Sydney
Home to more than 4.5 million people , Sydney, the largest city in Australia, is a vibrant and cosmopolitan destination that offers something for everyone. Known for its iconic landmarks, beautiful beaches, and world-class dining and entertainment. The never-ending collection of sightseeing spots is a real treat - there's the glittering Sydney Opera House in all its iconic sail-like glory, Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Tower. It’s somewhat of a paradise for immigrants but holidaymakers love coming to this coastal metropolis too. We covered its world-famous buildings but the stylish shopping, vibrant nightlife and, you guessed it, the food - is to die for! You could be having brekky in The Rocks enjoying Harbour Bridge views or lunch at Glebe Point. Either way, Sydney keeps it memorable without even trying.
Tipping.
Restaurants and bars- Depending on the area and type of restaurant, more than 10 percent should suffice if you're pleased with the service.
Taxi- A small gratuity is always welcome. A maximum of 10 percent of the fare should be about right.
Hotels- For those who bring your baggage to your room, one to two dollars per piece of luggage is plenty.
Lingo in Sydney.
You don’t really get to experience a language without knowing its slang. And that is so true for London where it makes up a huge part of the vocab! Visiting London for the first time? If you’re wondering what all the new words mean, we got you covered. Here’s a couple phrases to help you get by.
General lingo.
Howdy = Hello, a warm greeting to welcome a person
Cheers = thanks, a magic word to express gratitude
Cuppa = cup of tea
G day = Hello or good morning, warm greetings
Ta = thank you, deep expression of gratefulness
Pop around = come over, calling someone to go around or move to a place
See ya in arvo = see you in the afternoon
Are your ears painted on? = Someone who doesn’t listen
No Wucka’s = A truly Aussie way to say ‘no worries’
Eating out/ shopping lingo.
Avo = This is what we call an avocado. This is a good one to know, because smashed avo (mashed avocado on toast) is very popular in Australian cafes.
Maccas = McDonalds (even Maccas uses this one now!)
Bubbles = Sparkling wine
Chewie = Chewing gum
Choccy biccy = Chocolate biscuit
Chook = Chicken
Cuppa = Cup of tea
Dog’s eye = Meat pie
Gray nurse = Grey Australian $100 note
Lobster = Red Australian $20 note
Pineapple = Yellow Australian $50 note
Get your flirt on!
I’d give up my spot in the line at Buffalo Dining Club for you.
Boy, you are rarer than a parking spot at Balmoral Beach.
Violets are blue, roses are red, I’d skip Origin to hang out with you instead.”
“With you in my life, who needs avo on toast?”
“I burnt the coffee beans while staring at you, but it was worth it.”
“Are you from Warragamba? Because DAAAMMMM, girl!”
“I’d take a taxi through the CBD at peak hour just to get to you.”
“Can I take you up the Centrepoint Tower?”
“You make me hotter than a seatbelt in the middle of December.”
“Boy, are you a photo of a sunset? Because I am feeling #blessed right now.”
“I live next to Gelato Messina.”
Cityswoon speed dating, featured in Cosmopolitan, organizes fun mixers for singles in Aussie FYI.
Transport from Sydney Airport.
There are 5 ways to get from Sydney Airport to London - by train, bus, taxi, car, shuttle.
Train.
Taking the train from Sydney Domestic Airport to the city centre would take you around 13 minutes. Every 10 minutes you can catch the train from the airport terminal to the city and the suburbs via Airport Link. You can find the station on the northern end of the terminal and reach it via the Arrivals level. In order to use the service, you will need to purchase a ticket using an Opal card, Relay or WH Smith - or use Amex, VISA or Mastercard.
Car.
Car can be a fast and efficient option depending on what you prefer - drive or car rental. If traffic is light, you are looking at a 25 minute drive to the heart of Sydney since its just 8km from Sydney Airport to Sydney CBD. There are many car rental companies that have authorization for pick up from Terminals 2 & 3. Europcar, Budget, Hertz etc. are all good options.
Bus.
If you’re moving out of Sydney Airport to the city, you get on one of Sydney Buses scheduled bus services and take Route 400 which runs between Bondi Junction and Eastgardens. A fairly easy-to-use service, with stops at both Terminal 1 & 3 clearly indicated to passengers. One important tip would be get yourself an Opal card since its essential to using the service.
Airport shuttle.
There is an obvious advantage with selecting a shuttle service when you the cost effectiveness of traveling in a group. You get to be flexible about the pickup times and stop without worrying about extra cost. Plus you can choose your level of comfort - normal shuttle transfer or limo, direct hotel transfer and tours & attractions.
Taxi.
Most getaways offer taxi and ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft at airport pickup and Sydney is no exception. It’s a rather short distance - a 2o minute ride - which will cost you around 50$. If you’re opting for ride-sharing, then be sure to specify where you want your driver to pick you up from the airport.
Best time to travel.
September through November and from March to May. These months skirt Sydney's high and low seasons, offering visitors comfortable temperatures and manageable tourist crowds.
Forecast your trip.
This is Sydney all year round.
Are you ready to plan?
Sydney Related.
Sydney’s best hotels for a business traveller
By Leah Manickam
Sydney is bursting with life with an evolving skyline, cosmopolitan and diverse population, world famous golden beaches and of course a business centric city. Business travel to Sydney was very high therefore there are plenty of hotels catered to suit a business traveller. Here is the WKNDTRP recommended list of hotel in Sydney that are ideal for when you’re in the city for business.