How Much Does Brisbane Cost? 2026 Budget Guide | Prices & Tips
Brisbane offers a balanced price point for travelers, typically proving more affordable than Sydney but costlier than regional Queensland hubs. Visitors can expect daily expenses to range from $80 / A$114 for budget-conscious solo travelers to $544 / A$772 for those seeking high-end luxury. The city's unique cost structure is currently defined by exceptionally low public transport fares, though these are offset by standard Australian prices for dining and island excursions. While the central business district (CBD) follows typical metropolitan pricing, the nearby islands like Moreton require additional budgeting for ferry transfers and specialized activities. Overall, it serves as a high-value gateway to Queensland's coastal lifestyle.
Is Brisbane expensive to visit?
Brisbane is moderately priced by Australian standards, with typical daily costs ranging from $80 / A$114 to $544 / A$772 depending on the level of luxury and island day trips.
On This Page
Daily Budget
How much to budget per person per day in Brisbane
$80
per person /day
$248
per person /day
$544
per person /day
Trip Costs by Duration
Total estimated costs per person, excluding flights
| Trip Costs by Duration | Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-Day Trip | $241 | $743 | $1,632 |
| 5-Day Trip | $401 | $1,238 | $2,721 |
| 7-Day Trip | $561 | $1,734 | $3,810 |
per person — Excludes international flights
Budget Buffer
Recommended contingency for unexpected expenses
It is wise to maintain a 10–15% budget buffer to cover weekend/public-holiday restaurant surcharges (often 10–15%) and any visa/ETA costs that apply to your passport (eVisitor can be free; ETA app fee is ~$14 / A$20).
How Does It Compare?
See how Brisbane stacks up against other popular destinations
What Things Cost
Real prices for common tourist expenses in Brisbane
Food & Drink (4)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Mid-Range Restaurant Three-Course Meal for Two Average cost for a nice dinner out is ~$75 / A$107. | $75 A$107 |
| Domestic Draft Beer (0.5L) Standard pub price for a pint is ~$8.37 / A$12. | $8.37 A$12 |
| Flat White / Specialty Coffee Specialty coffee in the CBD usually costs between ~$3.77–$4.47 / A$5.34–A$6.34. | $4.19 A$5.94 |
| Budget Inexpensive Meal Standard price for a food court or local cafe lunch is ~$17 / A$25. | $17 A$25 |
Transport (4)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Standard Translink public transport fare Permanent flat fare of ~$0.35 / A$0.5 applies to all passengers including tourists. Airtrain is excluded. | $0.35 A$0.5 |
| Airtrain Airport to CBD Transfer Adult fare to Brisbane City stations is ~$16 / A$22. Pre-booking online can reduce to about ~$13 / A$19. | $16 A$22 |
| Micat Ferry Walk-on Return (Moreton Island) Walk-on return typically starts from ~$56 / A$79 when booked ahead; higher if you turn up without booking. | $56 A$79 |
| Uber/Ride-hail Airport to CBD Door-to-door service costs ~$31 / A$45. Prices spike during peak hour. | $31 A$45 |
Accommodation (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| The Star Grand Brisbane (5-Star Hotel) Premium riverfront luxury. Approximately ~$285 / A$404 per night depending on exchange rates. | $256 A$363 |
| Tequila Sunrise Podstel (Dorm Bed) High-quality pod-style hostel in the CBD. Includes breakfast. | $38 A$54 |
| Bunk Brisbane (Private Room) Modern private room option for budget travelers in Fortitude Valley. | $56 A$80 |
Activities (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary Day Pass Adult day pass is ~$41 / A$58. Students and seniors pay ~$33 / A$47. | $41 A$59 |
| Eat Street Northshore Entry Fee Iconic food market made from shipping containers. Entry is roughly $4.18 / A$5.92. | $4.19 A$5.94 |
| Story Bridge Adventure Climb (Day) Standard adult Day Climb is ~$105 / A$149. Discounts/deals can drop to ~$69 / A$98 on limited slots. | $105 A$149 |
Other (1)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| South Bank Parklands Parking (2-3 Hours) Convenient but expensive. Staying over 5 hours costs ~$28 / A$40 (max daily rate). | $17 A$25 |
Food & Dining
What to eat and what it costs
The dining landscape ranges from quick cafe lunches for $17 / A$25 to refined three-course dinners for two at $75 / A$107. While specialty coffee is a staple at approximately $4.19 / A$5.94, costs can rise significantly on Sundays and public holidays due to mandatory service surcharges of 10–15%. Shipping container markets like Eat Street Northshore offer a more casual experience for a small $4.19 / A$5.94 entry fee.
Cheap Eats
Where locals eat — real places, real prices
Pancake Manor
$10–$17 / A$15–A$25CBD · Local chain
Set in a beautiful converted cathedral; perfect for late-night food under $14 / A$20.
Taro's Ramen
$13–$17 / A$18–A$24CBD / South Brisbane · Local chain
Widely considered the best ramen in town for under $18 / A$25.
Govinda's Restaurant
$9.07–$13 / A$13–A$18CBD · Local chain
Incredible value vegetarian buffet for ~$11 / A$16.
Miel Container
$11–$15 / A$16–A$22CBD · Street food area
Customizable gourmet burgers in a shipping container for ~$12 / A$17.
Mamak Brisbane
$6.98–$17 / A$9.9–A$25CBD · Local chain
Authentic Malaysian street food; a plain roti is a perfect snack for ~$7.06 / A$10.
Getting Around
Transport costs and the smartest ways to move
Brisbane is remarkably affordable to navigate due to Queensland's permanent 50-cent Translink fares (~$0.35 / A$0.5 per trip) across buses, trains, ferries and trams (Airtrain excluded). Airtrain airport ↔ Brisbane City is around $16 / A$22 for adults, and can drop to ~$13 / A$19 when pre-booked online. A Micat walk-on return to Moreton Island typically starts around $56 / A$79 when booked ahead (higher on the day). Ride-hailing services from the airport to the CBD typically average $31 / A$45 outside of peak traffic hours.
Accommodation Overview
Value seekers can find high-quality pod-style dorms at Tequila Sunrise for $38 / A$54 or private rooms at Bunk Brisbane for $56 / A$80. Luxury seekers can stay at riverfront properties like The Star Grand Brisbane for approximately $256 / A$363 per night. The sweet spot for value is often found in the West End or Fortitude Valley, where boutique hotels offer more space for lower rates than the CBD core.
Accommodation Budget in Brisbane
Budget
Hostels, budget hotels, shared facilities
Mid-Range
3-star hotels, boutique stays, great locations
Luxury
5-star hotels, suites, premium amenities
💡 Prices vary by season. Book 2-3 months ahead for best rates.
Money-Saving Tips
Insider tricks to stretch your budget further
- 1 Take advantage of the $0.35 / A$0.5 flat-rate Translink fare for all bus, train, and ferry travel within the city network.
- 2 There is no separate free 'CityHopper' anymore—inner-city ferries now operate as CityCat + KittyCat Cross River routes, all covered by the 50-cent fare (~$0.35 / A$0.5 per trip).
- 3 Pre-book Airtrain tickets online: from ~$13 / A$19 vs ~$16 / A$22 at the standard adult fare.
- 4 Eat at Govinda's in the CBD for a budget-friendly, all-you-can-eat vegetarian meal that undercuts standard restaurant pricing.
- 5 Visit Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary with a student or senior ID to pay $33 / A$46 instead of the standard $41 / A$58 admission.
- 6 Avoid the $17 / A$25 parking fee at South Bank Parklands by using public transport or parking further out and walking 15–20 minutes.
- 7 Use the free communal gas barbecues located throughout South Bank and the City Botanic Gardens for a low-cost dinner with a view.
- 8 Fill water bottles at the many public 'bubblers' (fountains) across the city to avoid paying $3.53–$5.89 / A$5.01–A$8.35 for bottled water.
- 9 Visit Eat Street Northshore after 16:00 on Fridays or Saturdays to enjoy a wide variety of meals for the $4.19 / A$5.94 entry fee.
- 10 Look for 'Early Bird' parking rates in the CBD if a car is necessary, as midday rates can exceed $71 / A$100.
Seasonal Pricing
When prices rise and fall throughout the year
Jun, Jul, Aug, Dec
+20–35%
Feb, Mar, Nov
-15–25%
Apr, May, Sep, Oct
Winter (Jun–Aug) is peak for whale watching and clear skies, while shoulder months like May offer perfect 22–24°C (72–75°F) weather and lower hotel rates.
Events to Watch
- ● Brisbane Festival (September): +30% hotels
- ● Australian School Holidays (Late Dec to Jan): +40% theme parks
Free Things to Do
The best experiences that cost absolutely nothing
- 1 Streets Beach: Swim at the only man-made city beach in Australia located at South Bank.
- 2 Mount Coot-tha Lookout: Take in panoramic views of the city skyline and Moreton Bay.
- 3 Brisbane City Hall Clock Tower: Join a free guided tour to the top of the historic tower for a unique perspective.
- 4 Queensland Art Gallery & Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA): Explore the permanent collections at no cost.
- 5 City Botanic Gardens: Walk through the heritage-listed gardens along the Brisbane River.
- 6 Kangaroo Point Cliffs: Watch rock climbers or enjoy the sunset over the CBD from the cliff edge.
- 7 Roma Street Parkland: Wander through 16 hectares of designer gardens and subtropical rainforest.
- 8 Museum of Brisbane: Visit the city's museum located inside City Hall for free local history exhibits.
- 9 New Farm Park: Spend an afternoon under the giant fig trees in one of the city's oldest parks.
- 10 City Sounds: Catch free live music performances at various locations in the Queen Street Mall.
- 11 Daisy Hill Koala Centre: See koalas in a natural setting and learn about conservation at no cost.
- 12 The Arbour: Walk the 1km long award-winning pedestrian plaza at South Bank covered in bougainvillea flowers.
Worth the Splurge
Premium experiences that justify the price tag
Story Bridge Twilight Climb
Stunning 360-degree views of the city lights and river at sunset. Costs ~$111 / A$157.
Moreton Island Shipwreck Snorkeling Tour
Full day including ferry, 4WD beach drive, and snorkeling the iconic wrecks. ~$132 / A$187.
Brisbane River Dinner Cruise
Romantic three-course meal on a vintage paddle wheeler. ~$87 / A$124.
Popular Activities
Top-rated tours and experiences in Brisbane
Day Trip Costs
Popular day trips from Brisbane and what they cost
Moreton Island (Tangalooma Wrecks)
$56–$67 / A$79–A$95 by ferry (Micat walk-on return; book ahead)
Free
$129–$200 / A$184–A$284
Gold Coast (Surfers Paradise)
~$0.35 / A$0.5 each way (~$0.71 / A$1 return) by train
Free
$56 / A$79
Payment & Money
How to pay and what to know about money
Australian Dollar (AUD)
1 $ ≈ 1.42 $
No
Everywhere including markets and buses
Not mandatory. Round up for taxis; 10% for exceptional service in restaurants (~$5.89–$12 / A$8.35–A$17) is appreciated.
Avoid 'generic' blue/white ATMs in convenience stores which charge ~$3.53 / A$5.01 fees. Use major bank ATMs (CommBank, ANZ, Westpac) for free withdrawals.
Connectivity
eSIM: $4.12–$46 (opens in new tab)
Local SIM: $21–$28 / A$30–A$40 for 30GB-50GB
WiFi: Excellent in CBD and South Bank via 'Brisbane Free Wi-Fi' network.
For most travelers, the Airalo 10GB plan for ~$17 / A$24 is the best balance of value and coverage.
Why you can trust this guide
35+ countries • 8 years analyzing travel data
Independent developer and travel data analyst based in Prague. 35+ countries visited across Europe and Asia, 8+ years analyzing flight routes, accommodation prices, and seasonal weather patterns.
- All neighborhoods verified by walking them
- Curated locations based on walkability & safety
- Real-time availability via live partner maps
- Prices based on Booking.com & Numbeo averages
Methodology: This guide combines on-the-ground neighborhood research, current hotel pricing data, and real traveler feedback to provide honest, actionable accommodation recommendations for Brisbane.
Updated: February 16, 2026
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Where to Stay
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Complete Cost Guide
Full budget and cost breakdown