Travel Budget for Melbourne Visit Melbourne on a Budget or Travel in Style

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

How much does it cost to travel to Melbourne?

You should plan to spend around $177 (AU$271) per day on your vacation in Melbourne. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.

Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:

  • $30 (AU$46) on meals
  • $20 (AU$30) on local transportation
  • $238 (AU$364) on hotels

A one week trip to Melbourne for two people costs, on average, $2,478 (AU$3,791). This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.

  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    $177
    AU$271
  • One Week Per person
    $1,239
    AU$1,896
  • 2 Weeks Per person
    $2,478
    AU$3,791
  • One Month Per person
    $5,309
    AU$8,125
  • One Week For a couple
    $2,478
    AU$3,791
  • 2 Weeks For a couple
    $4,955
    AU$7,583
  • One Month For a couple
    $10,619
    AU$16,249
This data comes from the travel budgets of real travelers - How it works. Put these numbers on your website.


How much does a one week, two week, or one month trip to Melbourne cost?

A one week trip to Melbourne usually costs around $1,239 (AU$1,896) for one person and $2,478 (AU$3,791) for two people. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

A two week trip to Melbourne on average costs around $2,478 (AU$3,791) for one person and $4,955 (AU$7,583) for two people. This cost includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

Please note, prices can vary based on your travel style, speed, and other variables. If you're traveling as a family of three or four people, the price per person often goes down because kid's tickets are cheaper and hotel rooms can be shared. If you travel slower over a longer period of time then your daily budget will also go down. Two people traveling together for one month in Melbourne will often have a lower daily budget per person than one person traveling alone for one week.

A one month trip to Melbourne on average costs around $5,309 (AU$8,125) for one person and $10,619 (AU$16,249) for two people. The more places you visit, the higher the daily price will become due to increased transportation costs.




Independent Travel

Traveling Independently to Melbourne has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.

All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.

Is Melbourne expensive to visit?

Prices in Melbourne are reasonable and comparable to your average travel destination. Hotels, food, and sightseeing are generally within normal price ranges.

Within the Pacific, which is known to be an expensive region, Melbourne is a somewhat more expensive destination compared to other places. It is in the top 25% of cities in the Pacific for its travel costs. While some cities in the region are more expensive, Melbourne is generally more expensive than most.

For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Melbourne Expensive?

How much money do I need for a trip to Melbourne?

The average Melbourne trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Melbourne travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.


Category Cost
Accommodation 1 (Double Occupancy) AU$364 ($238)
Local Transportation 1 AU$30 ($20)
Food 2 AU$46 ($30)
Entertainment 1 AU$42 ($27)
Tips and Handouts 1 AU$31 - 94 ($20 - 61)
Alcohol 2 AU$13 - 38 ($8 - 25)
Accommodation Budget in Melbourne
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

The average price paid for one person for accommodation in Melbourne is $119 (AU$182). For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in Melbourne is $238 (AU$364). This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.


  • Accommodation1 Hotel or hostel for one person
    $119
    AU$182
  • Accommodation1 Typical double-occupancy room
    $238
    AU$364

Hotel Prices in Melbourne

Looking for a hotel in Melbourne? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.

Find the best hotel for your travel style.

 

Actual Hotel Prices
The average hotel room price in Melbourne based on data provided by Kayak for actual hotel rooms is $111. (Prices in U.S. Dollars, before taxes & fees.)

Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world.


Recommended Properties


Transportation Budget in Melbourne
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • The cost of a taxi ride in Melbourne is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $20 (AU$30) per person, per day, on local transportation in Melbourne.


  • Transportation1 Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    $20
    AU$30

Recommended Services


Flights to Melbourne
How much does it cost to go to Melbourne? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.

Rental Cars in Melbourne
The price of renting a car in Melbourne will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.


What did other people spend on Transportation in Melbourne?

Typical prices for Transportation in Melbourne are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Melbourne, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.


  • Airport Bus
    AU$16
  • Tram Ride
    AU$3.80


Food Budget in Melbourne
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • While meal prices in Melbourne can vary, the average cost of food in Melbourne is $30 (AU$46) per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Melbourne should cost around $12 (AU$19) per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Melbourne is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.


  • Food2 Meals for one day
    $30
    AU$46

Recommended

What did other people spend on Food in Melbourne?

Typical prices for Food in Melbourne are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Melbourne, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.


  • Coffee
    AU$4.00
  • Pizza
    AU$7.00


Entertainment Budget in Melbourne
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • Entertainment and activities in Melbourne typically cost an average of $27 (AU$42) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.


  • Entertainment1 Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    $27
    AU$42

Recommended Activities


Tips and Handouts Budget in Melbourne
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • The average cost for Tips and Handouts in Melbourne is $41 (AU$63) per day. The usual amount for a tip in Melbourne is 5% - 15%.


  • Tips and Handouts1 For guides or service providers
    $41
    AU$63


Alcohol Budget in Melbourne
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • The average person spends about $17 (AU$25) on alcoholic beverages in Melbourne per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.


  • Alcohol2 Drinks for one day
    $17
    AU$25

Recommended

What did other people spend on Alcohol in Melbourne?

Typical prices for Alcohol in Melbourne are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Melbourne, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.


  • Bottle of Wine
    AU$7.75


Water Budget in Melbourne
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • On average, people spend $1.23 (AU$1.88) on bottled water in Melbourne per day. The public water in Melbourne is considered safe to drink.


  • Water2 Bottled water for one day
    $1.23
    AU$1.88


Last Updated: Feb 9, 2024
Melbourne On a Budget
Melbourne Melbourne, Australia
Melbourne is the second largest city in Australia, after Sydney. It is also the capital city of the state of Victoria, in southeastern Australia. Melbourne is arguably the best city to experience culture and the arts in Australia. There is a friendly rivalry between Melbourne and Sydney over livability and popularity and Melbourne is definitely the city to visit for its parks, shopping, restaurants, galleries and theaters. Like Sydney, it is situated on the water, at the head of Port Phillip Bay. It's a beautiful city, and although it lacks the major sights that you'll find in Sydney such as the Sydney Opera House or the Harbour Bridge, you will never find yourself lacking for entertainment. It is also a wonderful base for exploring many of the nearby highlights, including Grampians National Park, The Great Ocean Road, and Phillip Island where you can view the penguin parade.

Melbourne has a temperate oceanic climate. Because the city sits on the boundary between very hot inland areas and the cool southern ocean it is prone to abrupt and unpredictable changes in weather conditions. This is most common in the spring and summer months when cold fronts can form that cause gales or severe thunderstorms and hail storms. Temperatures in the summer months can climb to 35 or 40 degrees Celsius. Winters are cool with temperatures around 14 degrees.
Sights
Melbourne has countless attractions for visitors. Many entertainment options are found in the city center. Some of the most popular include Flinders Street Railway Station, Eureka Tower, the Parliament House of Victoria, Queen Victoria Market, the State Library, Southgate, Federation Square, the Old Melbourne Gaol, the Yarra, and the Shrine of Remembrance. There are many historical sights in Carlton and the Melbourne Zoo is in Parkville. For beachside nightlife head to St. Kilda.
Neighborhoods
Melbourne's City Center has the central business district and the historical core of the city. The cosmopolitan Docklands area is also included here. The area is very energetic with a great nightlife and restaurant scene. Southbank is a good area to visit for entertainment, fine dining, river trips. St. Kilda has many beaches and restaurants. South Melbourne is where you'll find Port Melbourne and Albert Park. Inner North has Carlton, Parkville, and North Melbourne, and Inner East has Fitzroy, Richmond, and Collingwood. Stonnington has Toorak, Prahran, and South Yarra.

Activities
There are many cultural and outdoor activities to enjoy around Melbourne. There is interesting street art around town that you can explore. There is also a great live music scene as well as many sporting events and shows to experience. During the many public holidays in Australia, Melbourne puts on a variety of activities, festivals, and events.

Melbourne also makes a great base to explore the surrounding areas in Victoria. Plenty of day trips and weekend trips from Melbourne make for some amazing experiences. While the Great Ocean Road is popular, you can also visit the wine region or Phillip Island to see some wildlife.
Food and Dining
Food in Melbourne is very diverse, international, and somewhat expensive. The service is usually quite good and a ten percent tip is the norm. If you receive excellent service then a higher tip is always appreciated, and if you are unhappy with the service you receive, this can also be reflected in your tip. Restaurant options are plentiful and you'll find some of the more touristy options in the Carlton area. Southbank and Victoria Street also have many options. In the Richmond area you'll find the most budget friendly options including Vietnamese and Southeast Asian restaurants. If you're looking for Middle Eastern food head to Sydney Road in Brunswick and Coburg.

Transportation
Although Melbourne is quite large, you'll find most of the sights in close proximity to each other within the city center. There is no need to rent a car while visiting Melbourne as there is a successful public transit system known at Metlink. Metlink includes trams, trains and buses that will likely get you anywhere you need in the city with little hassle. If you're planning to be in Melbourne for less than five days, purchase day passes which are about $7 to stay within Zone 1. Do keep in mind that on weekends single ticket fares are cheaper and it may not be worth purchasing a full day ticket. Evaluate ahead of time before you commit.

Suburban trains leave from Flinders Street Station and many go through the City Loop connecting to Southern Cross Station. Trains are frequent but can be crowded during peak hours. Melbourne has one of the largest tram networks in the world. It goes through much of the inner and middle suburbs. There's a free City Circle tram that goes through the central business district and Docklands area. Buses fill in where trains and trams don't go. They typically travel to major shopping areas in the middle and outer suburbs.
Related
Looking for a party? Find a hostel in Sydney, Melbourne, Cairns, or along the Gold Coast.

We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.



1 Categories averaged on a per-item basis.
2 Categories averaged on a per-day basis.
For example, the Food2 daily average is for all meals for an entire day, while Entertainment1 is for each individual purchase. Thus, the overall daily average cost is not a summation of the individual categories.