City in Queensland, Australia
Brisbane
Subtropical river city with a relaxed outdoor lifestyle, good ferries and an easy base for Queensland's coast. Summer is humid and stormy, and nightlife is smaller than Sydney's.
At a glance
- Safety4/5Safe with normal careDetails
- Monthly budget$3,130–4,310Comfortable, one person · A$4,500–6,200Details
- Value for money18/100Better value than 17% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goApr–SepWarmest: Jan, 29°CDetails
- Air quality8 µg/m³PM2.5 annual average (2019) · Fairly cleanDetails
- Internet174 MbpsFixed broadband, Australia medianDetails
- Tap waterYes, drinkableBrisbane tap water is safe.Details
- LGBTQ+4/5WelcomingDetails
- Solo travel4/5English: spoken almost everywhereDetails
- Doctor's visit$56–104Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundUberWalkable centerDetails
- Cash or cardPractically cashlessTap-to-pay works almost everywhere; some venues are card-only.Details
Where to stay in Brisbane
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| South Brisbane–West End | Cafés, markets, South Bank and easy city access |
| Fortitude Valley | Nightlife, live music and hostels |
| New Farm–Teneriffe | Riverside walks, cafés and apartments |
| Paddington–Milton | Hillside suburb with bars and restaurants |
| CBD | Short stays near trains and ferries |
Apps that work in Brisbane
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. Rank queues at the Valley are long late on Fridays and Saturdays.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Australia.
- Practically cashless Tap-to-pay works almost everywhere; some venues are card-only. Cash is rarely needed.
- 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.