How expensive is Brisbane? How much money do I need for Brisbane?
How much does a trip to Brisbane cost? Is Brisbane expensive? The average Brisbane trip cost is broken down by category here. All of these Brisbane prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.
Accommodation Budget in Brisbane
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price for one person for accommodation in Brisbane is AU$99. For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price for a hotel room in Brisbane is AU$199.
Looking for a hotel in Brisbane? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
Transportation Budget in Brisbane
Calculated from travelers like you
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The cost of a taxi ride in Brisbane is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent AU$21 per person, per day, on local transportation in Brisbane.
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Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
AU$21
How much does it cost to go to Brisbane? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
The price of renting a car in Brisbane 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.
Typical prices for Transportation in Brisbane are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Brisbane, but your costs will vary based on your travel style.
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Airtrain to the City
AU$15
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Go Card
AU$25
Food Budget in Brisbane
Calculated from travelers like you
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While meal prices in Brisbane can vary, the average cost of food in Brisbane is AU$38 per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Brisbane should cost around AU$15 per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Brisbane is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
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Food2
Meals for one day
AU$38
Typical prices for Food in Brisbane are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Brisbane, but your costs will vary based on your travel style.
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Hamburger Lunch
AU$8.00
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Cup of Coffee
AU$3.00
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Chinese Food Lunch
AU$13
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Ice cream
AU$5.50
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Japanese Meal
AU$21
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Smoothie
AU$6.50
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Japanese Soup
AU$12
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Coffee & Muffin
AU$7.00
Entertainment Budget in Brisbane
Calculated from travelers like you
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Entertainment and activities in Brisbane typically cost an average of AU$29 per person, per day. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
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Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
AU$29
Typical prices for Entertainment in Brisbane are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Brisbane, but your costs will vary based on your travel style.
Scams, Robberies, and Mishaps Budget in Brisbane
Calculated from travelers like you
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Unfortunately, bad things can happen on a trip. Well, you've just got to deal with it! The average price for a scam, robbery, or mishap in Brisbane is AU$16.
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Scams, Robberies, and Mishaps1
AU$16
Alcohol Budget in Brisbane
Calculated from travelers like you
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The average person spends about AU$62 on alcoholic beverages in Brisbane per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
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Alcohol2
Drinks for one day
AU$62
Typical prices for Alcohol in Brisbane are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Brisbane, but your costs will vary based on your travel style.
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Evening at the Bar
AU$15
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Sixpack of Beer
AU$14
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Guiness Beer
AU$8.50
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Sixpack of Beer
AU$13
Water Budget in Brisbane
Calculated from travelers like you
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On average, people spend AU$0.50 on bottled water in Brisbane per day. The public water in Brisbane is considered safe to drink.
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Water2
Bottled water for one day
AU$0.50
Last Updated: Jul 13, 2022
Brisbane On a Budget
Brisbane skyline
Although Brisbane is often overlooked as a travel destination in Australia, it is the capital of the state of Queensland, and is the third largest city in Australia. It's a very young and vibrant city with an active nightlife and a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. It's a modern and economically thriving city and, if you do have time to visit, it actually has a lot to offer travelers. It has some beautiful scenery, a wonderful warm climate all year long, and is actually one of the fastest growing cities in Australia.
Brisbane's climate is humid subtropical. The summers are hot and humid while the winters are dry and warm. The city's close proximity to the Coral Sea means that it has little temperature variation throughout the year. Winter temperatures rarely drop below 20 degrees Celsius. Thunderstorms are common between the months of November and March and severe storms may include hail and strong winds.
Sights
There are a handful of places to visit in Brisbane so consider how much time you have and create yourself an itinerary. Just outside of town is the Queensland Zoo. Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is a great place to visit as well. Also consider going by the Manly Boat Harbour, Queensland Cultural Centre, and City Botanic Gardens, all of which make for an interesting place to stop off. Other places of interest include South Bank, New Farm Park, Manly Boat Harbour, and Mt. Coot-tha among many others.
Neighborhoods
There are a good number of districts throughout Brisbane, many of which have something interesting to offer visitors. The Central Business District, in addition to having much of the city's businesses, also has some great shopping and several historic sites. South Bank has the highest concentration of ethnic restaurants as well as the Performing Arts Centre and Queensland Museum among other things. Fortitude Valley has Brisbane's interesting Chinatown area as well as some great nightlife and lively bars. West End is a bohemian district with lots of interesting cafes and shops. New Farm is a more upscale area for eating and shopping. Portside Wharf is where the cruise ships dock on the Brisbane River. It has high end dining and boutique shopping options. Paddington offers many local boutiques and some great restaurants. Mount Coot-tha, Sunnybank, and Bulimba are all suburbs outside of the central business district with some good restaurants and markets.
Activities
There is no shortage of activities in Brisbane. The walls along the Brisbane River are popular with rock climbers. The views across the river are great as well. The town has several farmers markets that are fun to explore and pick up some fresh produce. It's also fun to take a boat cruise along the river. The music scene is also excellent in Brisbane. Pick up an entertainment magazine while you're in town to find out what's going on. Popular events and festivals in town include the Brisbane Festival, the Royal Queensland Show, the Greek Paniyiri Festival, and the St George Brisbane International Film Festival.
Food and Dining
As a large, cosmopolitan city, there is no shortage of dining options for all preferences and budgets. Asian food is plentiful but you will also find Italian, German, and Middle Eastern options. Bistros, burger joints, cafes, and delis are all readily available in most neighborhoods. Fine dining options are also abundant and there are some unique dining experiences available in Brisbane if you do some research in advance.
Transportation
It's easy to reach most places in Brisbane by public transportation. If you're planning to stay in the Central Business District then it's easiest to simply walk everywhere. There are almost no hills in this area and the street structure is relatively easy to understand, so it is not that challenging to find your way around.
Buses, ferries, or trains will take you almost anywhere else you need in town. There is a common ticketing system with free transfers available between modes of transport. CityFerries and CityCats are a great way to tour Brisbane along the river. They travel along the river with stops in the city center and several suburbs. CityCats are high speed catamarans and CityFerries are traditional ferries. The red CityHopper ferries provide service in the city center and are free of charge. Trains travel in the great Brisbane area as well as Roma Street, Central, Fortitude Valley and Bowen Hills. Brisbane also has a large network of buses that travel through the inner city. They are less frequent in the outer areas of town.
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