A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Canberra vs. Atlanta for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Canberra or Atlanta?

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

Should I visit Canberra or Atlanta? 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 diverse, under-rated, and cultural city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Atlanta

Atlanta is a suburban, cultural, and diverse city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Canberra and Atlanta: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Canberra or Atlanta?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Atlanta than Canberra, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Atlanta is more popular for its museums, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Canberra is known for its hiking. Atlanta is more touristy than Canberra and is known for its world class aquarium, its role as host of the 1996 Olympic Games, and its influence during the Civil Rights Movement. It is also home to the Georgia Aquarium. Canberra is popular for its educational museums and the nearby nature reserves.

How is Canberra different from Atlanta?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Atlanta is terrific for its museums and history. Also, Canberra is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

The museums and tourist attractions in Atlanta are world-renowned. The museums range in topic from history to science and art. The country's largest aquarium, the Georgia Aquarium, is in Atlanta as well. It's home to whale sharks, stingrays, and a diversity of marine life. Other museums around town include the Atlanta History Center, the Fernbank Museum of Natural History, the High Museum of Art, the World of Coca Cola, the David J. Sencer CDC Museum, and the Delta Flight Museum. There are also many monuments and sites including the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site.

Many visitors head to Canberra specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. 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.

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

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Canberra and Atlanta.

Canberra has a huge number of terrific restaurants. 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.

Dining out in Atlanta is an experience not to be missed. It's a huge city with a wide selection of restaurants including international, local, and classic southern styles. Fried chicken, biscuits, diner food, and barbecue are all popular. For a classic southern breakfast check out The OK Cafe and for a quintessential Atlanta experience go to The Varsity.

Is Canberra or Atlanta Better for Nightlife?

Atlanta is an excellent place to visit for nightlife and partying. Also, Canberra is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.

Atlanta has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. The nightlife scene is diverse with trendy bars, dance clubs, and huge music halls. There are a number of neighborhoods that each have their own atmosphere. For some of the best nightlife check out the upscale bars in Buckhead, the music venues in Midtown, the hipster vibe in Edgewood, or the laid-back atmosphere in Virginia Highland.

Canberra has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. 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.

Is Canberra or Atlanta Better for Hiking?

Canberra is a nice place to visit for hiking. However, Atlanta is not a hiking destination.

Canberra has hiking trails worth exploring. There's one national park - Namadgi, as well as green space, rolling hills, and hiking trails just outside of town.

Atlanta is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Canberra or Atlanta?

Atlanta is terrific for its shopping opportunities. Also, Canberra is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping areas.

Known for shopping, Atlanta draws large crowds to its stores. There are a number of great shopping districts around town. Atlantic Station is popular with a movie theater and ice skating. Buckhead has boutique and local vendors and Lenox Square has a large shopping mall.

Many visitors go to Canberra to go shopping. Caberra Centre is the city's largest shopping centre and it has all of the usual international brands.

Is Canberra or Atlanta Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Canberra or Atlanta.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Canberra is very family-friendly. 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.

Atlanta is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. There is no shortage of playgrounds around town, but a highlight of any trip is a visit to the Georgia Aquarium. It's the largest aquarium in the United States and its home to whale sharks, hammerheads, dolphin shows, and more. It is so much more than just an aquarium, and it truly is a not to be missed experience. Also worth a visit are Zoo Atlanta, the Center of Puppetry Arts, Stone Mountain, Fernbank Museum of Natural History, and the Lego Discovery Center. If you have the chance to see the Atlanta Braves play, that's also a rewarding experience.

Is Canberra or Atlanta Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Canberra and Atlanta make for a good place to visit.

Canberra makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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.

Atlanta is a good city for couples to visit. It's a big city, so there are a number of date night activities available such as orchestra concerts, theater shows, and fine dining. The city also has many outdoor areas like Lake Lanier and Piedmont Park. The Georgia Aquarium is world class, and there are other amazing museums around town as well.

Is Canberra or Atlanta Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Plenty of budget travelers visit Atlanta. While it's usually overlooked by backpackers, there are actually a couple of hostels around town and a surprising number of activities worth experiencing. The city's large airport make it a convenient entry point for international travelers.

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 Atlanta Better for Students?

Both Canberra and Atlanta are very good destinations for students.

Canberra is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. 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.

Atlanta is very popular with students. There are a number of universities in town such as Emory, Georgia Institute of Technology, Georgia State University, and Morehouse College. The city is sprawling, but it's also full of entertainment and activities that students will enjoy.

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

Canberra is a nice place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Atlanta is not known for its public transit.

While Canberra offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. 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 generally limited in Atlanta. For such a large city, the public transportation system is very limited. MARTA is the main transit authority and there are a few subway lines that cross the city as well as bus routes running around town.

Is Canberra or Atlanta a more walkable city?

Canberra and Atlanta are good when it comes to walkability.

Canberra is a somewhat walkable place. 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.

Atlanta is a somewhat walkable city. Parts of the city are walkable, but most of the sights are spread out and require a car to access. Within neighborhoods, there are a few places that are more pedestrian-friendly such as Downtown, Midtown, Virginia Highlands, and Buckhead.

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

Should I spend more time in Atlanta or Canberra?

How long in Canberra or Atlanta?

It's fun to spend time in either Canberra or Atlanta. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Atlanta due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Canberra, and 2-4 days is enough time in Atlanta.

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

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

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

One day in Canberra or Atlanta?

In Canberra, you'll find nightlife and food. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Atlanta is a big city with plenty to do. 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 Canberra or Atlanta?

In Canberra, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Canberra has to offer.

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

Five days in Canberra or Atlanta?

Canberra is a great place to explore. 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.

Atlanta 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 Canberra or Atlanta?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Canberra. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Canberra. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Atlanta 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 Walking Tours in Australia, The Best Eco Tours in Australia, The Best Historical Tours in United States of America, and The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Canberra or Atlanta?

Atlanta has a larger population, and is about 29% larger than the population of Canberra. When comparing the sizes of Canberra and Atlanta, 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 Atlanta?

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

Should I visit Canberra or Atlanta in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Canberra and Atlanta. Many travelers come to Canberra for the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Atlanta in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Canberra is cooler than Atlanta. Typically, the summer temperatures in Canberra in January average around 20°C (68°F), and Atlanta averages at about 82°F (28°C)in July.

Atlanta receives a lot of rain in the summer. In January, Canberra usually receives less rain than Atlantain July. Canberra gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Atlanta receives 5.2 inches (133 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Canberra or Atlanta in the Autumn?

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

In April, Canberra is generally cooler than Atlantain October. Daily temperatures in Canberra average around 17°C (63°F), and Atlanta fluctuates around 66°F (19°C).

Canberra receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Canberra usually gets more rain in April than Atlantain October. Canberra gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Atlanta receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Canberra or Atlanta in the Winter?

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

Canberra is much warmer than Atlanta in the winter. The daily temperature in Canberra averages around 11°C (52°F) in July, and Atlanta fluctuates around 45°F (7°C)in January.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Atlanta. In July, Canberra usually receives less rain than Atlantain January. Canberra gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Atlanta receives 4.7 inches (120 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Canberra or Atlanta in the Spring?

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

In the spring, Canberra is cooler than Atlanta. Typically, the spring temperatures in Canberra in October average around 15°C (60°F), and Atlanta averages at about 65°F (18°C)in April.

Atlanta gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Canberra usually gets less rain in October than Atlantain April. Canberra gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Atlanta receives 4.1 inches (104 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Atlanta and Canberra