Header Image Attribution: "Central Coast" by EdwardOU is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0This post contains affiliate links. Our Extraordinary Planet may be compensated for any purchases you make.It’s an amazing thing to plan a trip to a country like Australia. Australia is a beautiful place with lots of incredible sights to offer visitors. Before you make your journey to the far-away outback, determining how much money you need to visit Australia — and how you can make the best of your budget — is vital.
How much does a vacation to Australia cost? It can vary depending on a number of factors. The time of year you travel, the length of your stay, the activities you choose to do, and the level of luxury you seek during your vacation will all influence the final cost of your vacation. Understanding these factors will allow you to plan an unforgettable vacation to Australia!
How Much Does A Vacation To Australia Cost?
How much does a vacation to Australia cost? Well, it depends. Factors such as transportation and entertainment can influence the total cost of your vacation. These costs can be reduced or amplified by the level of luxury you seek during your vacation and the duration of your stay in Australia.
In general, you can expect to spend at least $1,000 per person for each week you spend in the great outback. Unfortunately, purchasing airfare to Australia tends to be expensive due to its remote location. You can expect to spend at least $800 for a round-trip ticket.
You’ll also need to account for the costs of lodging and food early on. It’s reasonable to budget at least $50 per day per person if you will eat a mixture of groceries and dine-in food. You should also plan to spend between $50 and $300 per night for your hotel, depending on what location and level of luxury you’re interested in.
Aside from the basic costs — transportation, lodging, and food — you’ll also find that assorted costs for things like entertainment, travel insurance, and even restaurant tips will all need to be accounted for in your budget. It’s worth setting aside extra funds if possible so that you can vacation comfortably even if you haven’t accounted for every niche expense.
7 Factors Impacting The Cost Of Your Vacation
You can start budgeting for your vacation to Australia by establishing estimates for how much each part of your vacation will cost. You should start by looking at transportation, lodging, and food costs. Once you have these basic numbers established, you should also look at entertainment, travel insurance, and assorted costs — and you should examine how currency exchange rates might make these expenses more or less affordable.
1. Transportation Costs
The first — and likely most important — cost you’ll encounter while planning for your vacation to Australia is transportation costs. This expense can be significant, especially if you’re traveling from somewhere far away. Aside from your departure city, you should also consider the class of service and the time of departure you want carefully. Find the right balance between your budget and your intended experience.
Do you intend to take a direct flight or a connecting flight? Direct flights are more comfortable and expedited, while connecting flights have longer layovers but are more budget-friendly. When do you intend to depart? Flying during the peak season will give you more access to Australia’s best activities and destinations, but it will almost certainly result in more expensive airfare.
Once you’ve landed in Australia, you’ll find that local transportation costs are just as significant. Australia is an incredibly large country, so it’s generally best to rent a car. If you’re planning to stay in a large city — like Melbourne or Sydney — you can consider opting for public transportation instead. Taxis are a good moderate option if you want to have more control over your travel but wish to avoid renting a car.
2. Lodging Costs
Still wondering how much does a vacation to Australia cost? You’ll need to examine lodging costs to figure this out. Finding a suitable hotel is difficult, since you need to find something available that strikes a balance between your budget and preferences. It’s worth starting with your budget. Hostels and motels are better for the budget traveler, while hotels and bed and breakfasts offer a more luxurious experience.
Your lodging will be more expensive if you decide to vacation in a major metropolitan area — especially if your trip is during a time of high demand. Once you’ve shortlisted a few good potential options, you should weigh between them carefully to determine which offers your preferred amenities. Things like complementary breakfast or a swimming pool can be worth a small extra daily cost if they’re important to you.
3. Food Costs
Following transportation and lodging, you’ll need to take a look at food costs to budget for your vacation. This is a particularly finicky category of spending to account for, since it’s easy to spend more than you anticipated on groceries and dining. You should start by separating your food budget into two costs — grocery costs and dining costs. The most important thing you need to avoid is overspending at restaurants.
On average, you can expect to spend between 20 and 40 AUD per person when dining at the average restaurant. Higher-end restaurants can cost significantly more, while fast food restaurants may cost as little as 5 AUD per person. You should account for your typical tipping habits when forming a budget — and remember, tipping is considered voluntary in Australian culture!
4. Entertainment Costs
How much does a vacation to Australia cost? It’s impossible to determine without accounting for entertainment-related expenses. You should consider what you want to do. Do you want to visit landmarks, zoos, or galleries? Do these locations have associated entrance costs? Do you want to purchase souvenirs? Do you want to pay for an extra-special experience when visiting a theme park or going on a tour?
You may also need to factor in extra transportation, food, and lodging costs for certain types of entertainment. If you’re going to a concert or traveling to a dive site a few hours away, it’s likely that you’ll need to travel with public transportation or a rented car, dine out for each meal, and have somewhere pleasant to stay for the night. Accounting for these types of extraneous entertainment-related expenses will make your experience a lot more seamless.
5. Travel Insurance Costs
Travel insurance might seem like a relatively minor factor, but it’s actually one of the most important things you should think about as a traveler. These insurance policies can help protect you from issues like trip interruptions and baggage loss. You should look for an insurance policy that has a premium and coverage limit you’re comfortable with.
6. Additional Costs
Finally, you should think about any assorted expenses that you might encounter during your vacation. How much does a vacation to Australia cost? It’s essentially up to you. Keep expenses like restroom fees, impromptu paid tourist activities, and mobile data fees in mind so that you don’t have to withdraw extra money and deal with foreign exchange ATM fees.
7. Currency Exchange Rates
As you plan out your vacation in Australia, you’re likely to find that accommodations and food are priced in AUD. Generally, Australian currency is worth more than currency from other countries. Something that costs 100 dollars in Australia may cost as much as $143 USD, depending on the current exchange rates.
How much does a vacation to Australia cost? Simply put, it’s expensive. Large cities like Melbourne and Sydney are particularly expensive, while smaller cities and towns in the countryside are slightly lower. You should make certain that you always assess the costs of your vacation under current exchange rates — otherwise, you may find that your trip is more expensive than you calculated.
Enjoy A Budget-Friendly Vacation In Australia
It’s impossible to predict every expense associated with a vacation, but by planning properly, you can make sure that your vacation to Australia falls within your budget. Beyond that, you can also ensure that your trip is unforgettable. There’s an enormous country filled with gorgeous cities, exotic animals, and friendly locals waiting for you — and all it takes is just a few bookings to get started.
Is a trip to Australia worth it? It’s impossible to say for certain, but if you plan correctly, you can create something truly incredible.
