It’s all too easy to get distracted by pictures of shimmering lagoon waters and coconut palms. So much so that many people forget to research important logistics like how much the Cocos (Keeling) Islands cost to visit and how long to stay.

Flight tickets, accommodation, activities, transport and food and dining can quickly add up in the Cocos Islands.

As the archipelago is located in practically the middle of nowhere in the Indian Ocean, most food and groceries must be shipped in. Visitor numbers are capped at 144 per day, so beds are numbered; this often leaves last-minute planners with little choice but to pay for whichever accommodation remains.

In this blog post, we’ll explain just how much the Cocos Keeling Islands cost per day, whether you’re a budget, mid-range or comfort traveller. You can use this guide alongside our ultimate guide to the Cocos (Keeling) Islands to jot down all of your expected expenses and our favourite money-saving tips.

Quick Answer — Daily Costs at a Glance

We hear it all the time: How expensive is Cocos Keeling? However, there’s no simple answer because everyone travels differently.

Budget travellers can visit the Cocos for half the cost of those who prefer their creature comforts.

That’s why we think it’s best to consider the Cocos Islands prices based on your travel style. Take note that these costs don’t count flight expenses – we’ll dive into those next.

Budget travellers typically spend $300 – $400 per day on accommodation, food, activities and transport. The biggest expense in the Cocos is accommodation, so if you want to visit the Cocos on a budget, we recommend you book your hotel as soon as possible. Budget accommodation quickly gets snapped up.

Mid-range holidays typically cost $600 – $750 per day. You may want to spend more on accommodation and spend more frugally on a day-to-day basis, or do the opposite by picking a budget-friendly accommodation and splashing out on the activities that make you the happiest (boat hire, scuba diving or kitesurfing, for example).

Comfort travellers typically spend $800 – $1,000 per day. Luxurious apartments and hotels cost between $650+ per night in the Cocos. So, once you add on daily activities and dining out, it’s easy to spend up to $1,000 per day for a holiday that places comfort first.

Flight Costs

One of the biggest expenses when visiting the Cocos (Keeling) Islands is the flight costs. Flights to the Cocos Keeling Islands cost $1,150 – $2,000, depending on the time of year and demand.

Flight Routes

First, you need to understand how to get to the Cocos (Keeling) Islands. Operated by QantasLink, flights to the Cocos Islands depart from Perth twice per week. However, the flight route varies depending on the day of departure.

Every Friday, there is a direct through-flight from Perth to Cocos. It makes a brief operational stop in Port Hedland, but passengers don’t need to disembark the plane.

Every Monday, there is a connecting flight from Perth to Cocos via Christmas Island. Again, this flight makes an operational stop at Port Hedland, bringing the total number of stops to two.

You might expect the connecting flight to be more expensive than the direct route. However, that’s not the case. There’s no noticeable difference in the cost. Naturally, though, the direct flights are more popular than the connecting route, so booking early always helps.

Seasonal Price Variation

There is one thing that does affect the QantasLink pricing, and that’s whether you book your flight during the peak or off-season.

The Cocos Keeling dry season is from August to February. This is widely considered the best time to visit the Cocos, so demand for flights is high.

During the peak season, return flights typically cost $1,150 – $1,300.

However, from December to January, the demand skyrockets due to the Christmas and New Year holidays. During this period, return flights can cost as much as $2,000 on peak days.

The Cocos Keeling rainy season is from March to July. This is the off-season, so return flight costs hover around the $1,150 – $1,300 mark.

The earlier you book, the cheaper the Cocos Keeling flights cost. As a rule of thumb, it’s best to snap up your flight tickets at least 6 – 8 months in advance of your trip.

Accommodation Costs

That brings us to accommodation, which is another substantial Cocos Keeling travel cost.

The key thing to know here is that visitor numbers on the Cocos Islands are capped at 144 people per day. As a result, there are only 144 tourist beds available at any one time

Now, it’s easy to imagine how that goes. When accommodation is first-come, first-served, the most popular picks for where to stay get snapped up very quickly.

Meanwhile, those who leave their booking to the last minute are left with limited options. The remaining accommodation could be way under or over your budget.

Therefore, if you’re at all picky, you should book your accommodation as soon as you’ve confirmed your flight.

There’s an even spread of budget, mid-range and luxury properties in the Cocos.

Cocos Keeling accommodation cost depends on the type of stay and amenities, but it ranges from $250 – $850 per night:

• Hotels and guesthouses: $250 – $300
• Self-contained stays: $250 – $595
• Holiday homes: $340 to $850

As you can tell, holiday homes and self-contained stays are the most expensive accommodation types. However, because they offer kitchen facilities, it’s easier to save money by dining out less.

Food & Dining Costs

Many people neglect to consider the Cocos Keeling food prices. After all, what harm can a daily coffee or quick lunch do?

Well, considering that all food has to be shipped into the islands, the food and dining prices are not quite as cheap as on mainland Australia.

Here’s a helpful table with all the main Cocos Keeling food prices, from coffee and beer to main meals.

Food or drink type	Typical cost
Coffee	$10
Bakery items	$10 – $22
Sandwiches	$10
Starters	$16 – $20
Main meal	$20 – $40
Pizza	$20 – 45
Desserts	$12 – $20
Beer	$8 – $14
Alcoholic drinks	$12 – $20
Fresh fruit and vegetables	$2.50 -$6.50
Dairy items	$6 – $18

Self‑Catering vs Eating Out

One quick and easy way to reduce your daily travel budget is to stay at a self-catering accommodation. While groceries cost more on the Cocos than in mainland Australia, it’s still cheaper to buy and cook your own food than to eat out for every meal.

Transport Costs

Transport is another key Cocos Keeling Islands cost. It’s very likely you’ll take the ferry to Direction Island or Home Island. As we explain in our Direction Island guide, these are very affordable ($5 for a return ticket).

However, most tourists also end up renting bicycles, e-bikes or a car to get around West Island, which can add to your overall transport costs.

On top of that, you may want to consider renting a boat to visit the southern atolls or save money on expensive tour costs.

Transport Type	Typical cost
Car rental	$80 – $120
Scooter rental	$50 per day
Bicycle or ebike rental	$30 – $45 per day
Ferries (return)	$5
Bus (return)	$1
Boat rental	$250 – $400 per day

Activity & Tour Costs

While visiting the beaches on West Island or meeting for sunset drinks are very budget-friendly, pre-planned activities on the Cocos Keeling Island cost a decent amount.

Looking at the typical cost by activity type can help you to gauge your full itinerary cost breakdown:

Snorkelling tours ($315 per person or $1,100 for groups of four) are organised by Cocosdays, visiting the spectacular eastern atolls. Alternatively, you can go snorkelling by hiring a boat, which costs $250 (6H boat) or $400 (20H boat) per day.

Diving packages ($265+) are organised by Cocos Dive, the only dive operator on the island. They offer one- or two-day dives for those with their Open Water certification or basic scuba diving in the lagoon for beginners, ending with a snorkel at the Rip on Direction Island.

Lagoon trips ($135 – $800) will take you around the atolls. There are a couple of operators, Cocosdays ($135 – $180) and Cocos Blue Charters ($300+). Cocosdays runs tours of the eastern atolls, whereas Cocos Blue Charters offers polycraft boat tours ($300 per person), in the lagoon or offshore, or glass-bottom boat tours ($800 per boat).

Kite surfing lessons ($320 – $450) are available from two operators. Zephyr offers a two-hour lesson for $320. Meanwhile, sessions with APEX Watersports Co cost $340 – $450. Lesson packages are more cost-effective and available from both providers.

Wildlife tours ($135 – $180) include the Cocosday motorised canoe tours and the two-hour tour of turtle nesting areas.

Sample Budgets (Highly Valuable)

Your travel style has a huge impact on your typical daily Cocos travel costs. If you’re the type of person who’d rather rent a private boat than take the ferry, or stay at a spacious villa or a simple studio apartment, then you’re going to spend much more than a budget traveller.

These sample budgets should help to give you a good idea of daily costs, as well as your trip total (including flights):

Travel Style	Typical Daily Costs	Typical Trip Total (1 Week)
Budget traveller	$300 – $400	$3,300 – $4,000
Mid-range traveller	$600 – $750	$5,400 – $6,450
Comfort traveller	$800 – $1,000	$6,800 – $9,000
Family of four	$450 – $1,200	$4,500 – $9,600

Hidden Costs (Important)

• Baggage fees are important to consider. The weight limits are 30kg for checked baggage and 7kg for carry-on luggage. However, excess baggage (up to 35kg, with the total baggage weight not exceeding 65kg) costs $130 per piece of baggage.
• Travel insurance comes at an additional cost. For the Cocos, you need comprehensive domestic travel insurance. This typically costs $90 – $200 per week, depending on your age and pre-existing conditions.
• Fuel costs: If you’re renting a car, you will also need to purchase fuel for around $4 per litre.

How to Save Money on the Cocos

• Book your Cocos accommodation at least 6 – 8 months in advance to choose from a wider range of accommodation types at different price points.
• Stay at a self-contained apartment or villa. These accommodation types may look more expensive at first glance, but they will help you to save costs by dining out less.
• Consider packing pre-packaged food supplies in your checked luggage. Groceries are expensive on the Cocos Islands.

FAQs

Are the Cocos Islands expensive to eat out?

A typical main meal on the Cocos Islands costs $20 – $40 per person. Additional drinks cost $3 to $20 per person.

Is it expensive to visit the Cocos with kids?

Visiting the Cocos with kids isn’t too expensive. Many holiday apartments and homes offer cots or additional roll-away beds for no additional fee. Kids-sized meals are also available at dining venues like Salty’s.

How much does it cost to go to Cocos Island?

A holiday to the Cocos Islands can cost anywhere between $3,300 and $9,600, depending on the number of guests and travel style. Flights generally cost between $1,150 (off-season) and $2,000 (peak season from December to January). Minus flights, budget travellers typically spend $300 – $400 per day on accommodation, food, activities and transport. Meanwhile, the average traveller spends $600 – $750 per day, and comfort travellers can easily spend up to $750 per day.