A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Brisbane vs. Austin for Food, Nightlife, Attractions, and Families

Should you visit Brisbane or Austin?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Brisbane and Austin can help you decide which place is right for you.

Brisbane

Brisbane is a relaxed, diverse, and cultural coastal city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

Austin

Austin is a entrepreneurial, eccentric, and unconventional city. With a variety of activities, it's a big city. This is beautiful destination to visit. It's also popular because of the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Brisbane and Austin: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Brisbane or Austin?

You'll generally find more things to do in Brisbane than Austin. Brisbane is bigger than Austin, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Brisbane is better known for its scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, shopping, and big city activities, while Austin is more popular for its food, nightlife, music, and impressive beauty. Brisbane is well known for its sports culture, beautiful weather, and outdoor areas. Also, Brisbane is famous for the Cultural Centre. Austin is well known for its live music scene, excellent Texas barbecue, authentic Mexican food, and vibrant student population.

How is Brisbane different from Austin?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Brisbane or Austin?

You'll find a number of excellent museums and attractions in both Austin and Brisbane.

Many visitors head to Brisbane specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The Cultural Centre is where you'll find many of the city's museums. It sits on the banks of the Brisbane River and is home to the State Library of Queensland, the Queensland Museum and Sciencentre, and Queensland Art Gallery & Gallery of Modern Art. This is also where you'll find the Queensland Performing Arts Centre. Also popular is the Brisbane Botanic Gardens and the Wheel of Brisbane.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Austin can be an interesting and educational experience. Austin has a number of great museums and sights including the Blanton Museum of Art, the Mexic-Arte Museum, and the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum. There's also a huge supply of local art galleries. Perhaps the most notable landmark in town is the beautiful Texas Capital Building

Is the Food Better in Brisbane or Austin? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Austin is an amazing city to visit for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Brisbane is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Austin has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. It is credited with being the original food truck city and you'll find many diverse food truck options around town. There is also amazing Mexican food, world renowned Texas barbecue, and many modern restaurants that reflect the city's culinary influence.

Brisbane offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. You'll find all of the standard eateries around town, with casual cafes, family-friendly restaurants, and some fine dining experiences to choose from.

Is Brisbane or Austin Better for Nightlife?

Austin is an amazing city to visit for its evening party scene. Also, Brisbane is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for nightlife.

Austin has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. It's nightlife is centered around its thriving live music scene. Head for Sixth Street for some of the most popular bars and clubs. There are also many music festivals and outdoor concerts, particularly during the summer months. Popular bars and clubs around town include the White Horse, the Rose Room, and Antone's Nightclub.

Brisbane has plenty to do after the sun goes down. Fortitude Valley is the entertainment district in the city, and it really comes to life at night. There are also many venues that take advantage of the beautiful weather with outdoor and rooftop bars.

Is Brisbane or Austin Better for Music?

Austin is an amazing city to visit for its music scene. However, Brisbane is not a live music destination.

Austin has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. Music is what gives this city its character. There are many live music venues, concerts, and music festivals to experience. Austin has influenced many music genres such as rock, blues, jazz, hip hop, punk, and country.

Brisbane is not a live music destination.

Is Brisbane or Austin Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Brisbane is a nice place to visit for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Austin is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Brisbane has a few areas where visitors often go scuba diving or snorkeling. There are some good snorkeling and diving spots near the city. One of the best is the Tangalooma Wrecks off Moreton Island.

Austin is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Brisbane or Austin Better for Beaches?

Brisbane is a great destination for its beaches. However, Austin is not a beach destination.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Brisbane. For the best beaches, you'll want to take a day trip out of town, but there are also some nice beaches right by the city. About 30 minutes from town is family-friend Suttons Beach, or you can stay in the city center and check out the man-made Streets Beach. Shorncliffe Beach is another option that's less than a half hour from town.

Austin is not a beach destination.

Is Brisbane or Austin Better for Hiking?

Brisbane is a nice place to visit for its hiking experiences. However, Austin is a city with minimal options for hiking.

Brisbane has hiking trails worth exploring. There are a number of hikes outside of town that you can enjoy as a day trip. Check out the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail, Keperra Bushland Reserve, or D'Aguilar National Park to the north of town. To the south is Toohey Forest Park, Springwood Conservation Park , and Venmans Bushland National Park.

Many visitors include a hike while visiting Austin. Head just outside of town to explore a few great hiking spots right near town.

Is the Shopping Better in Brisbane or Austin?

Brisbane is a great destination for shopping. Also, Austin is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping opportunities.

Brisbane is an extremely popular place for shoppers. It's one of the most popular cities for retail therapy in Queensland. Queen Street Mall is an open air shopping mall and James Street is a favorite shopping street in town.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Austin. There are a number of local boutiques around town where you can enjoy shopping.

Is Brisbane or Austin Better for Families?

Brisbane is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Austin is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Brisbane is a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids will love a visit to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary or White Ridge Farm. And, of course, you should take a ride on the iconic Wheel of Brisbane. If you're willing to head out of town you can visit the fun Tangalooma Island Resort. Streets Beach is also fun to visit.

Austin offers lots of family activities. The city is a popular destination for young travelers, but there are also some family-friendly activities like Barton Springs, Zilker Park, and several natural swimming holes. There's a number of nice parks around town that are great for kids of all ages.

Is Brisbane or Austin Better for Couples?

Both Brisbane and Austin are notable destinations to visit as a couple.

Brisbane is a good coastal city for couples to visit. The waterfront setting and romantic restaurants offer a nice getaway for couples. There are many outdoor spaces that are fun to explore as well.

Austin is a nice destination for couples. Young couples will enjoy the city for its lively nightlife, fun music scene, and youthful vibe. There are also many outdoor areas where you can hike or explore. The restaurant scene is among the best as well.

Is Brisbane or Austin Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Brisbane and Austin are excellent places to visit.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Brisbane. Many backpackers breeze through Brisbane in favor of other nearby destinations, but there are actually a number of hostels in town and some interesting things to do.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Austin. Although the city is relatively small, it does see a disproportionate number of backpackers. There are a couple of hostels in town as well.

Is Brisbane or Austin Better for Students?

For students, both Brisbane and Austin are excellent places to visit.

Brisbane is very popular with students. Many students appreciate the local vibe, warm weather, and excellent education opportunities that the city offers.

Austin is a great coastal city to visit as a student. The city has a huge university, the University of Texas at Austin, and it is a young city with tons for international students. There is a great nightlife scene and plenty for students to see and do.

Is Brisbane or Austin Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Brisbane is a nice place to visit for its public transit. However, Austin is a city with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Brisbane, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are buses, trains, and ferries around town, but many people prefer to have their own vehicle. Ferries are the most fun and scenic way to get around.

Public transit is mostly limited in Austin. There are city buses and a very limited lightrail system, but you really need a car to explore the city.

Is Brisbane or Austin a more walkable city?

Brisbane is a great destination for its walkability. However, Austin is a city with minimal options for its high level of walkability.

Brisbane is very walkable. There's a good network of paths that make parts of the city walkable.

Austin is generally not a very walkable coastal city. The city, like most southern cities, isn't very walkable and it's important to have a car to get around. There are some downtown areas that are pedestrian-friendly.

For even more information, also check out Is Brisbane Worth Visiting? and Is Austin Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Austin or Brisbane?

How long in Brisbane or Austin?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Brisbane and Austin. In our opinion, Brisbane has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Brisbane than Austin. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Brisbane than Austin 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 Brisbane.

One day in Brisbane or Austin?

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the destination of Brisbane. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

The city of Austin offers museums and nightlife. 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.

A weekend in Brisbane or Austin?

Brisbane is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

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

Five days in Brisbane or Austin?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Brisbane. Most people come for the beaches. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Austin 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 Brisbane or Austin?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the relaxed destination of Brisbane. This coastal city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Austin 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 Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, and The Best Walking Tours in United States of America.

When comparing the travel costs between Brisbane and Austin, we can see that Austin 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. Even though Brisbane is in Pacific and Austin is in North America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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

Which is Bigger, Brisbane or Austin?

Brisbane has a larger population, and is about 41% larger than the population of Austin. When comparing the sizes of Brisbane and Austin, 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 Brisbane or Austin?

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

Should I visit Brisbane or Austin in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Brisbane as well as Austin. The beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Brisbane this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Austin for the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Brisbane is cooler than Austin. Typically, the summer temperatures in Brisbane in January average around 25°C (77°F), and Austin averages at about 87°F (30°C)in July.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Austin. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Brisbane this time of the year. In the summer, Brisbane often gets less sunshine than Austinin July. Brisbane gets 256 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Austin receives 318 hours of full sun.

Brisbane receives a lot of rain in the summer. Brisbane usually gets more rain in January than Austinin July. Brisbane gets 169 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Austin receives 1.9 inches (48 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Brisbane or Austin in the Autumn?

Both Austin and Brisbane are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Brisbane for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Austin in the autumn for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In April, Brisbane is generally around the same temperature as Austinin October. Daily temperatures in Brisbane average around 22°C (71°F), and Austin fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

It's quite sunny in Austin. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Brisbane. Brisbane usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Austin during autumn. Brisbane gets 214 hours of sunny skies, while Austin receives 214 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Brisbane. In April, Brisbane usually receives more rain than Austinin October. Brisbane gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Austin receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Brisbane or Austin in the Winter?

Both Austin and Brisbane during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Brisbane in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Austin for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Brisbane is a little warmer than Austin in the winter. The daily temperature in Brisbane averages around 15°C (59°F) in July, and Austin fluctuates around 51°F (11°C)in January.

It's quite sunny in Brisbane. In the winter, Brisbane often gets more sunshine than Austinin January. Brisbane gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Austin receives 163 hours of full sun.

Brisbane usually gets more rain in July than Austinin January. Brisbane gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Austin receives 1.9 inches (48 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Brisbane or Austin in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Brisbane and Austin. Most visitors come to Brisbane for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Austin because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Brisbane is around the same temperature as Austin. Typically, the spring temperatures in Brisbane in October average around 21°C (69°F), and Austin averages at about 71°F (22°C)in April.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Austin this time of the year. In Brisbane, it's very sunny this time of the year. Brisbane usually receives more sunshine than Austin during spring. Brisbane gets 259 hours of sunny skies, while Austin receives 209 hours of full sun in the spring.

In October, Brisbane usually receives around the same amount of rain as Austinin April. Brisbane gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Austin receives 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Austin and Brisbane