A group of New Year's Eve revellers - who each paid $725 for an all-inclusive harbour cruise - missed out on their night out due to Sydney's train delays.

Dee Why resident Mal Johnston, 45, had six friends visiting from Taiwan and China to watch Sydney's famous fireworks. Collectively the group had paid $5075 for the NYE cruise.

The group had planned to take the 5.30pm train from Chatswood to Wynyard, followed by a taxi or Uber to Pyrmont for the 7pm ferry departure, but were faced with train delays.

Mr Johnston said he felt "embarrassed" by Sydney after the night's end and took most of the guests back to Chatswood at 10.30pm after desperately searching for somewhere to eat.

The trip that typically takes up to 40 minutes took the group 93 minutes, according to Mr Johnston, after the Sydney train grid went into meltdown.