StayAreas

Where to stay in Melbourne

Melbourne is a city of neighbourhoods linked by the world's largest tram network, with free trams inside the CBD. Stay in the CBD for laneway cafés, bars and easy transport; in Southbank for river views, the arts precinct and big hotels; in Fitzroy or Carlton for the inner-north's food, bars and Italian cafés; in South Yarra for shopping and the Botanic Gardens; or in St Kilda for the beach, the pier and its little penguins. Spring and autumn have the most settled weather; summers can swing from mild to very hot.

6 neighbourhoods compared · Typical mid-range hotel ~$165/night · Prices updated Oct 2026

Our recommendations

Compare Melbourne neighbourhoods

Pick what matters to you and we'll rank the areas.

What matters most to you?
Typical price per night

  • Melbourne CBD

    ~$170/night · 5 min to centre

    Best for First visit, Nightlife, Business

    Food
    5/5
    Nightlife
    5/5
    Transport
    5/5
    Quiet
    2/5
    View Melbourne CBD →

  • Southbank

    ~$200/night · 5 min to centre

    Best for Upscale, Families

    Food
    4/5
    Nightlife
    4/5
    Transport
    4/5
    Quiet
    3/5
    View Southbank →

  • Fitzroy & Collingwood

    ~$160/night · 15 min to centre

    Best for Nightlife, Budget

    Food
    5/5
    Nightlife
    5/5
    Transport
    3/5
    Quiet
    2/5
    View Fitzroy & Collingwood →

  • Carlton

    ~$145/night · 10 min to centre

    Best for Families, Budget

    Food
    4/5
    Nightlife
    3/5
    Transport
    4/5
    Quiet
    4/5
    View Carlton →

  • South Yarra

    ~$170/night · 15 min to centre

    Best for Upscale, Nightlife

    Food
    4/5
    Nightlife
    4/5
    Transport
    4/5
    Quiet
    3/5
    View South Yarra →

  • St Kilda

    ~$150/night · 25 min to centre

    Best for Budget, Families

    Food
    4/5
    Nightlife
    4/5
    Transport
    3/5
    Quiet
    3/5
    View St Kilda →

Typical mid-range double room per night, not live prices · Updated Oct 2026 · How we rate areas

Melbourne neighbourhoods on the map

Typical hotel prices in Melbourne

A typical mid-range double costs about $165 a night across the areas we cover. Budget hotels start around $100; luxury hotels average $325.

Southbank, South Yarra cost the most. Carlton, St Kilda are the cheapest, around $55 a night less than Southbank.

These are typical rates outside peak events, not live prices. Updated Oct 2026.

AreaBudgetMid-rangeLuxury
Carlton~$90~$145~$250
St Kilda~$90~$150~$275
Fitzroy & Collingwood~$100~$160~$265
Melbourne CBD~$105~$170~$365
South Yarra~$105~$170~$330
Southbank~$120~$200~$460

Melbourne FAQs

What is the best area to stay in Melbourne for first-time visitors?

Melbourne CBD. The grid of streets between Flinders Street Station and Queen Victoria Market, threaded with laneway cafés, rooftop bars, street art and Chinatown.

How much does a hotel in Melbourne cost per night?

Across the areas we cover, a typical mid-range double costs about $165 a night, from around $100 for budget hotels to $325 for luxury. Carlton (~$145) is the cheapest area and Southbank (~$200) the most expensive. These are typical rates, not live prices.

Where should I stay in Melbourne on a budget?

St Kilda, followed by Carlton, Fitzroy & Collingwood.

Which Melbourne neighbourhood is best for nightlife?

Fitzroy & Collingwood, followed by Melbourne CBD, South Yarra.

Where is the best area to stay in Melbourne with kids?

Carlton, followed by Southbank, St Kilda.

Which area is quickest to reach from Melbourne Airport?

Melbourne CBD: about 35 minutes (SkyBus to Southern Cross station, then a free tram inside the CBD). Southbank is next at about 40 minutes.