Should you visit Brisbane or Auckland?
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 $123, while the average daily cost in Auckland is $135. 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 Brisbane and Auckland in more detail.
Accommodation
Double occupancy rooms typically run around $152 in Brisbane For nicer amenities and a premiere location, you can expect to pay a bit more.
Double occupancy rooms typically run around $174 in Auckland For nicer amenities and a premiere location, you can expect to pay a bit more.
Food
On average, meal and food prices in Brisbane cost around $29 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 $12.
Auckland food costs typically run travelers around $24 per day. Eating every meal in a nicer restaurant will drive the cost up, and grabbing fast food or casual meals will help you save money.
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Food
Meals for one day
Brisbane $29
Auckland $24
Typical Food prices in Brisbane
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Brisbane:
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Hamburger Lunch
$6.17
-
Cup of Coffee
$2.31
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Chinese Food Lunch
$9.64
-
Ice cream
$4.24
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Japanese Meal
$16
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Smoothie
$5.01
-
Japanese Soup
$8.87
-
Coffee & Muffin
$5.40
-
Morning Mint Tea
$2.70
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Veggie Burger & Chips
$11
-
Bread
$2.00
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Brisbane
For Brisbane, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
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Brisbane Food Tour: A Taste of Queensland:
$202
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3-Course Progressive Dinner Experience in Brisbane:
$237
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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:
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
Local Transportation
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 $17 per person, per day on transportation in Brisbane.
Public transportation tends to be much less expensive in Auckland than paying for a taxi or private car service, as is expected. Typically, people spend $15 on transportation in Auckland on average per day.
Typical Local Transportation prices in Brisbane
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Brisbane:
-
Airtrain to the City
$12
-
Go Card
$19
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
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Private Brisbane City Transfer to Gold Coast 7am-6pm:
$89
-
Private Brisbane Airport Arrival Transfer to Gold Coast:
$177
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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:
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Bus from Airport
$12
-
Airport Shuttle
$18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Auckland
Also for Auckland, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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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
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Auckland Airport Transfers: Auckland to Auckland Airport AKL in Luxury Car:
$148
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Auckland Airport Transfers: Auckland Airport AKL to Auckland in Luxury Car:
$141
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Auckland Airport Transfers: Auckland Airport AKL to Auckland in Luxury Van:
$126
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Auckland's premium luxury transfers from/to Airport / North Shore:
$119
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Arrival Private Transfer Auckland Airport to North Shore or Henderson Luxury Van:
$118
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Arrival Private Transfer Auckland Airport to North Shore or Henderson Luxury Car:
$118
Entertainment
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Brisbane can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $22 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
Sightseeing expenses in Auckland, including the cost of admission tickets for day tours, museums, and attractions, usually cost an average of $27 per day, per person.
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
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5-Day Outback Farm and Wildlife Experience from Brisbane:
$1,936
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Australia Zoo Full-Day Day Tour from Brisbane & Gold Coast:
$113
-
Bay Island Tour - Scenic Flight:
$271
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Best Of Brisbane Day Tour incl. Lone Pine - Half Day Private Customised tour:
$197
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Boutique Brisbane to Cairns Australian east coast tour - 8 Day small group:
$2,689
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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
-
River Cruise with Lunch:
$44
Typical Entertainment prices in Auckland
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Auckland's activities, tours, and tickets:
Tours and Activities in Auckland
For Auckland, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
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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
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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
-
2-Day Tour of Waitomo, Rotorua & Taupo from Auckland:
$621
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20,000 Feet Tandem Skydive & Gannet Experience:
$740
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23-Day Epic New Zealand Tour:
$3,630
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3 Day Bay Of Islands Tour from Auckland including Waitangi and Cape Reinga:
$703
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3 Day Bay of Islands Winterless North Tour:
$370
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 Brisbane, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is $48.
Typically, people visiting Auckland spend on average $7.63 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
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
$12
-
Sixpack of Beer
$11
-
Guiness Beer
$6.55
-
Sixpack of Beer
$10
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
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Morning or Afternoon Brisbane Half-Day Brewery Tour:
$111
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Mt Tamborine Wine Tour:
$119
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Brisbane Half-Day Private Brewery Tour:
$119
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Hinterland Heritage Wine Tour:
$119
-
Northern Rivers food & Wine Tour from Brisbane:
$119
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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:
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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:
$147
-
Waiheke Island: Private Wine Tour with Tastings:
$151
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The Essence of Waiheke Wine Tour:
$157
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Waiheke Island: Afternoon Small Group Wine Tour with Lunch:
$158
-
Full-Day Waiheke Island Food and Wine Tour:
$165
-
Matakana: Full-Day Food and Wine Tour:
$169
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The Afternoon Artisan Food and Wine Tour:
$169
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Auckland Shore Excursion: City Sightseeing, Harbour Cruise and Waiheke Island Wine Tasting:
$171
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.
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