Town in Northern Territory, Australia
Alice Springs
Outback hub for the Red Centre: West MacDonnell Ranges, Aboriginal art and the road to Uluru. Remote and pricey, with extreme heat, alcohol restrictions and higher crime than most towns.
At a glance
- Safety3/5Take real precautionsDetails
- Monthly budget$3,340–4,520Comfortable, one person · A$4,800–6,500Details
- Value for money9/100Better value than 8% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goApr–SepWarmest: Jan, 38°CDetails
- Internet174 MbpsFixed broadband, Australia medianDetails
- Tap waterYes, drinkableTap water is safe but from bores and quite hard.Details
- LGBTQ+3/5Tolerant, but be discreetDetails
- Solo travel3/5English: spoken almost everywhereDetails
- Doctor's visit$63–104Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundAlice Springs busWalkable centerDetails
- Cash or cardPractically cashlessCards and contactless work in town.Details
Where to stay in Alice Springs
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Todd Mall and CBD | Hostels, galleries, cafés and tour pickups; walkable |
| Desert Springs and Gap View | Quiet motels and apartments away from the center |
| Larapinta | Residential area near the Telegraph Station and cheaper rentals |
Apps that work in Alice Springs
No ride-hailing apps work here; see the taxi note below.
- 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: Local taxis only; book ahead for evenings and the airport. Check the Uber app in case it operates.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Australia.
- Practically cashless Cards and contactless work in town. Carry cash for remote roadhouses, community stops and some art centres.
- 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
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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.