A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Canberra vs. Anchorage for Hiking, Attractions, Food, and Families

Should you visit Canberra or Anchorage?

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

Should I visit Canberra or Anchorage? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Canberra

Canberra is a under-rated, cultural, and diverse city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for nightlife, food, and hiking.

Anchorage

Anchorage is a artsy, nature-oriented, and outdoorsy city. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Visitors also love the hiking, shopping, and museums.

Canberra and Anchorage: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Canberra or Anchorage?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Canberra than Anchorage. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Canberra is very popular for its museums, food, nightlife, and big city activities, while Anchorage attracts visitors for its hiking and impressive beauty. Anchorage is more touristy than Canberra and is popular for its breathtaking natural beauty, impressive wildlife, stunning hiking trails, and unique local culture. Canberra is famous for its educational museums and the nearby nature reserves. It is also well known for the Australian War Memorial.

How is Canberra different from Anchorage?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Canberra or Anchorage?

Canberra is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Anchorage is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Canberra. As Australia's capital, there are a large number of museums around town that focus on everything from history and culture to science and nature. Some of the most interesting are the Australian War Memorial, the New Parliament House, the Museum of Australian Democracy, the National Gallery of Australia, and the National Science and Technology Centre, but there are many more.

Anchorage offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. While most people visit for the outdoor experiences, there are a few museums where you can learn about the local culture and wildlife. Popular museums include the the Alaska Native Heritage Center, the Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center, the Alaska Aviation Museum, and the Alaska Museum of Science and Nature.

Is the Food Better in Canberra or Anchorage? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Canberra is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Anchorage is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Canberra makes for a great culinary experience. There's a trendy culinary scene as well as nearby vineyards that provide great wine. You'll find everything from family-friendly and casual to upscale and fine dining.

Anchorage has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. Food is expensive in town, but there are some unique local specialties that you must try. Many restaurants offer fresh seafood and local meats. Favorites include yak meat, king crab, and fresh oysters.

Is Canberra or Anchorage Better for Nightlife?

Canberra is a city with good options for nightlife. However, Anchorage is not a good city for nightlife and partying.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Canberra. There are local pubs and music venues that offer fun entertainment in the evening. You can sip wine or practice your dance moves at one of the city's clubs.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Anchorage. The town's nightlife mostly consists of local bars where you can hang out. Check out Koot's, which is a longstanding favorite.

Is Canberra or Anchorage Better for Hiking?

Anchorage is terrific for its hiking trails. Also, Canberra is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its hiking experiences.

People visit Anchorage specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. The town is surrounded by wilderness and it's not hard to escape into nature. You can choose between short walks, long day trips, and multi-day treks, with everything in between available as well. There are more than 300 miles of hiking trails near town and several favorites include Byron Glacier Trail, Thunderbird Falls Trail, and Flattop Mountain.

Many people include a hike when visiting Canberra. There's one national park - Namadgi, as well as green space, rolling hills, and hiking trails just outside of town.

Is the Shopping Better in Canberra or Anchorage?

Shoppers can find a variety of nice stores in both Canberra and Anchorage.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Canberra. Caberra Centre is the city's largest shopping centre and it has all of the usual international brands.

Many visitors go to Anchorage to go shopping. There are plenty of local gift shops and boutiques where you can pick up local Alaskan crafts and products. There's no sales tax, but prices can still be a bit steep. But if you're looking for something uniquely local to remember your trip, you don't have to look hard.

Is Canberra or Anchorage Better for Families?

Canberra is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Anchorage is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Canberra is a very family-friendly place to visit. There are interactive museums and science centers such as Questacon, the National Dinosaur Museum, and the National Zoo and Aquarium. There are also cultural and historical museums such as the Australian War Memorial, the Museum of Australian Democracy, and the National Museum of Australia. The city also has plenty of outdoor space and hands on crafts that kids will enjoy.

Anchorage is a family-friendly city. Kids who appreciate nature will appreciate this unique setting. Everyone will enjoy a glacier cruise, but you can hang out with the locals in Westchester Lagoon, see the animals at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, and learn about the area at the Anchorage Museum.

Is Canberra or Anchorage Better for Couples?

Anchorage is an excellent place to visit for its romantic activities. Also, Canberra is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

Anchorage makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The city makes a good base for couples who want to explore the surrounding beauty. The landscapes make a beautiful backdrop for a romantic trip, and the adventure activities will make for an unforgettable experience. There are plenty of outdoor activities and adventure sports that couples can enjoy together and the beauty of the region is breathtaking.

Canberra is a good city for couples to visit. As the city has plenty of date night activities like nice restaurants, interesting shows, and trendy wineries. During the day you can explore the outdoor setting, have a picnic, or visit a vineyard.

Is Canberra or Anchorage Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Anchorage is a popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Canberra is lacking in options for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Anchorage. There are a few good budget places to stay, and backpackers will also have plenty of outdoor wilderness to explore near town. It's important to remember that Alaska is known for its challenging wilderness so, unless you're experienced, you should take a guide.

Canberra is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Despite being the capital city, few backpackers actually spend much time in town. There are some budget-friendly motels if you're stopping by.

Is Canberra or Anchorage Better for Students?

Canberra is a well-known place for students. However, Anchorage is not popular with students.

Students come from all over to stay in Canberra. It's a welcoming city that is a fairly popular study abroad destination. Many students appreciate the friendly atmosphere, safe environment, and great economic setting.

Anchorage is not popular with students.

Is Canberra or Anchorage Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Canberra is a city with good options for its public transit. However, Anchorage is not a good city for times when you don't have a car.

Canberra has a few public transit options. There are public buses as well as a light rail system. The Red Explorer Loop bus goes by many of the city's sights.

Public transit is quite limited in Anchorage. There is the People Mover bus system that transports riders around town, but to truly experience the region, you must have a car.

Is Canberra or Anchorage a more walkable city?

Canberra is a city with good options for its walkability. However, Anchorage is not a good city for its high level of walkability.

Canberra is somewhat walkable. There are parts of the city that are walkable and possible to explore on foot, but in general this is a very car-centered city.

Anchorage is generally not a very walkable city. The downtown area is compact so you can wander to the nearby shops and restaurants on foot, but most people visit with the goal of exploring outside of town. For that you need a car.

For even more information, also check out Is Canberra Worth Visiting? and Is Anchorage Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Anchorage or Canberra?

How long in Canberra or Anchorage?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Canberra and Anchorage. In our opinion, Canberra has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Canberra than Anchorage. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Canberra, and 1-3 days is enough time in Anchorage.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Canberra than Anchorage 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 Canberra.

One day in Canberra or Anchorage?

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Canberra. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

The beautiful city of Anchorage offers food and shopping. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Canberra or Anchorage?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the cultural destination of Canberra. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

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

Five days in Canberra or Anchorage?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the under-rated city of Canberra. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Anchorage is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that hiking is why people visit. 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 Canberra or Anchorage?

Canberra is a popular choice for travelers. One week 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Anchorage is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that hiking is why people visit. 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 Walking Tours in Australia, The Best Eco Tours in Australia, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, and The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Canberra or Anchorage?

Canberra has a larger population, and is about 26% larger than the population of Anchorage. When comparing the sizes of Canberra and Anchorage, 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 Canberra or Anchorage?

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

Should I visit Canberra or Anchorage in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Canberra as well as Anchorage. Many visitors come to Canberra in the summer for the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Anchorage for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In January, Canberra is generally a little warmer than Anchoragein July. Daily temperatures in Canberra average around 20°C (68°F), and Anchorage fluctuates around 59°F (15°C).

Canberra usually gets more rain in January than Anchoragein July. Canberra gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Anchorage receives 1.7 inches (44 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Canberra or Anchorage in the Autumn?

Both Anchorage and Canberra are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Canberra for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Anchorage because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

The weather in Anchorage can be very cold. Canberra is much warmer than Anchorage in the autumn. The daily temperature in Canberra averages around 17°C (63°F) in April, and Anchorage fluctuates around 35°F (2°C)in October.

It's quite rainy in Canberra. In April, Canberra usually receives more rain than Anchoragein October. Canberra gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Anchorage receives 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Canberra or Anchorage in the Winter?

Both Anchorage and Canberra during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Canberra because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Anchorage this time of year.

It's quite cold in Anchorage in the winter. In the winter, Canberra is much warmer than Anchorage. Typically, the winter temperatures in Canberra in July average around 11°C (52°F), and Anchorage averages at about 15°F (-9°C)in January.

Canberra usually gets more rain in July than Anchoragein January. Canberra gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Anchorage receives 0.7 inches (19 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Canberra or Anchorage in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Canberra and Anchorage. The activities around the city are the main draw to Canberra this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Anchorage for the natural beauty.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Anchorage. In October, Canberra is generally much warmer than Anchoragein April. Daily temperatures in Canberra average around 15°C (60°F), and Anchorage fluctuates around 36°F (2°C).

In October, Canberra usually receives more rain than Anchoragein April. Canberra gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Anchorage receives 0.7 inches (18 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Anchorage and Canberra