Which city is cheaper, Brisbane or Byron Bay?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
A Travel Price Comparison for Australia Byron Bay vs. Brisbane for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons
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Should you visit Byron Bay or Brisbane?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Byron Bay and Brisbane can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Byron Bay or Brisbane?
Byron Bay
South of Brisbane, off the Pacific Highway, is the coastal town of Byron Bay. It is close to Cape Byron, which is the easternmost point in mainland Australia. Byron Bay makes its way onto most traveler's itineraries because of its wonderful beach activities. The area is world famous for its waves, making it popular with surfers, but it also has incredible scuba diving, whale watching, and a generally relaxed atmosphere. The area continues to rise in popularity with travelers and as such, amenities and facilities are popping up everywhere.
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.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayByron Bay $121Brisbane $114
The average daily cost (per person) in Byron Bay is $121, while the average daily cost in Brisbane is $114. 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 Byron Bay and Brisbane in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personByron Bay $58Brisbane $71
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomByron Bay $116Brisbane $142
Compare Hotels in Byron Bay and Brisbane
Looking for a hotel in Byron Bay or Brisbane? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Byron Bay Hotel Prices and Brisbane Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Byron Bay $28Brisbane $15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Byron Bay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Byron Bay:
- Private Byron Bay Transfer to Gold Coast Airport 7am-6pm: $79
Typical Local Transportation prices in Brisbane
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Brisbane:
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Airtrain to the City$11
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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
- Brisbane Arrival Transfer Shuttle from Brisbane Airport to Hotel: $16
- Brisbane Departure Transfer Shuttle from Hotel to Brisbane Airport: $16
- Brisbane Airport Private Transfer to or from Brisbane CBD Maxmium 10 Person: $29
- Brisbane Airport to Brisbane City Round-trip Shuttle Transfer: $32
- Brisbane Airport Private Transfer to or from Brisbane CBD Maxmium 10 Person: $33
- Brisbane Private Chauffeured Airport Transfer: $37
- Brisbane Airport: Shared Transfer to Gold Coast: $39
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Brisbane Airport: $40
- Private Arrival Transfer: Brisbane Airport to Hotel: $40
- Brisbane Airport Arrival Shuttle Transfer to the Sunshine Coast Hotels/addresses: $41
- Brisbane Airport Arrival transfer to Gold Coast shared shuttle: $43
Is it cheaper to fly into Byron Bay or Brisbane?
Prices for flights to both Brisbane and Byron Bay 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
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Food Meals for one dayByron Bay $42Brisbane $27
Typical Food prices in Byron Bay
Some typical examples of dining costs in Byron Bay are as follows:
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Dinner at Olivo (for 2)$64
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Byron Bay
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Byron Bay.
- Mount Warning Sunrise Climb Including Overnight Camping and BBQ Dinner: $166
- Byron Bay Kayaking with Dolphins and Mount Warning Sunrise Climb Including Overnight Camping and BBQ Dinner: $224
- Byron Bay Surfing Lesson and Mount Warning Sunrise Climb Including Overnight Camping and BBQ Dinner: $224
Typical Food prices in Brisbane
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Brisbane:
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Hamburger Lunch$5.68
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Cup of Coffee$2.13
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Chinese Food Lunch$8.88
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Ice cream$3.91
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Japanese Meal$15
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Smoothie$4.62
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Japanese Soup$8.17
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Coffee & Muffin$4.97
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Morning Mint Tea$2.49
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Veggie Burger & Chips$9.95
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Bread$1.85
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Byron Bay $31Brisbane $21
Typical Entertainment prices in Byron Bay
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Byron Bay are as follows:
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Buddha Gardens Spa (for 2)$135
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Surf Lesson$46
Tours and Activities in Byron Bay
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Byron Bay are as follows:
- 3-Hour Sea Turtle Snorkeling Experience in Byron Bay: $78
- 3-Hour Small-Group Byron Bay Tour: $67
- 5 hour - Byron Bay Cycling Tour + Lunch: $150
- 5-Hour Byron Bay Introductory Scuba Diving Tour: $170
- Beyond Byron Hinterland Tour: $134
- Byron Bay 3-Hour Certified Dive Tour: $119
- Byron Bay Combo: Hinterland Tour Including Minyon Falls and Kayaking with Dolphins: $182
- Byron Bay Hinterland Tour Including Rainforest Walk to Minyon Falls: $124
- Byron Bay Hinterland: National Park and Waterfalls Tour: $122
- Byron Bay Lighthouse and Hinterland Tour: $74
- Byron Bay Waves To Waterfalls Adventure Tour: $172
- Byron Bay Whale Watching Cruise: $87
Typical Entertainment prices in Brisbane
For Brisbane, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Concert Tickets$14
Tours and Activities in Brisbane
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Brisbane.
- Newstead House General Entry Ticket: $9.48
- Green Cabs Brisbane Tours: $16
- Midday River Sightseeing Cruise: $24
- True Crime Tour: $25
- Brisbane Like a Local: Customized Guided Tour: $35
- Guided River Kayak Tour: $47
- River Cruise with Lunch: $50
- Express Segway Tour of Brisbane: $50
- Brisbane River Cruise and Koala Sanctuary Visit: $61
- Byron Bay Day Tour: $78
- Brisbane to Moreton Island Return Ferry & Adventure Day Pass: $86
- Wine & Food Pairing Experience: $87
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayByron Bay $12Brisbane $44
Sample the Local Flavors in Byron Bay
Also in Byron Bay, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Afternoon session Brewery and Distillery tour in Byron Bay: $116
- Full Barrel Brewery and Distillery tour: $141
- Byron: Pub, Brewery and Distillery Tour: $172
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
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Sixpack of Beer$9.95
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Guiness Beer$6.04
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Sixpack of Beer$9.23
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
When comparing the travel costs between Byron Bay and Brisbane, we can see that Byron Bay 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.
When is the best time to visit Byron Bay or Brisbane?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the southern hemisphere, summer is in January and winter is in July.
Should I visit Byron Bay or Brisbane in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Byron Bay as well as Brisbane.
In the summer, Byron Bay is around the same temperature as Brisbane. Typically, the summer temperatures in Byron Bay in January are around 23°C (74°F), and Brisbane is about 25°C (77°F).
It's quite rainy in Brisbane. Byron Bay receives a lot of rain in the summer. Byron Bay usually gets less rain in January than Brisbane. Byron Bay gets 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain, while Brisbane receives 169 mm (6.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JanuaryByron Bay 23°C (74°F)Brisbane 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Byron Bay or Brisbane in the Autumn?
Both Brisbane and Byron Bay are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities.
In April, Byron Bay is generally around the same temperature as Brisbane. Temperatures in Byron Bay average around 20°C (69°F), and Brisbane stays around 22°C (71°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Brisbane. It's quite rainy in Byron Bay. In April, Byron Bay usually receives more rain than Brisbane. Byron Bay gets 133 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Brisbane receives 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures AprilByron Bay 20°C (69°F)Brisbane 22°C (71°F)
Should I visit Byron Bay or Brisbane in the Winter?
Both Brisbane and Byron Bay during the winter are popular places to visit.
Byron Bay is around the same temperature as Brisbane in the winter. The temperature in Byron Bay is usually 14°C (58°F) in July, and Brisbane stays around 15°C (59°F).
Byron Bay usually gets less rain in July than Brisbane. Byron Bay gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Brisbane receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JulyByron Bay 14°C (58°F)Brisbane 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Byron Bay or Brisbane in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Byron Bay and Brisbane.
In the spring, Byron Bay is around the same temperature as Brisbane. Typically, the spring temperatures in Byron Bay in October are around 19°C (67°F), and Brisbane is about 21°C (69°F).
In October, Byron Bay usually receives around the same amount of rain as Brisbane. Byron Bay gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Brisbane receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures OctoberByron Bay 19°C (67°F)Brisbane 21°C (69°F)
Typical Weather for Brisbane and Byron Bay
| Byron Bay | Brisbane | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 23°C (74°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 169 mm (6.7 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (74°F) | 133 mm (5.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 152 mm (6 in) |
| Mar | 23°C (73°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Apr | 20°C (69°F) | 133 mm (5.2 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) |
| May | 18°C (64°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (59°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Jul | 14°C (58°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Aug | 15°C (59°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Sep | 17°C (63°F) | 32 mm (1.2 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (67°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| Nov | 21°C (70°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| Dec | 22°C (72°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
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