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Melbourne on a budget: how to do it well
Short answer
Melbourne is doable on a budget with free trams, free galleries and cheap Asian food. Plan on about A$140 per person per day (bed A$75, food A$45, sights A$15, transport A$5).
A realistic daily budget
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | A$75 | A$150 | A$350 |
| Food & drink | A$45 | A$90 | A$200 |
| Sights & tickets | A$15 | A$60 | A$200 |
| Local transport | A$5 | A$12 | A$50 |
| Per person, per day | A$140 | A$312 | A$800 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Melbourne day-cost table.
Free things to do
- Explore the CBD laneways and street art of Hosier Lane
- Visit the National Gallery of Victoria permanent collection
- Walk the Royal Botanic Gardens
- Ride the City Circle tram in the Free Tram Zone
- Walk St Kilda Pier at dusk to see little penguins (when viewing is open)
- Browse Queen Victoria Market and the State Library of Victoria's domed reading room
Cheap eats
- Dumplings in Chinatown: about A$12–18
- Pho in Richmond or Footscray: about A$15–20
- Bánh mì: about A$8–12
- Pie or sausage roll from a bakery: about A$6–9
- Bratwurst or borek at Queen Victoria Market: about A$10–14
Where to sleep for less
Hostels in the CBD, St Kilda and Fitzroy offer dorm beds at roughly A$35–60; cheaper hotels in the CBD north and Carlton cost about A$140–220 a double.
Getting around cheaply
Use the Free Tram Zone in the CBD, and a myki or contactless payment elsewhere. SkyBus is the simplest airport option; rideshare can be similar for groups.
A sample budget day
- Morning: laneways and Hosier Lane (free), coffee (about A$6)
- Lunch: dumplings in Chinatown (about A$15)
- Afternoon: NGV and the Botanic Gardens (free)
- Evening: pho in Richmond (about A$18), tram home
- Total: about A$45–60 plus your bed (about A$75), so roughly A$140
More ways to save
- Cook at your hostel to save on dinners.
- Visit in winter or shoulder months for lower rates.
- Look for happy hours in bars to save on drinks.
- Buy groceries at supermarkets, not convenience stores.
- Book Great Ocean Road tours as a group for discounts.
- Check free festival events at Federation Square.
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Common questions
Can I visit Melbourne on a budget?
Yes, with free trams, free galleries and cheap Asian food, at about A$140 a day.
Are trams free in Melbourne?
Yes, within the CBD's Free Tram Zone.
Where can I eat cheaply?
Chinatown, Victoria Street in Richmond, Footscray and Queen Victoria Market.