Sydney Tourist Passes Compared: Merlin or Go City?
Sydney's passes split on one question: Taronga Zoo. Merlin's Sydney Attractions Pass stays at Darling Harbour and leaves it out. Both Go City passes include Taronga, the Opera House tour and harbour cruises.
Types of tourist pass
Darling Harbour bundle
Start at SEA LIFE, then walk to WILD LIFE, Madame Tussauds and the Tower Eye.
In Sydney: Sydney Attractions Pass
Harbour-wide day pass
Take the ferry to Taronga one day, tour the Opera House and cruise the harbour the next.
In Sydney: Sydney Go City Pass
Pick-a-few over 30 days
Choose 3-7 of 17 and fit them around beach days and the Blue Mountains.
In Sydney: Sydney Go City Explorer Pass
Which pass for your trip?
Sydney Attractions Pass
- A day with young kids around Darling Harbour. SEA LIFE, WILD LIFE and Madame Tussauds are next door to each other.
Sydney Go City Pass
- Two big days: Taronga, the Opera House tour, a harbour cruise and SEA LIFE. Only Go City covers Taronga and the Opera House tour together.
Sydney Go City Explorer Pass
- A week with beach days and a Blue Mountains trip. Spread 3-5 big picks over 30 days.
No pass needed
- Bondi to Coogee, the Botanic Garden and the Harbour Bridge on foot. All free; a ferry ride on Opal is the best cheap view.
The passes compared
Sydney Attractions Pass
- Attractions
- 2-4
- Price
- From A$49 (2)
- Time to use
- Set by version
- Best for
- A Darling Harbour day with kids
- All within walking distance
- Cheapest way to do the Merlin four
- No Taronga Zoo
- SEA LIFE must come first
Sydney Go City Pass
- Attractions
- 17
- Price
- A$289 (2 days)
- Time to use
- 2-5 days
- Best for
- Two packed days around the harbour
- Taronga, the Opera House tour and cruises
- Also covers SEA LIFE and Tower Eye
- Starts at 2 days
- Needs 6+ paid stops to pay off
Sydney Go City Explorer Pass
- Attractions
- 3-7 of 17
- Price
- A$149 (3 picks)
- Time to use
- 30 days
- Best for
- A week with a few big tickets
- 30 days to use
- Taronga and whale watching on the list
- Cheap picks lose money
Which big sights are on which pass?
| Sight | Merlin | Go City | Explorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taronga Zoo | Not included | Included | Included |
| Sydney Opera House tour | Not included | Included, book a slot | Included, book a slot |
| SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium | Included | Included | Included |
| Sydney Tower Eye | Included | Included | Included |
| WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo | Included | Not confirmed | Not confirmed |
| Sydney Harbour Bridge | Not included | Not included | Not included |
Worth knowing before you buy
Taronga decides it
A$51.30 online and on both Go City passes, but not on Merlin's. If Taronga is in your plan, look at Go City.
Sydney Tower Eye is cheaper online
A$29-34 online against A$39 at the door, so it's a weak pass pick on its own.
Whale season adds value
From May to November Go City's whale-watching cruise is one of the priciest things on the list.
Sydney's best sights are free
Bondi, the coastal walk, the Botanic Garden and walking the Harbour Bridge cost nothing; the Manly ferry is a cheap harbour cruise.
Taronga and Darling Harbour fill up on weekends and school holidays. Check how busy they are right now on beatthecrowd.co before you go.
Check live crowds in Sydney →How pass companies make money
A pass in Sydney is a bet: the seller wins if you slow down, you win if you plan. Here's the business behind Sydney Attractions Pass, Sydney Go City Pass and Sydney Go City Explorer Pass.
Attractions such as Taronga Zoo give pass sellers a discount in return for guaranteed visitors.
Rainy days, late starts and skipped sights all count in the seller's favour.
Each extra day or pick on Sydney Attractions Pass is only a saving if you'd really use it.
Other ways to save
- Sydney Go City Essentials Pass
From A$129 for 3 of 8 attractions, Taronga and Sydney Tower Eye included, but no Opera House tour or whale watching.
FAQs
Which Sydney pass is best?
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Merlin's Sydney Attractions Pass for a Darling Harbour day. The Go City All-Inclusive for two packed harbour days with Taronga. The Explorer for a week with a few big tickets.
Which Sydney pass includes Taronga Zoo?
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Both Go City passes (and the Go City Essentials). Merlin's Sydney Attractions Pass doesn't.
Which Sydney pass includes the Opera House tour?
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The Go City All-Inclusive and Explorer, with a time booked in the app.
Do Sydney passes include ferries or Opal travel?
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No. Pay for ferries and trains with an Opal card or contactless bank card.