A Travel Price Comparison for Australia Alice Springs vs. Adelaide for Hiking, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Alice Springs or Adelaide?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Alice Springs and Adelaide 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.

Alice Springs

Alice Springs is a friendly, laid back, and outdoorsy town. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, food, and hiking.

Adelaide

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

Alice Springs and Adelaide: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Good for hiking
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Small town charm
  • Impressive beauty
Things to Consider
  • Public transit not as usable
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Popular beach
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Good for students
  • Good public transit
Things to Consider
  • Less hiking options


Is there more to do in Alice Springs or Adelaide?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Adelaide than Alice Springs, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Adelaide is better known for its beaches and shopping, while Alice Springs is more popular for its hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Alice Springs is more touristy than Adelaide and is known for its desert landscapes, Outback setting, and location between the East and West MacDonnell Ranges. Adelaide is well known for its wine scene, vibrant festivals, green spaces, and local sporting events. Also, Adelaide is famous for the Adelaide Botanic Garden.

How is Alice Springs different from Adelaide?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Alice Springs or Adelaide?

Alice Springs
Adelaide

You'll find a number of notable museums and attractions in both Adelaide and Alice Springs.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Alice Springs. There are several wildlife centers in town that let you experience the desert animals first hand. Make sure you check out the Alice Springs Reptile Center, the Alice Springs Desert Park, and the Kangaroo Sanctuary. Another highlight of the town is a visit to the Alice Springs School of the Air.

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.


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

Alice Springs
Adelaide

Foodies will find both Alice Springs and Adelaide both to be notable destinations.

Alice Springs is becoming an appealing option for foodies. There are casual eateries with local food and decent prices. While it's a small town, there are plenty of tourists passing through so you'll find enough places to eat with a decent selection.

Adelaide offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. 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 Alice Springs or Adelaide Better for Nightlife?

Alice Springs
Adelaide

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find notable options in both Alice Springs and Adelaide.

If you're looking for night time activities Alice Springs has a few options to choose from. It's a laid back small town, but there are still places to hang out in evening. Pubs and taverns are popular with locals and tourists alike. You'll also find a couple of casinos and clubs in town.

There's a variety of activities in the evening 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.

Is Alice Springs or Adelaide Better for Beaches?

Alice Springs
Adelaide

Adelaide is a great city for the beach. However, Alice Springs 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.

Alice Springs is not a beach destination.


Is Alice Springs or Adelaide Better for Hiking?

Alice Springs
Adelaide

Alice Springs is renowned for its hiking trails. Also, Adelaide is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its hiking experiences.

Around Alice Springs visitors will find world-class hiking trails. Just outside of town there are wonderful walking routes and hiking trails. You can visit gorges, waterholes, and wander through the stunning red desert landscapes. One of the most famous trails in the area is the Larapinta Trail.

Adelaide offers some nice hiking trails. 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.

Is the Shopping Better in Alice Springs or Adelaide?

Alice Springs
Adelaide

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

Alice Springs is a great destination for shopping. There are many shopping areas around town, particularly at the Yeperenye Shopping Centre, Alice Plaza, and Todd Mall. Prices can be a bit high, so keep that in mind as you're browsing.

Is Alice Springs or Adelaide Better for Families?

Alice Springs
Adelaide

Alice Springs 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.

Alice Springs is a very family-friendly destination. Kids will enjoy the beautiful setting as much as adults. There are desert animals that you can see at Alice Springs Desert Park or the Kangaroo Sanctuary. The Earth Sanctuary has telescopes and unbeatable views of the night sky. In the area you'll also be able to take a camel ride or visit the National Road Transport Hall of Fame.

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 Alice Springs or Adelaide Better for Couples?

Alice Springs
Adelaide

Alice Springs is a very popular place for romance. Also, Adelaide is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

Alice Springs makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The red desert and stunning landscapes make for a truly one-of-a-kind romantic getaway. In addition to the area's natural beauty, there are hot air balloon rides and camel treks. Hiking and exploring is also at the top of many visitor's lists.

Adelaide makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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.

Is Alice Springs or Adelaide Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Alice Springs
Adelaide

Alice Springs is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Adelaide is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Alice Springs is very popular with the backpacker crowd. Many backpackers stop off here during their Australian adventure. There a few hostels in town as well as a laid back and friendly environment that is perfect for backpacking.

Plenty of backpackers 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.

Is Alice Springs or Adelaide Better for Students?

Alice Springs
Adelaide

Adelaide is a city with good options for its student-friendly activities. However, Alice Springs 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.

Alice Springs is not popular with students.


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

Alice Springs
Adelaide

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

Adelaide offers a very effecient public transportation network. There are bus, trains, and trams throughout the city center.

Public transit is generally limited in Alice Springs. Public transit options are limited but you will find buses that leave from the Yeperenye Shopping Center on Hartley Street. There are also taxis in town.

Is Alice Springs or Adelaide a more walkable city?

Alice Springs
Adelaide

Adelaide is a great city for its ease of walking around. Also, Alice Springs is not as popular, but is still a nice town 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.

Alice Springs is somewhat walkable. The downtown area can be explored on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Adelaide or Alice Springs?

How long in Alice Springs or Adelaide?

It's fun to spend time in either Alice Springs or Adelaide. In our opinion, Adelaide has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Adelaide than Alice Springs. However, 2-4 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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


  • How many days in Alice Springs or Adelaide? Ideal Length of Stay
    Alice Springs 2-4 
    Adelaide 2-4

One day in Alice Springs or Adelaide?

Alice Springs is a small town where visitors enjoy the food and shopping. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the elegant destination of Adelaide. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.


A weekend in Alice Springs or Adelaide?

Alice Springs is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Alice Springs, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Adelaide. Most people come for the beaches. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Five days in Alice Springs or Adelaide?

Alice Springs is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that hiking is why people visit. 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.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the friendly destination of Adelaide. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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.

A week in Alice Springs or Adelaide?

Alice Springs is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that hiking is why people visit. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This town offers something for everyone.

You'll find food and shopping around the city of Adelaide. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.


For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Australia, The Best Luxury Tours to Australia, The Best Adventure Tours to Australia, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Australia.


Which place is cheaper, Adelaide or Alice Springs?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Alice Springs is $100, while the average daily cost in Adelaide is $115. 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 Alice Springs and Adelaide in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Alice Springs $53
    Adelaide $68
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Alice Springs $106
    Adelaide $136
Compare Hotels in Alice Springs and Adelaide

Looking for a hotel in Alice Springs or Adelaide? 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 Alice Springs


Hotels in Adelaide


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: Alice Springs Hotel Prices and Adelaide Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Alice Springs $21
    Adelaide $19

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Alice Springs

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

  • Uluru to Alice Springs or Alice to Uluru 1-Way Luxe Transfer: $133
  • Alice Springs to Uluru (Ayers Rock) Coach Transfer: $136

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Adelaide

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


  • Shuttle from the Train Station
    $3.77

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Adelaide

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

  • Full-Day Private City Tour with Hotel Transfers: $510
  • One Day Kangaroo Island Sip & See tour with return ferry transfers from Adelaide: $260
  • Adelaide Airport (ADL): Private Transfer to Adelaide Port: $259
  • Adelaide Cruise Port: Private Transfer to Adelaide city: $259
  • Adelaide Airport (ADL): Private Transfer to Adelaide hotels: $224
  • Adelaide Private Airport and City Transfer: $112
  • Adelaide Airport Transfers : Adelaide City to Airport ADL in Luxury Car: $109
  • Airport Transfer: Airport ADL to Adelaide by Business Car: $60
  • Adelaide to Adelaide Airport (ADL) - Departure Private Transfer : $39
  • Private One way Transfer from Adelaide Airport(ADL) to Adelaide: $39
  • Adelaide Airport: One-Way Private Transfer to Adelaide: $33

Is it cheaper to fly into Alice Springs or Adelaide?

Prices for flights to both Adelaide and Alice Springs 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
    Alice Springs $25
    Adelaide $32

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Alice Springs

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

  • From Day Trip to Uluru with BBQ Dinner: $239
  • Ayers Rock Day Trip from Alice Springs Including BBQ Dinner: $246

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: $31
  • Local Food Tour and Tastings with Guide: $81
  • Four Hours Cooking Class in Adelaide Hills: $129
  • Small-Group River Murray Dark Sky and Sunset Tour with Dinner: $202
  • Pipi Catching and Cooking Experience in Goolwa : $243

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Alice Springs $15
    Adelaide $14

Tours and Activities in Alice Springs

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Alice Springs.

  • 2 Day Uluru Kata Tjuta Rock Escape Tour: $448
  • 4-Day Tour of Uluru, Kings Canyon, and the West MacDonnell: $2,719
  • A Town Like Alice: Half-Day Tour of Alice Springs: $679
  • Alice Springs Airport to Alice Springs City Half Day Tour: $126
  • Alice Springs Airport to West MacDonnell Ranges Half-Day Tour: $112
  • Alice Springs Camel Tour: $63
  • Alice Springs Desert Park General Entry Ticket: $28
  • Alice Springs Desert Park Nocturnal Tour: $29
  • Alice Springs Highlights Tour : $115
  • West MacDonnell Ranges & Standley Chasm Tour: $126
  • Alice Town And Country Half Day Sunset Tour - Small Group: $132
  • Alice Town and Country Half Day Sunset Tour -Small Group: $133

Tours and Activities in Adelaide

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

  • 2h Wine Experience, Vineyard walk, 6 wines, charcuterie board: $62
  • 3-Day Yorkes Peninsula Coastal Wilderness Tour from Adelaide: $1,900
  • 5-Day Flinders Ranges & Outback Eco Tour from Adelaide: $2,240
  • 90 Minute Port River Dolphin & Ships Graveyard Cruise: $61
  • Adelaide Central Market Delicious Lunch Tour: $129
  • Adelaide Central Market Discovery Tour: $68
  • Adelaide Central Market Tour with Lunch: $126
  • Adelaide Central Markets: Food Walking Tour: $47
  • Adelaide City Highlights Tour: $59
  • Adelaide City Highlights Tour: $54
  • Adelaide City to Sea Bike Tour: $95
  • Adelaide Gaol Adults Ghost Tour & Investigation: $29

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Alice Springs $18
    Adelaide $23
Typical Alcohol Prices in Alice Springs

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Alice Springs:


  • Glass of Wine in Alice Springs
    $4.79

Sample the Local Flavors in Adelaide

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Adelaide:

  • River Torrens Desserts And Wine Tour: $44
  • McLaren Vale and Glenelg Wine Tasting Tour: $60
  • McLaren Vale and Glenelg Wine Tasting and Sightseeing (Half-day Afternoon): $62
  • Highlights, Hahndorf, & McLaren Vale Wine Tastings: $81
  • Adelaide Highlights, Hahndorf & McLaren Vale Wine Tasting and Sightseeing Tour: $90
  • From Barossa Valley Food and Wine Tour: $103
  • The Barossa Valley Premium Wine Tour with Lunch: $115
  • Barossa Valley Full-Day Wine Tasting & Maggie Beers Farm Join Us: $118
  • Barossa Valley Wine Tours - Small Private Groups : $125
  • McLaren Vale Wine Tour by Bike: $132
  • Barossa and Hahndorf Day Trip from Adelaide Including Wine Tasting and Lunch: $132
  • Adelaide Hills Wine Tour: $132


When comparing the travel costs between Alice Springs and Adelaide, we can see that Adelaide is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Pacific, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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


Which is Bigger, Alice Springs or Adelaide?

Adelaide has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Alice Springs. When comparing the sizes of Alice Springs and Adelaide, 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.