cost to travel to Australia

How Much Does it Cost to Travel to Australia Post-Pandemic?

Australia is now welcoming the world back again! They finally reopened its borders last February 21 this year, putting an end to what seemed to be its longest-running pandemic travel restriction ever. 

But hold your horses. Is the long wait finally over? With the rising petrol prices, airlines, and other businesses recouping costs of closures, not to mention COVID-related matters, how much does a vacation cost in Australia this 2022? 

7-Day budget travel cost to travel to Australia 

cost to travel to Australia

Will this be your first time having a cheap vacation to Australia for 3-7 days alone? This part is for you. First of all, for airfare, the best price range for an air ticket for you is between $621-$1,817. You can get an even cheaper deal if you’re flying standby too. 

The recommended average daily cost to travel to Australia is $52 per day. This budget includes your food, travel, and sightseeing. Opt for one 1-star hotel room for $47-$55/night for your lodging. If you have an extra $114-$144/night, a 1-bed vacation rental is reasonable. 

Since you’re a solo traveler, a first-timer at that, always stick to your budget and keep your spending under control. In addition to that, here’s a list of general information on the cost to travel to Australia you have to anticipate.

Airfare

airfare cost to travel to Australia

The airfare cost to travel to Australia can be as low as $1,100 and as high as $7,000. Economy flights to Australia are usually anywhere from $1,112-$2,134 per person, while first-class flights are around $3,492-$6,701 per person. 

If you want to save big, you want to fly to Australia during its off-peak seasons (August 18-September 1). According to statistics, low-season fares are usually at $1,051 only. You can also enjoy a  $1,500-worth flight-plus-budget hotel deal this time around. In contrast, tickets are usually at $1,634 on high seasons (December 22-January 5) while $1,402 on shoulder seasons (February 9–February 23).

The massive fuel price hike is one reason why the prices of flights into and out of Australia soared. Also, the enormous influx of travelers after the reopening made air tickets higher than average. As always, the price relatively increases when the demand skyrockets. 

Airfare costs are also influenced by factors involving you. For example, which country you come from, when you want to travel, whether your flight is one-way or round-trip, and which airline you’re going to opt for. 

Accommodation 

finding a place to stay in Australia

You’ve got a full range of things on all budgets when it comes to finding a place to stay in Australia. Where you are off to, how long your stay is, and which accommodation you prefer ultimately determine the price you’ll pay. 

A 5-star hotel usually costs about $185 a night, while a mid-range hotel costs around $135. Due to Australia’s high property costs, vacation rentals are sometimes more expensive than hotels. If you think you’re better off with luxury vacation rentals than hotels, check its price and then see to it if it fits your budget. 

The most popular budget-friendly accommodation has to be the hostels. Generally, a hostel shared dorm is around $30-35/night, while a typical double occupancy room is $65/night. Moreover, a private hostel room is around AU$100-150/night. But this still varies across the board. It can be cheaper or a little bit costlier. 

Certain Australian events (music festivals like Blues Music or Splendour in the Grass, Easter holidays, Christmas, or New Year) can bump up accommodation prices. So you want to pre-book your accommodation to secure a bed over these times and avoid unexpected spending.  

Food and drink

food and drink prices australia

So, how much does a vacation cost in Australia after taking airfare and accommodation into consideration? Well, you’ll want to delve particularly into food and drink prices next. They’re one of your major daily costs, so they will have a huge impact on your overall budget. 

The thing is, the ball is always in your court. Basically, how much you need to budget depends on two things. One is how much you want to spend. Second is the price of the level of food you want to be eating. 

For example, for cheap eats, you can already grab a good feed from 50-cent noodles or a $4 veggie pasta dish. If you’re going to backpack, keep an eye out for $5-10 backpack meal deals. A meal at restaurants is typically around $20/meal for an inexpensive one, while $50/meal for a mid-range. But if you want to have gourmet dinner at nice fancy restaurants, that will cost you around $315/meal. 

When it comes to drinking, bars usually charge about $5-10 for each glass of beer or wine. Alternatively, bottle shops usually charge $5 for one beer and $15-20 for a six-pack. Moreover, if you want to splash out in cocktails, expect at least the $15-20 mark. Spirits can also be a little more expensive, with a bottle of vodka costing around $30-65. 

Transport

transport costs australia

The Greyhound bus is the most popular way to travel around Australia. They mainly offer two passes. First, the Greyhound WHIMit pass is only limited by the time frame (15-90 days) you buy. Its price ranges from AU$339-599. Another one is the Greyhound East Coast pass. It gives you unlimited travel anywhere in the Cairns to Melbourne route. The trip lasts for 7-30 days, costing AU$199-369. 

But if you want to explore Australia by yourself, renting a car is a good option. An SUV is usually at $27/day. For bigger ones like a passenger van, $45/day is common. Other cheaper options are an economy car and compact car at $15/day and a mini car at $17/day. 

COVID-19-related costs

COVID-19 testing doesn’t have to be added to your cost to travel to Australia anymore. After its reopening, Australia’s government has already scrapped price-gouging COVID-19 testing for all international arrivals. Still and all, keeping an eye out for last-minute restriction changes will make us more prepared.

Be aware of the estimated COVID-19 testing costs to adjust your budget if the unexpected happens easily. Before the reopening of its borders, Australia required pre-departure and on-arrival COVID-19 tests. Here are the estimated costs for each test per person during that time:

  • On-arrival RT-PCR test – Free
  • Day-6 RT-PCR test (was required for  Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, and Victoria) – Free
  • Pre-departure RT-PCR test – $150 approx
  • Pre-departure RAT test – $33 approx

Bear in mind that the prices of COVID-19 tests vary in different countries. Several are now providing free testing, but other countries still require on-site tests. One RT-PCR test can be as low as $8 to as much as $400, while a RAT test can be as low as $2 to as much as $405. 

Final Words

Travel expenses are constantly in flux. What seems to be cheap now can be very expensive the next day. Even worse, several unexpected situations can put your travel plan in vain. In these cases, opt for changeable and refundable bookings, stash emergency cash, and make sure to be insured. 

Jo

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