A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Alice Springs vs. Shiretoko National Park for Hiking, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Alice Springs or Shiretoko National Park?

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 Shiretoko National Park 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 charming, friendly, and laid back town. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include museums, nightlife, and food.

Shiretoko National Park

Shiretoko National Park is a national park remote,natural,scenic,pristine. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the hiking.

Alice Springs and Shiretoko National Park: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Popular for food and cuisine
  • Active nightlife
  • Good for hiking
  • Fun shopping
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Small town charm
  • Impressive beauty
Pros
  • Good for hiking
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Impressive beauty
Things to Consider
  • Less museums and historical sights
  • Less popular for food
  • Less popular for nightlife


Is there more to do in Alice Springs or Shiretoko National Park?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Alice Springs. Although Alice Springs and Shiretoko National Park are popular destinations, Alice Springs has more sights and attractions for tourists. Alice Springs is more touristy than Shiretoko National Park and is popular for its desert landscapes, Outback setting, and location between the East and West MacDonnell Ranges. It is also well known for Alice Springs Desert Park. Shiretoko National Park is famous for its pristine ecosystems, diverse wildlife, and rugged coastline.

How is Alice Springs different from Shiretoko National Park?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Shiretoko National Park 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 Shiretoko National Park?

Alice Springs
Shiretoko National Park

Alice Springs is a nice place to visit for its sights and museums. However, Shiretoko National Park is not a good remote,natural,scenic,pristine for its museums and history.

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.

If you're looking to pass the time, head to a museum or historic sight in Shiretoko National Park. This is a beautiful and pristine park, but there are limited amenities and museums in the area. You can hit up the Shiretoko Rausu Visitor Center for information on the region.


Is the Food Better in Alice Springs or Shiretoko National Park? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Alice Springs
Shiretoko National Park

Alice Springs is a nice place to visit for its local cuisine and restaurants. However, Shiretoko National Park is not a good remote,natural,scenic,pristine for its restaurants.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Alice Springs area. 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.

While Shiretoko National Park is not famous for its food, you'll find what you need there. There are a couple of restaurants on the edge of the park, but if you're planning to do any hiking, it's best to bring your own food.

Is Alice Springs or Shiretoko National Park Better for Nightlife?

Alice Springs
Shiretoko National Park

Alice Springs is a nice place to visit for its evening party scene. However, Shiretoko National Park is not a good remote,natural,scenic,pristine for nightlife.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Alice Springs. 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.

Shiretoko National Park doesn't offer many options. Peaceful evenings and relaxing in nature are the best way to pass the time here, not socializing in a bar.

Is Alice Springs or Shiretoko National Park Better for Hiking?

Alice Springs
Shiretoko National Park

Both Alice Springs and Shiretoko National Park are destinations which offer first-rate hiking.

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.

Shiretoko National Park is well-known for its hiking and trekking. The park is pristine with striking and varied landscapes as well as diverse wildlife. Hiking is the best way to experience the area, and the scenic views, and world class hiking trails are among the best.


Is the Shopping Better in Alice Springs or Shiretoko National Park?

Alice Springs
Shiretoko National Park

Alice Springs is a nice place to visit for its shopping areas. However, Shiretoko National Park is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Many visitors go to Alice Springs to go 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.

Shiretoko National Park is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Alice Springs or Shiretoko National Park Better for Families?

Alice Springs
Shiretoko National Park

Alice Springs is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Shiretoko National Park is not as famous, but is still a good remote,natural,scenic,pristine to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Alice Springs is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Shiretoko National Park is a family-friendly town. Kids who enjoy an outdoor adventure will appreciate a visit to this park. There are wildlife viewing opportunities as well as mult-day hiking trails. Some parts of the park are challenging to access, so younger kids may be limited in what they can do.

Is Alice Springs or Shiretoko National Park Better for Couples?

Alice Springs
Shiretoko National Park

Both Alice Springs and Shiretoko National Park are high quality destinations for a couple's getaway.

Alice Springs is a great town if you're traveling as 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.

Shiretoko National Park is a very popular place to visit for couples. Couples who enjoy nature, wildlife, and pristine hiking trails will enjoy a visit to this remote and natural park. There are many great hikes as well as scenic spots that you can explore.


Is Alice Springs or Shiretoko National Park Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Alice Springs
Shiretoko National Park

For backpackers, both Alice Springs and Shiretoko National Park are high quality places to visit.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Alice Springs. 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.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Shiretoko National Park. Multi-day treks are a great way to explore the park and see the parts that are less popular with tourists.

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

Alice Springs
Shiretoko National Park

Alice Springs is a moderate town for its public transit. However, Shiretoko National Park is not a good remote,natural,scenic,pristine for times when you don't have a car.

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.

Public transit is quite limited in Shiretoko National Park. While there are buses that travel from Utoro to the east coast, they are infrequent. Your best options for visiting the park are having a private vehicle or joining a tour. Many parts of the park are only accessible by hiking or by boat.

Is Alice Springs or Shiretoko National Park a more walkable city?

Alice Springs
Shiretoko National Park

Alice Springs and Shiretoko National Park are nice when it comes to walkability.

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

Shiretoko National Park is somewhat walkable. It's a vast park with many hiking and cycling trails.


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

Should I spend more time in Shiretoko National Park or Alice Springs?

How long in Alice Springs or Shiretoko National Park?

It's fun to spend time in either Alice Springs or Shiretoko National Park. In our opinion, Alice Springs has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Alice Springs than Shiretoko National Park. In general, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Alice Springs, and 3-4 days is enough time in Shiretoko National Park.

Families should spend more time in Alice Springs than Shiretoko National Park. 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 Shiretoko National Park. 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.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Alice Springs than Shiretoko National Park 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 Alice Springs.


  • How many days in Alice Springs or Shiretoko National Park? Ideal Length of Stay
    Alice Springs 2-4 
    Shiretoko National Park 3-4

One day in Alice Springs or Shiretoko National Park?

Alice Springs is a small town with plenty to do. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Most people head to the area for the hiking. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Many travelers enjoy the when visiting the national park destination of Shiretoko National Park. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Don't miss the hiking, as that's what most people do. 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 Shiretoko National Park?

Alice Springs is a popular choice for travelers. A weekend here is typical. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Shiretoko National Park. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Don't miss the hiking, as that's what most people do. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Five days in Alice Springs or Shiretoko National Park?

Alice Springs is a great place to explore. Most people head to the area for the hiking. 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. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Travelers enjoy the when visiting the national park destination of Shiretoko National Park. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This remote,natural,scenic,pristine 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 Shiretoko National Park?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Alice Springs. Most people head to the area for the hiking. 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

You'll find around the beautiful remote,natural,scenic,pristine of Shiretoko National Park. 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. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.


For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Melbourne, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Australia, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Japan, and The Best Adventure Tours to Japan.


Which place is cheaper, Shiretoko National Park 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 Shiretoko National Park is $80. 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 Shiretoko National Park in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Alice Springs $53
    Shiretoko National Park $35
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Alice Springs $106
    Shiretoko National Park $70
Compare Hotels in Alice Springs and Shiretoko National Park

Looking for a hotel in Alice Springs or Shiretoko National Park? 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 Shiretoko National Park


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 Shiretoko National Park Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Alice Springs $21
    Shiretoko National Park $28

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

Is it cheaper to fly into Alice Springs or Shiretoko National Park?

Prices for flights to both Shiretoko National Park 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
    Shiretoko National Park $27

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

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Alice Springs $15
    Shiretoko National Park $16

Tours and Activities in Alice Springs

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

  • Skip the Line: Alice Springs School of the Air Guided Tour Ticket: $10
  • Alice Springs Desert Park General Entry Ticket: $28
  • Alice Springs Desert Park Nocturnal Tour: $29
  • Alice Springs Camel Tour: $63
  • West MacDonnell Ranges Half day Tour -Small Group: $104
  • From Alice Spring: West MacDonnell Ranges Half-Day Tour: $105
  • Alice Springs Airport to West MacDonnell Ranges Half-Day Tour: $112
  • Historical Alice Tour: $115
  • Alice Springs Highlights Tour : $115
  • Historical Alice Tour: $117
  • Alice Springs Airport to Alice Springs City Half Day Tour: $126
  • West MacDonnell Ranges & Standley Chasm Tour: $126

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Alice Springs $18
    Shiretoko National Park $11
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


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Alice Springs and Shiretoko National Park, we can see that Alice Springs is more expensive. And not only is Shiretoko National Park much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Alice Springs is in Pacific and Shiretoko National Park is in Asia, 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 Shiretoko National Park would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Shiretoko National Park 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 Alice Springs would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Alice Springs than you might in Shiretoko National Park.

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 Shiretoko National Park Expensive?.


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