Traveling in Australia: How Much Does It Cost?

The land of eternal summer (in some parts of the country, at least), Australia is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. This country (also a continent, by the way), has a little bit of everything for everyone. 

It is perfect for people who love nature since it has a lot of outback and wild nature to explore but it’s also great for city lovers since it has a wide range of big cities and small towns. Plus, Australian beaches are famous worldwide, and tourists can choose between water sports or laying around in the sun all day long.

Still, before you jump on the next plane to Australia, there are quite a few things to figure out such as accommodation and the overall cost of your trip. To make things a bit easier, we’ll talk a bit about the average cost of a trip to Australia and how to make sure your experience will be a positive one. 

How to Budget for your Trip to Australia

Australia is a country where you have to keep your budget under control since the Australian dollar (AUD) is not that far away from the USD. Plus, if we take into consideration the current level of inflation and economic unrest, you should expect higher prices than in the past. 

Therefore, your budget needs to be divided into three main categories:

1. Safety measures
2. Lodging
3. Daily spending

1. Safety Measures

You should never leave on a trip without travel insurance! Australia is not a dangerous country for tourists, but you never know what could go wrong. Plus, no matter where you’re traveling from, you will be far away from home and you won’t have the benefit of being a citizen.

The right travel insurance policy should cover any health risks (especially if you plan on having any sportive adventures or have pre-existing medical conditions), but it should also cover documents and luggage loss/theft, or any unexpected changes in your travel plans.

Luckily, you can compare various travel insurance policies and find the one that suits your needs the best. 

2. Lodging Costs

Your lodging costs will differ depending on location, but whether you choose to stay on the continent or on one of the many Australian islands, a hotel will cost somewhere between $55 to $238 per night, while a vacation rental is somewhere between $180 to $510 per night for the entire home.

Of course, things are a bit different when you think about the size of your party trip and the time when you decide to visit. For instance, a solo traveler or a couple will pay between $69 to $87 per night for one 2 or 3-star hotel room, while a family of four will pay between $137 to $175 per night.

Quick tip: if your budget is a bit tight, late August to early September is the period when prices are lower.

3. Daily Spending

Given that Australia has so many cool things to do and explore, you should be prepared with a bit of extra budget for your daily spending. 

First, the basic needs (food and drinks) will have you pay between 20 AUD to 45 AUD per person. Even McDonald’s will give you a run for your money at 12 AUD per value meal. A beer costs around 9 AUD, but many bars offer happy hours and discounts for tourists, so you may find it cheaper. 

When it comes to tours, there are lots of offers, but it may cost between 50 and 400 AUD per day. Still, you can save your budget if you look for cheap transportation options (there are quite a few interesting offers) and do some exploring on your own. 

Wrap Up

As long as you plan your trip and budget for most scenarios, your trip to Australia should be a blast! Whether you travel alone, in a couple, or with a big family, everyone will have a great experience and will most likely want to return.