My Travel Choices

MTC cost guide

How much does a week in Melbourne cost?

A summer city week in Melbourne: one central hotel per tier, the Melbourne City Express from MEL, free-tram-zone walking, NGV and laneway food. No Great Ocean Road overnight.

Scope, dates and party

These are dated ground-cost examples for two adults sharing one room, staying six nights over seven days, 12–18 January 2027, researched on 30 September 2026. International flights, visas, insurance and shopping are excluded. They are planning examples, not live booking offers or year-round price ranges.

What is specific to this budget

  • Each hotel line is the supplier's room price; the supplier tax is reconstructed separately and counted once, so nothing is taxed twice. Zero-value supplier fee fields are not shown as free extras.
  • All meals are budgeted outside the hotel; no included breakfast is assumed. If your booking includes meals, remove the matching meals before repricing.
  • The airport transfer is the AUD 43.40 Melbourne City Express fare from MEL; Avalon Airport is not used.
  • The budget, mid-range and luxury tiers are led by the hotel: each tier is one named hotel observed for these dates as a research benchmark, not bookable inventory or a guaranteed future price. Baskets A and B keep the hotel and change the food and activity mix; a higher hotel tier does not imply luxury dining or private transport.
  • What changes the bill most: the hotel you pick, the season and exact dates, and whether you keep to public transport. Party composition and room requirements can change pricing; these examples are for two adults in one room, so a different party needs repricing rather than linear multiplication.

January in Melbourne

January is peak summer with hot spells and the Australian Open in the second half of the month, which can push up hotel rates on nearby dates. Weather changes fast, so pack layers.

Dated cost examples

Six dated, itemised examples from 2027-01-12 to 2027-01-18: 6 nights and 7 days for two adults sharing one room, which is 14 person-days. Prices are as observed in September 2026, cover ground costs only, and are not multiplied out to other party sizes or trip lengths.

Dated planning estimate for two adults sharing one room at a time, 12–18 January 2027: seven days and six nights. Flights excluded. Reprice your actual dates, party, rooms, meals and transfers before booking.

Arrival is Melbourne Airport (MEL) with the AUD 43.40 Melbourne City Express fare; Avalon Airport is not used. Free NGV collection entry excludes paid exhibitions. Great Ocean Road overnights are not included.

Budget · Example A

Total for two adults

1,573.85 USD

112.42 USD per person per ground day

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  • The Great Southern Hotel Melbourne room base

    6 × 107.32 USD (room-night) = 643.92 USD ≈ 643.92 USD

    Dated supplier observation; final room, meals, fees and cancellation terms need confirmation.

  • The Great Southern Hotel Melbourne tax reconstruction

    6 × 10.73 USD (room-night) = 64.38 USD ≈ 64.38 USD

    Reconstructed supplier tax field, counted once; not an itemised invoice.

  • MEL City Express return

    2 × 43.4 AUD (adult return) = 86.8 AUD ≈ 60.65 USD

    Published tariff used for planning; recheck the price and January operating dates.

  • Southern Cross–hotel vehicle legs

    2 × 20 AUD (vehicle journey) = 40 AUD ≈ 27.95 USD

    Editorial planning allowance, not a supplier quote.

  • Local vehicles including St Kilda outing legs

    4 × 25 AUD (vehicle journey) = 100 AUD ≈ 69.87 USD

    Editorial planning allowance, not a supplier quote.

  • NGV collection entry; exhibitions excluded

    2 × 0 AUD (adult admission) = 0 AUD ≈ 0.00 USD

    Published free access for the specified collection only; paid exhibitions and extras are excluded.

  • Optional museum allowance included in model

    2 × 30 AUD (adult activity allowance) = 60 AUD ≈ 41.92 USD

    Editorial planning allowance, not a supplier quote.

  • Breakfast outside hotel

    14 × 10 AUD (person meal) = 140 AUD ≈ 97.82 USD

    Editorial meal allowance; actual restaurant choices and prices will differ.

  • Lunch outside hotel

    14 × 20 AUD (person meal) = 280 AUD ≈ 195.64 USD

    Editorial meal allowance; actual restaurant choices and prices will differ.

  • Dinner outside hotel

    14 × 30 AUD (person meal) = 420 AUD ≈ 293.45 USD

    Editorial meal allowance; actual restaurant choices and prices will differ.

  • Drinks and snacks, no alcohol

    14 × 8 AUD (person day) = 112 AUD ≈ 78.25 USD

    Editorial meal allowance; actual restaurant choices and prices will differ.

Dated estimate for two adults sharing one room, 12–18 January 2027, seven calendar days/six nights. International and domestic flights, visas, insurance, shopping and unlisted excursions are excluded. Hotel room category, meal plan and final cancellation terms were not fully exposed. The model chooses separately purchased meals; no hotel meal inclusion is claimed. Supplier tax fields are reconstructed, not an itemised invoice. Published transport and attraction tariffs are planning benchmarks, not confirmed January inventory. Editorial allowances are labelled. Reprice the actual trip before booking. Event demand may affect these particular January prices. Avalon transfers and regional road trips are excluded.

Budget · Example B

Total for two adults

2,004.25 USD

143.16 USD per person per ground day

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  • The Great Southern Hotel Melbourne room base

    6 × 107.32 USD (room-night) = 643.92 USD ≈ 643.92 USD

    Dated supplier observation; final room, meals, fees and cancellation terms need confirmation.

  • The Great Southern Hotel Melbourne tax reconstruction

    6 × 10.73 USD (room-night) = 64.38 USD ≈ 64.38 USD

    Reconstructed supplier tax field, counted once; not an itemised invoice.

  • MEL City Express return

    2 × 43.4 AUD (adult return) = 86.8 AUD ≈ 60.65 USD

    Published tariff used for planning; recheck the price and January operating dates.

  • Southern Cross–hotel vehicle legs

    2 × 20 AUD (vehicle journey) = 40 AUD ≈ 27.95 USD

    Editorial planning allowance, not a supplier quote.

  • Local vehicles including St Kilda outing legs

    4 × 25 AUD (vehicle journey) = 100 AUD ≈ 69.87 USD

    Editorial planning allowance, not a supplier quote.

  • NGV collection entry; exhibitions excluded

    2 × 0 AUD (adult admission) = 0 AUD ≈ 0.00 USD

    Published free access for the specified collection only; paid exhibitions and extras are excluded.

  • Optional museum allowance included in model

    2 × 30 AUD (adult activity allowance) = 60 AUD ≈ 41.92 USD

    Editorial planning allowance, not a supplier quote.

  • Breakfast outside hotel

    14 × 20 AUD (person meal) = 280 AUD ≈ 195.64 USD

    Editorial meal allowance; actual restaurant choices and prices will differ.

  • Lunch outside hotel

    14 × 30 AUD (person meal) = 420 AUD ≈ 293.45 USD

    Editorial meal allowance; actual restaurant choices and prices will differ.

  • Dinner outside hotel

    14 × 50 AUD (person meal) = 700 AUD ≈ 489.09 USD

    Editorial meal allowance; actual restaurant choices and prices will differ.

  • Drinks and snacks, no alcohol

    14 × 12 AUD (person day) = 168 AUD ≈ 117.38 USD

    Editorial meal allowance; actual restaurant choices and prices will differ.

Dated estimate for two adults sharing one room, 12–18 January 2027, seven calendar days/six nights. International and domestic flights, visas, insurance, shopping and unlisted excursions are excluded. Hotel room category, meal plan and final cancellation terms were not fully exposed. The model chooses separately purchased meals; no hotel meal inclusion is claimed. Supplier tax fields are reconstructed, not an itemised invoice. Published transport and attraction tariffs are planning benchmarks, not confirmed January inventory. Editorial allowances are labelled. Reprice the actual trip before booking. Event demand may affect these particular January prices. Avalon transfers and regional road trips are excluded.

Mid-range · Example A

Total for two adults

1,976.09 USD

141.15 USD per person per ground day

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  • Hotel Indigo Melbourne on Flinders by IHG room base

    6 × 168.26 USD (room-night) = 1,009.56 USD ≈ 1,009.56 USD

    Dated supplier observation; final room, meals, fees and cancellation terms need confirmation.

  • Hotel Indigo Melbourne on Flinders by IHG tax reconstruction

    6 × 16.83 USD (room-night) = 100.98 USD ≈ 100.98 USD

    Reconstructed supplier tax field, counted once; not an itemised invoice.

  • MEL City Express return

    2 × 43.4 AUD (adult return) = 86.8 AUD ≈ 60.65 USD

    Published tariff used for planning; recheck the price and January operating dates.

  • Southern Cross–hotel vehicle legs

    2 × 20 AUD (vehicle journey) = 40 AUD ≈ 27.95 USD

    Editorial planning allowance, not a supplier quote.

  • Local vehicles including St Kilda outing legs

    4 × 25 AUD (vehicle journey) = 100 AUD ≈ 69.87 USD

    Editorial planning allowance, not a supplier quote.

  • NGV collection entry; exhibitions excluded

    2 × 0 AUD (adult admission) = 0 AUD ≈ 0.00 USD

    Published free access for the specified collection only; paid exhibitions and extras are excluded.

  • Optional museum allowance included in model

    2 × 30 AUD (adult activity allowance) = 60 AUD ≈ 41.92 USD

    Editorial planning allowance, not a supplier quote.

  • Breakfast outside hotel

    14 × 10 AUD (person meal) = 140 AUD ≈ 97.82 USD

    Editorial meal allowance; actual restaurant choices and prices will differ.

  • Lunch outside hotel

    14 × 20 AUD (person meal) = 280 AUD ≈ 195.64 USD

    Editorial meal allowance; actual restaurant choices and prices will differ.

  • Dinner outside hotel

    14 × 30 AUD (person meal) = 420 AUD ≈ 293.45 USD

    Editorial meal allowance; actual restaurant choices and prices will differ.

  • Drinks and snacks, no alcohol

    14 × 8 AUD (person day) = 112 AUD ≈ 78.25 USD

    Editorial meal allowance; actual restaurant choices and prices will differ.

Dated estimate for two adults sharing one room, 12–18 January 2027, seven calendar days/six nights. International and domestic flights, visas, insurance, shopping and unlisted excursions are excluded. Hotel room category, meal plan and final cancellation terms were not fully exposed. The model chooses separately purchased meals; no hotel meal inclusion is claimed. Supplier tax fields are reconstructed, not an itemised invoice. Published transport and attraction tariffs are planning benchmarks, not confirmed January inventory. Editorial allowances are labelled. Reprice the actual trip before booking. Event demand may affect these particular January prices. Avalon transfers and regional road trips are excluded.

Mid-range · Example B

Total for two adults

2,406.49 USD

171.89 USD per person per ground day

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  • Hotel Indigo Melbourne on Flinders by IHG room base

    6 × 168.26 USD (room-night) = 1,009.56 USD ≈ 1,009.56 USD

    Dated supplier observation; final room, meals, fees and cancellation terms need confirmation.

  • Hotel Indigo Melbourne on Flinders by IHG tax reconstruction

    6 × 16.83 USD (room-night) = 100.98 USD ≈ 100.98 USD

    Reconstructed supplier tax field, counted once; not an itemised invoice.

  • MEL City Express return

    2 × 43.4 AUD (adult return) = 86.8 AUD ≈ 60.65 USD

    Published tariff used for planning; recheck the price and January operating dates.

  • Southern Cross–hotel vehicle legs

    2 × 20 AUD (vehicle journey) = 40 AUD ≈ 27.95 USD

    Editorial planning allowance, not a supplier quote.

  • Local vehicles including St Kilda outing legs

    4 × 25 AUD (vehicle journey) = 100 AUD ≈ 69.87 USD

    Editorial planning allowance, not a supplier quote.

  • NGV collection entry; exhibitions excluded

    2 × 0 AUD (adult admission) = 0 AUD ≈ 0.00 USD

    Published free access for the specified collection only; paid exhibitions and extras are excluded.

  • Optional museum allowance included in model

    2 × 30 AUD (adult activity allowance) = 60 AUD ≈ 41.92 USD

    Editorial planning allowance, not a supplier quote.

  • Breakfast outside hotel

    14 × 20 AUD (person meal) = 280 AUD ≈ 195.64 USD

    Editorial meal allowance; actual restaurant choices and prices will differ.

  • Lunch outside hotel

    14 × 30 AUD (person meal) = 420 AUD ≈ 293.45 USD

    Editorial meal allowance; actual restaurant choices and prices will differ.

  • Dinner outside hotel

    14 × 50 AUD (person meal) = 700 AUD ≈ 489.09 USD

    Editorial meal allowance; actual restaurant choices and prices will differ.

  • Drinks and snacks, no alcohol

    14 × 12 AUD (person day) = 168 AUD ≈ 117.38 USD

    Editorial meal allowance; actual restaurant choices and prices will differ.

Dated estimate for two adults sharing one room, 12–18 January 2027, seven calendar days/six nights. International and domestic flights, visas, insurance, shopping and unlisted excursions are excluded. Hotel room category, meal plan and final cancellation terms were not fully exposed. The model chooses separately purchased meals; no hotel meal inclusion is claimed. Supplier tax fields are reconstructed, not an itemised invoice. Published transport and attraction tariffs are planning benchmarks, not confirmed January inventory. Editorial allowances are labelled. Reprice the actual trip before booking. Event demand may affect these particular January prices. Avalon transfers and regional road trips are excluded.

Premium · Example A

Total for two adults

3,627.47 USD

259.11 USD per person per ground day

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  • Crown Towers Melbourne room base

    6 × 418.47 USD (room-night) = 2,510.82 USD ≈ 2,510.82 USD

    Dated supplier observation; final room, meals, fees and cancellation terms need confirmation.

  • Crown Towers Melbourne tax reconstruction

    6 × 41.85 USD (room-night) = 251.1 USD ≈ 251.10 USD

    Reconstructed supplier tax field, counted once; not an itemised invoice.

  • MEL City Express return

    2 × 43.4 AUD (adult return) = 86.8 AUD ≈ 60.65 USD

    Published tariff used for planning; recheck the price and January operating dates.

  • Southern Cross–hotel vehicle legs

    2 × 20 AUD (vehicle journey) = 40 AUD ≈ 27.95 USD

    Editorial planning allowance, not a supplier quote.

  • Local vehicles including St Kilda outing legs

    4 × 25 AUD (vehicle journey) = 100 AUD ≈ 69.87 USD

    Editorial planning allowance, not a supplier quote.

  • NGV collection entry; exhibitions excluded

    2 × 0 AUD (adult admission) = 0 AUD ≈ 0.00 USD

    Published free access for the specified collection only; paid exhibitions and extras are excluded.

  • Optional museum allowance included in model

    2 × 30 AUD (adult activity allowance) = 60 AUD ≈ 41.92 USD

    Editorial planning allowance, not a supplier quote.

  • Breakfast outside hotel

    14 × 10 AUD (person meal) = 140 AUD ≈ 97.82 USD

    Editorial meal allowance; actual restaurant choices and prices will differ.

  • Lunch outside hotel

    14 × 20 AUD (person meal) = 280 AUD ≈ 195.64 USD

    Editorial meal allowance; actual restaurant choices and prices will differ.

  • Dinner outside hotel

    14 × 30 AUD (person meal) = 420 AUD ≈ 293.45 USD

    Editorial meal allowance; actual restaurant choices and prices will differ.

  • Drinks and snacks, no alcohol

    14 × 8 AUD (person day) = 112 AUD ≈ 78.25 USD

    Editorial meal allowance; actual restaurant choices and prices will differ.

Dated estimate for two adults sharing one room, 12–18 January 2027, seven calendar days/six nights. International and domestic flights, visas, insurance, shopping and unlisted excursions are excluded. Hotel room category, meal plan and final cancellation terms were not fully exposed. The model chooses separately purchased meals; no hotel meal inclusion is claimed. Supplier tax fields are reconstructed, not an itemised invoice. Published transport and attraction tariffs are planning benchmarks, not confirmed January inventory. Editorial allowances are labelled. Reprice the actual trip before booking. Event demand may affect these particular January prices. Avalon transfers and regional road trips are excluded.

Premium · Example B

Total for two adults

4,057.87 USD

289.85 USD per person per ground day

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Show itemised lines

  • Crown Towers Melbourne room base

    6 × 418.47 USD (room-night) = 2,510.82 USD ≈ 2,510.82 USD

    Dated supplier observation; final room, meals, fees and cancellation terms need confirmation.

  • Crown Towers Melbourne tax reconstruction

    6 × 41.85 USD (room-night) = 251.1 USD ≈ 251.10 USD

    Reconstructed supplier tax field, counted once; not an itemised invoice.

  • MEL City Express return

    2 × 43.4 AUD (adult return) = 86.8 AUD ≈ 60.65 USD

    Published tariff used for planning; recheck the price and January operating dates.

  • Southern Cross–hotel vehicle legs

    2 × 20 AUD (vehicle journey) = 40 AUD ≈ 27.95 USD

    Editorial planning allowance, not a supplier quote.

  • Local vehicles including St Kilda outing legs

    4 × 25 AUD (vehicle journey) = 100 AUD ≈ 69.87 USD

    Editorial planning allowance, not a supplier quote.

  • NGV collection entry; exhibitions excluded

    2 × 0 AUD (adult admission) = 0 AUD ≈ 0.00 USD

    Published free access for the specified collection only; paid exhibitions and extras are excluded.

  • Optional museum allowance included in model

    2 × 30 AUD (adult activity allowance) = 60 AUD ≈ 41.92 USD

    Editorial planning allowance, not a supplier quote.

  • Breakfast outside hotel

    14 × 20 AUD (person meal) = 280 AUD ≈ 195.64 USD

    Editorial meal allowance; actual restaurant choices and prices will differ.

  • Lunch outside hotel

    14 × 30 AUD (person meal) = 420 AUD ≈ 293.45 USD

    Editorial meal allowance; actual restaurant choices and prices will differ.

  • Dinner outside hotel

    14 × 50 AUD (person meal) = 700 AUD ≈ 489.09 USD

    Editorial meal allowance; actual restaurant choices and prices will differ.

  • Drinks and snacks, no alcohol

    14 × 12 AUD (person day) = 168 AUD ≈ 117.38 USD

    Editorial meal allowance; actual restaurant choices and prices will differ.

Dated estimate for two adults sharing one room, 12–18 January 2027, seven calendar days/six nights. International and domestic flights, visas, insurance, shopping and unlisted excursions are excluded. Hotel room category, meal plan and final cancellation terms were not fully exposed. The model chooses separately purchased meals; no hotel meal inclusion is claimed. Supplier tax fields are reconstructed, not an itemised invoice. Published transport and attraction tariffs are planning benchmarks, not confirmed January inventory. Editorial allowances are labelled. Reprice the actual trip before booking. Event demand may affect these particular January prices. Avalon transfers and regional road trips are excluded.

Not included: all flights including any positioning flight, visas, insurance, shopping, unlisted excursions, late-night service disruption or flight delay costs

Reference exchange rates dated 2026-09-30: 1 USD = 1.43123 AUD. Your card rate at payment may differ.

Practical notes

This model uses MEL and the Melbourne City Express, not Avalon Airport. Free NGV collection access does not include paid exhibitions. Match entry permission to the traveller’s passport through the official Australian process. Ask venues about halal preparation; broad restaurant choice does not certify every menu.

Limits of these examples

Dated estimate for two adults sharing one room, 12–18 January 2027, seven calendar days/six nights. International and domestic flights, visas, insurance, shopping and unlisted excursions are excluded. Hotel room category, meal plan and final cancellation terms were not fully exposed. The model chooses separately purchased meals; no hotel meal inclusion is claimed. Supplier tax fields are reconstructed, not an itemised invoice. Published transport and attraction tariffs are planning benchmarks, not confirmed January inventory. Editorial allowances are labelled. Reprice the actual trip before booking. Event demand may affect these particular January prices. Avalon transfers and regional road trips are excluded.

Cost sources (6)

Compiled and totalled by My Travel Choices (MTC) from the dated sources credited with each example. Research estimates, not bookable offers. How we build these examples · Cite this guide

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