10 Things No One Tells You About Sydney

The study abroad truths they forgot to mention

Sydney is a dream. Beaches, sunshine, accents that make you melt. But there’s a side of Sydney that no study abroad brochure or TikTok recap really prepares you for. And if you’re going to do this city right, you deserve the full picture. So here it is. The good, the bad, and the “wait… what?”

1. People don’t tip and it’s glorious

You’ll go out to eat and panic that you forgot to tip. Relax. Australians don’t tip like Americans. Waitstaff are paid decent wages, and tipping is only expected in exceptional service situations. So yes, that $4.50 flat white is actually just $4.50. A win for your student budget.

2. Winter is real and it’s not cute

You might be picturing Sydney as permanently sunny and 80 degrees. But if you’re here in July, it’s winter. While it probably won't snow, it will get quite chilly and maybe rainy. Definitely pack a hoodie. And socks.

3. Public transport is good…but weird

The trains are great and the ferries are iconic, but buses are their own mysterious ecosystem. Sometimes they don’t stop unless you press the button. Sometimes they just don’t show up. And Google Maps isn’t always right.

4. Groceries are expensive in random ways

Cheese? Expensive. Chips? Cheap. Grapes? Outrageous. Avocados? Practically free. Grocery prices feel like a roulette wheel. But Aldi and Coles are your best friend. And bring your own bags or they’ll charge you extra. You’re in your budgeting era now.

5. The coffee is better than anywhere else

There’s no Starbucks on every corner. That’s a good thing. Australia has a huge coffee culture, and once you try a real flat white, you’ll never look back. But be warned: if you order “drip coffee,” you’ll get confused looks or a cup of hot water and an espresso shot on the side.

6. Everything closes early

Sydney is not a 24/7 city. Most cafés close by 3. Many restaurants shut by 9. Even nightlife winds down earlier than you'd expect. Plan your day accordingly. And don’t be shocked when you can’t find an open kitchen after 10 PM.

7. You’ll say “heaps” and “keen” without realizing it

Aussie slang is low-key addictive. You’ll go from “I don’t get it” to “I’m so keen for brunch” in two weeks. Other phrases to get used to: arvo (afternoon), Macca’s (McDonald’s), and no worries (which means literally anything depending on tone).

8. The birds are intense

Bin chickens (ibis) will stare into your soul. Cockatoos are loud and will absolutely scream at 6 AM. And the bats? So many of them. But they're more of an inconvenience than anything else.

9. You won’t travel as much as you thought…and that’s okay

Before you go, you’ll plan weekend trips to New Zealand, the Outback, Bali, Fiji, and more. In reality, you’ll fall in love with your local beach and spend your Saturdays brunching, shopping at Glebe Markets, or napping. Sydney itself has more than enough to explore.

10. It’ll feel like home faster than you expect

At first, everything feels new and kind of overwhelming. But then one day, you’ll realize you’ve memorized your bus route. The barista knows your order. You’re giving directions to tourists. And you’re already dreading leaving.

Final Take

Sydney isn’t perfect. It’s confusing and quirky and sometimes expensive. But it’s also vibrant, beautiful, and so full of character. Once you settle in, you won’t want to leave. And when you do, you’ll already be planning your return.

Want more insider tips like these? Grab our full PDF guide to living in Sydney as a student packed with everything you really need to know. Get it here