Capital city in Australian Capital Territory, Australia
Canberra
Planned capital of national museums, parks and universities, with a calm pace and good cycling. Cold winters, limited nightlife and distances that favor a car or bike.
At a glance
- Safety5/5Very safeDetails
- Monthly budget$3,340–4,520Comfortable, one person · A$4,800–6,500Details
- Value for money16/100Better value than 15% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goMar–Apr, Oct–NovWarmest: Jan, 30°CDetails
- Air quality14 µg/m³PM2.5 annual average (2019) · ModerateDetails
- Internet174 MbpsFixed broadband, Australia medianDetails
- Tap waterYes, drinkableTap water is safe and good.Details
- LGBTQ+4/5WelcomingDetails
- Solo travel3/5English: spoken almost everywhereDetails
- Doctor's visit$59–94Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundUberWalkable centerDetails
- Cash or cardPractically cashlessContactless works almost everywhere; museums and national attractions accept cards.Details
Where to stay in Canberra
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| City Centre (Civic) | Hotels, restaurants, light rail and the lake |
| Braddon and Kingston | Cafés, bars and breweries; social and walkable |
| Manuka and Griffith | Quiet, leafy stays near parliament and shops |
| Dickson | Cheaper food, Asian restaurants and a casual feel |
Apps that work in Canberra
- 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 available at the airport and Civic ranks. Rideshare is cheaper and easier at night.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Australia.
- Practically cashless Contactless works almost everywhere; museums and national attractions accept cards.
- 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 Canberra solo?
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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.