Should you visit Adelaide or Brisbane?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel cost comparison between Adelaide and Brisbane can help. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Adelaide
Adelaide is the often overlooked capital city of the State of South Australia. It's also the fifth largest city in the country. Despite being skipped by most travelers, Adelaide is an interesting city to explore and has a decent amount to offer open minded travelers. It has some fascinating architecture, unique shopping, and wonderful cafes and restaurants. Part of the appeal of Adelaide is its location in the midst of Australia's wine regions, including McLaren Vale, Barossa Valley, and Clare Valley. Any of these destinations could be visited as a day trip from Adelaide.
Brisbane
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.
Which city is cheaper, Brisbane or Adelaide?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Adelaide is $99, while the average daily cost in Brisbane is $118. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Adelaide and Brisbane in more detail.
Accommodation
Travelers usually pay around $118 for a double occupancy room in Adelaide If you want to be in a premiere location or have high end amenities, you can expect to pay a bit more.
Double occupancy rooms typically run around $144 in Brisbane For nicer amenities and a premiere location, you can expect to pay a bit more.
Food
The price of a meal in Adelaide can vary widely. However, the average price for food per day is $28 per person, and a typical meal will cost around $11 based on the spending of previous visitors. Less expensive dining options can be found by eating street food or at fast food restaurants.
On average, meal and food prices in Brisbane cost around $28 per person, per day. While this price can vary widely by location, the type of restaurant, and the amount of food ordered, a typical meal often costs around $11.
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Food
Meals for one day
Adelaide $28
Brisbane $28
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Adelaide
For Adelaide, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
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The F Factor: Adelaide food tour:
$36
-
Best of Adelaide Tour with Hahndorf, River Cruise & Dinner:
$141
-
Adelaide Central Market The Collaborators Dinner Tour:
$154
Typical Food prices in Brisbane
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Brisbane:
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Hamburger Lunch
$5.88
-
Cup of Coffee
$2.21
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Chinese Food Lunch
$9.20
-
Ice cream
$4.05
-
Japanese Meal
$15
-
Smoothie
$4.78
-
Japanese Soup
$8.46
-
Coffee & Muffin
$5.15
-
Morning Mint Tea
$2.57
-
Veggie Burger & Chips
$10
-
Bread
$1.91
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Brisbane
For Brisbane, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
-
Brisbane Food Tour: A Taste of Queensland:
$202
-
3-Course Progressive Dinner Experience in Brisbane:
$237
-
Queensland Food Tour: Farm-to-Table Indulgence:
$375
Local Transportation
To get around in Adelaide, the average visitor spends $17 per day, per person. This includes the costs of taxi rides and private drivers as well as public transportation, which tends to be much more affordable.
Brisbane's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend $16 per person, per day on transportation in Brisbane.
Typical Local Transportation prices in Adelaide
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Adelaide are as follows:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Adelaide
Also for Adelaide, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
-
One Day Kangaroo Island Sip & See tour with return ferry transfers from Adelaide:
$240
-
AirPort Transfers & People Mover:
$169
-
Adelaide Airport Transfers : Adelaide City to Airport ADL in Luxury Car:
$121
-
Departure Private Transfers: Adelaide to Adelaide Airport ADL in Luxury Van:
$99
-
Adelaide Airport Transfers : Adelaide City to Airport ADL in Luxury Van:
$99
-
Adelaide Airport Transfers : Adelaide City to Airport ADL in Business Car:
$71
-
Departure Private Transfers: Adelaide to Adelaide Airport ADL in Business Car:
$67
-
Private Transfer: Adelaide to Adelaide Airport (ADL):
$64
-
Transfer in private vehicle from Adelaide Downtown to Adelaide Airport:
$61
-
Transfer in private minivan from Adelaide Downtown to Adelaide Airport:
$61
-
Adelaide Airport Departure Transfer in a Tesla Model3 EV:
$44
-
Corporate transfers and wine tours:
$43
Typical Local Transportation prices in Brisbane
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Brisbane:
-
Airtrain to the City
$11
-
Go Card
$18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Brisbane
Also for Brisbane, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Sunshine Coast Airport Arrival transfer to Hotels:
$14
-
Sirromet Winery All inclusive Lunch @ Lurleens, Tour, Tastings and Transfers:
$158
-
Private Transfer: Brisbane to Brisbane Airport (BNE):
$98
-
Private Transfer from Brisbane Airport to Noosa for 1 to 7 people:
$352
-
Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Brisbane Airport:
$40
-
Private Brisbane City Transfer to Gold Coast 7am-6pm:
$89
-
Private Brisbane Airport Arrival Transfer to Gold Coast:
$177
-
Private Arrival Transfer: Brisbane Airport to Hotel:
$40
-
Private Airport Transfer: Brisbane Airport (BNE) to Brisbane:
$98
-
Private Airport Transfer from Brisbane Airport (BNE) to South Gold Coast 1-6 pax:
$132
-
Private Airport Transfer from Brisbane Airport (BNE) to North Gold Coast 1-6 pax:
$107
-
Private 24 Seat Mini Bus CBD to Brisbane Airport Transfer:
$205
Is it cheaper to fly into Adelaide or Brisbane?
Prices for flights to both Brisbane and Adelaide change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Entertainment
In Adelaide, the costs for things to do, activities, admission tickets, and other sightseeing expenses are on average $12 per person, per day.
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Brisbane can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $21 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
Tours and Activities in Adelaide
For Adelaide, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
-
10-Day Adelaide to Perth Adventure Tour:
$1,419
-
2-Day Kangaroo Island 4WD Small-Group Tour from Adelaide:
$990
-
3 Day Flinders Ranges Outback Tour:
$1,772
-
3 Day Port Lincoln and Coffin Bay Tour:
$1,577
-
3 Day Whale Watching Tour from Adelaide:
$1,679
-
3 Days Flerieu Peninsula and Kangaroo Island Motorcycle Tour:
$562
-
3-Day Adelaide to Melbourne Tour Including the Great Ocean Road:
$1,221
-
3-Day Guided Seafood Lovers Tour of Ceduna from Adelaide:
$1,814
-
3-Day Private Adelaide to Melbourne tour:
$2,442
-
3-Day Small-Group Eco-Tour from Southern Yorke Peninsula:
$1,102
-
3-Night Murray River Cruise by Classic Paddle Wheeler PS Murray Princess:
$1,095
-
4 Knots Murray River Cruises offer Morning and Afternoon Tea and Lunch Cruises:
$51
Typical Entertainment prices in Brisbane
For Brisbane, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
Tours and Activities in Brisbane
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Brisbane.
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4-Day Jewels of the Outback Gemstone Hunting Tour from Brisbane:
$1,577
-
5-Day Cunnamulla Outback Wildlife Backpacking Tour from Brisbane:
$948
-
5-Day Outback Farm and Wildlife Experience from Brisbane:
$1,936
-
Australia Zoo Full-Day Day Tour from Brisbane & Gold Coast:
$113
-
Bay Island Tour - Scenic Flight:
$271
-
Best Of Brisbane Day Tour incl. Lone Pine - Half Day Private Customised tour:
$197
-
Boutique Brisbane to Cairns Australian east coast tour - 8 Day small group:
$2,689
-
Brisbane Day in the Country Full-Day Small-Group Tour with Lunch:
$249
-
Brisbane Self-Guided Audio Tour:
$20
-
Brisbane to Moreton Island Return Ferry & Adventure Day Pass:
$72
-
Afternoon River Sightseeing Cruise:
$21
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River Cruise with Lunch:
$44
Alcohol
Typically, people visiting Adelaide spend on average $20 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Brisbane, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is $45.
Sample the Local Flavors in Adelaide
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Adelaide:
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McLaren Vale and Glenelg Wine Tasting and Sightseeing (Half-day Afternoon):
$55
-
Adelaide Highlights, Hahndorf & McLaren Vale Wine Tasting and Sightseeing Tour:
$78
-
Adelaide Hills Wine Tour:
$81
-
From Barossa Valley Food and Wine Tour:
$101
-
The Lane Vineyard: Panorama Private Wine Tasting Experience:
$103
-
The Barossa Valley: Small Group Premium Wine Tour with Lunch:
$109
-
Barossa Valley Wine Tours - Small Private Groups:
$119
-
Barossa Valley Cellar Doors Luxury Wine Tour:
$121
-
McLaren Vale Wine Tour by Bike:
$126
-
Small-Group Barossa Valley Food and Wine Tour:
$126
-
McLaren Vale Luxury Wine Tour:
$155
-
McLaren Vale Winery Small Group Tour with Wine Tasting and Lunch:
$158
Typical Alcohol prices in Brisbane
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Brisbane:
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Evening at the Bar
$11
-
Sixpack of Beer
$10
-
Guiness Beer
$6.25
-
Sixpack of Beer
$9.56
Sample the Local Flavors in Brisbane
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Brisbane:
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Deluxe Wine Tasting Tour Mt Tamborine Includes 2 course Lunch:
$94
-
From Tamborine Afternoon Wine Tour:
$97
-
Morning or Afternoon Brisbane Half-Day Brewery Tour:
$111
-
Mt Tamborine Wine Tour:
$119
-
Brisbane Half-Day Private Brewery Tour:
$119
-
Hinterland Heritage Wine Tour:
$119
-
Northern Rivers food & Wine Tour from Brisbane:
$119
-
Two Day xxxx Brewery and Tamborine Winery Tour:
$198
-
Private Full Day Wine Tour from Brisbane to Tamborine Mountain:
$474
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Adelaide and Brisbane, we can see that Brisbane is more expensive. And not only is Adelaide much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Adelaide would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Adelaide and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Brisbane would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Brisbane than you might in Adelaide.
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