iv:00 to 6:30 pm on weekdays.

4. Don't top upwardly your Opal card more than than necessary

Yous can buy an Opal carte du jour at well-nigh train stations, as well as newsagents and convenience stores. When putting money on them, don't put too much – mayhap $xx if y'all're hither for a few days. You lot tin always put more money on the card later on, but it is really hard to get your balance refunded if you don't use it. To become a refund, you need an Australian accost and an Australian bank account. Present you lot don't even need an Opal carte – your Visa, Mastercard or American Express credit menu will permit you to tap on and off all public ship in Sydney. All the same, yous may still get hitting with overseas transaction fees.

Pro tip:Paula from SydneyExpert has besides put together a really practiced guide on Sydney's public transport here.

5. Use all the ride-share apps

In Sydney, nosotros have Uber, Ola and Didi. I prefer using Ola as they regularly have discounts, plus they give ameliorate commissions to their drivers. Every single Uber driver I've had uses Ola too, so you'll never accept to wait more a few minutes if y'all're around the city. Compare prices between the apps earlier you ride, as sometimes there can be a big deviation.

If you oasis't used Uber or Ola before, then plug in one of these codes:

For Uber: "IUD5S" will get yous $ten off your first Uber ride.
For Ola: "BWRBH3U" will go you $20 off your first Ola ride.

Save on food and drinks

half-dozen. Observe great restaurant deals through EatClub

This is one of my new favourites. Loads of restaurants are using this app to offer special deals during their quieter hours, or just to become more people through their doors. Information technology'due south not unusual to encounter restaurants offer 20% off, 30% off, 40% off… some restaurants are even offering fifty% off your total bill if you lot reserve through EatClub. And there are some good restaurants on this app too!

7. Notice great coffee deals through Hey You

Hey You is a coffee app that I accept been using for many years. Mainly designed for buffet regulars to save time, they often accept promotional deals with cafes such equally happy hour deals. Many cafes also have their loyalty cards built into the app.

Pro tip:If you use the lawmaking "AMEJK6R4", you'll get $v off your offset club.

8. Accept advantage of happy hr deals

Lots of restaurants and bars around Sydney have happy hour deals, mainly between the hours of iv:00 pm and 6:00 pm, although sometimes earlier and every so ofttimes, extending a little bit afterwards. The Happiest Hour is an app and website that keeps a pretty good track of what deals there are, so brand certain to cheque it out. Also check out the Facebook pages of restaurants and bars, every bit that is where you lot'll find more up-to-date information.

nine. Eat lots of Asian food!

One way to consume cheap in Sydney is to eat lots of Asian food – there are sooo many cheap Asian restaurants, especially effectually Chinatown. And the food is delicious! Keep in listen, a lot of these places are cash only.

Here are a few of my go-to favourites:

Xi'an Cuisine: this hole-in-the-wall Chinese eatery specialises in food from Xi'an, in the Northward-Westward part of China. A plate of "Kung Pao Chicken" with rice is just $8.50.

The Small Lemongrass: unassuming Thai restaurant at the terminate of the tunnel which leads from Central Station to UTS (most the Goods Line – image below). Take-away box of Penang Curry or other lunch specials is just $half dozen.

Marrickville Pork Roll: the famous Marrickville Pork Whorl has now opened up in the urban center! Located on Steam Factory Lane in the new Darling Foursquare precinct, a BBQ pork bread roll (banh mi) will set yous back $six.

Sushi Corner: located on the top level of the Hunter Connection (an first-class place in full general for cheap Asian food), this was my favourite sushi spot when I worked in the city. Around $3 per scroll – and they are big!

North Sandwiches Cafe: really generously sized sandwiches and wraps for around $10. Located in a basement arcade, this identify is always popular at lunchtime with office workers, so either get early or just queue upward – the queue moves surprisingly rapidly.

10. Avoid Circular Quay, The Rocks and Darling Harbour

These are some serious "tourist trap" spots. Basically, if yous can see the Opera Firm, Harbour Bridge or Darling Harbour from your table, yous're going to exist paying a lot extra for it.

11. Shop at Aldi

Yes, alcohol is expensive in Australia, but for about $5, you can get a decent bottle of wine from Aldi's liquor section. And while you're there, pick upward some of their accolade-winning cheeses to become with your wine!

12. Exercise your grocery shopping belatedly at night

Oftentimes Coles and Woolworths volition have discounts on diverse items later in the evening, for example, half-price roast chickens or discount fruit and veggies. There are never whatever guarantees and sometimes the nutrient might be shut to the use-by appointment, but if yous're up late and well-nigh a supermarket, pop by to meet what's on sale.

13. Get $50 off a box of groceries through HelloFresh and MarleySpoon

If you are staying in Sydney for a bit longer, and you're not the greatest chef, consider signing upwardly for a trial of HelloFresh or MarleySpoon. Both of these companies offer "grocery in a box" subscriptions, with a range of delicious recipes yous tin cull from each week.

Pro tip:Get $50 off your start HelloFresh box by using this link.

14. Don't feel like yous have to tip!

In Australia, we have a very loftier minimum wage, so hospitality workers are not dependent on tips similar they are in some other countries. Of course, if you receive actually good service, experience free to tip your waiter or bartender 10% or a small-scale banknote, simply don't experience like you lot must.

Save on travel

15. Observe cheap flights with I Know The Pilot

To notice cheap domestic and international flights, I often use I Know The Airplane pilot, which keeps track of any travel deals offered past airlines. Currently, I could fly return to Singapore for $269, to Queensland for $91 return or get 60% off a Republic of the fiji islands bundle holiday…I'm getting wanderlust just writing about it!

xvi. Find bargains on OzBargain

OzBargain is where all the cheapskates in Australia seem to hang out, and is a forum-based site where users post deals that they've found. It covers everything from electronics, shopping, flights, holidays and more. I managed to save close to $200 off my latest mobile phone using one of the combined deals on this site.

17. Book hotels and hostels direct

I always use Hostelworld for hostels and Google plus Booking.com for hotels, but if you want to save some money (and help hotel owners out), book directly. Online travel agents similar Booking.com and Expedia take commissions of up to 30%, so you should always be able to get a cheaper deal if you lot message the hotel directly, tell them what you saw online, and run into if they tin can friction match or meliorate it. Cut out the middle-homo and help these small businesses out!

eighteen. Join a costless walking bout or do a self-guided walking bout

Whenever I arrive in a city, one of the showtime things I similar to practise is join a "gratuitous" walking bout, just to get the lay of the land and see the principal attractions. In Sydney, there are 2 costless walking tour companies, "Free Tours Sydney" and "I'm Free Walking Tours". Both of these walks operate daily and take about the aforementioned scores from thousands of TripAdvisor reviews, so you should get a like quality regardless of which one you choose. Free Tours Sydney also offers a "gratuitous" omnibus tour, which includes an $18 upwardly-front fee for the cost of the bus, then you tip whatever y'all feel advisable.

Both the Sydney CBD tours are tips-based "free" walking tours, where you pay what you can or what you think the tour was worth. For something entirely free, check out the tours offered by theState Library of NSW, the Museum of Contemporary Art,the Art Gallery of NSWand the Regal Botanic Gardens.

Pro tip:While you're in the Royal Botanic Gardens, don't miss the free data display telling the story of Sydney's Ancient history, from pre-European arrival up to today. This display (see role of it beneath) is in the Beginning Encounters Garden, about one-half-way between Palm Business firm and Botanic House.

Alternatively, you lot can build your own walking tour! The Urban center of Sydney has put together a complimentary app, "Sydney Culture Walks" (Apple, Android) which contains well-nigh a dozen or so guided walks with audio commentary. At that place'due south as well an app for a cocky-guided walking tour of Chinatown (Apple, Android), one of my favourite parts of Sydney to explore. For some other self-guided walks with detailed information on things to run across, cheque out Sydney Skillful.

19. Stay in cheaper areas that are still close to the metropolis

Sydney is a big city, and generally well-connected by public transport. Betwixt the trains, buses, ferries and light runway, you shouldn't take too much difficulty getting effectually. Having said that, Sydney is increasingly expensive, even for a curt stay, so a great way to save some money is past merely staying a few kilometres further out of the city. Just choose somewhere close to a train line and ideally less than v stops from Fundamental station. That way your travel time into the city is basically guaranteed to be less than 20 minutes. This site can assist you lot notice some really good Airbnb deals in Sydney.

Pro tip:If you lot haven't used Airbnb before, sign up using my link for $76 AUD gratuitous credit.

20. Utilise Meetup to detect group activities

If yous're looking for stuff to do, particularly outdoor activities such every bit hikes, weekend adventures and fettle groups, Meetup is the all-time identify to start your search. At that place are hundreds of groups in Sydney, then there is something for anybody. As the activities are lead by individuals, an activity that you find through hither may non have the professionalism of an organised tour or activity, but they are also sometimes really cheap!

Pro tip: Join our group "Sydney Mini Adventures Crew", to get discounts for all our tours and events.

21. Use TransferCar for nigh free campervan and auto hire

This is one of my favourite websites whenever I experience like I need to get out of Sydney for a few days, or am planning a road trip upwards the E Declension. Transfercar is a motorcar relocation service that pairs rental car companies who need to get a car or campervan moved to another metropolis with travellers heading in that direction. Yous can get some amazing deals on relocations, such as campervans for $5 per twenty-four hour period or cars from $1 per twenty-four hour period. Sometimes in that location will even be a petrol allowance or gratis days for longer haul relocations.

22. Utilize TransferWise to transfer money

Spending a while in Australia and planning to open up a local depository financial institution account? Kickoff off, rather than sign up with one of the Big Four, I'd become with ING's Savings Maximiser and Orangish Everyday combo. This will give you an account with a high-involvement rate, no fees and a debit that y'all tin can employ at any ATM in the world for gratis. It is what I utilize, and is highly recommended by Australia's top personal finance skillful.

Side by side, set up up an account with TransferWise and transfer your coin across. They claim to exist up to 8 times cheaper than transferring your money with a regular bank, and significantly cheaper than using PayPal or other transfer methods.

Pro tip:If you sign upwardly using my link, you'll also get a gratuitous international transfer up to $500 AUD. Winner!

23. Travel ho-hum

Listen, there are so many benefits of travelling tiresome (like, read this) simply one undeniable do good is that y'all tin can save some serious money. If y'all're not getting planes, trains or buses every other day, and but enjoying taking your time in a new urban center, information technology is going to be a lot cheaper. Cities like Sydney, Melbourne and even Brisbane easily accept enough to practise to keep you occupied for a week or longer, especially with a few day trips included. I know Commonwealth of australia is a long trip from pretty much everywhere else in the globe, just we're not going anywhere, so don't try and run across everything in one trip (quick tip: you wouldn't be able to anyway – Commonwealth of australia is huge!)

Salve on amusement

24. Relieve on a show at the Sydney Opera Business firm

Seeing a operation at the Sydney Opera Firm should exist on the bucket-list of every visitor to Sydney. Just how to do information technology cheaply? I'g going to refer you to 2 other blogs for this ane.

Firstly, check out Darren and Lauren'due south mail service on "How to spend 4 days in Sydney on a budget" and scroll down to the "A Evidence At the Sydney Opera House On A Budget" section. Accept a read of their whole post as information technology is excellent, but for the TL;DR version – basically just evidence up at the Opera House on a weekday, just before a performance, and ask politely if in that location are any seats left. They got a 50% discount voucher that manner, seeing a Cabaret show at the VIP table for $135.80 AUD for the two of them. What a deal!

Secondly, accept a read of SydneyCloseup's post on Discount Concert Tickets. They recommend signing up for the Sydney Opera House'due south email updatesand go into a good level of depth on the inexpensive seat options in the Joan Sutherland Theatre and the Concert Hall.

25. Save on shows at other venues

One of the things I beloved about Sydney is that there are ever shows, talks and performances going on effectually boondocks, with multiple excellent venues and some slap-up deals.

The Sydney Theatre Company, attack the harbour at Walsh Bay, offers a limited amount of $20 tickets every Thursday morn at nine:00 am. And so set your warning clock, bookmark this page, and nab yourself a seat. Offset or finish your show with a drink at "The Theatre Bar at the Terminate of the Wharf", an absolutely stunning venue (unfortunately currently airtight for renovations until 2020).

Pro tip:For "rush tickets" (last-minute cheap tickets), cheque out Tix, TodayTix or fifty-fifty Groupon.

26. Visit free museums and galleries

At that place is a plethora of museums, art galleries and other institutions in Sydney that are entirely free to explore. My favourites are the Exhibition Galleries at the State Library of NSW, the Fine art Gallery of NSW and the Museum of Contemporary Fine art (MCA). Information technology is worth noting that both the Art Gallery of NSW and the MCA do have paid exhibits as well, but you could easily spend one-half a day in each of them but exploring their gratis sections.

The Art Gallery of NSW has a neat collection of Australian artists and the largest collection of Aboriginal art in Commonwealth of australia. If you time your visit for a Wednesday afternoon, you tin hang effectually to enjoy their signature "Art After Hours" program, which runs from five:00 to ten:00 pm. Every week they invite guest speakers to give talks on a wide range of topics, and there's also live music, guided tours and workshops to join.

The MCA is an excellent choice if modern art is your thing, and while you're in the expanse, don't miss visiting the Ken Washed Gallery at 1 Hickson Route. One of Australia's nearly famous contemporary artists, Ken's colourful images of Australian landmarks have gone global, and I call up every Australian family unit at some point has had ane of his designs sitting in their kitchen (generally on a mug, placemat or mitt towel).

For more art and private galleries, y'all can't go past Chippendale, just southward of Primal Station. This area features over half a dozen art galleries, including White Rabbit Gallery. Originally the individual collection of a wealthy Australian lady, White Rabbit houses ane of the world'due south most significant collections of Chinese contemporary art. The gallery is open from Wednesdays to Sundays, and there are complimentary guided tours about days at xi:00 am, 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm.

27. Mind to live music for the price of a drink

Despite what people say near live music in Sydney dying, at that place are withal so many groovy venues offering high-quality entertainment throughout the week. Here are a few places to sample some live music:

Shady Pines Saloon in Darlinghurst (best dark: Sunday from 7:00 pm – Bluegrass)
Lord Wolseley Hotel in Ultimo (best time: Dominicus afternoon from two:00 / 3:00 pm – Jazz)
Frankie'due south Pizza in Sydney CBD (best night: Monday nighttime house band)
Mary's Surreptitious in Sydney CBD (live music every nighttime – Tuesday to Saturday)
Marble Bar in Sydney CBD (best night: Reggae Mondays from 10:00 pm)
The Lansdowne in Chippendale (best dark: Chicken Wire Wednesdays from 9:00 pm)
The Imperial Hotel in Erskineville (best nighttime: Wednesdays & Thursdays – Elevate N' Dine)
The Soda Factory in Surry Hills (best night: Wednesday – Soul, Funk, Rhythm & Dejection)

You can besides cheque out The Brag which provides up-to-date listings of live music and bands playing at bars effectually Sydney.

28. Find cool events through Eventbrite

Haven't institute anything on Meetup or any events at the galleries, museums or bars I've already mentioned? Check out Eventbrite. If I have a dark off, I often go looking there for an even wider range of activities, at all different prices. There are lots of gratuitous events that get listed at that place besides.

29. Fourth dimension your trip with an event/festival

Regardless of when yous're visiting Sydney, at that place'south merely most always some large festival or multi-day consequence going on. Hither are a few that you can programme your trip around:

January: Sydney Festival, Australia Day (26 January) and Flickerfest
January/February: Sydney Lunar Festival
Feb/March: Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras
April: Sydney Imperial Easter Show
Apr/May: Sydney Comedy Festival and Sydney Writers' Festival
May/June: Vivid Sydney
June: Sydney Motion picture Festival
September: Sydney Fringe Festival and Sydney Contemporary
October: Sydney Good Nutrient Month
November: Newtown Festival
December: Christmas and New year's Eve

30. Come across movies for costless

Going to the cinemas in Australia can exist an expensive form of entertainment, with most cinemas now charging close to $25 per person for a standard movie ticket. Add in your drinks, popcorn and other snacks, and costs can really snowball. But there are enough of ways to picket a cheap or even costless pic if yous know where to go.

For many years at present, Soda Factory in Surry Hills has been showing complimentary movies on Mon nights, with a focus on cult favourites. There is gratis popcorn, "buy 2 get i" deals on snacks, $10 hotdogs and $12 cocktail specials. Reservations are recommended – book your spot hither or visit their Facebook page to run into upcoming movies.

On Tuesday nights over the summer, The Taphouse in Darlinghurst will be showing "cult classic" movies on their rooftop, with free popcorn. Visit their Facebook page to see the full schedule.

Tuesday night is sometimes chosen "Tight-Arse Tuesdays", and many cinemas will offer cheap movie tickets. Some of the all-time deals can exist grabbed at The Ritz in Randwick ($10 tickets) or Dendy Cinemas in Newtown ($13.50 tickets). Palace Cinemas has moved their inexpensive night to Monday night, with $10 tickets at all their Sydney locations. Or for something a bit unlike, the Gilt Age Cinema in Surry Hills offers $12 tickets on Tuesdays for members (membership costs $30 for a yr).

Save on shopping

31. Check out Paddy'southward Markets for cheap souvenirs

Okay, so almost of the stuff will say "Fabricated in Communist china" on the label, but if you lot look carefully you'll find some 18-carat Aussie souvenirs. Or you know, some cheap fluffy koalas, emu meat jerky and kangaroo scrotum bottle-openers to take dwelling to the family.

32. Visit local markets for better souvenirs

Simply a *bit* of a step up in quality levels, visit i of Sydney'southward many weekend markets to pick upwardly gifts and souvenirs. My personal favourite is the Glebe Markets (Saturdays only, 10:00 am to four:00 pm), where you lot can discover lots of vintage wearable, also as jewellery, candles, bags etc. If you join my "Discover Sydney's All-time Kept Secrets" walking tour, we finish right near the markets, so yous tin can visit them afterwards on a Sat.

Other good markets to visit include the Rozelle Collectors Markets (Saturdays and Sundays, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm), the Paddington Markets (Saturdays only, 10:00 am to four:00 pm) or the Bondi Markets. At Bondi, they have the Farmers Markets on Saturdays (ix:00 am to 5:00 pm) and the Arts & Crafts Markets on Sundays (9:00 am to iv:00 pm).

Save on bigger items

33. Gumtree is your friend

Looking for piece of furniture, a used car or even a new housemate? Gumtree is a skillful identify to commencement the search – it is basically Australia'due south Craigslist.

34. Find bargains on Facebook groups

Another good identify to search for larger item bargains is Facebook Groups. There are plenty of neighbourhood specific groups, such as BONDI LOCAL LOOP, Newtown 2042 and EASTERN SUBURBS Purchase SELL SYDNEY. If you're looking for a sharehouse, there are also plenty of groups yous can join.

35. Hit up St Vinnies, Salvos and other op shops

An "op shop" is short for "opportunity shop" and they are run past a range of charities and organisations, such as St Vincents, the Salvation Army and the Australian Red Cantankerous. Just Google "Op Shop" to observe the nearest ane to you, these places are a great spot to visit to pick up something really cheap, and the money goes back to the charities too.

And finally…

36. Purchase experiences, non things

Do you really need that fancy new toothbrush or electrical nose pilus remover? Why not salve the money and put it towards your next holiday! Lots of studies have shown that experiences will make you happier than just ownership more than stuff.

And the best experience you lot tin can buy is a bout with us! Whether it is the Secret Bar Crawl, Newtown food and street art tour or our Chinatown food tour, all of our tours represent amazing value for money and will give you lot the all-time possible experience in Sydney. We can't wait to have yous along!

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