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Central & Convenient
Voco Melbourne Central By Ihg
Melbourne
A 3-star Melbourne stay with upper-floor king rooms, a bar, and a casino on site — handy for city breaks.
Cheap and budget hotels · Victoria · Australia
We reviewed 90 hotels in Melbourne across every price band and picked the 25 best-rated, so you can book with confidence and keep more for exploring.
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Central & Convenient
Melbourne
A 3-star Melbourne stay with upper-floor king rooms, a bar, and a casino on site — handy for city breaks.
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Backpackers
Melbourne
A lively St Kilda hostel with free breakfast, social events, and easy tram access to the city.
S
Central & Clean
Melbourne Hostel
Clean, friendly hostel in central Melbourne with a rooftop hot tub, cinema and gym — strong value for budget travellers.
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Central & practical
Melbourne Aparthotel
A practical base near Queen Victoria Market with apartment options and a solid 7.2 guest rating across 3,201 reviews.
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Central & Self-catering
Melbourne Aparthotel
Central Melbourne apartments with kitchenettes and an outdoor pool, close to trams and the CBD.
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Central & friendly
Melbourne
A well-priced, central stay near Southern Cross Station, with staff who go out of their way to help.
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CBD value
Melbourne
Right in the action on Elizabeth Street, with the free tram, bars, and the Australian Open venues minutes away.
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Guest favorite
Melbourne
Top marks from guests for its rooms and facilities in North Melbourne.
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Practical stay
Melbourne Aparthotel
A practical Melbourne base with a pool, restaurant, and consistently praised staff and location.
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Budget Central
Melbourne Hostel
A central Brisbane hostel with free breakfast, a rooftop terrace, and a social vibe.
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Budget-friendly
Melbourne
Affordable rooms with free Wi-Fi and parking, near public transport and the airport.
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Central & Social
Melbourne Hostel
Central Melbourne hostel near Flinders Street Station with free breakfast, a social rooftop bar, and a range of private and dorm rooms.
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Pub stay
Melbourne
A lively pub-stay near The Astor Theatre with a great bar, generous portions, and a friendly local vibe.
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City convenient
Melbourne
Staff rated 9.0 and a location that puts the tram, Docklands Stadium, and the convention centre within easy reach.
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Central & affordable
Melbourne
A budget-friendly stay on Swanston Street, within walking distance of Myer Melbourne and the National Gallery of Victoria.
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Guest favourite
Melbourne
A well-rated 3-star hotel in Melbourne CBD, praised for its helpful staff and convenient location near trams and restaurants.
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Budget-friendly
Melbourne Hostel
A social, budget-friendly hostel in Melbourne's free tram zone with dorms and private rooms.
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Central & Practical
Melbourne
A well-located base near Carlton's dining and nightlife, with parking, breakfast, and staff praised for their friendliness.
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Value Stay
Melbourne Hostel
A budget-friendly Melbourne stay with self check-in, digital locks, and a well-maintained shared kitchen.
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Entertainment district
Melbourne
A compact, smoke-free choice in Melbourne's entertainment district, with a restaurant and bar on site.
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3-star Melbourne hotel
Melbourne
A well-located Melbourne hotel with free Wi-Fi, parking, and a restaurant, near the airport and major shopping.
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Lively & central
Melbourne
A buzzing St Kilda hostel with live music, karaoke, and a nightclub, just a short walk from the beach and trams.
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Lygon Street location
Melbourne Aparthotel
A Carlton stay on lively Lygon Street, near trams, restaurants and the university, with modern rooms and helpful staff.
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Affordable & functional
Melbourne
A budget-friendly 14-room hotel-motel with included breakfast, free parking, and easy airport access.
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City Convenience
Melbourne Guest house
A practical stay with on-site parking, just a 6-minute walk from the Immigration Museum.
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Budget comfort
Melbourne Motel
Straightforward and clean, with a rooftop kitchen and a location that puts the rest of the city close at hand.
B
Central & Practical
Melbourne
Handy location, free parking, and a welcoming team make this a practical base for exploring Melbourne.
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Convenient
Melbourne Motel
Close to the Royal Melbourne Hospital and two tram lines, with free parking and a filling in-room breakfast.
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Central St Kilda
Melbourne
Contemporary rooms and apartments in St Kilda, steps from the beach, Acland Street's cafés, and the Palais Theatre.
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Airport convenience
Melbourne Guest house
A clean, budget-friendly stay 7 minutes from Melbourne Airport, with free parking and a shared kitchen.
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Adults-only
Melbourne Hostel
An adults-only hostel with a 5.0 rating, right in the Free Tram Zone and a short walk from Queen Victoria Market.
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Family-friendly
Melbourne Motel
Serviced apartments with kitchenettes and family rooms, close to Royal Park and Sydney Road.
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Pet-Friendly
Melbourne Aparthotel
Spacious, clean apartments with full kitchens and genuinely friendly staff, close to trams and Collingwood's dining strip.
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Airport Convenience
Melbourne
A handy airport-adjacent stay with free parking, a bistro, and recently updated rooms.
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East Melbourne value
Melbourne
Well-priced, self-catering apartments close to Fitzroy Gardens with easy tram access to the CBD.
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CBD Aparthotel
Melbourne Aparthotel
A well-rated aparthotel with spacious apartments, friendly staff, and a central Melbourne CBD location near shopping and trams.
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Airport convenient
Melbourne
Convenient budget base near the airport with free parking and easy tram access.
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Social & Central
Melbourne Hostel
A friendly, central Melbourne hostel with top-notch staff and a great social vibe.
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Docklands base
Melbourne Apartment
A compact, well-rated aparthotel in Docklands with the free tram at the door, water views and a 8.7 value score.
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Central & practical
Melbourne Aparthotel
Apartment-style rooms with kitchens on Chapel Street, close to shops, restaurants and transport.
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Historic hostel
Melbourne Hostel
Historic 5-star hostel with free tram access, renovated dorms, and a sociable atmosphere.
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Good value
Melbourne Aparthotel
Budget-friendly apartments in St Kilda with cooking facilities, secure parking, and easy tram access.
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Backpackers
A sociable, value-focused hostel above a pub with free breakfast and a tram stop right outside.
C
Central & Lively
Melbourne Hostel
A lively hostel near Melbourne Central with live entertainment, a nightclub, and a well-equipped shared kitchen.
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Pub stay
Melbourne
A friendly pub stay near Essendon station, with a well-liked restaurant and easy airport access.
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Eco-friendly
Melbourne Hostel
Clean, eco-conscious hostel near the free tram zone with a rooftop view and friendly staff.
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Southbank Apartments
Melbourne Aparthotel
Spacious, well-priced apartments on a quiet street near trams, the Botanic Gardens, and South Melbourne Market.
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Central & practical
Melbourne Aparthotel
Self-catering apartments in Carlton with a prime Lygon Street location and on-site parking.
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Budget-friendly
Melbourne Motel
A budget-friendly motel with an outdoor pool and easy tram access to Melbourne's CBD.
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Tram-side motel
Melbourne Motel
A compact 9-room motel with modern rooms, free parking, and easy tram access.
Map & live prices by our partner
The CBD is where you'll find the most concentrated cluster of budget hotels, all within the free tram zone and close to major attractions. Ibis Budget - Melbourne Cbd is a standout for value at $65 AUD, sitting right on Elizabeth Street with bars and the Australian Open venues minutes away. Best Western Melbourne City at $69 AUD is another well-priced option, with staff rated 9.0 for service and a location that puts the tram and Docklands Stadium within easy reach. For a step up in price, Causeway Inn On The Mall at $107 AUD includes breakfast and places you right on Bourke Street Mall.
For the price of a basic hotel room, you can often get a serviced apartment with a kitchen and more space. Tribeca Serviced Apartments in East Melbourne offers self-catering apartments close to Fitzroy Gardens with easy tram access to the CBD, priced at $119 AUD. Cosmopolitan Hotel And Apartments in St Kilda provides contemporary rooms and apartments just steps from the beach, starting at $76 AUD. These are ideal for longer stays or for travellers who want to cook their own meals.
St Kilda gives you the rare chance to stay by the beach on a budget. Cosmopolitan Hotel And Apartments at $76 AUD offers contemporary rooms and apartments steps from the beach, Acland Street's cafés, and the Palais Theatre. Como Court Budget Accommodation at $116 AUD is a 2-star guest favourite, praised for its welcoming staff and unbeatable location near the beach and tram. For a quieter, more local feel, you could also consider Brunswick Tower Hotel nearby, forgoing the beachfront for a practical base with free parking.
Southern Cross Station is the arrival point for SkyBus from the airport and the hub for regional trains, making it a convenient base for budget travellers. Ibis Styles Kingsgate Hotel is just a short walk away, priced at $93 AUD, and is praised for its friendly staff who go out of their way to help. Its location makes it easy to connect to the rest of the city without needing a car.
Apartments in the CBD offer the convenience of being in the heart of the action with the flexibility of a kitchen. Gordon House Apartments provides a central stay with an outdoor pool and easy access to theatres and trams, starting at $191 AUD. For a more heritage feel, Fawkner Mansions Heritage Hotel in Prahran is a budget-friendly apartment option with a shared kitchen, just minutes from the city centre at $58 AUD. These are great choices for travellers who want self-catering amenities without leaving the urban core.
Southbank offers a riverside setting with easy access to Crown Casino and the Yarra River's entertainment precinct. Central Club Hotel - North Melbourne, located minutes from Crown Melbourne at $150 AUD, is a small, city-view hotel with superb guest ratings for comfort and facilities. This area is perfect for those who enjoy being close to the action of the casino and the restaurants along Southbank Promenade.
The Docklands precinct, where Marvel Stadium is located, is well-connected to the CBD. Best Western Melbourne City at $69 AUD places Docklands Stadium within easy reach with tram access right outside. This is a strong choice for sports fans and those wanting to attend concerts at the stadium, offering a quick route back to a comfortable, budget-friendly room.
Staying in Docklands puts you by the water and within walking distance of Marvel Stadium, but most of its hotels are above budget prices. Given the premium location, cheap options here are scarce, and your best value bet is to stay in the nearby CBD, where hotels like Ibis Budget - Melbourne Cbd offer a similar commute to your destination.
For those wanting to be close to the glitter of Crown Casino, Central Club Hotel - North Melbourne is a great find. This small, city-view hotel is minutes from Crown Melbourne and boasts a superb guest rating of 8.9. While it's a bit above the typical budget price at $150 AUD, the location and quality make it a worthwhile splurge for a special night out.
Rod Laver Arena, the heart of Melbourne's sporting and concert scene, is best reached from the CBD. Ibis Budget - Melbourne Cbd, at $65 AUD, is well-placed for the Australian Open venues and offers a direct tram route to the arena. This gives you a cheap, reliable base for a big event night, with a simple ride back to your room.
Flinders Street Station is the city's main rail hub, and staying nearby means you're in the very heart of Melbourne. City Square Motel, on Swanston Street, is a budget-friendly option at $96 AUD, within walking distance of Myer Melbourne and the National Gallery of Victoria. This central location offers easy access to trains, trams, and all the laneway culture that surrounds the station.
While this page doesn't track monthly rates, Melbourne's winter (June to August) typically sees lower accommodation prices compared to the summer peak and major event periods. You can also find better deals on hotels by booking in advance, especially if your visit coincides with big events like the Australian Open in January.
The CBD is the best bet for a first visit, as you'll be within the free tram zone and close to major attractions like Federation Square and the laneways. Budget options like Ibis Budget Melbourne Cbd or Causeway Inn On The Mall put you in the thick of it without breaking the bank.
The SkyBus is the most economical way to get from Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine) to the city, running frequently to Southern Cross Station. From there, it's just a short walk to many budget hotels in the CBD.
The Melbourne CBD is very walkable at night, especially around the laneways and Southbank, with plenty of people around in the evenings. If you're staying further out, use night trams or ride-share services to get back to your hotel safely.
Melbourne's budget hotel scene is surprisingly varied. You can stay right on the CBD's Swanston Street, within walking distance of the National Gallery of Victoria, or head to St Kilda where the beach and Acland Street's cafés are steps from your door. Many of these budget picks cluster around transport hubs like Southern Cross Station and the free tram zone, making it easy to explore without spending on taxis. Expect to pay around $114 AUD a night on average, with the most affordable options starting from $58 AUD.
While most of these are 3-star hotels, the category also includes a handful of 2-star stays and a mix of other accommodation types like hostels and apartments, filling out the budget landscape. The set spans from the airport-fringe motels with free parking to heritage buildings in Prahran with shared kitchens. In a city where eating out is a highlight, choosing a budget room frees up cash for Melbourne's famous laneway cafés and hidden bars.
This collection of cheap and budget hotels is perfect for travellers who plan to spend their days exploring Melbourne and their nights sleeping, not lounging in a pricey room. It suits backpackers, city breakers, and sports or event fans who want a central base without the 4-star price tag. If you're travelling with a family, need guaranteed parking, or prefer more space and self-catering facilities, you might find better options on our family-friendly or apartments pages. For a touch more comfort, consider the 4-star hotels, or if you're driving, the hotels with parking page will save you from city parking fees.