A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Adelaide vs. Cartagena for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Adelaide or Cartagena?

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 Cartagena 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.

Where Should I go: Adelaide or Cartagena?

Adelaide

Adelaide is the often overlooked capital city of the State of South Australia. It's also the fifth largest city in the country. Despite being skipped by most travelers, Adelaide is an interesting city to explore and has a decent amount to offer open minded travelers. It has some fascinating architecture, unique shopping, and wonderful cafes and restaurants. Part of the appeal of Adelaide is its location in the midst of Australia's wine regions, including McLaren Vale, Barossa Valley, and Clare Valley. Any of these destinations could be visited as a day trip from Adelaide.

Cartagena

The capital of the Bolivar Department of Colombia, Cartagena is one of the most visited cities in the country. It sits on Colombia's northern coast by the Caribbean Sea. It's a port city with a population of almost 900,000, making it the fifth largest city in Colombia. The city has a rich history and was the first Spanish colony on the American continent. It was also one of the first sanctuaries for freed African slaves in the Americas.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Australia, The Best 3-Week Tours in Australia, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Colombia, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Colombia.


Which place is cheaper, Cartagena or Adelaide?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Adelaide is $112, while the average daily cost in Cartagena is $46. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Adelaide and Cartagena in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Adelaide $67
    Cartagena $26
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Adelaide $134
    Cartagena $52
Compare Hotels in Adelaide and Cartagena

Looking for a hotel in Adelaide or Cartagena? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Adelaide


Hotels in Cartagena


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Adelaide Hotel Prices and Cartagena Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Adelaide $19
    Cartagena $7.29
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Adelaide

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Adelaide are as follows:


  • Shuttle from the Train Station
    $3.67

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Adelaide

Also for Adelaide, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Adelaide Airport (ADL): Private Transfer to Adelaide Port: $262
  • Adelaide Airport (ADL): Private Transfer to Adelaide hotels: $226
  • Adelaide Airport Transfers : Adelaide City to Airport ADL in Luxury Car: $110
  • Adelaide Airport Transfers : Airport ADL to Adelaide City in Luxury Car: $110
  • Adelaide Airport(ADL)to Adelaide city - Arrival Private Transfer: $40
  • Adelaide Airport: One-Way Private Transfer to Adelaide: $33
  • Adelaide Chauffer Airport Transfer: $83
  • Adelaide Cruise Port: Private Transfer to Adelaide city: $262
  • Adelaide to Adelaide Airport (ADL) - Departure Private Transfer : $40
  • Full-Day Private City Tour with Hotel Transfers: $500
  • Arrival Private Transfers: Adelaide Airport ADL to Adelaide in Business Car: $65
  • Arrival Private Transfers: Adelaide Airport ADL to Adelaide in Luxury Van: $95

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cartagena

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cartagena:

  • luxury private Vehicle, airport/hotel transfer or viceversa: $35
  • Try find your better than us! Airport transfer service in Cartagena HTL-APT(CTG): $17
  • Try find your better than us! Airport transfer service in Cartagena APT-HTL(CTG): $17
  • Transportation / Transfers: $27
  • Transfer service in Cartagena: $53
  • Transfer in Private Vehicle from Manzanillo del Mar - Cartagena Airport (CTG): $15
  • Transfer from Rafael Nuñez Airport to Cartagena Hotel Zone: $20
  • Transfer Private Vehicle Cartagena Airport (CTG) -City Cent: $20
  • Transfer High-end - Kia Quoris: $90
  • Transfer High-end - Ford Explorer: $90
  • Transfer Cartagena : $53
  • Transfer Airport/Hotel or Hotel/Airport: $18

Is it cheaper to fly into Adelaide or Cartagena?

Prices for flights to both Cartagena and Adelaide change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Adelaide $32
    Cartagena $9.56

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Adelaide

For Adelaide, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • HandleBar Bike Tour with Pub Stops & Dinner Option: $30
  • Local Food Tour and Tastings with Guide: $79
  • The F Factor: Adelaide food tour: $81
  • Cooking classes Goolwa: $133
  • Small-Group River Murray Dark Sky and Sunset Tour with Dinner: $198

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cartagena

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cartagena.

  • Street food tour Cartagena: $24
  • Featured in NYTimes > Arepas and Dancing: Danceable Cooking Class in Cartagena: $32
  • Cooking Class In A Real Restaurant At Old City: $38
  • Cooking class of typical food at the beach and sunset view: $39
  • Guided Street Food Tour with Tastings: $41
  • Street Food Tour in Cartagena: $42
  • Cooking class, Caribbean lunch at our place: $50
  • Cruise by the Bay with Dinner and Wine: $55
  • Cooking class: Street Food & Mojito making: $60
  • Street food tour: $61
  • Fenix Beach Island Dinner: $61
  • Cartagena Gourmet: Cooking Class with a View, Elegance & Flavor: $65

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Adelaide $14
    Cartagena $21

Tours and Activities in Adelaide

For Adelaide, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Adelaide in a Nutshell a Self-Guided Audio Tour in English: $8.19
  • Adelaide Self-Guided Audio Tour: $14
  • Hosted Wine Discovery Journey Tour: $17
  • River Torrens Popeye Sightseeing Cruise: $17
  • Adelaide Oval Stadium Guided Tour: $19
  • Adelaide Oval Stadium Tour: $19
  • TreeClimb Exciting Climb For Little Adventurers: $24
  • River Torrens Popeye Devonshire Tea Cruise: $26
  • Jurlique Farm Tour: $27
  • Adelaide Gaol Adults Ghost Tour & Investigation: $28
  • Adelaide Gaol Ghost Tour and Paranormal Investigation: $29
  • City Highlights Walking Tour with Guide: $29

Tours and Activities in Cartagena

Here are a few actual costs in Cartagena for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Beach Buggy ATV Adventure Tour CARTAGENA: $135
  • Eco cultural Historical Tour beyond Old City! + Pool: $98
  • Exciting Beach Buggy ATV Tour in Cartagena : $165
  • Palenque Native Guide, free entrance tickets, dance show & lunch: $110
  • Playa Morena Beach Club Whith Lunch And Walking tour of fort San Fernando: $39
  • Private city tour: $197
  • Rosario Islands Full Day Tour: $124
  • 17. Transportation for private CITY TOURS CARTAGENA: $105
  • 2 and a half hour Chiva Disco and Rumba Tour: $12
  • 2 hrs Tour in Cartagena Bay with Sunset View: $26
  • 2-Hour Color and Art Tour in Getsemani: $60
  • 2-Hour Private Tour of Bazurto Market: $60

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Adelaide $23
    Cartagena $8.96

Sample the Local Flavors in Adelaide

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Adelaide:

  • River Torrens Desserts And Wine Tour: $43
  • McLaren Vale and Glenelg Wine Tasting Tour: $53
  • McLaren Vale and Glenelg Wine Tasting and Sightseeing (Half-day Afternoon): $61
  • Highlights, Hahndorf, & McLaren Vale Wine Tastings: $79
  • Adelaide Highlights, Hahndorf & McLaren Vale Wine Tasting and Sightseeing Tour: $88
  • From Barossa Valley Food and Wine Tour: $101
  • The Barossa Valley Premium Wine Tour with Lunch: $113
  • Barossa Valley Full-Day Wine Tasting & Maggie Beers Farm Join Us: $115
  • Barossa and Hahndorf Day Trip from Adelaide Including Wine Tasting and Lunch: $129
  • Barossa Valley Wine Tours - Small Private Groups : $129
  • Barossa Full Day Wine Tour: $136
  • Adelaide Hills Full Day Wine Tour: $136

Sample the Local Flavors in Cartagena

Also in Cartagena, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Pub Crawl with Dancing Lessons and Free Shots: $18
  • Pub Crawl Getsemaní: $18
  • Cartagena Pub Crawl: Let's Party & Matching in Getsemaní: $20
  • Friday Night Bar Crawl in Cartagena Colombia: $25
  • Thursday Night Bar Crawl in Cartagena Colombia: $25
  • Saturday Night Bar Crawl in Cartagena Colombia: $25
  • Pub Crawl-Last Call For Alcohol-Cartagena Night Tour (Bar/Club) : $39
  • Pub Crawl Nightlife in Cartagena : $44
  • Get the Nightlife Vibe & Bar crawl: $55
  • Nightlife Pub crawl in Cartagena: $62


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Adelaide and Cartagena, we can see that Adelaide is more expensive. And not only is Cartagena much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Adelaide is in Pacific and Cartagena is in South America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Cartagena would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cartagena 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 Adelaide would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Adelaide than you might in Cartagena.

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


Which is Bigger, Adelaide or Cartagena?

Adelaide has a larger population, and is about 13% larger than the population of Cartagena. When comparing the sizes of Adelaide and Cartagena, 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 Cartagena?

Adelaide has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Cartagena experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Adelaide or Cartagena in the Summer?

Both Cartagena and Adelaide during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Adelaide in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cartagena year-round.

In the summer, Adelaide is cooler than Cartagena. Typically, the summer temperatures in Adelaide in January average around 22°C (72°F), and Cartagena averages at about 29°C (84°F)in July.

In Cartagena, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Adelaide. In the summer, Adelaide often gets more sunshine than Cartagenain July. Adelaide gets 330 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cartagena receives 207 hours of full sun.

Adelaide usually gets less rain in January than Cartagenain July. Adelaide gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January and July
    Adelaide 22°C (72°F) 
    Cartagena 29°C (84°F)

Should I visit Adelaide or Cartagena in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Adelaide and Cartagena. Most visitors come to Adelaide for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months. Cartagena attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In April, Adelaide is generally much colder than Cartagenain October. Daily temperatures in Adelaide average around 18°C (64°F), and Cartagena fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

In Adelaide, it's very sunny this time of the year. Adelaide usually receives more sunshine than Cartagena during autumn. Adelaide gets 215 hours of sunny skies, while Cartagena receives 175 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Cartagena receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In April, Adelaide usually receives less rain than Cartagenain October. Adelaide gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April and October
    Adelaide 18°C (64°F) 
    Cartagena 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Adelaide or Cartagena in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Adelaide as well as Cartagena. The winter months attract visitors to Adelaide because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cartagena throughout the year.

Adelaide is much colder than Cartagena in the winter. The daily temperature in Adelaide averages around 11°C (52°F) in July, and Cartagena fluctuates around 27°C (81°F)in January.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cartagena. In the winter, Adelaide often gets less sunshine than Cartagenain January. Adelaide gets 159 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cartagena receives 278 hours of full sun.

Adelaide usually gets more rain in July than Cartagenain January. Adelaide gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July and January
    Adelaide 11°C (52°F) 
    Cartagena 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Adelaide or Cartagena in the Spring?

Both Cartagena and Adelaide are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The beaches are the main draw to Adelaide this time of year. Plenty of visitors come to Cartagena because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In the spring, Adelaide is much colder than Cartagena. Typically, the spring temperatures in Adelaide in October average around 16°C (61°F), and Cartagena averages at about 28°C (82°F)in April.

It's quite sunny in Cartagena. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Adelaide. Adelaide usually receives more sunshine than Cartagena during spring. Adelaide gets 256 hours of sunny skies, while Cartagena receives 209 hours of full sun in the spring.

In October, Adelaide usually receives more rain than Cartagenain April. Adelaide gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October and April
    Adelaide 16°C (61°F) 
    Cartagena 28°C (82°F)

Typical Weather for Cartagena and Adelaide

Adelaide Cartagena
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 22°C (72°F) 19 mm (0.7 in) 27°C (81°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Feb 23°C (73°F) 20 mm (0.8 in) 27°C (81°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Mar 21°C (69°F) 22 mm (0.9 in) 27°C (81°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Apr 18°C (64°F) 38 mm (1.5 in) 28°C (82°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
May 15°C (58°F) 57 mm (2.2 in) 29°C (84°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Jun 12°C (54°F) 50 mm (2 in) 29°C (84°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Jul 11°C (52°F) 67 mm (2.6 in) 29°C (84°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
Aug 12°C (54°F) 51 mm (2 in) 28°C (82°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Sep 13°C (56°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 29°C (84°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Oct 16°C (61°F) 37 mm (1.5 in) 27°C (81°F) 150 mm (5.9 in)
Nov 18°C (65°F) 22 mm (0.9 in) 28°C (82°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
Dec 21°C (69°F) 25 mm (1 in) 27°C (81°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)