Cairns travel budget

Cairns: calculate your travel budget

Sample budgets for a trip to Cairns

These example budgets assume a 2-week holiday in Cairns for 2 people.

Low budget
(backpacker)

Daily budget:

  • $ 77 for 2 ppl.
  • $ 19 per person
  • $ 14 per person
  • Free activities

Total budget:

$ 1947* (3024 $)

Average budget
(traveller)

Daily budget:

  • $ 121 for 2 ppl.
  • $ 45 per person
  • $ 30 per person
  • $ 13 per person

Total budget:

$ 4124* (6398 $)

High budget
(tourist)

Daily budget:

  • $ 157 for 2 ppl.
  • $ 83 per person
  • $ 59 per person
  • $ 26 per person

Total budget:

$ 6871* (10654 $)

* estimated local budget for 2 people for 2 weeks (excluding plane tickets).



Cost of living in Cairns compared to United States in 2024

Compare with the average cost of living in:

On average, the cost of living in Cairns in 2024 is 13% higher than the average cost of living in the United States (USA).

See the graphic below for the price variation percentage by type of expense in Cairns in 2024 compared to average prices in the United States (USA):




Local prices in Cairns by expense type

Restaurant budget in Cairns

On average, budget for eating in a restaurant in Cairns is essentially the same as in the United States (USA).
Lunch
Lunch
$ 16/person
($ 5.2 to $ 30)

22% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 20
3 course dinner
3 course dinner
$ 47/person
($ 26 to $ 66)

24% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 37
McDonald's meal
McDonald's meal
$ 10/person
($ 10 to $ 11)

9% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 11
Local beer
Local beer
$ 6.5 for 500ml
($ 3.9 to $ 8.4)

11% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.9
Imported beer
Imported beer
$ 3.6 for 330ml
($ 2 to $ 4.5)

3% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.5
Cappuccino
Cappuccino
$ 4.1/cup
($ 3.3 to $ 4.5)

20% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.1
Fizzy drink
Fizzy drink
$ 3/can
($ 2.6 to $ 3.9)

18% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.5
Water bottle
Water bottle
$ 2.4/bottle
($ 2.3 to $ 3.3)

21% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2

Hotel and accommodation budget in Cairns

On average, hotel and accommodation budget in Cairns is 23% cheaper than in the United States (USA).
1-star hotel
1-star hotel
$ 137/night
($ 43 to $ 694)

18% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 168
2-star hotel
2-star hotel
$ 119/night
($ 40 to $ 435)

22% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 152
3-star hotel
3-star hotel
$ 123/night
($ 52 to $ 423)

45% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 224
4-star hotel
4-star hotel
$ 190/night
($ 62 to $ 759)

37% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 305
5-star hotel
5-star hotel
$ 285/night
($ 126 to $ 1211)

34% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 437
Hostel/Youth Hostel
Hostel/Youth Hostel
$ 113/month
($ 41 to $ 420)

30% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 163
Room with kitchen
Room with kitchen
$ 189/month
($ 41 to $ 964)

20% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 237
Hotel with swimming pool
Hotel with swimming pool
$ 173/month
($ 45 to $ 963)

15% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 204
Cottage or guest house
Cottage or guest house
$ 150/month
($ 138 to $ 166)

32% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 221
Family room
Family room
$ 246/month
($ 75 to $ 1025)

22% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 202

Supermarket food budget in Cairns

On average, the price of supermarket food in Cairns is essentially the same as in the United States (USA).
Milk
Milk
$ 1.7/litre
($ 0.8 to $ 2.6)

64% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1
Bread
Bread
$ 2.4/500g
($ 1.1 to $ 3.9)

30% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.5
Rice
Rice
$ 2.2/kg
($ 0.9 to $ 3.9)

50% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.5
Eggs
Eggs
$ 4/12 eggs
($ 2.7 to $ 5.5)

10% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.6
Chicken
Chicken
$ 9.3/kg
($ 6.5 to $ 13)

21% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 12
Apples
Apples
$ 3.1/kg
($ 2.6 to $ 3.9)

41% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.2
Tomatoes
Tomatoes
$ 7.2/kg
($ 3.9 to $ 11)

50% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.8
Potatoes
Potatoes
$ 2.3/kg
($ 1.6 to $ 2.6)

22% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.9
Water bottle
Water bottle
$ 3
($ 0.6 to $ 4.5)

36% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.2

Public and private transport budget in Cairns

On average, the price of transport in Cairns is 38% more expensive than in the United States (USA).
Bus ticket
Bus ticket
$ 3.3/ticket
($ 1.3 to $ 3.3)

33% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.5
Taxi (per km)
Taxi (per km)
$ 3.3/km
($ 3.3 to $ 3.3)

92% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.7
Petrol
Petrol
$ 1.2/litre
($ 1.2 to $ 1.2)

20% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 0.9
Taxi (initial pick-up charge)
Taxi (initial pick-up charge)
$ 6.5
( $ 6.5)

80% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.6
Car hire
Car hire
$ 47/24hrs
($ 18 to $ 159)

34% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 71

Leisure activity budget in Cairns

On average, budget for leisure activities in Cairns is 29% cheaper than in the United States (USA).
Cinema
Cinema
$ 13/ticket
($ 13 to $ 13)

5% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 14
Tennis
Tennis
$ 10/hr
( $ 10)

53% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 21

Budget for clothes and price of cigarettes in Cairns

On average, shopping budget in Cairns is 92% more expensive than in the United States (USA).
Cigarettes
Cigarettes
$ 30/pack
($ 30 to $ 30)

198% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 10
Levi's jeans
Levi's jeans
$ 68
($ 21 to $ 99)

30% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 52
Summer dress
Summer dress
$ 63
($ 60 to $ 66)

47% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 43

Plane ticket budget

Melbourne → Cairns
Melbourne → Cairns
Melbourne → Cairns
$ 242
(fair price: $ 200)
Sydney → Cairns
Sydney → Cairns
Sydney → Cairns
$ 223
(fair price: $ 190)
London → Cairns
London → Cairns
London → Cairns
$ 1579
(fair price: $ 1313)
Auckland → Cairns
Auckland → Cairns
Auckland → Cairns
$ 629
(fair price: $ 506)
Manchester → Cairns
Manchester → Cairns
Manchester → Cairns
$ 1805
(fair price: $ 1480)
Los Angeles → Cairns
Los Angeles  → Cairns
Los Angeles  → Cairns
$ 1556
(fair price: $ 1236)

Book a flight Flight prices to Cairns




About this information on the cost of living in Cairns

The information about the cost of living in Cairns shown on this page comes from multiple sources, including: Numbeo, Skyscanner and Hotels.com.

The information about the cost of living in Cairns was updated on 12-11-2024.

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