A Travel Price Comparison for Australia Adelaide vs. Canberra for Attractions, Food, Families, and Nightlife

Should you visit Adelaide or Canberra?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Adelaide and Canberra can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Adelaide

Adelaide is a welcoming, friendly, and under-rated city. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and hiking.

Canberra

Canberra is a under-rated, cultural, and diverse city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, food, and hiking.

Adelaide and Canberra: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Adelaide or Canberra?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Canberra than Adelaide. While Adelaide is larger than Canberra, Canberra has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Canberra is very popular for its museums, food, and big city activities, while Adelaide attracts visitors for its beaches and shopping. Adelaide is more touristy than Canberra and is known for its wine scene, vibrant festivals, green spaces, and local sporting events. Canberra is famous for its educational museums and the nearby nature reserves. It is also well known for the Australian War Memorial.

How is Adelaide different from Canberra?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Canberra and Adelaide. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Adelaide or Canberra?

Canberra is a very popular place for its museums and history. Also, Adelaide is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Canberra. As Australia's capital, there are a large number of museums around town that focus on everything from history and culture to science and nature. Some of the most interesting are the Australian War Memorial, the New Parliament House, the Museum of Australian Democracy, the National Gallery of Australia, and the National Science and Technology Centre, but there are many more.

Adelaide offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are some interesting buildings along North Terrace such as the Parliament House, the State Library of South Australia, and the South Australian Museum. At the Botanic Garden there's the Santos Museum of Economic Botany. Also make sure you check out the Art Gallery of South Australia.

Is the Food Better in Adelaide or Canberra? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Canberra is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Adelaide is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Canberra. There's a trendy culinary scene as well as nearby vineyards that provide great wine. You'll find everything from family-friendly and casual to upscale and fine dining.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Adelaide. There's great wine, local restaurants, and charming cafes. You'll find local dishes as well as international flavors around town. The local produce is good and the restaurants offer fresh and delicious recipes.

Is Adelaide or Canberra Better for Nightlife?

The nice nightlife scene is relatively similar in Adelaide and Canberra.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Adelaide. The nightlife scene is filled with rooftop bars, live music venues, and boutique wine bars. Whether you're looking for trendy and luxury or casual and laid back, there are many places to spend a night out.

Canberra has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. There are local pubs and music venues that offer fun entertainment in the evening. You can sip wine or practice your dance moves at one of the city's clubs.

Is Adelaide or Canberra Better for Beaches?

Adelaide is an excellent place to visit for the beache. However, Canberra is not a beach destination.

Adelaide is considered a top beach destination. Part of what makes the city's beaches so great is how accessible they are. You don't have to go far to be at some of the area's best beaches. Glenelg is a family-friendly beach near town. It's also the most popular and most accessible. Brighton is relaxed with cafes and small restaurants nearby. And for seafood, head to Henley.

Canberra is not a beach destination.

Is Adelaide or Canberra Better for Hiking?

Both Adelaide and Canberra are destinations which offer nice hiking.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Adelaide. Outside of town there are national parks and reserves with hiking trails. You don't have to go far to explore the coastline or bushland in the area.

Canberra offers some nice hiking trails. There's one national park - Namadgi, as well as green space, rolling hills, and hiking trails just outside of town.

Is the Shopping Better in Adelaide or Canberra?

Adelaide is an excellent place to visit for its shopping opportunities. Also, Canberra is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping areas.

Adelaide is well-known for its shopping. Rundle Mall is the most well known shopping area in town. You'll find boutique shops as well as large department stores. Whether you're looking for international fashion brands or something more local, there are many places to explore.

Many visitors go to Canberra to go shopping. Caberra Centre is the city's largest shopping centre and it has all of the usual international brands.

Is Adelaide or Canberra Better for Families?

Canberra is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Adelaide is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Canberra is a very family-friendly destination. There are interactive museums and science centers such as Questacon, the National Dinosaur Museum, and the National Zoo and Aquarium. There are also cultural and historical museums such as the Australian War Memorial, the Museum of Australian Democracy, and the National Museum of Australia. The city also has plenty of outdoor space and hands on crafts that kids will enjoy.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Adelaide. There are kids museums, water parks, playgrounds, and beaches that are fun to explore with children. The city has a family-friendly vibe with kid-friendly restaurants and a welcoming personality.

Is Adelaide or Canberra Better for Couples?

Both Adelaide and Canberra are nice destinations for a couple's getaway.

Adelaide is a nice destination for couples. A great date activity is a night at the opera. There are also boat rides, hot air balloon rides, and nice restaurants that make for a fun evening out.

Canberra makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. As the city has plenty of date night activities like nice restaurants, interesting shows, and trendy wineries. During the day you can explore the outdoor setting, have a picnic, or visit a vineyard.

Is Adelaide or Canberra Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Adelaide is a popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Canberra is lacking in options for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Adelaide. It's not high on the list for many backpackers, but those who venture here will enjoy a great wine scene, beautiful beaches, and lively festivals.

Canberra is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Despite being the capital city, few backpackers actually spend much time in town. There are some budget-friendly motels if you're stopping by.

Is Adelaide or Canberra Better for Students?

Canberra is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. Also, Adelaide is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Students come from all over to stay in Canberra. It's a welcoming city that is a fairly popular study abroad destination. Many students appreciate the friendly atmosphere, safe environment, and great economic setting.

Adelaide is popular with students. It's a friendly and affordable city that has a nice student culture. It's very livable and accessible to other interesting places.

Is Adelaide or Canberra Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Adelaide is an excellent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Canberra is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Adelaide has some very good public transit options. There are bus, trains, and trams throughout the city center.

You'll find some public transit in Canberra, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are public buses as well as a light rail system. The Red Explorer Loop bus goes by many of the city's sights.

Is Adelaide or Canberra a more walkable city?

Adelaide is an excellent place to visit for its high level of walkability. Also, Canberra is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its ease of walking around.

Adelaide is a very walkable city. The city is compact and laid out in a grid pattern, so it's easy to explore on foot.

Canberra is a somewhat walkable city. There are parts of the city that are walkable and possible to explore on foot, but in general this is a very car-centered city.

For even more information, also check out Is Adelaide Worth Visiting? and Is Canberra Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Canberra or Adelaide?

How long in Adelaide or Canberra?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Adelaide and Canberra. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Adelaide than in Canberra. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Adelaide, and 2-3 days is enough time in Canberra.

Families should spend more time in Canberra than Adelaide. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Canberra, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Adelaide than Canberra. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Adelaide that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Adelaide than Canberra if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Adelaide.

One day in Adelaide or Canberra?

The city of Adelaide offers food and shopping. Most people come for the beaches. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

The city of Canberra offers food and shopping. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Adelaide or Canberra?

Adelaide is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Adelaide, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Canberra is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Canberra, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Adelaide or Canberra?

Adelaide is a popular choice for travelers. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Canberra is a popular choice for travelers. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Adelaide or Canberra?

Adelaide is a great place to explore. It's also a great beach destination, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

Canberra is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Australia, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Australia, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Australia, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Australia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Adelaide and Canberra, we can see that Canberra is more expensive. And not only is Adelaide much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Adelaide would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Adelaide and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Canberra would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Canberra than you might in Adelaide.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Adelaide Expensive? and Is Canberra Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Adelaide or Canberra?

Adelaide has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Canberra. When comparing the sizes of Adelaide and Canberra, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Adelaide or Canberra?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the southern hemisphere, summer is in January and winter is in July.

Should I visit Adelaide or Canberra in the Summer?

Both Canberra and Adelaide are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Adelaide for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Canberra in the summer for the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Adelaide is a little warmer than Canberra. Typically, the summer temperatures in Adelaide in January average around 22°C (72°F), and Canberra averages at about 20°C (68°F).

In January, Adelaide usually receives less rain than Canberra. Adelaide gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Canberra receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Adelaide or Canberra in the Autumn?

Both Canberra and Adelaide during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Adelaide in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene. Furthermore, most visitors come to Canberra for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene during these months.

In April, Adelaide is generally around the same temperature as Canberra. Daily temperatures in Adelaide average around 18°C (64°F), and Canberra fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

Canberra gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Adelaide usually gets less rain in April than Canberra. Adelaide gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Canberra receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Adelaide or Canberra in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Adelaide and Canberra. Most visitors come to Adelaide for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Canberra because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Adelaide is around the same temperature as Canberra in the winter. The daily temperature in Adelaide averages around 11°C (52°F) in July, and Canberra fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In July, Adelaide usually receives more rain than Canberra. Adelaide gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Canberra receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Adelaide or Canberra in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Adelaide as well as Canberra. The spring months attract visitors to Adelaide because of the beaches. Additionally, the activities around the city are the main draw to Canberra this time of year.

In the spring, Adelaide is around the same temperature as Canberra. Typically, the spring temperatures in Adelaide in October average around 16°C (61°F), and Canberra averages at about 15°C (60°F).

Adelaide usually gets less rain in October than Canberra. Adelaide gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Canberra receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Canberra and Adelaide