Page last updated: 15 December 2025
The capital of New South Wales, Sydney, is Australia’s most visited tourist destination. With famous landmarks such as the Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge, the city attracts millions of visitors every year.
How many people visit Sydney every year?
Over 14 million tourists visit Sydney every year.
- Over 14.87 million tourists travelled to Sydney in the year ending December 2024, a combination of 3.53 million international and 11.34 million domestic visitors. Both international and domestic visitor numbers were up year-on-year, however still below prepandemic levels.
- Over 15 million tourists are forecast to visit Sydney in 2025, with record international travel expected for the festive season (December 2025 to January 2026)
How many people visited Sydney in 2024?
For the year ending December 2024, Sydney attracted over 14.87 million tourists, comprising 3.53 million international and 11.34 million domestic visitors.
- This was an approximately 4% increase in domestic visitors compared to the same period in 2023.
How many people visited Sydney in 2023?
Over 14.04 million tourists visited Sydney in the year ending December 2023, with 3.17 million international and 10.87 million domestic visitors.
- This represented an approximately 5% increase in domestic visitors compared to the same period in 2022, though this domestic figure remained 14% lower than in 2019.
How much do visitors spend in Sydney every year?
Tourists spent $23.09 billion in Sydney in the year ending December 2024, with international visitors spending $10.90 billion and domestic visitors spending $12.19 billion.
- This expenditure represented an approximately 5% increase in international spending from $10.35 billion in 2019 and an approximately 7% increase in domestic spending from $11.43 billion in the year ending December 2023.
How much did visitors spend in Sydney in 2024?
In the year ending December 2024, international visitors spent $10.90 billion and domestic visitors spent $12.19 billion in Sydney.
- This was an approximately 10% increase in international spending and an approximately 7% increase in domestic spending from 2023’s $9.93 billion and $11.43 billion, respectively.
How much did visitors spend in Sydney in 2023?
In the year ending December 2023, international visitors spent $9.93 billion and domestic visitors spent $11.43 billion in Sydney.
- Domestic spending in 2023 saw an approximately 15% increase from 2022’s $9.95 billion and was approximately 22% higher than the $9.39 billion reported in 2019.
How much does it cost to visit Sydney?
A mid-range 4-day trip to Sydney typically costs around $1,450 per person (excluding international airfare).
- Accommodation averages $130/night for 3-star hotels, $200 for 4-star, and $290+ for 5-star properties in central areas, while food and transport require about $60-100 per day, with daily public transport capped at $16 (and $8 on Sundays).
- Attractions can range from free experiences (walking Harbour Bridge, beaches, Royal Botanic Garden) to premium activities like BridgeClimb ($300+ per person), Opera House tours ($43), and Taronga Zoo ($49), with most visitors spending $100-200 on attractions over 3-4 days.
Where do visitors to Sydney come from?
- In the year ending December 2024, the leading sources of international visitors to Sydney were China (13%), the United States (12%), New Zealand (10%), the United Kingdom (8%), and Korea (8%).
Sydney Travel Resources
- Car rental prices in Sydney (long-term, minivan, campervan)
- Car rental prices in Sydney (SYD) Airport
- EV Charging Stations in Sydney
Impact of Coronavirus – Sydney Tourism Statistics 2020
- Visitor numbers dropped to 5.62 million domestic visitors in the 12 months ending December 2020.
- In the same period of 2020, domestic visitors spent over $3.32 billion during trips to Sydney.
- Total visitation in 2020 was an approximately 67% decrease from pre-pandemic levels (2019), which led to an approximately 83% reduction in tourist spending compared to 2019.
Impact of Coronavirus – Sydney Tourism Statistics 2021
- In the 12 months ending December 2021, the number of domestic visitors fell further to just over 5.53 million arrivals, a decrease of approximately 2% from 2020.
- The expenditure by domestic tourists increased to over $4.05 billion, reflecting a 22% increase from 2020.
How popular is Sydney as a tourist destination?
- In 2019, Sydney was Australia’s top tourist destination, attracting 16.77 million visitors.
- Sydney continued to hold this position in 2024, with 14.87 million visitors recorded in the year ending December 2024, including 3.53 million international and 11.34 million domestic tourists.
How many days do tourists visit Sydney?
- Domestic overnight visitors to Sydney typically stay about 2.8 nights on average, while international visitors stay much longer at an average of 23.9 nights per visitor.
When is the best time to visit Sydney?
Sydney is a year-round destination, but September through November (spring) and March through May (autumn) offer the best balance of pleasant weather, fewer crowds, and exciting events.
- Spring (Sep-Nov) features warm weather (20-25°C), blooming jacaranda trees in October, and events like Night Noodle Markets, while summer (Dec-Feb) brings peak tourist season with hot sunny weather (25-30°C) perfect for beaches and major events like New Year’s Eve fireworks.
- Autumn (Mar-May) offers mild weather and clear days ideal for coastal walks and outdoor dining, often coinciding with Vivid Sydney festival in late May, while winter (Jun-Aug) provides cooler temperatures (16-18°C) perfect for museums, restaurants, and whale-watching season.
Why do tourists visit Sydney?
Visitors come to Sydney to experience its world-famous landmarks and unique blend of laid-back beach lifestyle with bustling city attractions, set around one of the world’s most beautiful harbours.
- The city offers iconic experiences from surfing at Bondi Beach in the morning to exploring downtown museums by afternoon and fine dining by the harbour at night, with key attractions including the Sydney Opera House, Harbour Bridge, and historic Rocks precinct.
- Sydney hosts major international events that draw visitors worldwide, including New Year’s Eve fireworks (attracting over 1 million spectators), the Mardi Gras Parade, the Vivid Sydney light festival, and the Sydney Hobart yacht race.
Top Destination in Sydney
- Sydney Opera House, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, receives over 8.2 million visitors annually.
- Sydney Harbour Bridge: The bridge attracts approximately 10.9 million visitors each year.
- Royal Botanic Garden: This 30-hectare garden near the Opera House sees around 5.2 million visitors annually.
- Bondi Beach, a destination for surfers and beachgoers, attracts over 2.7 million visitors annually.
- The Rocks: This historic area receives about 14 million visitors each year.
Australia Travel Statistics Resources
- Australia Statistics
Australia Outbound Travel Statistics Resources
- Travel Between Australia and Indonesia
- Travel Between Australia and Japan
- Travel Between Australia and New Zealand
- Travel Between Australia and UK
- Travel Between Australia and USA
Other Statistics Resources
- Car Rental Statistics in Australia
- EV Sales Statistics in Australia
- Fuel Cost Statistics in Australia