A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Sydney vs. Mendoza for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Sydney or Mendoza?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Sydney or Mendoza, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Sydney or Mendoza?

Sydney

Sydney, known as the harbour city, is the most famous and frequently visited city in Australia. It is at the economical and cultural heart of the country, and is one of the most beautiful and livable cities in the world. It's situated on the water with stunning views of the famous harbour throughout the city. It's most famous landmarks include the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. It is also very close wonderful beaches, parks, and nature.

Mendoza

Mendoza is a city in western Argentina and more precisely in the desertic Cuyo region. Mendoza is the center of the Argentinian wine industry and is famed around the world for its vineyards and wine production. Spread across the valley of the Rio Mendoza and in the foothills of the Andean mountain range, Mendoza is also near the Aconcagua, the highest mountain outside of the Himalayas. The bustling and scenic city of wide, leafy avenues, atmospheric plazas and cosmopolitan cafes spoils visitors with unique natural attractions and historical landmarks. If you can, visit Mendoza during the harvest festival at the end of February. There are many events and festivals in Mendoza and they are usually free. Each has a different theme, and they usually have a stage with singing and dancing and booths that sell food around a plaza. Seventy percent of Argentina's wines are produced here, and Mendoza is especially known for its world-famous malbecs.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Contiki Tours to Australia, The Best G Adventures Tours to Australia, The Best 2-Week Tours from Buenos Aires, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Argentina.


Which place is cheaper, Mendoza or Sydney?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Sydney is $207, while the average daily cost in Mendoza is $56. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Sydney and Mendoza in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Sydney $103
    Mendoza $43
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Sydney $206
    Mendoza $86
Compare Hotels in Sydney and Mendoza

Looking for a hotel in Sydney or Mendoza? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Sydney


Hotels in Mendoza


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Sydney Hotel Prices and Mendoza Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Sydney $15
    Mendoza $4.18
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Sydney

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Sydney:


  • Taxi Ride
    $13
  • Taxi to Airport
    $16

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sydney

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sydney:

  • Transfer from White Bay Cruise Terminal to Sydney Airport: $27
  • Transfer Between Airport & Hotels or Cruise Terminal: $13
  • Tandem Skydive with Optional Transfers: $251
  • SYD Airport to Sydney City Centre Private Transfer: $37
  • Private City, Harbour, and Bondi Tour with Transfer: $274
  • Private Airport Transfer with Meet and Greet: $60
  • Hunter Valley Sunrise Balloon Flight with Transfer: $363
  • Airport Transfer to Sydney CBD (Chauffeur Driven): $132
  • Airport Shuttle Transfer to and from CBD Hotels: $40
  • Sydney's Best Airport Arrival Transfers - Airport to CBD : $84
  • Sydney to Sydney Airport (SYD) - Departure Private Transfer: $70
  • Sydney Port Private Arrival Transfer: Cruise Port to City: $30

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mendoza

Also for Mendoza, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • 6-Seats Private Transfer in Mendoza with Personal Driver: $21
  • Argentine BBQ Experience and Winery Visits.Transfer included: $195
  • Catena Zapata and El Enemigo Wine Tasting with Private Transfer: $290
  • Classic Wine Tour with Winery Roast. Private Transfer.: $220
  • Departure Private Transfer Valle de Uco to Mendoza Airport MDZ : $103
  • Distillery Gin + Lunch in Winery with Private Transfer.: $160
  • Essential Wine and Lunch. Private Transfer: $100
  • Luján de Cuyo/ Maipú Wineries. Full Day. Transfer.: $115
  • MDZ Airport Private Transfer to Mendoza City Center: $22
  • Mendoza Airport (MDZ) to Mendoza - Roundtrip Private Transfer: $67
  • Mendoza Airport Departure Transfer: $34
  • Mendoza Airport Shuttle Transfer: $22

Is it cheaper to fly into Sydney or Mendoza?

Prices for flights to both Mendoza and Sydney change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Sydney $77
    Mendoza $5.85
Typical Food Prices in Sydney

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Sydney:


  • Tea
    $2.62
  • Lunch Special
    $9.81
  • Food/Drink Coogie Beach
    $9.81
  • Meat Pies
    $3.27

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sydney

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Sydney.

  • Vivid Festival of Light Harbor Cruise with Dinner: $36
  • City Highlights Walking Food Tour with Harbor Cruise: $45
  • Roti Making Class with 5-Course Dinner: $50
  • Harbour Dinner Cruise with Buffet: $50
  • Sydney Harbour Discovery Dinner Cruise Scenic Sights and Buffet: $50
  • Foraging Food Tour Sydney Native Aussie Food: $53
  • Sydney's Little Italy Food Tour: $54
  • Harbor Sunset Cruise with Dinner: $59
  • Twilight Dinner Cruise on Coral Trekker: $59
  • Sydney Harbour Tall Ship Twilight Dinner Cruise: $60
  • Taste of Sydney Fish Market Food Tour: $64
  • Kids Cooking Classes: $64

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mendoza

For Mendoza, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Argentine BBQ on Terrace with Views. Dinner, Sunset.: $80
  • Mendoza Cooking Experience with Unlimited Wine & Cocktails: $95
  • Argentine Hands-On Cooking & Wine Experience in Mendoza: $95
  • Bar Safari 4 Best Mendoza’s Bars in 1 Night with Full Dinner: $167
  • Bar Safari: 4 Best Mendoza’s Bars in 1 night. + Full Dinner: $180
  • Horseback Riding at Sunset and Dinner in Mendoza: $185
  • Tango Show with Dinner at Hualta Winery Hotel: $190
  • Full-Day Small-Group Mendoza Wine Tasting Tour with Lunch or Dinner: $199
  • City Tour with Dinner at a Local Restaurant: $200
  • Winery Los Toneles + Dinner in Saffron Restó. Private transportation: $250

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Sydney $31
    Mendoza $23
Typical Entertainment Prices in Sydney

Here are a few typical costs in Sydney for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Theatre Show
    $29
  • Sydney Tower Visit (for 2)
    $30
  • Blue Mountain Tour/Featherdale Park (for 2)
    $125
  • Powerhouse Museum
    $9.85

Tours and Activities in Sydney

Here are a few actual costs in Sydney for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Sunrise Serenity Kayak Tour of Sydney Harbour: $104
  • #1 Blue Mountains Tour Scenic World Waterfalls Wildlife Park: $188
  • 1 Day Thredbo Snow Adventure: $113
  • 1 Day Thredbo Snow Tour From Sydney: $117
  • 1/2 day Sydney Sightseeing and Bondi Beach Tour: $45
  • 14-Day Sydney to Cairns, Fraser, Whitsundays Comfort Tour: $5,614
  • 2 Hours Running Tour in Sydney: $99
  • 3 Hours Elvis Tribute Cruise on Sydney Harbour: $53
  • 30 Minute Shared Sydney Harbour Scenic Helicopter Tour: $238
  • 30-minute Private Sydney Harbour Helicopter Tour for 2: $331
  • 45-Minute Sydney Harbour Adventure Jet Boat Ride: $66
  • 45-Minute Vivid Sydney Scenic Jet Boat Cruise Tour: $40

Tours and Activities in Mendoza

For Mendoza, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Self-guided bike tour of Maipu (Mendoza): $15
  • Malbec Experience in Bodega Tierras Altas: $22
  • Tour autoguiado en bicicleta por Luján de Cuyo (Mendoza): $23
  • City tour with visit to General San Martin Park: $24
  • Renacer Winery Experience: $25
  • City Tour: $25
  • City Tour of Mendoza: $25
  • City Tour: $25
  • Half-Day Sightseeing Tour: $34
  • Wine and Olive Oil Tasting Half-Day Tour: $34
  • Half-Day Sightseeing City Tour: $35
  • City Tour Mendoza Completo con Chocolatería y Cerro de la Gloria: $35

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Sydney $15
    Mendoza $5.94
Typical Alcohol Prices in Sydney

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Sydney:


  • Wine
    $10

Sample the Local Flavors in Sydney

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Sydney:

  • Wollongong Bar Crawl Go Out with a Gong: $15
  • Big Night Out Pub Crawl with Local Party Hosts: $32
  • Private Wine Tasting at The Rocks: $46
  • Sydney Cellar Door - Old Vine Expressions Wine Tasting: $47
  • Marrickville Brewery Tour: $78
  • From: Sydney - Hunter Valley Wine Tasting Guided Day Tour: $89
  • Sydney Beer and Brewery Tour: $103
  • Brewery, Winery, and Distillery Tasting Tour: $112
  • From Full-Day Hunter Valley Wine Tour & Lunch: $145
  • From Hunter Valley Wine Tasting Day Tour: $145
  • From Hunter Valley Multi-Brewery Tour with Lunch: $149
  • Small Group Hunter Valley Wine Tour + Lunch, Gin & Choc ex Sydney: $151

Sample the Local Flavors in Mendoza

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Mendoza:

  • Classic Wine Tasting: $44
  • Premium Wine Tasting: $66
  • Half-Day Wine Tour with Tastings: $80
  • Make an Argentine Asado BBQ w/ Local Host & Wine Tasting: $89
  • El Enemigo and Casa Vigil Wine Tour: $93
  • In Mendoza Wine Tours, Empanadas, and Olive Oil: $99
  • Mendoza Private Wine Tour Paired Lunch and Olive Oil Tasting: $115
  • Classic Wine Tour on a Budget. Lunch. Private Driver: $120
  • Wine Tour with Lunch and Transport in Mendoza: $130
  • Full Day Wine Tour with 3 Course Lunch: $164
  • Wine tasting region Uco Valley in Mendoza: $180
  • Bike Tour at Zuccardi: Olive Oil, Wine Tasting & Lunch: $182


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sydney and Mendoza, we can see that Sydney is more expensive. And not only is Mendoza much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Sydney is in Pacific and Mendoza is in South America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Mendoza would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Mendoza and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Sydney would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sydney than you might in Mendoza.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Sydney Expensive? and Is Mendoza Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Sydney or Mendoza?

Sydney has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Mendoza. When comparing the sizes of Sydney and Mendoza, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.