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

Should you visit Brisbane or Dublin?

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 Dublin can help you decide which place is right for you.

Brisbane

Brisbane is a relaxed, diverse, and cultural coastal city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the hiking, shopping, and museums.

Dublin

Dublin is a laid-back, friendly, and welcoming city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Brisbane and Dublin: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Brisbane or Dublin?

Both Dublin and Brisbane have plenty of things to do for travelers. Both provide a wide variety of sights and activities for tourists. Brisbane is more popular for its scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and hiking, while Dublin is known for its nightlife, music, and historical sights. Dublin is more touristy than Brisbane and is popular for its friendly and social nightlife, its local pubs, and its role as the birthplace of Guinness. Brisbane is popular for its sports culture, beautiful weather, and outdoor areas.

How is Brisbane different from Dublin?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

You'll find a number of excellent museums and attractions in both Dublin 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 Dublin can be an interesting and educational experience. There are a number of museums around town including the National Museum of Ireland, the Little Museum of Dublin, and the National Gallery of Ireland.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Brisbane and Dublin can be difficult as they are each good in their own way.

Brisbane is becoming an appealing option for foodies. You'll find all of the standard eateries around town, with casual cafes, family-friendly restaurants, and some fine dining experiences to choose from.

Dublin offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. Seafood has become popular around town, but you can also try traditional favorites like stew, pancakes, or coddle.

Is Brisbane or Dublin Better for Nightlife?

Dublin 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.

Dublin has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. Temple Bar is where you'll find the greatest concentration of pubs and nightlife. The city is among the friendliest and most welcoming, and this is seen even in the vibe around town at night.

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 Dublin Better for Music?

Dublin is great for its music scene. However, Brisbane is not a live music destination.

The music scene in Dublin draws a good crowd. The best places to hear live music around town are the back street pubs that feature local groups.

Brisbane is not a live music destination.

Is Brisbane or Dublin Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Brisbane is a nice place to visit for its diving and snorkeling. However, Dublin 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.

Dublin is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Brisbane or Dublin Better for Beaches?

Brisbane is a great destination for the beache. However, Dublin 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.

Dublin is not a beach destination.

Is Brisbane or Dublin Better for its Old Town?

Dublin is great for its historic old town charm. However, Brisbane does not have a historic old town.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Dublin. On the south side of the River Liffey are three different historic parts to the city. The Medieval Quarter is the oldest. To the east is Temple Bar, and further east is the Georgian Quarter.

Brisbane does not have a historic old town.

Is Brisbane or Dublin Better for Hiking?

Brisbane is a nice place to visit for its hiking experiences. However, Dublin is not a hiking destination.

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.

Dublin is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Brisbane or Dublin?

If you're looking to go shopping, Brisbane and Dublin both offer plenty of excellent spots.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Brisbane. 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.

Dublin is an extremely popular place for shoppers. Head to Grafton Street to see a number of brand name and local shops. It's a pedestrian street that is fun to wander around.

Is Brisbane or Dublin Better for Families?

You'll find excellent kid-friendly activities in either Brisbane or Dublin.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Brisbane. 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.

Dublin is a very family-friendly place to visit. Explore the waterways with the viking splash, learn about the vikings at the museum Dublina, or visit any of the other kid-friendly museums around town, or see a show at The Gaiety.

Is Brisbane or Dublin Better for Couples?

Dublin is great for couples. Also, Brisbane is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for romance.

Dublin is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. It's laid-back vibe and countless pubs make it a fun weekend getaway for couples.

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

Is Brisbane or Dublin Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Brisbane and Dublin 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 Dublin. There are a number of popular backpacker hostels around town. The pub scene is also popular with the young crowd.

Is Brisbane or Dublin Better for Students?

Brisbane is a great destination for students. Also, Dublin is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

Brisbane is a great coastal city to visit as a student. Many students appreciate the local vibe, warm weather, and excellent education opportunities that the city offers.

It's common for students to visit Dublin. While student accommodation can be a bit expensive in town, the nightlife and social aspect of living in the city center makes it well worth it.

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

Brisbane and Dublin both offer good public transit to get you around.

While Brisbane offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. 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.

Dublin has a few public transit options. There is a comprehensive bus system around town.

Is Brisbane or Dublin a more walkable city?

Dublin is an amazing city to visit for its ease of walking around. Also, Brisbane is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for its walkability.

Dublin is a very easy city to get around on foot. Because it is so compact and flat, it is easy to explore the city center on foot.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Dublin or Brisbane?

How long in Brisbane or Dublin?

In either Brisbane or Dublin, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Dublin than Brisbane because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Brisbane, and 2-5 days is enough time in Dublin.

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

One day in Brisbane or Dublin?

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 Dublin offers museums and nightlife. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. 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 Dublin?

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.

Dublin 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. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Dublin, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Brisbane or Dublin?

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.

Dublin is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. It's no surprise that nightlife is why people visit. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Dublin, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Brisbane or Dublin?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the diverse 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.

Dublin is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that nightlife is why people visit. Visiting the old town is also a must. 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 Luxury Tours to Australia, The Best Adventure Tours to Australia, The Best Walking Tours in Ireland, and The Best Luxury Tours to Ireland.

When comparing the travel costs between Brisbane and Dublin, we can see that Dublin 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 Dublin is in Europe, 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 Dublin Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Brisbane or Dublin?

Dublin has a larger population, and is about 7% larger than the population of Brisbane. When comparing the sizes of Brisbane and Dublin, 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 Dublin?

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 Dublin has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Brisbane or Dublin in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Brisbane as well as Dublin. 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 Dublin for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In January, Brisbane is generally much warmer than Dublinin July. Daily temperatures in Brisbane average around 25°C (77°F), and Dublin fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Brisbane this time of the year. In the summer, Brisbane often gets more sunshine than Dublinin July. Brisbane gets 256 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dublin receives 166 hours of full sun.

Brisbane receives a lot of rain in the summer. Brisbane usually gets more rain in January than Dublinin July. Brisbane gets 169 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Dublin receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Brisbane or Dublin in the Autumn?

Both Dublin 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 Dublin in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.

Brisbane is much warmer than Dublin in the autumn. The daily temperature in Brisbane averages around 22°C (71°F) in April, and Dublin fluctuates around 11°C (52°F)in October.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Brisbane. Brisbane usually receives more sunshine than Dublin during autumn. Brisbane gets 214 hours of sunny skies, while Dublin receives 97 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Brisbane. In April, Brisbane usually receives more rain than Dublinin October. Brisbane gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Dublin receives 70 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Brisbane or Dublin in the Winter?

Both Dublin 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 Dublin for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In the winter, Brisbane is much warmer than Dublin. Typically, the winter temperatures in Brisbane in July average around 15°C (59°F), and Dublin averages at about 6°C (42°F)in January.

It's quite sunny in Brisbane. In the winter, Brisbane often gets more sunshine than Dublinin January. Brisbane gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dublin receives 56 hours of full sun.

Brisbane usually gets less rain in July than Dublinin January. Brisbane gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Dublin receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Brisbane or Dublin in the Spring?

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

In October, Brisbane is generally much warmer than Dublinin April. Daily temperatures in Brisbane average around 21°C (69°F), and Dublin fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In Brisbane, it's very sunny this time of the year. Brisbane usually receives more sunshine than Dublin during spring. Brisbane gets 259 hours of sunny skies, while Dublin receives 157 hours of full sun in the spring.

In October, Brisbane usually receives more rain than Dublinin April. Brisbane gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Dublin receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Dublin and Brisbane