F.A.Q. - Frequently Asked Questions

What are Sydney Opera House opening hours?

The Sydney Opera House Welcome Center is open daily from 8.45am – 5pm (excluding Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve).

The Box Office Foyer on Level 1 is open daily from 9am – 5pm, or later if a performance is scheduled.

The Opera Bar is open on:

  • Sunday to Thursday from 11am – 11pm
  • Friday and Saturday from 11am – 12.30am

The House Canteen is open daily from 7.30am – 11pm. 

Sydney Opera House is located at Bennelong Point, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia.

Public Transport: several public buses, trains and ferries get to Circular Quay station, which is at a six-minute walking distance from Sydney Opera House.

Bicycles and other non-motorised vehicles: Sydney Opera House promotes and supports sustainable transport by providing facilities on site to safely park bikes. Bicycle parking is located beneath the Monumental Steps.

Private Car: Wilson Parking’s Sydney Opera House Car Park is open 24 hours, 7 days a week, and has undercover access to the Sydney Opera House Lower Concourse. The Sydney Opera House Carpark is located underneath the building with access via 2 Macquarie Street (Northern end), Sydney.

Accessible buggy service: visitors with limited mobility arriving by taxi or private vehicle may be dropped at the designed area near the Macquarie Street Gatehouse. Staff are on hand to arrange transfers to the building via a wheelchair-accessible shuttle service. The dimensions of the wheelchair accessible shuttle is 84cm width x 95cm length x 142cm height. There is a 110kg weight limit.

Courtesy Bus: for elderly and less mobile customers. Seating is limited and available on a first come, first served basis. The bus runs between Circular Quay, opposite Wharf 2 under the Cahill Expressway and the Sydney Opera House Forecourt.

Schedule – before performances:

  • Joan Sutherland Theatre and Concert Hall
    Bus starts 75 minutes before matinee and evening performances and runs continuously for 1 hour.
  • Drama Theatre
    Bus starts 45 minutes before all matinee and evening performances and runs continuously for 30 minutes.
  • Playhouse
    Bus starts 45 minutes before all evening performances and runs continuously for 30 minutes.

Schedule – after performances:

  • Joan Sutherland Theatre and Concert Hall
    Bus starts 10 minutes after the performance finishes and runs continuously for 45 minutes.
  • Playhouse and Drama Theatre
    Bus starts 10 minutes after the performance finishes and runs continuously for 30 minutes.

Please note that the bus does not usually run for performances on Sunday.

The Sydney Opera House is closed on December 25th (Christmas Day), 30th and 31st. However, is open on New Year’s Day (January 1st).

When you are purchasing the Official Sydney Opera House 1-Hour Guided Tour, your ticket includes a live guide that will explain you everything about the history of Sydney Opera House during 1h. It also includes cloakroom, as backpacks and small items must be cloaked. Luggage or large bags are not allowed.

When you select the ticket for Great Opera Hits at the Sydney Opera House, you will have the chance to listen to famous arias from Bizet, Puccini, Rossini, Verdi and more performed by some of Opera Australia’s finest opera singers, accompanied by piano. This show will have the duration of 1h30.

Even though infants (0-4) can join for free, a ticket is required.

Yes, you can show your smartphone ticket at the Sydney Opera House Welcome Centre, on the Lower Concourse.

Cancellation and rescheduling is possible until 24 hours before your visit.

Yes. There are a number of wheelchair and companion seating locations in all theatres, besides accessible bathrooms. There are courtesy wheelchairs available and also the accessible buggy service to get to Sydney Opera House.

Animals aren’t allowed at the Sydney Opera House and its restaurants, except for assistance animals that are accompanying visitors with a disability, as well as the working Seagull Patrol Dogs.

The best time to visit the Sydney Opera House depends on your preferences and what you want to experience. 

If you go in the morning (9am – 12pm):

  • Pros: Fewer crowds and ideal for photography with soft, diffused light.
  • Cons: Some cafes and restaurants may not be open yet.

If you go in the afternoon (12pm – 4pm):

  • Pros: More cafes and restaurants open, ideal for enjoying a meal with a view, and many performances start in the afternoon.
  • Cons: More crowded, especially on weekends and holidays, and may be hotter and more humid, especially in summer.

If you go in the evening (4pm – closing time):

  • Pros: Stunning sunset views, and some restaurants offer special dinner menus, with a romantic atmosphere.
  • Cons: May be difficult to find parking, and some cafes and restaurants may close early
Buy your Sydney Opera House tour here!