I am currently learning MySQL and PHP. I would like to try what I learn
but I am not sure whether I can. There is a charge for MySQL and MS SQL Server options. Do I have to upgrade so I can test and use PHP in conjunction with MySQL?

My webhost gives me these features:

# PHP, Perl CGI and Python CGI scripting
# SSH secure shell access
# MySQL and MS SQL Server options (extra charge)

You could use a free database hosting service, like http://www.db4free.net/ .

Ultimately if you want to use PHP and MySQL on a site online you will need a hosting plan that has both installed. You can install everything you need on your local machine (apache, php, mysql) and test on your own computer while learning. It's not necessarily trivial to install all of the above, but it's not overly difficult either.

You can also try xampp which will install everything you need in one package. Very easy to install and use.

If you're up for it I'd go for the full install of apache, php, mysql or find a host that will have what you need for the price you want. For the simplest solution I'd install xampp.

Thanks. Once I've learned what I need, I'll find a suitable host. For the time being I'll use xampp or wamp.

What our dear vangogh said is indeed the best solution. However, it's not required to have both on the same host. It's also possible to access your database over http, even though that's much slower, and that means you can use hosts like http://www.db4free.net/ for your database and another host for php.