A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Brisbane vs. Auckland for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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Should you visit Brisbane or Auckland?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Brisbane and Auckland can help you decide which place is right for you.

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.

Auckland

Auckland is located on the North Island of New Zealand on an isthmus between the Northland Peninsula and the other parts of the North Island. Auckland is not only a city but also a region. In 2010 New Zealand combined what had previously been four separate cities into one region. These cities include the southern city of Manukau, the western city of Waitakere, the North Shore in the north, and Auckland City. The City of Auckland is the largest city in Polynesia and is very diverse with many expatriates from elsewhere in Polynesia. This diversity becomes most apparent in Auckland's many festivals and sporting events.

Which city is cheaper, Auckland or Brisbane?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Brisbane is $114, while the average daily cost in Auckland 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. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Brisbane and Auckland in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Brisbane $70
    Auckland $75
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Brisbane $140
    Auckland $150

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Brisbane $15
    Auckland $14
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:

  • 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

Typical Local Transportation prices in Auckland

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Auckland:


  • Bus from Airport
    $10
  • Airport Shuttle
    $16

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Auckland

Also for Auckland, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Auckland Airport Transfers and Daily Tours: $493
  • Auckland Private Tour including Airport Transfer: $478
  • Auckland to Rotorua Private Chauffer Driven Transfer: $445
  • Arrival Transfer: Auckland Airport to Rotorua with Optional Private Day Tour: $387
  • Great Barrier transfer - fly directly from Waiheke Island: $185
  • Private Inter City Transfer From Auckland To Hamilton: $148
  • Auckland Airport Transfers: Auckland to Auckland Airport AKL in Luxury Car: $148
  • Auckland Airport Transfers: Auckland Airport AKL to Auckland in Luxury Car: $141
  • Auckland Airport Transfers: Auckland Airport AKL to Auckland in Luxury Van: $126
  • Auckland's premium luxury transfers from/to Airport / North Shore: $119
  • Arrival Private Transfer Auckland Airport to North Shore or Henderson Luxury Van: $118
  • Arrival Private Transfer Auckland Airport to North Shore or Henderson Luxury Car: $118

Is it cheaper to fly into Brisbane or Auckland?

Prices for flights to both Auckland and Brisbane 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.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Brisbane $27
    Auckland $23
Typical Food prices in Brisbane

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Brisbane:


  • Hamburger Lunch
    $5.64
  • Cup of Coffee
    $2.12
  • Chinese Food Lunch
    $8.82
  • Ice cream
    $3.88
  • Japanese Meal
    $15
  • Smoothie
    $4.58
  • Japanese Soup
    $8.11
  • Coffee & Muffin
    $4.94
  • Morning Mint Tea
    $2.47
  • Veggie Burger & Chips
    $9.87
  • Bread
    $1.83

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Brisbane

For Brisbane, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Guided Food Tour with Coffee and Wine Tastings: $184
  • Brisbane Food Tour: A Taste of Queensland: $202
  • 3-Course Progressive Dinner Experience in Brisbane: $237
  • Queensland Food Tour: Farm-to-Table Indulgence: $375

Typical Food prices in Auckland

For Auckland, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Breakfast
    $5.10

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Auckland

For Auckland, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Auckland Harbour Sailboat Cruise Including Three Course Dinner: $107

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Brisbane $21
    Auckland $24
Typical Entertainment prices in Brisbane

For Brisbane, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Concert Tickets
    $14

Tours and Activities in Brisbane

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Brisbane.

  • 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
  • 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 Like a Local: Customized Guided Tour: $35
  • Brisbane River Cruise and Koala Sanctuary Visit: $61
  • Brisbane to Moreton Island Return Ferry & Adventure Day Pass: $86
  • Full-Day Byron Bay Tour: $280
  • Guided River Kayak Tour: $47

Typical Entertainment prices in Auckland

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Auckland's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Auckland Sky Tour (for 2)
    $35
  • Waiheke Island Tour (for 2)
    $128

Tours and Activities in Auckland

For Auckland, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • 10-Day 'Vibe of the North' Epic Summer Tour for 18-30s!: $1,177
  • 13,000 Feet Tandem Skydive & Gannet Experience: $481
  • 14 Day - North to South Island Tour (All inclusive): $1,992
  • 16,000 Feet Tandem Skydive & Gannet Experience: $592
  • 17 day - North to South Island Tour (All inclusive): $2,333
  • 2 Day Rotorua Experience: Waitomo Caves, Maori Culture & Ziplining from Auckland: $733
  • 2 Day Waitomo Caves, Hobbiton Movie Set and Rotorua Tour from Auckland: $859
  • 20,000 Feet Tandem Skydive & Gannet Experience: $740
  • 23-Day Epic New Zealand Tour: $3,630
  • 3 Day Bay Of Islands Tour from Auckland including Waitangi and Cape Reinga: $703
  • 3 Day Bay of Islands Winterless North Tour: $370
  • 3 Day Waitomo Caves, Hobbiton Movie Set and Rotorua Tour from Auckland: $933

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Brisbane $43
    Auckland $11
Typical Alcohol prices in Brisbane

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Brisbane:


  • Evening at the Bar
    $11
  • Sixpack of Beer
    $9.87
  • Guiness Beer
    $5.99
  • Sixpack of Beer
    $9.16

Sample the Local Flavors in Brisbane

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Brisbane:

  • Deluxe Wine Tasting Tour Mt Tamborine Includes 2 course Lunch: $94
  • 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

Sample the Local Flavors in Auckland

Also in Auckland, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Tour and Tastings in an Urban Craft Beer Brewery: $23
  • Wild West Coast & Black Sand Beach Tour incl Craft Beer Brewery Lunch & Tasting: $100
  • Premium Full Day Waiheke Wine Tour: $125
  • Small-Group Wine Tasting Experience on Waiheke Island: $131
  • Waiheke Island Premium Food & Wine Tour with Platter Lunch: $146
  • Waiheke Island: Afternoon Small Group Wine Tour with Lunch: $157
  • The Essence of Waiheke Wine Tour: $157
  • Full-Day Waiheke Island Food and Wine Tour: $165
  • Matakana: Full-Day Food and Wine Tour: $169
  • The Afternoon Artisan Food and Wine Tour: $169
  • Auckland Shore Excursion: City Sightseeing, Harbour Cruise and Waiheke Island Wine Tasting: $171
  • Small-Group Kumeu Wine Country Tour Includes Wine Tastings & Lunch: $189

About these numbers

When comparing the travel costs between Brisbane and Auckland, we can see that Auckland 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.

Budget Your Trip

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Brisbane vs. Auckland Travel Comparison

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