A Travel Price Comparison for Australia Adelaide vs. Katoomba for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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Should you visit Adelaide or Katoomba?

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 Katoomba 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 Katoomba?

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.

Katoomba

Designated an UNESCO World Heritage site in 2000, the Blue Mountains are located just west of Sydney in the highlands of New South Wales, Australia.

This area can be generally expensive, but is on par with other destinations in Australia and around Sydney. Plenty of luxury places can be found here that cost more than average, but plenty of cheaper places to stay can be found here, too. Expect to pay for various activities such as tours and entrance fees, too.

The landscape is sprawling with majestic scenery over a rugged terrain of steep cliffs, forests, waterfalls, and villages. Whether you come to hike, climb, bike, or drive to the scenic viewpoints, a curtain of tranquility falls upon the mountains in a blue haze from which they get their name.

Which city is cheaper, Katoomba or Adelaide?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Adelaide is $93, while the average daily cost in Katoomba is $114. 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 city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Adelaide and Katoomba in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Adelaide $55
    Katoomba $66
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Adelaide $110
    Katoomba $132
Compare Hotels in Adelaide and Katoomba

Looking for a hotel in Adelaide or Katoomba? 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 Katoomba


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 Katoomba Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Adelaide $15
    Katoomba $42
Typical Local Transportation prices in Adelaide

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


  • Shuttle from the Train Station
    $3.78

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Adelaide

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

  • Adelaide Airport Private Chauffeured Transfer: $29
  • Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Adelaide Airport: $40
  • Corporate transfers and wine tours: $43
  • Adelaide Airport Departure Transfer in a Tesla Model3 EV: $44
  • Transfer in private vehicle from Adelaide Downtown to Adelaide Airport: $61
  • Transfer in private minivan from Adelaide Downtown to Adelaide Airport: $61
  • Private Transfer: Adelaide to Adelaide Airport (ADL): $64
  • Departure Private Transfers: Adelaide to Adelaide Airport ADL in Business Car: $67
  • Adelaide Airport Transfers : Adelaide City to Airport ADL in Business Car: $71
  • Adelaide Airport Transfers : Adelaide City to Airport ADL in Luxury Van: $99
  • Departure Private Transfers: Adelaide to Adelaide Airport ADL in Luxury Van: $99
  • Adelaide Airport Transfers : Adelaide City to Airport ADL in Luxury Car: $121

Is it cheaper to fly into Adelaide or Katoomba?

Prices for flights to both Katoomba 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 $26
    Katoomba $15

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Adelaide

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

  • The F Factor: Adelaide food tour: $36
  • Adelaide Central Market The Collaborators Dinner Tour: $154

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Adelaide $11
    Katoomba $45

Tours and Activities in Adelaide

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

  • Australian Wine Discovery Tour Ticket: $12
  • Adelaide Scavenger Hunt: Adelaide Adventure: $12
  • Adelaide Self-Guided Audio Tour: $14
  • Adelaide Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
  • Torrens River Cruise in Adelaide: $19
  • Jimmy C Street Art Walking Tour: $20
  • Cultural Caper Adelaide Walking Tour: $24
  • Adelaide Walking Tour: East End Escapade: $24
  • Around the Square Adelaide Walking Tour: $24
  • Adelaide Gaol Adults Ghost Tour & Investigation: $28
  • Australian Wine Discovery Tour with Tastings: $32
  • Adelaide Gaol Ghost Tour and Paranormal Investigation: $32

Tours and Activities in Katoomba

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Katoomba are as follows:

  • Amazing Full Day Abseiling Adventure in the Blue Mountains: $198
  • Bathurst Wine Trail Full-Day Private Tour with Tastings: $371
  • Blue Mountains 1-Hour Trike Tour of Three Sisters: $111
  • Blue Mountains Botanic Garden and Bilpin Tour from Katoomba with Cider Tasting: $167
  • Blue Mountains Explorer Bus: 1-Day Hop-On Hop-Off Tour: $35
  • Blue Mountains Hop-on Hop-off Tour with Optional Scenic World Rides: $43
  • Blue Mountains Secret Places Adventure: $118
  • Blue Mountains Vintage Cadillac Tour with Local Guide: $502
  • Blue Mountains: 4WD Adventure Tour with Local Guide: $195
  • Blue Mountains: Private Scenic Tour with Optional Stops: $184
  • From Sydney: Blue Mountains Small-Group Tour Picnic & Hike: $181
  • Full-Day Canyoning Experience at Stunning Empress Canyon: $205

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Adelaide $19
    Katoomba -

Sample the Local Flavors in Adelaide

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Adelaide:

  • McLaren Vale and Glenelg Wine Tasting and Sightseeing (Half-day Afternoon): $55
  • Adelaide Highlights, Hahndorf & McLaren Vale Wine Tasting and Sightseeing Tour: $78
  • Adelaide Hills Wine Tour: $81
  • The Lane Vineyard: Panorama Private Wine Tasting Experience: $103
  • From Barossa Valley Food and Wine Tour: $107
  • Barossa Valley Wine Tours - Small Private Groups: $119
  • Barossa Valley Cellar Doors Luxury Wine Tour: $121
  • McLaren Vale Wine Tour by Bike: $126
  • Small-Group Barossa Valley Food and Wine Tour: $126
  • McLaren Vale Luxury Wine Tour: $155
  • McLaren Vale Winery Small Group Tour with Wine Tasting and Lunch: $158
  • Small-Group Full-Day Adelaide Hills and Hahndorf Wine Tour from Adelaide: $158

About these numbers

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Adelaide and Katoomba, we can see that Katoomba 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 Katoomba would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Katoomba than you might in Adelaide.


When is the best time to visit Adelaide or Katoomba?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the southern hemisphere, summer is in January and winter is in July.

Should I visit Adelaide or Katoomba in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Adelaide as well as Katoomba.

Adelaide is around the same temperature as Katoomba in the summer. The temperature in Adelaide is usually 22°C (72°F) in January, and Katoomba stays around 24°C (74°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Katoomba. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Adelaide this time of the year. In the summer, Adelaide often gets more sunshine than Katoomba. Adelaide gets 330 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Katoomba receives 236 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Katoomba. Adelaide usually gets less rain in January than Katoomba. Adelaide gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 105 mm (4.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January
    Adelaide 22°C (72°F) 
    Katoomba 24°C (74°F)

Should I visit Adelaide or Katoomba in the Autumn?

Both Katoomba and Adelaide are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities.

In the autumn, Adelaide is around the same temperature as Katoomba. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Adelaide in April are around 18°C (64°F), and Katoomba is about 18°C (65°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Adelaide. Adelaide usually receives more sunshine than Katoomba during autumn. Adelaide gets 215 hours of sunny skies, while Katoomba receives 195 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In April, Adelaide usually receives less rain than Katoomba. Adelaide gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April
    Adelaide 18°C (64°F) 
    Katoomba 18°C (65°F)

Should I visit Adelaide or Katoomba in the Winter?

Both Katoomba and Adelaide during the winter are popular places to visit.

In July, Adelaide is generally around the same temperature as Katoomba. Temperatures in Adelaide average around 11°C (52°F), and Katoomba stays around 11°C (51°F).

In Katoomba, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Adelaide often gets less sunshine than Katoomba. Adelaide gets 159 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Katoomba receives 208 hours of full sun.

Adelaide usually gets more rain in July than Katoomba. Adelaide gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July
    Adelaide 11°C (52°F) 
    Katoomba 11°C (51°F)

Should I visit Adelaide or Katoomba in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Adelaide and Katoomba.

Adelaide is around the same temperature as Katoomba in the spring. The temperature in Adelaide is usually 16°C (61°F) in October, and Katoomba stays around 18°C (64°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Katoomba this time of the year. In Adelaide, it's very sunny this time of the year. Adelaide usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Katoomba during spring. Adelaide gets 256 hours of sunny skies, while Katoomba receives 240 hours of full sun in the spring.

In October, Adelaide usually receives less rain than Katoomba. Adelaide gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October
    Adelaide 16°C (61°F) 
    Katoomba 18°C (64°F)

Typical Weather for Katoomba and Adelaide

Adelaide Katoomba
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 22°C (72°F) 19 mm (0.7 in) 24°C (74°F) 105 mm (4.1 in)
Feb 23°C (73°F) 20 mm (0.8 in) 23°C (74°F) 96 mm (3.8 in)
Mar 21°C (69°F) 22 mm (0.9 in) 22°C (71°F) 96 mm (3.8 in)
Apr 18°C (64°F) 38 mm (1.5 in) 18°C (65°F) 79 mm (3.1 in)
May 15°C (58°F) 57 mm (2.2 in) 14°C (58°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
Jun 12°C (54°F) 50 mm (2 in) 12°C (53°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Jul 11°C (52°F) 67 mm (2.6 in) 11°C (51°F) 34 mm (1.3 in)
Aug 12°C (54°F) 51 mm (2 in) 12°C (54°F) 59 mm (2.3 in)
Sep 13°C (56°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 15°C (59°F) 42 mm (1.6 in)
Oct 16°C (61°F) 37 mm (1.5 in) 18°C (64°F) 66 mm (2.6 in)
Nov 18°C (65°F) 22 mm (0.9 in) 20°C (68°F) 89 mm (3.5 in)
Dec 21°C (69°F) 25 mm (1 in) 23°C (73°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)


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Adelaide vs. Katoomba Travel Comparison

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