Flights to Sydney

You will need a visa to travel from the USA to Sydney. American citizens who are traveling to Australia must get an ETA visa, which will cost $20 AUD ($14 USD). If you’re heading to Sydney to work or study, you’ll have to get a specialized visa for this. Those wishing to work to fund their travels can apply for a Working Holiday Visa. If you're heading to Sydney to study, you'll need to apply for a Student Visa Subclass 500 (if you’re an undergrad or postgrad) or a Visitor Visa Subclass 600, 601, 651 (if you’re studying for a maximum of 3 months). If you are a citizen of another country, this visa information may be different.

Sydney sits in the Australian Eastern Daylight time zone. This means that Sydney is ahead of the USA timewise. As the US states cross 6 separate time zones, there can be a huge time difference, ranging from 21 hours difference from Honolulu to 16 hours in New York or Washington.

One of the huge misconceptions you may hear about Sydney is that it’s the capital of Australia. It is the capital of the state of New South Wales, but the actual Australian capital city falls to Canberra. Another misconception is that everything in Australia is out to get you. While it’s true that some of the world’s deadliest snakes, spiders, sharks, crocodiles and dingoes call Australia home, it’s pretty unlikely that you will ever come across one of them on your travels—especially in big cities like Sydney.

The currency in Sydney, as well as the rest of Australia, is the Australian Dollar (AUD). Using the current exchange rate at the time of writing, for $1 you would get $1.50 AUD. But be sure to check this before heading out on your travels as this may fluctuate over time.

Sydney is absolutely full of things to see, do and experience. You’ve got famous landmarks such as the Sydney Opera House, Harbour Bridge Climb, Sydney Tower, the Botanic Gardens and Darling Harbour. But there’s more than just landmarks. Enjoy a breathtaking view of the Sydney skyline from the Manly ferry. Drive to the stunning Blue Mountains. Visit the Carriageworks Farmers Market or the Grounds of Alexandria for some food. Or walk the Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk, stopping off to enjoy the many beaches and bays along the way.

If you’re looking to become more of a green traveler while in Sydney, fear not. It’s a lot easier to do since the city set out its Sustainable Sydney 2030 goals. Get around the city using the improved walking and cycling networks, and if you’re going further outside the city, just jump on a bus or train. When considering accommodation options or tours whilst in Sydney, try to choose responsible options. You can even carbon offset your flight to Sydney when you book with StudentUniverse.