A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Adelaide vs. Phoenix for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Hiking

Should you visit Adelaide or Phoenix?

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 Phoenix 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 under-rated, elegant, and welcoming city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Phoenix

Phoenix is a sprawling, desert, and laid back city. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, food, and hiking.

Adelaide and Phoenix: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Adelaide or Phoenix?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Adelaide than Phoenix. While Phoenix is larger than Adelaide, Adelaide has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Adelaide is more touristy than Phoenix and is known for its wine scene, vibrant festivals, green spaces, and local sporting events. Also, Adelaide is famous for the Adelaide Botanic Garden. Phoenix is well known for its desert landscapes, high number of golf courses, and year round warm weather.

How is Adelaide different from Phoenix?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Phoenix 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 Phoenix?

Spend time exploring the notable sights and museums in either Adelaide or Phoenix.

Adelaide is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. 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.

Phoenix offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. You'll find art, science, and cultural museums around town. Favorites include the Heard Museum, the Phoenix Art Museum, S'edav Va'aki Museum, and the Arizona Science Museum.

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

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at notable restaurants in both Adelaide and Phoenix.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around 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.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Phoenix. There are many mom-and-pop shops around town that serve everything from casual meals to quality steaks. There's also a huge selection of Mexican restaurants, as well as other international options such as sushi, dim sum, and Italian.

Is Adelaide or Phoenix Better for Nightlife?

The notable nightlife scene is relatively similar in Adelaide and Phoenix.

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.

Phoenix has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The best nightlife scene is found in downtown and central Phoenix. There are bars, restaurants, and venues where you can catch a show. North Phoenix also has grown into a popular evening spot with cocktail bars and pubs.

Is Adelaide or Phoenix Better for Beaches?

Adelaide is a great city for the beach. However, Phoenix is not a beach destination.

The beaches at Adelaide attract visitors from all over. 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.

Phoenix is not a beach destination.

Is Adelaide or Phoenix Better for Hiking?

Both Adelaide and Phoenix are destinations which offer notable 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.

Phoenix offers some nice hiking trails. You don't have to head far out of town for impressive hiking opportunities. You'll find trails that range from easy to challenging, and many pass through other-worldly landscapes. You'll find popular trails in Usery Mountain Regional Park, Papago Park, White Tank Mountain Regional Park, South Mountain Park and many others.

Is the Shopping Better in Adelaide or Phoenix?

Adelaide is a great city for its shopping areas. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Adelaide. 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.

Phoenix is a great destination for shopping. There are plenty of shopping centers, outlets, and malls where you'll find the standard chain stores. You'll also find farmer's markets around town.

Is Adelaide or Phoenix Better for Families?

Both Adelaide and Phoenix are notable to visit with kids.

Adelaide is a family-friendly city. 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.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Phoenix. Kids will love the Phoenix Zoo, the Arizona Science Center, the SEA LIFE Arizona Aquarium, and the Bearizona Wildlife Park. There's also a number of parks and gardens as well as a children's museum and several other interactive museums for kids.

Is Adelaide or Phoenix Better for Couples?

Both Adelaide and Phoenix are notable 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.

Phoenix makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are many parks and gardens in town as well as beautiful hikes and outdoor activities that couples will enjoy. In the evening, there's theater, shows, and many romantic restaurants.

Is Adelaide or Phoenix Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Adelaide is a city with good options for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Phoenix is not known for backpackers.

Adelaide is a good city to visit for backpackers. 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.

Phoenix is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There is a hostel or two around town for budget travelers.

Is Adelaide or Phoenix Better for Students?

Adelaide is a city with good options for its student-friendly activities. However, Phoenix is not popular with students.

It's common for students to visit Adelaide. It's a friendly and affordable city that has a nice student culture. It's very livable and accessible to other interesting places.

Phoenix is not popular with students.

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

Adelaide is a great city for times when you don't have a car. However, Phoenix is not known for its public transit.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Adelaide. There are bus, trains, and trams throughout the city center.

Public transit is generally limited in Phoenix. There's a bus and light rail system, but you really need your own vehicle to get around.

Is Adelaide or Phoenix a more walkable city?

Adelaide is a great city for its ease of walking around. However, Phoenix is not known for its walkability.

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

Phoenix is generally not very walkable. It's a sprawling city and the only real area that's walkable is the downtown.

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

Should I spend more time in Phoenix or Adelaide?

How long in Adelaide or Phoenix?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Adelaide and Phoenix. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Adelaide than in Phoenix. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Adelaide, and 1-3 days is enough time in Phoenix.

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

Couples should spend more time in Adelaide than Phoenix. 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 Phoenix 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 Phoenix?

In Adelaide, you'll find nightlife and food. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

The city of Phoenix offers food and shopping. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Adelaide or Phoenix?

In Adelaide, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Most people come for the beaches. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Adelaide has to offer.

Phoenix 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 Phoenix, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Adelaide or Phoenix?

Adelaide is a great place to explore. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Phoenix 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 Phoenix?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Adelaide. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Adelaide. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Phoenix 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 G Adventures Tours to Australia, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Sydney, The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage, and The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Adelaide and Phoenix, we can see that Phoenix is more expensive. And not only is Adelaide much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Adelaide is in Pacific and Phoenix is in North 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 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 Phoenix would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Phoenix 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 Phoenix Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Adelaide or Phoenix?

Phoenix has a larger population, and is about 23% larger than the population of Adelaide. When comparing the sizes of Adelaide and Phoenix, 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 Phoenix?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Adelaide is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Phoenix has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Adelaide or Phoenix in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Adelaide and Phoenix. The summer months attract visitors to Adelaide because of the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Phoenix this time of year.

It's very hot in Phoenix this time of the year. In January, Adelaide is generally much colder than Phoenixin July. Daily temperatures in Adelaide average around 22°C (72°F), and Phoenix fluctuates around 98°F (36°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Phoenix this time of the year. In Adelaide, it's very sunny this time of the year. Adelaide usually receives less sunshine than Phoenix during summer. Adelaide gets 330 hours of sunny skies, while Phoenix receives 380 hours of full sun in the summer.

In January, Adelaide usually receives less rain than Phoenixin July. Adelaide gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Adelaide or Phoenix in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Adelaide as well as Phoenix. The hiking trails and the shopping scene are the main draw to Adelaide this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Phoenix for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

Adelaide is cooler than Phoenix in the autumn. The daily temperature in Adelaide averages around 18°C (64°F) in April, and Phoenix fluctuates around 79°F (26°C)in October.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Phoenix. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Adelaide this time of the year. In the autumn, Adelaide often gets less sunshine than Phoenixin October. Adelaide gets 215 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Phoenix receives 305 hours of full sun.

Adelaide usually gets more rain in April than Phoenixin October. Adelaide gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Adelaide or Phoenix in the Winter?

Both Phoenix and Adelaide are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Adelaide for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Phoenix in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Adelaide is cooler than Phoenix. Typically, the winter temperatures in Adelaide in July average around 11°C (52°F), and Phoenix averages at about 58°F (14°C)in January.

It's quite sunny in Phoenix. Adelaide usually receives less sunshine than Phoenix during winter. Adelaide gets 159 hours of sunny skies, while Phoenix receives 254 hours of full sun in the winter.

In July, Adelaide usually receives more rain than Phoenixin January. Adelaide gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Adelaide or Phoenix in the Spring?

Both Phoenix and Adelaide during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Adelaide in the spring for the beaches.

In October, Adelaide is generally cooler than Phoenixin April. Daily temperatures in Adelaide average around 16°C (61°F), and Phoenix fluctuates around 74°F (23°C).

In Phoenix, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Adelaide. In the spring, Adelaide often gets less sunshine than Phoenixin April. Adelaide gets 256 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Phoenix receives 355 hours of full sun.

Adelaide usually gets more rain in October than Phoenixin April. Adelaide gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.2 inches (6 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Phoenix and Adelaide