Perth on a budget: how to do it well
Short answer
Perth on a budget is doable at about A$140 per person per day (bed A$60, food A$50, sights A$20, transport A$10) if you use hostels, cook and focus on free sights. Rottnest and car-based day trips push the figure higher.
A realistic daily budget
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | A$60 | A$130 | A$260 |
| Food & drink | A$50 | A$90 | A$170 |
| Sights & tickets | A$20 | A$60 | A$120 |
| Local transport | A$10 | A$25 | A$50 |
| Per person, per day | A$140 | A$305 | A$600 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Perth day-cost table.
Free things to do
- Kings Park and the Lotterywest Federation Walkway through the treetops
- WA Museum Boola Bardip in the Perth Cultural Centre
- Elizabeth Quay and the Swan River foreshore
- Cottesloe Beach at sunset
- Fremantle's Round House and the Cappuccino Strip
- Fremantle Markets (Friday to Sunday) for browsing
Cheap eats
- Fish and chips at Fremantle's Fishing Boat Harbour, about A$20–25
- Vietnamese or Chinese meals in Northbridge, from about A$15–20
- Supermarket picnic in Kings Park
- Market food stalls at Fremantle Markets, about A$12–18
- Meat pie from a bakery, about A$6–8
Where to sleep for less
Budget travellers stay in Northbridge hostels near the train station and bars, at about A$80–140 for a private double and roughly A$35–55 for a dorm bed. Fremantle also has hostels close to the Rottnest ferries.
Getting around cheaply
Transperth trains and buses with a SmartRider or contactless card (about A$3–5 a ride), free CAT buses in the centre, and the Airport Line to the city in about 20 minutes. Fremantle is 30 minutes by train.
A sample budget day
- Morning: Kings Park and the treetop walkway (free)
- Lunch: Picnic from a supermarket, about A$15
- Afternoon: WA Museum Boola Bardip (free) and Elizabeth Quay
- Evening: Northbridge dinner, about A$25, CAT bus (free)
- Total: about A$140 including a hostel bed
More ways to save
- Visit in the shoulder months of September–November or March–April for good weather and lower prices.
- Cycle on Rottnest rather than paying for the island bus pass.
- Bring snorkel gear for Rottnest and Cottesloe.
- Use a refillable bottle; tap water is good.
- Look for free events at Elizabeth Quay and the Cultural Centre.
- Fill up the car in Perth before heading north to the Pinnacles.
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Common questions
Can you visit Perth on a budget?
Yes: about A$140 a day per person with hostels, self-catering and free sights.
Is public transport cheap in Perth?
Yes: rides cost about A$3–5 and the CAT buses in the city centre are free.
What is the cheapest way from the airport?
The Airport Line train, about 20 minutes to the city for a standard fare.