✈️ 🇦🇺
Getting to Sydney
Flights, stays, and everything in between
Always book to Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport, code SYD, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA 🇦🇺. There is a Sydney in Nova Scotia, Canada (code YQY). Double-check your confirmation says Australia before paying.
Everyone needs a tourist visa or ETA to enter Australia — it's a quick online application, but don't leave it to the last minute. See the visa FAQ for your country →
Both LAX and SFO have nonstop options to Sydney. Always choose nonstop — one stopover turns 15 hours into 22+.
| Airline | Route | Flight # | Type | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Qantas | LAX → SYD | QF11 | Nonstop ✓ ~15h 30m | Daily |
| Qantas | SFO → SYD | QF7 | Nonstop ✓ ~15h 0m | 3×/week |
| United | LAX → SYD | UA839 | Nonstop ✓ ~15h 30m | Daily |
| United | SFO → SYD | UA839 | Nonstop ✓ ~15h 0m | Daily |
| American | LAX → SYD | AA73 | Nonstop ✓ ~15h 30m | Daily |
| Delta | LAX → SYD | DL41 | Nonstop ✓ ~15h 30m | Daily |
Flights depart in the evening and arrive two mornings later — you cross the International Date Line heading west. Arrive a few days early if you can; it really helps with jet lag.
December is peak season (Australian summer + global holidays). Book 3–6 months in advance. Midweek departures (Tue/Wed) are 10–15% cheaper than weekends.
Search your city to "Sydney SYD Australia" → select your dates → click "Get Price Alerts." Skyscanner emails you when prices drop. Set alerts for both LAX→SYD and SFO→SYD, and use the "Whole Month" view to find the cheapest day to fly.
You can transfer credit card points to various airlines for flights to Sydney. Make sure you transfer them to partner airlines (e.g. United, Air Canada) to get the best rates instead of booking on Chase or AMEX portals.
We recommend staying in the Eastern Suburbs, next to Sydney's iconic beaches — Bondi, Tamarama, Bronte, or Coogee. Walking distance from Tuesday's welcome drinks and a short Uber from everything else. Book early — December fills up fast.
Bondi / Tamarama — dense, high-quality market. Search Glenayr Ave, Hall St, or near Campbell Parade.
Bronte / Coogee — quieter, great beaches, more space for groups. On the famous Bondi–Coogee coastal walk.
Make sure there are at least fans or AC available for hot summer nights.
Four picks below, one for every budget — all a short stumble from the action. Tap through for real photos, rates and booking. December books out months ahead, so lock something in when you book flights.
Iconic boutique hotel right on Bondi Beach. Stylish, great location — and 100m from the Welcome Drinks at Hotel Ravesis.
View & book →
Spacious apartments on Hall St with pool, kitchen & laundry. Great for 3+ nights or small groups.
View & book →
Hamptons-inspired boutique guesthouse on a leafy Bondi street, 9.2/10 on Hotels.com. Book direct for perks.
View & book →
3km from the beach, direct train to the CBD in 15 min — perfect for the ferry day. Great value.
View & book →Sydney is one of the easiest cities in the world for visitors.
Works exactly like at home. Widely available. DiDi is slightly cheaper. Perfect for late-night returns after the party.
Direct from Bondi Junction to Bondi Beach, frequent service. Tap any credit card on the reader.
Bondi Junction to Circular Quay in ~15 min. Perfect for getting to the private ferry.
From Circular Quay to Manly, Taronga Zoo, around the harbour. One of the best experiences in Sydney. Pay with your card.
Sydney public transport accepts contactless credit/debit cards — tap on, tap off. Your regular Visa or Mastercard works fine.
Sydney is in Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT) — UTC+11 in late December. Sydney is ahead of all American cities. These clocks are live:
Sydney is 19 hours ahead of LA/SF. You cross the International Date Line going west — you "lose" a day going and "gain" it back coming home. Update your phone's world clock before you travel.
You're flying 15 hours — stay a few extra days or weeks. All of these work as a weekend trip.
The Three Sisters, Scenic World cable cars, ancient forest trails, charming villages like Katoomba and Leura.
1.5 hrs by trainAustralia's oldest wine region. Semillon and Shiraz, vineyard tours, hot air ballooning, long lunches. Best as an overnight.
2 hrs northHidden coves, coastal walks, waterfalls, and Wattamolla Beach.
45 min southTake the ferry from Circular Quay — the harbour ride itself is worth it. Great beach, coastal walk, snorkelling at Shelly Beach.
30 min by ferryPossibly the whitest sand in the world. Dolphins, kangaroos on the beach, crystal-clear water.
2.5 hrs southWorld-class zoo with Harbour views. Kangaroos, koalas, platypuses. Ferry from Circular Quay with combo ticket.
30 min by ferry24–28°C (75–82°F), long sunny days, very high UV. Pack SPF 50+, swimwear, and a light layer for evenings. Book restaurants and tours in advance.
Sydney has one of the best food scenes in the world. Reserve in advance for all of these, especially in December. Use OpenTable or call directly.
Australia's version of the Michelin guide is the Good Food Guide — top restaurants earn "chef's hats" instead of stars. Icebergs on our list holds two. Browse this year's full list of hatted Sydney restaurants →
Fine dining with spectacular Opera House views. Mediterranean-inspired tasting menus. Book well in advance.
The RocksWood-fire cooking institution. Open kitchen, honest food, brilliant natural wine list. A Sydney classic.
PaddingtonClifftop restaurant overlooking the Icebergs pool and the Pacific. Italian-leaning, stunning views. A must.
Bondi BeachLegendary Italian-Australian trattoria with the best focaccia in the city. Go early, worth the wait.
Bondi / CBDBuzzing South-East Asian kitchen — bold flavours, no reservations, always a line. Go on a weeknight.
CBDJapanese yakitori and izakaya small plates. Smoky skewers, great sake, late-night energy.
DarlinghurstGrand Cantonese restaurant in a converted warehouse. Dim sum, Peking duck, excellent bar.
CBDRetro glamour and modern Italian at Coogee Pavilion's crown jewel. Beautiful space, beautiful food.
CoogeeThe world-famous market — prawns, oysters, crab claws at the water's edge. Arrive early on weekends.
Pyrmont