Is Brisbane expensive? What things really cost in 2026
Short answer
Brisbane is expensive by global standards but one of the better-value big cities in Australia, generally cheaper than Sydney or Melbourne for hotels. A budget day is about A$120 per person and a mid-range day about A$280. Accommodation and eating out take most of the money; public transport, at a flat 50 cents a trip, is a rare bargain.
Daily budget: backpacker, mid-range, luxury
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | A$55 | A$120 | A$250 |
| Food & drink | A$45 | A$90 | A$170 |
| Sights & tickets | A$15 | A$60 | A$160 |
| Local transport | A$3 | A$10 | A$50 |
| Per person, per day | A$118 | A$280 | A$630 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Brisbane day-cost table.
What things cost
| Item | Typical price* |
|---|---|
| Flat white | about A$5–6 |
| Pint of beer in a pub | about A$11–14 |
| Any TransLink bus, train or CityCat ferry trip | A$0.50 |
| Airtrain to the city (privately run) | about A$20–25 one way |
| Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary entry | about A$60 |
| Wheel of Brisbane | about A$25 |
| Mid-range dinner for two in South Bank or West End | A$80–130 with drinks |
| 3★ double room in the city | roughly A$170–260 |
* Approximate prices, October 2026. They change with season and exchange rates.
Where the money goes
Hotels in the CBD, South Bank and Fortitude Valley are the main expense, and prices jump during big events such as the Brisbane Festival in September. Eating out is the second: mains run about A$20–35 in West End and A$28–40 in South Bank, and alcohol is heavily taxed. Paid attractions like Lone Pine, the Story Bridge climb and Moreton Bay day trips add up, but the city's galleries and South Bank's lagoon beach are free, and the 50-cent fares make getting around very cheap.
When it is cheaper
Hotel prices are often lower from February to April and in November outside event weeks. School holidays (late June–July, late September and December–January) push up prices and fill the islands.
How to spend less
- Use the 50-cent TransLink fares everywhere, including the CityCat river ferries, which double as a sightseeing cruise.
- Take bus 430 to Lone Pine for 50 cents instead of the river cruise (around A$90 return).
- Visit the free Queensland Art Gallery, GOMA, State Library and Queensland Museum at South Bank.
- Swim at Streets Beach, South Bank's free man-made lagoon, instead of paying for a pool.
- Eat in West End or Sunnybank, where Vietnamese, Greek and Asian restaurants cost less than riverfront venues.
- Buy drinks at a bottle shop for a picnic in the City Botanic Gardens rather than paying bar prices.
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Common questions
Is Brisbane cheaper than Sydney?
Generally yes, especially for hotels and eating out. Transport is far cheaper thanks to the 50-cent fares.
How much does a day in Brisbane cost?
About A$120 per person on a budget, about A$280 mid-range and about A$630 for comfort.
Are the 50-cent fares really for everyone?
Yes, they apply to all TransLink buses, trains, trams and ferries, including for visitors, since 2024. The airport Airtrain is excluded. The policy could change, so check before you travel.