After multiple trips to Australia, here’s the actual cost of 1 week from the US.
The TL;DR
| Tier | Total (excluding flights) |
|---|---|
| Budget | $1,800 |
| Mid-range | $3,200 |
| Luxury | $7,500 |
By category
Flights from US
$1,200-2,500 round-trip from West Coast (LAX) to Sydney/Melbourne. East Coast adds $200-500.
Accommodation (7 nights)
**Budget:** $50-100/night hostel/Airbnb: $350-700
**Mid-range:** $150-300/night boutique hotel: $1,050-2,100
**Luxury:** $400-1,000+/night Park Hyatt Sydney, COMO The Treasury Perth: $2,800-7,000+
Food (7 days)
**Budget:** Cafes + casual restaurants $15-25/meal: $200-350/week
**Mid-range:** $30-50/meal: $400-700/week
**Luxury:** Quay, Attica, Vue de Monde: $200-400+/meal: $1,500-3,000/week
Transportation
**Sydney train/bus:** $5 day cap
**Domestic flights Sydney-Melbourne:** $80-200
**Rental car:** $40-80/day
**Airport train Sydney:** $20
Activities + entrance fees
Sydney Opera House tour: $40
Great Barrier Reef day trip: $200-400
Kakadu National Park tour: $300-500
Blue Mountains day trip: $80-150
Uluru sunset tour: $200-400
How to lower cost
- Travel credit card sign-up bonus covers most flights
- Book direct (10-15% cheaper than Booking.com)
- Eat where locals eat (30-50% cheaper than tourist spots)
- Off-season (30-50% lower hotel rates)
FAQs
How much does a week in Australia cost?
$1,800-$7,500 excluding flights.
Is Australia expensive?
Depends on style. Budget $80-150/day. Mid-range $200-400. Luxury $500+/day.
Cheapest time to visit?
Off-season months (40-60% lower lodging).
Food budget?
Budget $15-30/day. Mid-range $40-70/day. Luxury $150+/day.
Use credit card points?
Yes – sign-up bonus covers most flights. Strategy guide.