City in South Australia, Australia
Adelaide
Quiet, affordable and easy, with festivals, wine regions on the doorstep and beaches by tram. Smaller and less lively than Sydney or Melbourne; summers are very hot and dry.
At a glance
- Safety4/5Safe with normal careDetails
- Monthly budget$2,640–3,610Comfortable, one person · A$3,800–5,200Details
- Value for money28/100Better value than 27% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goMar–Apr, Sep–NovWarmest: Jan, 30°CDetails
- Air quality6 µg/m³PM2.5 annual average (2019) · Fairly cleanDetails
- Internet174 MbpsFixed broadband, Australia medianDetails
- Tap waterYes, drinkableTap water is safe but can taste hard or chlorinated.Details
- LGBTQ+5/5Very welcomingDetails
- Solo travel4/5English: spoken almost everywhereDetails
- Doctor's visit$56–104Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundUberVery walkableDetails
- Cash or cardPractically cashlessTap-to-pay almost everywhere; carry some cash for small market stalls.Details
Where to stay in Adelaide
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Adelaide CBD | Short stays near trams, markets and the Central Market |
| North Adelaide | Leafy, quiet and close to the parklands |
| Glenelg | Beachside with a direct tram to the city |
| Norwood–Parkside | Cafés, restaurants and good-value apartments |
Apps that work in Adelaide
Ride-hailing
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: WhatsApp, iMessage/SMS
- BOM Weather: Official forecasts and storm, heat, fire warnings
- Emergency+: Calls 000 and reads out your GPS location
- Taxis: Taxis are metered and accept cards. Airport rides add a fee.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Australia.
- Practically cashless Tap-to-pay almost everywhere; carry some cash for small market stalls.
- Currency: Dollar (AUD). US$1 ≈ A$1.44 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: ATMs are everywhere in towns; independent machines in pubs and shops charge about A$3–4. Decline the ATM's currency conversion.
- Tipping: Not expected; wages are high. Rounding up or about 10% for great restaurant service is appreciated. Weekend and public-holiday surcharges (10–15%) remain legal.
- Paying by phone: Apple Pay and Google Pay work almost everywhere, including contactless transit fares in Sydney and Brisbane.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Most visitors need an ETA, applied for only in the Australian ETA app (A$20 service charge), or a free eVisitor for EU and UK passports.
- Visitor visas don't allow work for Australian businesses; 18–30-year-olds (up to 35 for some nationalities) can apply for a Working Holiday visa.
- Biosecurity is strict: declare all food, plant and animal products on arrival; bags are X-rayed and false declarations bring fines or visa cancellation.
Emergency numbers
Police 000 · Ambulance 000 · Fire 000 · All emergencies 000
Plugs
Type I · 230 V, 50 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Prepaid SIMs from airports, supermarkets and post offices, about A$30–50 for 28 days; passport ID check at activation. Telstra covers the outback best. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in Australia
Going to Adelaide solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Adelaide meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.