Book a guided tour to see parts of the Sydney Opera House and learn about its design, or choose a performance from the official event listings. You can book both. Tour routes depend on venue availability, and ticket rules and prices vary by performance.
The Opera House is at Bennelong Point, a short walk from Circular Quay, Sydney’s closest transport hub. Tour prices and schedules were checked on 13 October 2026.
Sydney Opera House tours
The standard Sydney Opera House Tour runs daily, subject to availability, and takes about an hour. Tours are offered in English, French, German and Spanish. Japanese, Korean and Mandarin are also available. The route covers up to 2.5 kilometres and around 300 stairs, so it is unsuitable for visitors using wheelchairs or walkers. The guide may take visitors into selected theatres, but access depends on what is available that day.
Pre-booked prices are A$50 for adults, A$30 for children aged 5–15, A$40 for concession holders and A$130 for a family of two adults and two children. Same-day prices are A$55, A$35, A$45 and A$145 respectively. Children under five travel free, and children aged 15 and under must be accompanied by an adult.
Book through the Opera House’s tour booking calendar and check in at the Welcome Centre on the Lower Concourse 15 minutes before departure. Bags larger than A4 must be cloaked, and the venue cannot store suitcases or large bags. Arriving more than five minutes late may mean forfeiting the tour without a refund.
The tour page gives conflicting limits for group bookings. Contact Reservations on 02 8188 3734 if you are booking for a larger party or cannot book online.
Compare other tours
The Mobility Access Tour provides a step-free route using lifts and escalators. The Opera House lists departure times, with Auslan interpretation and audio description available on request. Adult tickets cost A$50, children’s tickets cost A$30 and concession tickets cost A$40. A family ticket costs A$130. Book by submitting the request form on the tour page; bookings open up to two months ahead. For a same-day or next-day request, contact Reservations.
The published duration is inconsistent: the tour summary says 60 minutes, while the detailed information says about 75 minutes. The page also refers to both the Welcome Centre and Stage Door for check-in. Confirm the duration and meeting point when booking. This tour is designed for visitors using wheelchairs, walkers and other mobility aids.
The Architectural Tour focuses on the building’s design and construction. It takes 75 minutes, runs at selected weekend times and includes more than 300 stairs. Pre-booked prices are A$60 for adults, A$33 for children, A$46 for concession holders and A$153 for families; same-day rates are higher. Visitors with mobility concerns should choose the Mobility Access Tour instead.
Other options include a Backstage Tour and Tour & Dine packages. Their schedules, prices and conditions vary, so compare the individual tour listings before booking.
From 1 April 2027, the standard tour’s published prices rise to A$52 for pre-booked adults and A$57 for same-day adults. The corresponding child prices are A$32 and A$37, concession prices are A$42 and A$47, and family prices are A$136 and A$151. The Mobility Access Tour’s published tariff also changes on that date. Check the current tour listing when choosing a date.
Book a performance
Start with the Opera House’s official What’s On listings, then open the page for the performance you want. Check the date and session time, then review ticket categories and prices. Confirm the sale status and the authorised ticket seller named on that page. The seller and booking conditions can differ between events. The Opera House warns that tickets from unauthorised resellers may be fake, void or cancelled.
For ticket enquiries, call the Box Office on 1300 764 849. It is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm. An online enquiry form is available, but it cannot be used to buy tickets. For accessible seating or other access assistance, contact the Box Office using the details given on the event page. Check the event’s own booking information for fees, as charges differ between performances.
On the day, arrive at least 20 minutes before the performance if you already have your tickets. Allow at least 30 minutes if you need to collect them from the Box Office. Security screening and bag checks apply. Bags larger than A4 are not allowed inside performance venues and must be cloaked. The same rule applies to backpacks, umbrellas, suitcases and prams.
Getting to the Sydney Opera House
Travel to Circular Quay by train, ferry or bus, then walk to the Opera House. The walk is short; the Opera House’s published estimates vary from about six minutes to 7–10 minutes. Allow extra time if you are unfamiliar with the route or have a timed tour or performance.