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Sydney CBD

Sydney

The central business district between Circular Quay and Central station, with the Queen Victoria Building, Pitt Street Mall, Hyde Park and Sydney Tower.

Best for Business · First visit · Budget

Transport
5/5
Sights
4/5
Value
3/5
Quiet
3/5
Food
4/5

Typical mid-range hotel ~$185/night · 10 min to Circular Quay

See hotels in Sydney CBD

Sydney CBD on the map

Why stay here

  • Central, with every train line and the light rail
  • Hotels for every budget
  • Museums and Hyde Park nearby

Who should stay here

  • Business travellers
  • First-time visitors
  • Shoppers

Not ideal if…

  • You want harbour views
  • You want a beach
  • You want a neighbourhood feel

What it's like

The CBD is Sydney's commercial heart: office towers, the grand Queen Victoria Building, Pitt Street Mall and Sydney Tower, with Hyde Park, the Australian Museum and the Art Gallery of New South Wales on its eastern edge. Light rail runs down George Street from Circular Quay to Central.

It's a practical, central base with lots of hotels at every price, and everything else is a short walk, train or ferry away. It's busy on weekdays and can feel quiet at night in the office blocks.

Best streets and sub-areas

  • George Street

    Pedestrianised main street with the light rail.

  • Pitt Street Mall

    Department stores and flagship shops.

  • Martin Place

    Grand plaza of banks and the new metro station.

Getting around

Nearest stations
Wynyard, Town Hall, Martin Place, St James and Museum stations, the Metro, and the L2/L3 light rail on George Street.
To Circular Quay
About 10 minutes
From Sydney Airport
About 20 minutes: airport train to Wynyard, Town Hall or St James.

Nearby attractions

  • Queen Victoria Building

    Victorian arcade of shops under a glass dome.

  • Art Gallery of New South Wales

    Free gallery with a new building by the harbour.

  • Australian Museum

    Natural history and First Nations collections.

  • Sydney Tower Eye

    Viewing deck over the city and harbour.

Where to eat and drink

  • Laneway bars

    Small bars tucked into lanes off George and Pitt streets.

  • Food courts

    Asian food courts for cheap lunches.

Where to stay in Sydney CBD

A few hotels we'd book in this area, at different budgets.

Luxury pick

Capella Sydney

Why we like it: Former government sandstone building near Circular Quay.

Typical luxury rate in Sydney CBD: ~$395/night

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Boutique pick

QT Sydney

Why we like it: Quirky hotel in the State Theatre buildings.

Typical mid-range rate in Sydney CBD: ~$185/night

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Boutique pick

Kimpton Margot Sydney

Why we like it: Art Deco building near Town Hall with a rooftop pool.

Typical mid-range rate in Sydney CBD: ~$185/night

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Hotels in Sydney CBDMid-range from ~$185/night

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