Cost of Living in Canberra
How much does it cost to visit Canberra? Daily budgets, accommodation costs, and real price examples for 2026.
Photo: Alexander Popov / Unsplash
Daily Budget Breakdown
Budget
Hostels, street food, free attractions
AUD 150
per day
Weekly: AUD 1050
Monthly: AUD 4500
Examples
- 🏨YHA Canberra City dorm bedAUD 45
- 🍽️Sandwich and coffee from a local bakery (e.g. Eighty Six)AUD 25
- 🚌MyWay Card top-up for bus travelAUD 15
- 🎟️Explore Parliament House (free entry) and walk around Lake Burley GriffinAUD 0
- 🎟️Visit the National Museum of Australia (free general admission)AUD 0
- 🍽️Dinner at Brodburger King O'Malley'sAUD 30
- 🎟️Stroll through the Australian National Botanic GardensAUD 0
- 🍽️Snacks and water from a supermarketAUD 10
- 🚌Return MyWay Card travel to attractionsAUD 20
- 🎟️National Portrait Gallery (free entry)AUD 0
Mid-Range
3-star hotels, restaurants, guided tours
AUD 300
per day
Weekly: AUD 2100
Monthly: AUD 9000
Examples
- 🏨Adina Apartment Hotel Canberra Kingston one-bedroom apartmentAUD 180
- 🍽️Lunch at The Cupping Room CafeAUD 30
- 🚌MyWay Card for bus travelAUD 20
- 🎟️Guided tour of Parliament HouseAUD 20
- 🎟️National Gallery of Australia general admissionAUD 0
- 🍽️Dinner at Akikaze Japanese RestaurantAUD 70
- 🎟️Visit the Australian War Memorial (free entry, consider a paid exhibition)AUD 15
- 🍽️Coffee and pastry from a local cafeAUD 15
Luxury
5-star hotels, fine dining, private tours
AUD 600
per day
Weekly: AUD 4200
Monthly: AUD 18000
Examples
- 🏨Hyatt Hotel Canberra King RoomAUD 350
- 🍽️Fine dining lunch at Courgette RestaurantAUD 80
- 🚌Taxi or rideshare for convenienceAUD 50
- 🎟️Private guided tour of Parliament House and the Museum of Australian DemocracyAUD 150
- 🎟️Hot air balloon ride over Canberra at sunriseAUD 300
- 🍽️Degustation dinner at The ChairmanAUD 150
- 🎟️Wine tasting experience in the Canberra District wineriesAUD 100
- 🍽️Cocktails at a rooftop barAUD 40
Cost by Category
accommodation
100-250 AUD
food
50-100 AUD
Transport
10-30 AUD
activities
40-80 AUD
Cost by Neighbourhood
| Neighbourhood | Budget Level | vs City Centre | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civic | Mid-range | At Center | first-timers, culture |
| Barton | Luxury | Slightly Higher | culture, first-timers |
| Braddon | Mid-range | Slightly Lower | foodies, nightlife |
| Acton | Mid-range | Similar | culture, first-timers |
Money-Saving Tips for Canberra
🏨 Accommodation
- Stay in budget neighbourhoods outside the tourist centre
- Book apartments for longer stays (weekly discounts)
- Travel in shoulder season for lower hotel rates
- Compare prices across multiple booking platforms
🍽️ Food & Drink
- Eat where locals eat, away from tourist hotspots
- Try street food and market stalls for cheap eats
- Buy lunch specials instead of evening meals
- Cook some meals if your accommodation has a kitchen
🚌 Transport
- Buy multi-day transit passes for unlimited travel
- Walk between nearby attractions to save fares
- Use public transport over taxis where possible
- Book airport transfers in advance for fixed prices
🎟️ Activities
- Take free walking tours (tip-based)
- Look for free museum days or discounted hours
- Book tours and activities online for lower prices
- Explore parks, markets, and neighbourhoods on foot
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FAQ: Canberra Costs
How much does it cost to visit Canberra?
Budget travellers can visit Canberra for around AUD 150/day (AUD 1050/week). Mid-range travellers should budget AUD 300/day, while luxury travel costs around AUD 600/day.
Is Canberra expensive?
Canberra is on the expensive side. Budget travellers need at least AUD 150/day. Consider staying in budget neighbourhoods and eating at local spots to save.
How much should I budget per day in Canberra?
For a comfortable mid-range experience in Canberra, budget AUD 300/day. This covers a decent hotel, meals at sit-down restaurants, public transport, and a couple of activities.
What is the cheapest way to visit Canberra?
Budget travellers in Canberra can get by on AUD 150/day by staying in hostels or budget hotels, eating street food and local restaurants, using public transport, and choosing free walking tours and public attractions.