Should you visit Alice Springs or Katoomba?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel cost comparison between Alice Springs and Katoomba can help. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Alice Springs
Alice Springs is in the middle of Central Australia and is most famous as a base for exploring the famous rock, Uluru. Alice Springs itself has grown dramatically from what was once a small outpost. The tourist boom began in the early 1980s and the population is now somewhere around 28,000. The city now has all of the necessary facilities to cater to the influx of tourists who swing through to see Uluru. The town is 1500km from Darwin, which is the closest major city. Adelaide is just as far to the south. It's remote location means that costs can be higher than they are elsewhere in Australia. Expect to pay more for anything from fruits and vegetables to clothing and souvenirs. When making a reservation for a hotel, do note that the rating scale differs from elsewhere in Australia or in most western countries. The ratings come from the amenities available and have little to do with the actual room quality.
Katoomba
Designated an UNESCO World Heritage site in 2000, the Blue Mountains are located just west of Sydney in the highlands of New South Wales, Australia.
This area can be generally expensive, but is on par with other destinations in Australia and around Sydney. Plenty of luxury places can be found here that cost more than average, but plenty of cheaper places to stay can be found here, too. Expect to pay for various activities such as tours and entrance fees, too.
The landscape is sprawling with majestic scenery over a rugged terrain of steep cliffs, forests, waterfalls, and villages. Whether you come to hike, climb, bike, or drive to the scenic viewpoints, a curtain of tranquility falls upon the mountains in a blue haze from which they get their name.
Which city is cheaper, Katoomba or Alice Springs?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Alice Springs is $84, while the average daily cost in Katoomba is $119. 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 Alice Springs and Katoomba in more detail.
Accommodation
Travelers usually pay around $88 for a double occupancy room in Alice Springs If you want to be in a premiere location or have high end amenities, you can expect to pay a bit more.
Accommodation prices vary by location and style, but travelers pay on average about $138 for a double occupancy room in Katoomba.
Food
The average traveler spends about $21 per day in Alice Springs for food, but obviously this is dependent on the type of restaurant and the amount of food ordered. To save money you can grab a lighter lunch or dinner, or you can try fast food or street food.
The average traveler spends about $15 per day in Katoomba for food, but obviously this is dependent on the type of restaurant and the amount of food ordered. To save money you can grab a lighter lunch or dinner, or you can try fast food or street food.
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Food
Meals for one day
Alice Springs $21
Katoomba $15
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Alice Springs
For Alice Springs, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
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Ayers Rock Day Trip from Alice Springs Including Uluru, Kata Tjuta and Sunset BBQ Dinner:
$209
Local Transportation
Alice Springs'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 $18 per person, per day on transportation in Alice Springs.
The cost of a taxi ride in Katoomba is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $44 per person, per day, on local transportation in Katoomba.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Alice Springs
Also for Alice Springs, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Alice Springs to Uluru (Ayers Rock) Coach Transfer:
$118
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Kings Canyon to 1-Way Transfer and Stop:
$142
Is it cheaper to fly into Alice Springs or Katoomba?
Prices for flights to both Katoomba and Alice Springs 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
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Alice Springs can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $12 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
Entertainment and activities in Katoomba typically cost an average of $47 per person, per day. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
Tours and Activities in Alice Springs
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Alice Springs.
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Skip the Line: Alice Springs School of the Air Guided Tour Ticket:
$9.48
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Alice Springs Telegraph Station Entry and Tour Ticket:
$12
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Alice Springs Desert Park General Entry Ticket:
$29
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Alice Springs Camel Tour:
$64
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A Town Like Alice: Half-Day Tour of Alice Springs:
$85
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West MacDonnell Ranges Half-Day Tour from Alice Springs:
$92
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Alice Springs Highlights Half-Day Tour:
$92
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West MacDonnell Ranges Small Group Tour:
$131
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Palm Valley 4WD Day Tour:
$138
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Palm Valley 4WD Tour from Alice Springs:
$141
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Best of Alice Springs Full Day Tour:
$142
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Palm Valley Full-Day 4WD Adventure from Alice Springs:
$154
Tours and Activities in Katoomba
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Katoomba are as follows:
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Amazing Full Day Abseiling Adventure in the Blue Mountains:
$198
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Bathurst Wine Trail Full-Day Private Tour with Tastings:
$371
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Blue Mountains 1-Hour Trike Tour of Three Sisters:
$111
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Blue Mountains Botanic Garden and Bilpin Tour from Katoomba with Cider Tasting:
$167
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Blue Mountains Hop-on Hop-off Tour with Optional Scenic World Rides:
$43
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Blue Mountains Secret Places Adventure:
$118
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Blue Mountains Vintage Cadillac Tour with Local Guide:
$502
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Blue Mountains: 4WD Adventure Tour with Local Guide:
$197
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Full-Day Canyoning Experience at Stunning Empress Canyon:
$205
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Half-Day Abseiling Adventure in Blue Mountains National Park:
$119
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Juggler Canyon and Abseiling Adventure Blue Mountains:
$198
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Ninety Minute Wombat Adventures Guided Tour:
$67
Alcohol
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Alice Springs, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is $15.
Typical Alcohol prices in Alice Springs
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Alice Springs:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Alice Springs and Katoomba, we can see that Katoomba is more expensive. And not only is Alice Springs much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Alice Springs would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Alice Springs 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 Katoomba would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Katoomba than you might in Alice Springs.
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