Australia, New Zealand & the South Pacific - One Night in Sydney

Hi all...just want your opinons on something.

My partner and I are spending about 5 days in SYD and then heading to Hobart and then up to Cairns. We are returning to Sydney in the mid-afternoon on 17SEP and will have one night before flying home (to ATL) early on 18SEP. Would it just be easier staying at the airport or would it be better to book a downtown hotel and then get up early to fly out on Friday? We will have seen quite a bit of Syndey the week before. Just not really sure what to do.
I know it depends on what we want to do but we'll probably just want to take it easy. Are there food options near the airport if we choose that?

Thanks!

the Sydney CBD is not very far from the airport depending on the time of day a taxi ride out there shouldn't be more than 20 minutes. The area around the airport is not very nice, and the airport hotels are IMO overpriced.

Go into Sydney have a nice meal go for a walk by the Opera House before bed. Perfect way to finish your trip in Oz:)

the Sydney CBD is not very far from the airport depending on the time of day a taxi ride out there shouldn't be more than 20 minutes. The area around the airport is not very nice, and the airport hotels are IMO overpriced.

Go into Sydney have a nice meal go for a walk by the Opera House before bed. Perfect way to finish your trip in Oz:)

Agreed. Trip from downtown to the airport is about 20 minutes by taxi or train. The airport hotels are ok but you are better off to stay in the city, even if you have spent a few days there earlier in the trip.

Absolutely nothing to do at the airport hotels other than eat and sleep. Actually the eating part isn't all that flash either.

Ok...we'll stay downtown! Thanks for the opinions!

a very nice view of the city can be had from the Zoo.

catch a ferry from Circular Quay, it takes 12 mins, dont buy the all in 1 tkt, buy only the ferry passage 5.20 each way. Pick up the Whats On book at SYD (its free) theres a 20% off Zoo admission. take the cablecar to the top and walk down , we caught some great views and pics

also keep in mind that the train tkts are sold each day and a round trip must be completed on that same day. So if spending the night in the City you will need to buy a 1way each day. Also its 15.20 each way and CCs can only be used if the total purchase is at least 24.

We are now in AKL back to SYD for Tues night before heading back to the States. We walked everywhere and only used transport to/from the Airport and Blue Mts. No real need for an all in 1 transport pass unless you cant walk on your own 2 feet

So is Sydney safe to walk around at night? We would be getting around 5pm and need to still check into our hotel(Rydges World Square). I plan on us getting dinner, but other than that, I don't know how viable would it be for us to try to see the Opera House night views.

Relatively safe by the Opera House.

Absolutely.

Rydges World Square is down near China Town where there are stack and stack of good restaurants. You're right in the heart of the city so your options are endless.

A walk from where you are staying to the Opera House would take you a leisurly 30 minutes. A taxi would cost you $5 to $7 at a guess, the bus down George Street would be about $2.

Have fun!