Cheap Sydney to Hobart flights (SYD to HBA)

Arriving at Hobart Airport

Once you’ve landed at Hobart Airport it’s an 18-kilometre journey to the heart of Hobart CBD.

For a great-value commute jump onboard the SkyBus service, with its 6 designated city stops, departing every 30 minutes. Tickets can be purchased on the SkyBus website or at the e-kiosks located next to the luggage carousels.

Alternatively travel to Hobart City and surrounds via taxi, rideshare, or rental car.

Transfer times and cost guide (to Hobart City)

• Taxi and rideshare: approx. $35 – 20mins
• Bus shuttle service: approx. $19.50

Read more in our Hobart Airport Guide.

Departing from Sydney Airport

Located 8km from Sydney CBD, Sydney Airport is best accessed by the 13-minute value-friendly train ride on the Air Train service. Use your Opal Card, or tap on with your credit card - Amex, Visa or Mastercard.

You can also travel to Sydney Airport via shuttle or public bus, taxi or rideshare. Alternatively, self-drive and utilise the airport parking facilities.

In non-peak hour the drive is approximately 25-minutes from the centre of Sydney, however be mindful of congestion in peak hour and allow more time for the commute during these times.

Virgin Australia operates from Terminal 2 (T2) for your domestic flight to Hobart.

What time do you need to arrive at Sydney Airport?

If you’re planning to check in luggage we recommend that you arrive at the airport 60 minutes prior to your flight time, as check-in is 45 minutes prior departure. This should allow you enough spare time to grab a coffee on your way to the departure gate, without feeling too rushed.

Read more in our Sydney Airport Guide.

Hobart Itinerary – What to do in a day?

Only have 24 hours in Hobart? Here’s a handy guide so you can squeeze in lots of key attractions and things to do, without feeling like you’re a contender on The Amazing Race.

8.30am – Breakfast at Room for a Pony

After a refreshing night at your hotel (we love the industrial rawness of The Henry Jones Art Hotel and luxurious waterfront hotel MACq 01 you’re ready to explore Hobart. For breakfast you’re off to industrial chic Room for a Pony in North Hobart, an easy 6-minute drive away. Emerged as one of Hobart’s hippest spots to hang out, try one of their mouth-watering meals such as their Chinese fried chilli omelette.

10.00am –Salamanca Market OR Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens

If visiting on a Saturday, make your way to Salamanca Market, Tasmania’s most-visited attraction, combining history, culture and local gourmet food. Alternatively, if not visiting on a Saturday, make your way to the stunning Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens where you’ll see everything from tranquil Japanese gardens to native and exotic plants.

11.00am – Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery

Next up, you’re off to Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery – take a theatrical tour of the heritage buildings, and view the works of convict heritage, natural history and art.

12.30pm – Lunch at Frogmore Creek Cellar Door & Restaurant

Time for lunch and today you’re in for a treat at Frogmore Creek Cellar Door and Restaurant, located 20-minutes from Hobart CBD, set amongst the vineyard. Sample a Frogmore wine and a stunning meal - from the land, the sea or the garden - with spectacular views.

This afternoon’s experience is at the almost indescribable Museum of Old and New Art (MONA), a short ferry ride from Hobart, located within the Moorilla Winery. Created by billionaire Tassie native David Walsh this is a private museum housing David’s collection of modern, contemporary and ancient art. Featuring three levels of underground galleries, a brewery, two wineries, several bars, and even a cemetery - MONA is also home to several outstanding events including MONA FOMA, an electric arts and music festival, and her winter sister, Dark MOFO, celebrating the darkness of the southern solstice.

4.30pm – Lark Distillery

Returning by ferry from MONA you’re blocks away to your next experience - a visit to Lark Distillery located on Davey Street in central Hobart. Lark Distillery was one of Tasmania’s first single malt whiskey distilleries, now making the already famous ‘Forty Spotted Gin’ range too. Enjoy a ‘tasting flight’ or one of the limited releases, in the Cellar Door.

7.30pm – Dinner at Old Wharf Restaurant

Tonight’s gastronomic experience is at Old Wharf Restaurant, set in the historical location of a former wharf where traders once shipped Tassie’s produce. The menu at Old Wharf Restaurant celebrates this history, refining traditional family dishes celebrating Tasmania’s produce. Choose from their hearty range, and a matching wine.

9.00pm – Drinks at Evolve Spirits Bar

Time for a nightcap or two at the quirky luxury lounge bar, Evolve Spirits Bar, located at its wharf-side location within the MACq 012 Hotel Building. Enjoy an award-winning spirit whilst marvelling the unusual interior full of the artefacts collection from across the globe, dating back 550 million years ago.

Where to stay in Hobart?

Hobart offers a diverse range of accommodation to suit all budgets and styles – throughout Hobart CBD and the inner-city precincts, each with their own flavour.

Hobart CBD

Hobart CBD is a popular spot to stay, central to all the key attractions. You’re close to Salamanca Markets, Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens, Museum of Old and New Art (MONA), Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, Cascade Brewery, Constitution Dock – plus the CBD has the greatest variety of nightlife and restaurants. Hobart CBD features the largest offering in hotels in the city - from heritage, small luxury, and high-end luxurious hotels.

Sandy Bay

A great location to stay for nature and beach lovers, families too, is Sandy Bay. A short 10-minute drive from Hobart city and you’ve reached Hobart’s exclusive-feel beach area - mostly a quiet district, but still offers a range of bars, restaurants and cafes. Accommodation in Sandy Bay is generally more expensive than the CBD, due to the exclusivity of the area. We love Clydesdale Manor, a stunning heritage building originally built in the 1880s.

North Hobart

North Hobart is the ideal place for the hipsters to stay, home to theatres, gourmet restaurants and upmarket stores. This area is also known for having the best nightlife in Hobart, with wine bars and breweries in every corner, and a great range of hotels, apartments and bed and breakfasts. Explore more with our Hobart Travel Guide.

Explore More with Our Hobart Travel Guide

When to visit Hobart?

Whatever time of year you visit Hobart, you’ll find plenty of things to do, with each season offering a broad range of unique activities, festivals and attractions.

Summer

Summer (December to February) is the best, and driest, time to visit Hobart, with comfortable temperatures. Ideal for outdoor adventures, it’s also a time jam-packed with festivals such as Tasmanian Wine Festival and legendary MONA FOMA, and AFL matches. For the boaties it’s also the time to watch the Sydney to Hobart Yacht race.

Autumn

During Autumn (March to May) you’ll watch the city come alive and transform with rustic colours as the season transitions. Autumn is the ultimate time to explore UNESCO World Heritage Sites, sample authentic Tasmanian produce (artisan cheeses meet black truffles) and immerse in the festival-vibes.

Winter

The Winter months (June to August) are cold in Hobart, making it an ideal time to enjoy indoor activities – visit the galleries and museums, wear your winter best, and attend one of the many music and art festivals including Festival of Voices and Dark MOFO. Daytime temperatures are clear, and days crisp, making it ideal for outdoor activities such as the 20-minute drive to Mt Wellington. Another quirky winter highlight is Hobart’s Winter Feast, which attracts thousands of foodies, and hundreds of brave people for the nude swim – a plunge in the freezing temperatures of the Derwent River, to mark the winter solstice.

Spring

Spring (September to November) is officially the wettest time of year, however Hobart is the second driest Australian capital city. Make a trip to Tuhune Airwalk, an adventure park immersed in a forest canopy - or hike at Mount Field National Park, a one-hour drive from Hobart City. It’s also a perfect time to visit Royal Tasmania Botanical Gardens.

What to pack for your trip to Hobart?

Packing for your trip from Sydney to Hobart depends on what you’re planning to do and the time of year you’re travelling.

During the summer months light clothing is enough, however temperatures can drop in the evenings so bring a light jacket.

Winter days are usually clear yet crisp, and you’re likely to find it colder than at home in Sydney. The indoor restaurants and bars are often heated with an open fire, so bring layers, plus pack a warm jacket, woollen scarf, and beanie.

Don’t forget to pack comfortable waterproof walking shoes, and hiking shoes if you’re planning to do any national park walks.

Other essential items are an umbrella, a waterproof phone pouch, a compact tripod, woollen socks for the cooler months, a head lamp if planning to do some hiking or camping, a memory card (you don’t want to run out of photo storage), and a small pack for both urban and outdoor adventures.

Must Packs

• • Summer: lightweight clothes, sunscreen, comfortable dresses for women, short- sleeved shirts for the men, light jacket
  • Autumn: a light-medium weight jacket
  • Winter: jeans, boots, wool scarf, long-sleeved tops, warm heavy-weight jackets, wind-proof fleece
  • Spring: a light-medium weight jacket for cooler evenings, umbrella, waterproof jacket