Which city is cheaper, Canberra or Alice Springs?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Alice Springs 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.
Alice Springs is in the middle of Central Australia and is most famous as a base for exploring the famous rock, Uluru. Alice Springs itself has grown dramatically from what was once a small outpost. The tourist boom began in the early 1980s and the population is now somewhere around 28,000. The city now has all of the necessary facilities to cater to the influx of tourists who swing through to see Uluru. The town is 1500km from Darwin, which is the closest major city. Adelaide is just as far to the south. It's remote location means that costs can be higher than they are elsewhere in Australia. Expect to pay more for anything from fruits and vegetables to clothing and souvenirs. When making a reservation for a hotel, do note that the rating scale differs from elsewhere in Australia or in most western countries. The ratings come from the amenities available and have little to do with the actual room quality.
There is something special about the capital city of Australia. Canberra's not just a wonderful spot for outdoor adventures. It's a city completely designed and built up around the coast of an artificial lake. When architects Walter Burley and Marion Mahony Griffin proposed their plans for Canberra it was met with a lot of criticism. Many people thought it would be a "waste of a good sheep pasture."
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Alice Springs is $82, while the average daily cost in Canberra is $116. 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 Alice Springs and Canberra in more detail.
Also for Alice Springs, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Also for Canberra, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both Canberra 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.
For Alice Springs, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
For Canberra, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Alice Springs.
For Canberra, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Alice Springs:
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Canberra from other travelers:
Also in Canberra, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Alice Springs and Canberra, we can see that Canberra is more expensive. And not only is Alice Springs much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Alice Springs would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Alice Springs 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 Alice Springs.
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