A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Brisbane vs. New Orleans for Food, Nightlife, Families, and Backpackers

Should you visit Brisbane or New Orleans?

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 New Orleans can help you decide which place is right for you.

Brisbane

Brisbane is a active, relaxed, and diverse coastal city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

New Orleans

New Orleans is a festive, vibrant, and energetic city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. As this is a very quaint destination, you'll find it has a special atmosphere. It's also popular because of the food, nightlife, and live music.

Brisbane and New Orleans: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Brisbane or New Orleans?

Visitors will generally find more to do in New Orleans than Brisbane. While Brisbane is larger than New Orleans, New Orleans has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. New Orleans is better known for its food, nightlife, music, historical sights, and quaint atmosphere, while Brisbane is more popular for its museums, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and shopping. New Orleans is more touristy than Brisbane and is known for its jazz festivals, local cuisine, quaint balconies, and world class Mardi Gras parties. Also, New Orleans is famous for The French Quarter. Brisbane is well known for its sports culture, beautiful weather, and outdoor areas.

The French Quarter

How is Brisbane different from New Orleans?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Brisbane is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. However, New Orleans does not have museums and landmarks.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Brisbane. 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.

New Orleans does not have museums and landmarks.

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

New Orleans 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.

New Orleans has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. It has rapidly grown into one of the United State's most well known foodie destinations. It's the birthplace of bananas foster and popular for it's gumbo, crawfish etouffee, jambalaya, and red beans and rice. While there are a number of celebrity chefs from New Orleans, you'll also find many local restaurants that aren't as well known but are equally worth visiting.

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 New Orleans Better for Nightlife?

New Orleans 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.

New Orleans has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. The nightlife scene is at its best during Mardi Gras. But year-round you'll find Bachelor and Bachelorette parties, spring breakers, and anyone who wants to enjoy a crazy time heads to New Orleans. New Orleans is a destination that attracts partiers any time of the year, and the French Quarter is the place to be if you're looking for a party.

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 New Orleans Better for Music?

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

New Orleans has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. The city is known for its music festivals that feature jazz, blues, and many other types of live music. The Jazz Festival is a great time to visit.

Brisbane is not a live music destination.

Is Brisbane or New Orleans Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Brisbane is a coastal city with good options for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, New Orleans is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's fun to get in the water and check out the local marine life in Brisbane. There are some good snorkeling and diving spots near the city. One of the best is the Tangalooma Wrecks off Moreton Island.

New Orleans is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Brisbane or New Orleans Better for Beaches?

Brisbane is an excellent place to visit for its beaches. However, New Orleans is not a beach destination.

The beaches at Brisbane attract visitors from all over. 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.

New Orleans is not a beach destination.

Is Brisbane or New Orleans Better for its Old Town?

New Orleans 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 New Orleans. The French Quarter is filled with old architecture and beautiful historic landmarks.

Brisbane does not have a historic old town.

Is Brisbane or New Orleans Better for Hiking?

Brisbane is a coastal city with good options for its hiking trails. However, New Orleans is not a hiking destination.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Brisbane. 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.

New Orleans is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Brisbane or New Orleans?

Brisbane is an excellent place to visit for shopping. However, New Orleans is lacking in options for its shopping opportunities.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting 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.

If you're looking to go shopping, New Orleans has some nice offerings. New Orleans shopping is mostly centered around shopping malls and chain stores.

Is Brisbane or New Orleans Better for Families?

Brisbane is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. However, New Orleans is lacking in options for its family-friendly activities.

Brisbane is a very family-friendly destination. 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.

New Orleans doesn't usually come to mind when thinking about kid-friendly destinations. While there are some family-friendly activities in New Orleans like a zoo and several great parks, the city is more known for its parties and nightlife scene. Particularly during certain seasons, most people choose to visit New Orleans without kids.

Is Brisbane or New Orleans Better for Couples?

Both Brisbane and New Orleans 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.

New Orleans is a nice destination for couples. Couples who enjoy a lively evening, fun festivals, and exploring absolutely amazing restaurants will enjoy a visit to New Orleans. It has a festive and unique atmosphere any time of the year. There are also nice hotels and beautiful parks.

Is Brisbane or New Orleans Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Brisbane is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, New Orleans is lacking in options for backpackers.

Brisbane is very popular with the backpacker crowd. 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.

New Orleans is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a handful of hostels in New Orleans that are good options for backpackers who want to meet other travelers.

Is Brisbane or New Orleans Better for Students?

Brisbane is an excellent place to visit for its student-friendly activities. Also, New Orleans is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Students come from all over to stay in Brisbane. Many students appreciate the local vibe, warm weather, and excellent education opportunities that the city offers.

New Orleans is popular with students. Students head to New Orleans to enjoy spring break and Mardi Gras.

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

Brisbane is a coastal city with good options for times when you don't have a car. However, New Orleans is lacking in options for its public transit.

Brisbane has some public transit options. 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 generally limited in New Orleans. The city has streetcar lines and bus lines that you can use, but you'll want to have a car if you want to venture outside of these main areas.

Is Brisbane or New Orleans a more walkable city?

Brisbane is an excellent place to visit for its walkability. Also, New Orleans is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its high level of walkability.

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

New Orleans is a somewhat walkable place. If you stick to the French Quarter and downtown areas, most things are walkable in New Orleans.

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

Should I spend more time in New Orleans or Brisbane?

How long in Brisbane or New Orleans?

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

Families should spend more time in Brisbane than New Orleans. 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 New Orleans. 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 New Orleans 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 New Orleans?

Visitors enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the diverse coastal city of Brisbane. It's also a great beach destination, too. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

The city of New Orleans offers nightlife and live music. 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 New Orleans?

Visitors enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the relaxed destination of Brisbane. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. This coastal city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

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

Five days in Brisbane or New Orleans?

The active coastal city of Brisbane offers museums and nightlife. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

New Orleans 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 New Orleans?

Many people enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting Brisbane. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people come for the beaches. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

New Orleans is a great place to explore. 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 Adventure Tours to United States of America, and The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Brisbane or New Orleans?

Brisbane has a larger population, and is about 98% larger than the population of New Orleans. When comparing the sizes of Brisbane and New Orleans, 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 New Orleans?

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 New Orleans has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Brisbane or New Orleans in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Brisbane and New Orleans. Many travelers come to Brisbane for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to New Orleans in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Brisbane is around the same temperature as New Orleans. Typically, the summer temperatures in Brisbane in January average around 25°C (77°F), and New Orleans averages at about 82°F (28°C)in July.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in New Orleans this time of the year. In Brisbane, it's very sunny this time of the year. Brisbane usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as New Orleans during summer. Brisbane gets 256 hours of sunny skies, while New Orleans receives 264 hours of full sun in the summer.

New Orleans receives a lot of rain in the summer. Brisbane gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Brisbane usually receives more rain than New Orleansin July. Brisbane gets 169 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while New Orleans receives 5.9 inches (149 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Brisbane or New Orleans in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Brisbane as well as New Orleans. Many visitors come to Brisbane in the autumn for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to New Orleans for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene during these months.

In April, Brisbane is generally around the same temperature as New Orleansin October. Daily temperatures in Brisbane average around 22°C (71°F), and New Orleans fluctuates around 69°F (21°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in New Orleans. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Brisbane this time of the year. In the autumn, Brisbane often gets less sunshine than New Orleansin October. Brisbane gets 214 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while New Orleans receives 240 hours of full sun.

Brisbane receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Brisbane usually gets more rain in April than New Orleansin October. Brisbane gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while New Orleans receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Brisbane or New Orleans in the Winter?

Both New Orleans and Brisbane are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Brisbane for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to New Orleans because of the shopping scene and the cuisine.

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

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Brisbane. Brisbane usually receives more sunshine than New Orleans during winter. Brisbane gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while New Orleans receives 158 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in New Orleans. In July, Brisbane usually receives less rain than New Orleansin January. Brisbane gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while New Orleans receives 5.2 inches (131 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Brisbane or New Orleans in the Spring?

Both New Orleans and Brisbane during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Brisbane because of the beaches and the activities around the city. Furthermore, the activities around the city are the main draw to New Orleans this time of year.

In the spring, Brisbane is around the same temperature as New Orleans. Typically, the spring temperatures in Brisbane in October average around 21°C (69°F), and New Orleans averages at about 68°F (20°C)in April.

In New Orleans, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Brisbane. In the spring, Brisbane often gets around the same amount of sunshine as New Orleansin April. Brisbane gets 259 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while New Orleans receives 254 hours of full sun.

New Orleans gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Brisbane usually gets less rain in October than New Orleansin April. Brisbane gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while New Orleans receives 4.5 inches (114 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for New Orleans and Brisbane