How much does it cost to visit Australia?

Australia is huge – more than 30 times the size of the UK – so the amount of money you’ll need to budget for a trip to Australia will depend on how long you’re visiting for, where you’re staying and what you’re planning to do. To give you an idea, though, we’ve worked out that the cost of a two-week trip to Australia could cost you around £3541*, or £2265* for a week-long visit. 

Those figures are based on the cheapest return flights found at the time of writing, average mid-range accommodation costs, and recommended spending money. It’s likely that costs will be higher if you’re staying in Australia’s capital, Sydney, or a well-known tourist destination like Brisbane, Melbourne or Perth. 

Likewise, prices could be higher if you’re flying in peak season – which varies between northern and southern Australia. On the other hand, if you’re visiting somewhere like Adelaide, you may find average prices can work out to be cheaper than the figures above. As a guide, the cost of living in Adelaide is around 9% lower than Sydney*.

Wherever you’re heading to in Australia, whether it’s a beach break or a city trip, we’ve highlighted some average costs so you can work out how much to budget and how many pounds to exchange for Australian dollars beforehand.

How much are flights to Australia?

Australia is huge and flight prices therefore really vary, both by location and by month. Flights to Sydney can start from around £509* in June, for example, but start from £807* in July, just one month later – so you’ll need to narrow down prices for your specific route.

The cheapest time to fly to Australia is often June*

June had the lowest flight prices of the year at the time of writing*, but this changes month by month – and region by region – and you may also find good deals to certain locations in December and January. June is winter in southern Australia, which often means less tourist demand in this area.

When is the most expensive time to fly to Australia?

When we looked at flight prices, July was the most expensive time to book a flight to Australia*. This could be down to the fact that July is part of the dry season in Australia’s tropical north, making it a great time to visit somewhere like Darwin – which has high temperatures and very little rain this month. December is typically an expensive time of year to visit, as this coincides with Australia's summer season and school holidays.

When’s the best time to book a flight to Australia?

Opinions vary on when to book a flight to Australia, but it’s generally recommended to start looking as far as 10-12 months in advance as it’s a long-haul trip. That way you can search for the best deals and track flight price changes.

The best time to book will also depend on seasonal demand, so it’s worth shopping around. If you’re heading to Sydney for Christmas, for example, some experts suggest the best time to book is 22 weeks in advance*.

How much is accommodation in Australia?

You’ll find the cost of accommodation in Australia depends on where you’re staying, and the type of accommodation you’re staying in. As a guide, you might pay around £21* per night for budget accommodation, whereas if you’re staying in luxury accommodation, you may need to budget around £149* per night.

How much is food and drink in Australia?

In Australia, food and drink prices can vary significantly from one location to the next, so it’s a good idea to research average costs for your destination before you travel. We’ve compared average costs for some common items in London vs Sydney to give you an idea of how these two capital cities compare*. Take a look at our guide to Australian currency for more average costs.

A mid-range three-course meal for two: £80 in London vs £62.03 in Sydney

A small domestic draught beer: £6.50 in London vs £5.33 in Sydney

A regular cappuccino: £3.99 in London vs £2.67 in Sydney

A small Coke/Pepsi: £2.33 in London vs £1.96 in Sydney

A small bottle of water: £1.49 in London vs £1.51 in Sydney

Don’t forget to take spending money for activities in Australia

Got a wish-list of things to see and do while you’re in Australia? Don’t forget to budget for these, too. Shopping at The Rocks Markets is a must if you’re staying in Sydney, for example. Every weekend, the streets of this historic area are lined with stalls selling everything from arts and crafts to fashion and food. It’s worth bringing some Australian dollars in cash for smaller vendors, who may not accept card payments – as explained in our guide to travelling with cash.

Queen Victoria Market is the place to splash the cash in Melbourne, meanwhile, add tickets for Melbourne Skydeck – the highest public observation deck in a building in the Southern Hemisphere – tend to sell out, so you might want to book those in advance. A bit of research on ticket prices goes a long way towards budgeting accurately.

Buying Australian dollars with Marks & Spencer Travel Money

Ready to go to Australia? Buy Australian dollars online for Click & Collect with no commission and no hidden fees**.

 

Sources

*All prices are illustrative and based on average prices at the time of writing in November 2025.

Average costs for a week vs a two-week trip based on combined average prices for daily spending money, flights and mid-range accommodation: Exiap and Kayak

Adelaide vs Sydney cost of living comparison: Numbeo

Average flight prices: £437+ Flights from the United Kingdom to Australia | Cheapflights

Cheapest time to book Sydney for Christmas: Which?

Accommodation average prices: Exiap

Food and drink average prices: Numbeo

**T&Cs apply. Subject to availability.