Flights to Sydney — What to Expect
Flying to Sydney from Europe is one of the longer hauls you can do — typically 22 to 26 hours including a layover, since there are virtually no true nonstop options from most European cities. The main gateway is Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport (SYD), located just 8km south of the CBD, which makes it refreshingly easy to reach the city once you land. Most flights from Europe connect through hubs in the Middle East, Southeast Asia, or East Asia. Emirates routes through Dubai, Qatar Airways through Doha, Singapore Airlines through Singapore, Cathay Pacific through Hong Kong, and Thai Airways through Bangkok. Of these, Singapore Airlines and Qatar Airways consistently rank among travellers' favourites for long-haul comfort. If you're starting from London Heathrow, you'll find the widest choice of carriers and the most competitive fares.
Flights to Sydney from London typically range from £700 to £1,100 return in economy, depending on the season and how early you book. From other European cities like Amsterdam, Frankfurt, or Paris, budget around €800 to €1,300 return. Business class is a different conversation entirely — fares can hit €4,000–€6,000 return, though airlines like Qatar and Singapore regularly run promotions worth watching. Sydney flight deals do surface, particularly in the European autumn and early new year when demand dips. Setting up fare alerts on Google Flights or Skyscanner for flights from London to Sydney (or your home city) is genuinely worth the two minutes it takes.
Best Time to Visit Sydney
Sydney's climate is mild enough that no month is truly off-limits, but the timing still matters a lot depending on what you want from the trip. The two sweet spots are March to May (autumn) and September to November (spring). In autumn, temperatures sit between 16°C and 25°C, the summer crowds have thinned, and the city feels more local. March can be wet — it's actually one of the rainiest months — but the warmth lingers and the ocean is still swimmable. By May, you're getting crisp, clear days that are perfect for coastal walks and the Royal Botanic Garden. Spring is arguably the prettier season: wildflowers are out, temperatures climb from around 21°C in September to 24°C in November, and you'll get roughly 8 hours of sunshine daily with October being one of the driest months of the year.
Summer (December to February) is peak season — school holidays, beach culture in full swing, and the famous New Year's Eve fireworks over the Harbour Bridge. It's spectacular, but it comes with crowds, higher prices, humidity, and the occasional heatwave pushing 35°C+. Winter (June to August) is mild by European standards — daytime highs around 13°C to 17°C — and the city is quieter and cheaper. June is surprisingly wet, but July and August tend to be Sydney's driest months. This is also whale-watching season along the coast, which is genuinely worth factoring in. Avoid school holiday periods (late December through January, and July fortnight) if budget or crowd tolerance is a concern.
Getting Around Sydney
From the airport, the Airport Link train connects both domestic and international terminals to the CBD in about 13 minutes. A single adult fare runs around AUD 19–22 — more expensive than you'd expect for the distance, which is a known gripe among locals. Taxis and rideshares (Uber, DiDi) cost roughly AUD 40–55 to the city centre depending on traffic. Once you're in Sydney, the Opal card is your best friend — it covers trains, buses, ferries, and light rail with a daily fare cap of AUD 17.80, so you can travel freely after that threshold. The ferry network is genuinely one of Sydney's transport highlights: riding a Manly Ferry across the harbour is a cheap, scenic alternative to a harbour cruise. For getting around the Eastern Suburbs and inner city, the light rail (tram) line running through Surry Hills, Chinatown, and Circular Quay is efficient and frequent.
Where to Stay in Sydney
The CBD and Circular Quay area puts you within walking distance of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge, but hotel prices reflect that. Expect to pay AUD 250–500+ per night at properties like the Park Hyatt Sydney or Four Seasons. For a mid-range base with more character, Surry Hills and Darlinghurst are the pick — independent cafés, good restaurants, easy access to everything, and rates from around AUD 150–250. Newtown is cheaper still and popular with younger travellers — bohemian, walkable, full of vintage shops and live music venues. If beach access is the priority, Bondi and Coogee offer holiday apartments and boutique guesthouses, though Bondi especially carries a tourist premium. Budget travellers should look at hostels in Kings Cross or Glebe, where dorm beds start around AUD 35–50 per night.
Top Things to Do in Sydney
- Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb: Yes, it's touristy, and yes, it's worth it. The 3.5-hour climb to the summit costs around AUD 398 (standard daytime) but the 360° view over the harbour, city, and Blue Mountains on a clear day is genuinely hard to top.
- Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk: A free, 6km clifftop walk connecting some of Sydney's best beaches. Do it in the morning before the Bondi crowds arrive and stop at Bronte or Clovelly for a swim.
- Blue Mountains Day Trip: Take the train from Central Station to Katoomba (about 2 hours, AUD 8 with Opal) and you're looking at the Three Sisters rock formation, eucalyptus-filled valleys, and some of the best bushwalking in New South Wales.
- Ferry to Manly: A 30-minute ferry from Circular Quay drops you at Manly — surf beach on one side, sheltered harbour beach on the other, decent fish and chips in between. One of the best-value experiences in the city.
- Taronga Zoo: Sits on the north shore of the harbour with ferry access from Circular Quay. Koalas, wombats, echidnas — the Australian native wildlife section alone justifies the AUD 47 adult entry.
- Barangaroo Reserve and The Rocks: Walk the harbour foreshore through Barangaroo for free, then explore The Rocks for its weekend market, colonial sandstone laneways, and the Museum of Contemporary Art right on the water.
Practical Travel Tips
Visas: EU and UK citizens cannot enter Australia without a visa — unlike many destinations, there's no visa-on-arrival option. Most visitors apply for an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) online via the Australian ETA app, which costs AUD 20 and is typically approved within minutes. Apply before you book your flights. Currency: Australian Dollar (AUD). Cards are accepted almost everywhere — contactless payments are ubiquitous and cash is rarely needed. ATMs are widely available. Tipping: Not expected or mandatory in Australia. Hospitality workers are paid proper wages. Rounding up the bill at a restaurant or tipping 10% for excellent service at a nice restaurant is appreciated but entirely optional. Safety: Sydney is a very safe city by international standards. Standard urban awareness applies in Kings Cross and parts of the CBD late at night, but violent crime targeting tourists is rare. Sun safety is a bigger practical concern — UV levels in Australia are extreme, even on overcast days. SPF 50+, a hat, and sunglasses are not optional from October through March.
FAQ — Flights to Sydney
How much do flights to Sydney cost?
Return flights to Sydney from London typically cost between £700 and £1,100 in economy, and from other major European cities, roughly €800 to €1,300. Prices vary significantly by season, airline, and how far in advance you book. The cheapest Sydney flight deals from Europe tend to appear for travel in the European autumn (September–November) and in January after the peak holiday period ends.
Which airlines fly to Sydney?
The main carriers operating flights from Europe to Sydney include Emirates (via Dubai), Qatar Airways (via Doha), Singapore Airlines (via Singapore), Cathay Pacific (via Hong Kong), Thai Airways (via Bangkok), and Malaysia Airlines (via Kuala Lumpur). Qantas, Australia's national carrier, also flies London Heathrow to Sydney via Perth. Singapore Airlines and Qatar Airways are generally considered the premium options for comfort on this route.
What is the cheapest month to fly to Sydney?
From Europe, the cheapest months to fly to Sydney are generally September, October, and early November — shoulder season in Australia before the summer crowds build. January (excluding the New Year period) can also offer lower fares once the holiday rush subsides. Avoid flying around Christmas, New Year, and Australian school holidays if you want the best prices.
How long is the flight to Sydney from London?
Flights from London to Sydney take approximately 22 to 24 hours total including a layover — most routings involve one stop in the Middle East or Southeast Asia. The longest single leg is typically around 13–14 hours (for example, London to Singapore). There are no true nonstop flights from London to Sydney currently operating, though Qantas has tested ultra-long-haul research flights on the route. From other European cities, add one to three hours to account for the connecting leg.