Make it a trip · Melbourne, Australia
What Melbourne costs
once you land
Real prices, from the airport ride to a room for the night, each with where we found it. Checked October 2026, around CBD and Southbank.
Prices as the source quoted them.
Dorm bed, three cheap meals, getting around, a coffee, two beers and water.
Arriving
-
SkyBus to Southern Cross Fixed
About 30 minutes; cheaper booked online as a return. Public buses to Broadmeadows station cost a few dollars but take longer.
Source: Cities Insider, Melbourne airport transport (2026)
A$25 to A$26 Book an airport pickup -
Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) Fixed
For US, CA, SG passports.
Apply in the official Australian ETA app. The charge stayed at A$20 after the July 2026 visa fee rise.
Source: Tern Visa, Australian visa fees 2026 (2026-07)
A$20 -
eVisitor visa, free Fixed
For GB, IE, NL, DE, FR passports.
Apply online before you fly; there is no government charge.
Source: Tern Visa, Australian visa fees 2026 (2026-07)
Free -
Visa on arrival, free Fixed
For NZ passports.
New Zealand citizens get a visa when they arrive.
Source: All Blog, Australia visa guide 2026 (2026)
Free -
Free
Getting around
-
Tram, train or bus ride Many reports
Trams in the CBD Free Tram Zone cost nothing. Elsewhere tap on with a myki card.
Source: Numbeo, Melbourne (2026-10)
A$5.50 -
myki daily cap Fixed
Unlimited trains, trams and buses for the day after two hours of travel.
Source: Cities Insider, Melbourne bus network (2026)
A$11.40
Eating and drinking
-
Meal at a cheap restaurant Many reports
Dumplings, pho or a pub parma.
Source: Numbeo, Melbourne (2026-10)
A$25 -
A$17.50
-
Dinner for two, three courses Many reports
A mid-range restaurant, without drinks. No tipping needed.
Source: Numbeo, Melbourne (2026-10)
A$120 -
Flat white or cappuccino Many reports
Melbourne takes its coffee very seriously.
Source: Numbeo, Melbourne (2026-10)
A$5.80 -
Draught beer, a pint Many reports
A pot or a schooner is smaller and cheaper.
Source: Numbeo, Melbourne (2026-10)
A$14
At the supermarket
-
A$2.30
-
A$4.50
-
Beer, half a litre, to take away Many reports
From a bottle shop.
Source: Numbeo, Melbourne (2026-10)
A$8.10
Doing
-
Great Ocean Road small-group tour, from Range
A long day to the Twelve Apostles and back. Combined tours with the Phillip Island penguins cost more.
Source: AAA, Great Ocean Road small-group eco tour (2026)
US$88 Book the tour
Sleeping, per night
-
Hostel dorm bed, from Range
Usually 35 to 50 AUD. Central Melbourne. March and November can drop to about A$28.
Source: Hostelz, backpacking Melbourne (2026)
A$35 Find a hostel -
Four-star hotel Many reports
Average four-star rate. Grand Prix and Australian Open weeks cost more.
Source: Kayak Singapore, Melbourne hotels (2026)
S$208 Find a hotel
Prices change. Fixed fees come from official or widely reported figures; ranges are what travellers and operators report for 2026. Some links are affiliate links: they never change what you pay. How we make money.
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