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

Should you visit Brisbane or Seattle?

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

Brisbane

Brisbane is a cultural, active, and relaxed coastal city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Seattle

Seattle is a outdoorsy, laid-back, and bustling city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the beaches, hiking, and shopping.

Brisbane and Seattle: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Brisbane or Seattle?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Seattle than Brisbane. While Brisbane is larger than Seattle, Seattle has more sights and attractions for tourists. Seattle is very popular for its theatre productions, food, music, hiking, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Brisbane attracts visitors for its scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and shopping. Seattle is more touristy than Brisbane and is popular for its beautiful waterfront setting, diverse culinary scene, thriving art and cultural venues, and being the home of many international tech companies. It is also well known for The Space Needle. Brisbane is famous for its sports culture, beautiful weather, and outdoor areas.

How is Brisbane different from Seattle?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

You'll find a number of excellent museums and attractions in both Seattle 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 Seattle can be an interesting and educational experience. The city's most iconic landmark is the Space Needle. There's also a zoo, aquarium, and a handful of nice museums. Several favorites include the Chihuly Garden and Glass, the Museum of History & Industry, and the Seattle Art Museum.

Is Brisbane or Seattle Better for Theater?

Seattle is very good for its shows and theatre. However, Brisbane is not a theatre destination.

If you have some extra time in Seattle, take in a show. There are a handful of theaters where you can enjoy traveling Broadway shows or smaller productions.

Brisbane is not a theatre destination.

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

Seattle is great 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.

Seattle has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The city has many diverse dining options that make it a popular foodie destination. The seafood is world-class with many restaurants offering fresh caught salmon and oysters. There are also many great Asian restaurants with Pho, sushi, and dim sum all being popular around town. Seattle is also famous as the birthplace of Starbucks coffee, and both chain and independent coffee shops are common. Finally, make sure you check out the donuts at Pike's Place Market.

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 Seattle Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is excellent in both Brisbane and Seattle.

Many people head to Brisbane for the nightlife scene. 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.

Seattle has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The city is known for its breweries and eclectic nightlife scene. There is a thriving theater scene as well as many bars and trendy restaurants. The best neighborhoods for nightlife include Capitol Hill, Belltown, and Downtown.

Is Brisbane or Seattle Better for Music?

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

The music scene in Seattle draws a good crowd. The city has developed its own music culture around several genres including alternative rock and grunge.

Brisbane is not a live music destination.

Is Brisbane or Seattle Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Brisbane is a nice place to visit for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Seattle 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.

Seattle is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Brisbane or Seattle Better for Beaches?

Brisbane is notable for the beach. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its beaches.

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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Seattle. The city is surrounded by water so there are a number of rocky and sandy beaches nearby. Some beaches are more popular with locals while others attract a large amount of tourists. Alki Beach Park, Discovery Park, and Golden Gardens Park are among the best.

Is Brisbane or Seattle Better for Hiking?

Seattle is great for hiking. Also, Brisbane is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for the nearby hiking options.

Many visitors go to Seattle for the hiking trails. It's famously an outdoorsy city and the hiking will not disappoint. Within a half hour drive of town you'll find beautiful forests and stunning natural beauty. Head into the Cascades, to the coastal rainforests, or around Mount Rainier for all kinds of diverse landscapes. Seattle is well situated for you to experience hiking through the diverse Pacific Northwest landscapes.

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.

Is the Shopping Better in Brisbane or Seattle?

Brisbane is notable for its shopping areas. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity 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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Seattle. Shopping in town has an eclectic mix of high end brands, local vendors, and vintage shops. There are farmers markets as well as the famous Pike Place Market, but also major malls with all of the standard department stores.

Is Brisbane or Seattle Better for Families?

Brisbane is notable for its family-friendly activities. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Brisbane is known to be 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.

Seattle is a family-friendly coastal city. This is an outdoor city with plenty of places where kids can run around and experience nature. There are several good museums as well as outdoor activities, parks, and a zoo. Make sure you check out the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, Volunteer Park, and Artists at Play Playground.

Is Brisbane or Seattle Better for Couples?

Both Brisbane and Seattle are nice 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.

Seattle is a nice destination for couples. The city has a laid back vibe, a nice downtown area, and plenty of outdoor activities. There are a diversity of restaurants to enjoy and a great nightlife scene that makes for a good couple's getaway.

Is Brisbane or Seattle Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Brisbane is notable for backpackers. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Brisbane is a very popular coastal city for backpackers and budget travelers. 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.

Seattle is a good coastal city to visit for backpackers. Although it's not the most popular city for backpackers in America, the city's chill vibe, fun breweries, and lively setting make it a great spot for young backpackers.

Is Brisbane or Seattle Better for Students?

For students, both Brisbane and Seattle 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.

Seattle is a great coastal city to visit as a student. It is a major IT center with a large university, so international students will have plenty of opportunities here. It's also a vibrant city with many outdoor recreational opportunities and a fun nightlife scene.

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

Brisbane and Seattle both offer nice 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.

Seattle has a few public transit options. There is a light rail system, a monorail, a street car, and buses.

Is Brisbane or Seattle a more walkable city?

Brisbane and Seattle are excellent when it comes to walkability.

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

Seattle is very walkable. Many neighborhoods are very walkable, particularly in the downtown and major tourist areas.

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

Should I spend more time in Seattle or Brisbane?

How long in Brisbane or Seattle?

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Brisbane than Seattle 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 Seattle?

In Brisbane, you'll find shopping and museums. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. This coastal city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Seattle is a big city with plenty to do. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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 Seattle?

In Brisbane, you'll find museums and nightlife. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Most people come for the beaches. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Brisbane has to offer.

Seattle 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 spend some time hiking while you're in the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Seattle, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Brisbane or Seattle?

Brisbane is a great place to explore. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Seattle 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 Seattle?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Brisbane. Many people enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting Brisbane. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Seattle is a great place to explore. 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. 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Brisbane and Seattle, we can see that Seattle 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 Seattle 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 Seattle would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Seattle 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 Seattle Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Brisbane or Seattle?

Brisbane has a larger population, and is about 68% larger than the population of Seattle. When comparing the sizes of Brisbane and Seattle, 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 Seattle?

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

Should I visit Brisbane or Seattle in the Summer?

Both Seattle and Brisbane during the summer are popular places to visit. 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 Seattle for the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

Brisbane is a little warmer than Seattle in the summer. The daily temperature in Brisbane averages around 25°C (77°F) in January, and Seattle fluctuates around 67°F (19°C)in July.

In Seattle, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Brisbane. In the summer, Brisbane often gets less sunshine than Seattlein July. Brisbane gets 256 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Seattle receives 313 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Brisbane. Brisbane usually gets more rain in January than Seattlein July. Brisbane gets 169 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Seattle receives 0.9 inches (22 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Brisbane or Seattle in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Brisbane and Seattle. Many travelers come to Brisbane for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Seattle 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 the autumn, Brisbane is much warmer than Seattle. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Brisbane in April average around 22°C (71°F), and Seattle averages at about 54°F (12°C)in October.

In Brisbane, it's very sunny this time of the year. Brisbane usually receives more sunshine than Seattle during autumn. Brisbane gets 214 hours of sunny skies, while Seattle receives 143 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Brisbane gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Brisbane usually receives more rain than Seattlein October. Brisbane gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Seattle receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Brisbane or Seattle in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Brisbane as well as Seattle. Many visitors come to Brisbane in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Seattle for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine during these months.

In July, Brisbane is generally much warmer than Seattlein January. Daily temperatures in Brisbane average around 15°C (59°F), and Seattle fluctuates around 42°F (5°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Brisbane this time of the year. In the winter, Brisbane often gets more sunshine than Seattlein January. Brisbane gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Seattle receives 67 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Seattle. Brisbane usually gets less rain in July than Seattlein January. Brisbane gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Seattle receives 5.4 inches (136 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Brisbane or Seattle in the Spring?

Both Seattle and Brisbane are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Brisbane for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Seattle because of the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.

Brisbane is much warmer than Seattle in the spring. The daily temperature in Brisbane averages around 21°C (69°F) in October, and Seattle fluctuates around 51°F (11°C)in April.

It's quite sunny in Seattle. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Brisbane. Brisbane usually receives more sunshine than Seattle during spring. Brisbane gets 259 hours of sunny skies, while Seattle receives 212 hours of full sun in the spring.

In October, Brisbane usually receives more rain than Seattlein April. Brisbane gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Seattle receives 2.5 inches (64 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Seattle and Brisbane