Should you visit Alice Springs or Surfers Paradise?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel cost comparison between Alice Springs and Surfers Paradise 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.
Surfers Paradise
A tourist mecca, Surfers Paradise is one of the most popular travel destinations along Australia's famed Gold Coast. The beach stretches for miles and there is an endless supply of almost constant parties. You'll find high rise apartments lined up along the shore and plenty of shopping areas, restaurants, nightclubs, and bars. Travelers from around the world visit the area, and it's a right of passage for Australia's teens to vacation in or near Surfers Paradise. For many travelers, Surfers Paradise comes across as little more than a mass marketed, over commercialized, party destination, but for others it is a vacation dream. Prices are highly inflated so you have to keep your whits about you to avoid being ripped off. Surfers Paradise is a destination of extremes and it conjures up extreme emotions in many travelers, be it positive or negative.
Which city is cheaper, Surfers Paradise 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 Surfers Paradise is $92. 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 Surfers Paradise 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.
The prices for places to stay in Surfers Paradise can vary by date, location, and type. Generally, the average cost for accommodation per person is $59, while a typical double-occupancy hotel room for two people will cost around $118.
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.
Food in Surfers Paradise costs travelers about $23 per day on average. Restaurants can vary significantly in price, so choose wisely if you're trying to save money. Fast food and street stalls are typically your cheapest options, which sit down restaurants can be significantly more expensive.
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Food
Meals for one day
Alice Springs $21
Surfers Paradise $23
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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From Uluru Full-Day Tour with BBQ Dinner:
$191
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Ayers Rock Day Trip from Alice Springs Including Uluru, Kata Tjuta and Sunset BBQ Dinner:
$209
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Surfers Paradise
For Surfers Paradise, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
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Surfers Paradise Sunset Kayak and Dinner:
$40
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Dinner Buffet Cruise on the Gold Coast:
$70
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Gold Coast: Spirits of the Red Sand Aboriginal Show & Dinner:
$87
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.
Surfers Paradise'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 $9.93 per person, per day on transportation in Surfers Paradise.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Alice Springs
Also for Alice Springs, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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From Ayers Rock Resort to Luxury Transfer:
$130
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Alice Springs to Uluru (Ayers Rock) Coach Transfer:
$118
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Surfers Paradise
Also for Surfers Paradise, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Private Brisbane Airport Departure Transfer From Gold Coast:
$177
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Gold Coast: Airport to Hotel Return Transfer:
$33
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One-Way Shared Transfer to Byron Bay:
$30
Is it cheaper to fly into Alice Springs or Surfers Paradise?
Prices for flights to both Surfers Paradise 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.
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Surfers Paradise can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $21 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
Tours and Activities in Alice Springs
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Alice Springs.
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3-Day Alice Springs to Uluru (Ayers Rock) via Kings Canyon Tour:
$662
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3-Day Uluru Camping Tour from Alice Springs Including Kata Tjuta and Kings Canyon:
$340
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3-Day Uluru-Kata Tjuta and Kings Canyon 4WD Small-Group Eco-Tour from Alice Springs:
$2,707
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Alice Springs Camel Tour:
$64
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Alice Springs Desert Park General Entry Ticket:
$29
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Alice Springs Highlights Half-Day Tour:
$92
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Alice Springs Telegraph Station Entry and Tour Ticket:
$12
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Alice Springs, Uluru Ayers Rock & Kings Canyon 8 Days Touring Package:
$2,686
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4WD Palm Valley Tour with Lunch:
$126
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Best of Alice Springs Full Day Tour:
$142
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Chambers Pillar and Rainbow Valley 1 Day 4WD Tour:
$394
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East MacDonnell Ranges 1 Day 4WD Tour:
$257
Typical Entertainment prices in Surfers Paradise
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Surfers Paradise's activities, tours, and tickets:
Tours and Activities in Surfers Paradise
For Surfers Paradise, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
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Aquaduck Gold Coast 1 hour City and River Tour:
$32
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Aquaduck Secrets, Scandals and Sunset Tour:
$47
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Body Massage Experience in Gold Coast:
$160
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Byron Bay and the Crystal Castle Day Tour from Gold Coast:
$97
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Full Day Mount Tamborine Winery Tour from Gold Coast:
$126
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Full-Day Moreton Island 4x4 Sightseeing Tour:
$259
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Glow Worms Private Tour - Nocturnal Rainforest Walk:
$466
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Glow Worms Tour - Nocturnal Rainforest Walk - Small Group:
$78
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Gold Coast 1.5-Hour Sightseeing River Cruise from Surfers Paradise:
$20
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Gold Coast 1.5-Hour Sightseeing River Cruise from Surfers Paradise:
$21
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Gold Coast Hydrofoil Tours:
$131
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Gold Coast Morning Tea Cruise from Surfers Paradise:
$18
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.
Typically, people visiting Surfers Paradise spend on average $9.93 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
Typical Alcohol prices in Alice Springs
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Alice Springs:
Sample the Local Flavors in Surfers Paradise
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Surfers Paradise:
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Private Half Day Wine Tour from Gold Coast to Tamborine Mountain:
$119
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Hipster Sipster Brewery and Distillery Tour:
$154
When comparing the travel costs between Alice Springs and Surfers Paradise, we can see that Surfers Paradise is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Pacific, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
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