Which place is cheaper, Brisbane or Canberra?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Should I visit Canberra or Brisbane? 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 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 shopping, museums, and nightlife.
Brisbane is a active, relaxed, and diverse coastal city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the hiking, shopping, and museums.
Travelers will usually find more to do in Brisbane than Canberra, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Brisbane is more popular for its nightlife, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and shopping, while Canberra is known for its food. Brisbane is more touristy than Canberra and is known for its sports culture, beautiful weather, and outdoor areas. It is also home to the Cultural Centre. Canberra is popular for its educational museums and the nearby nature reserves.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Brisbane and Canberra. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Canberra and Brisbane.
Canberra offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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.
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.
Canberra 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.
Canberra has a number of nationally recognized food spots and 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.
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.
Brisbane 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.
Brisbane has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. 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.
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.
Brisbane is a popular place for its diving and snorkeling. However, Canberra is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.
Brisbane has a few good snorkeling spots. There are some good snorkeling and diving spots near the city. One of the best is the Tangalooma Wrecks off Moreton Island.
Canberra is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.
Brisbane is an excellent place to visit for the beache. However, Canberra is not a beach destination.
Brisbane is considered a top beach destination. 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.
Canberra is not a beach destination.
If you're looking to go hiking, Canberra and Brisbane both have good trails.
Canberra is a good destination for hiking. There's one national park - Namadgi, as well as green space, rolling hills, and hiking trails just outside of town.
Many people include a hike when visiting 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.
Brisbane is an excellent place to visit for its shopping opportunities. Also, Canberra is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping areas.
Brisbane is well-known for its shopping. 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.
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.
Kids will enjoy a visit to either Canberra or Brisbane.
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.
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.
With fun activities for couples, both Canberra and Brisbane 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.
Brisbane is a good 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.
Brisbane is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Canberra is lacking in options for backpackers.
Many 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.
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.
Both Canberra and Brisbane are great 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.
Brisbane is very popular with students. Many students appreciate the local vibe, warm weather, and excellent education opportunities that the city offers.
Visitors will find good public transit in both Canberra and Brisbane.
Canberra has some 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.
You'll find some public transit in Brisbane, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. 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.
Brisbane is an excellent place to visit for its high level of walkability. Also, Canberra is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its ease of walking around.
Brisbane is a very walkable coastal city. There's a good network of paths that make parts of the city walkable.
Canberra is a somewhat walkable city. 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.
For even more information, also check out Is Canberra Worth Visiting? and Is Brisbane Worth Visiting?.
Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Canberra and Brisbane. In our opinion, Brisbane has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Brisbane than Canberra. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.
Families should spend more time in Brisbane than Canberra. 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 Canberra. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Brisbane that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Brisbane 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 Brisbane.
The city of Canberra offers food and shopping. 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.
The coastal city of Brisbane offers museums and nightlife. Most people come for the beaches. 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.
Canberra 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 Canberra, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.
Brisbane is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this coastal city makes for a great vacation. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Brisbane, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.
Canberra 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.
Brisbane 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.
Canberra 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.
Brisbane is a great place to explore. It's also a great beach destination, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This coastal 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 Coach Bus Tours in Australia, and The Best Water Sports Tour Packages in Australia.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Canberra is $133, while the average daily cost in Brisbane is $131. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Canberra and Brisbane in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Canberra or Brisbane? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Also for Canberra, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Brisbane:
Also for Brisbane, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both Brisbane and Canberra change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
For Canberra, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Brisbane:
For Brisbane, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
For Canberra, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
For Brisbane, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Brisbane.
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Canberra from other travelers:
Also in Canberra, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Brisbane:
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Brisbane:
When comparing the travel costs between Canberra and Brisbane, we can see that Canberra 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. Since both cities are in Pacific, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Canberra Expensive? and Is Brisbane Expensive?.
Brisbane has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Canberra. When comparing the sizes of Canberra and Brisbane, 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.
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the southern hemisphere, summer is in January and winter is in July.
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Canberra and Brisbane. The hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Canberra this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Brisbane for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Canberra is cooler than Brisbane. Typically, the summer temperatures in Canberra in January average around 20°C (68°F), and Brisbane averages at about 25°C (77°F).
Brisbane receives a lot of rain in the summer. In January, Canberra usually receives less rain than Brisbane. Canberra gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Brisbane receives 169 mm (6.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.
The autumn brings many poeple to Canberra as well as Brisbane. Many travelers come to Canberra for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene. Additionally, many visitors come to Brisbane in the autumn for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene.
In April, Canberra is generally cooler than Brisbane. Daily temperatures in Canberra average around 17°C (63°F), and Brisbane fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).
It's quite rainy in Brisbane. Canberra receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Canberra usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Brisbane. Canberra gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Brisbane receives 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
Both Brisbane and Canberra are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Canberra in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Brisbane for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Canberra is cooler than Brisbane in the winter. The daily temperature in Canberra averages around 11°C (52°F) in July, and Brisbane fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).
In July, Canberra usually receives less rain than Brisbane. Canberra gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Brisbane receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.
Both Brisbane and Canberra during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Canberra for the activities around the city during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Brisbane because of the beaches and the activities around the city.
In the spring, Canberra is cooler than Brisbane. Typically, the spring temperatures in Canberra in October average around 15°C (60°F), and Brisbane averages at about 21°C (69°F).
Canberra usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Brisbane. Canberra gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Brisbane receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
Canberra | Brisbane | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 20°C (68°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 169 mm (6.7 in) |
Feb | 20°C (68°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 152 mm (6 in) |
Mar | 19°C (67°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
Apr | 17°C (63°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) |
May | 14°C (58°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) |
Jun | 12°C (54°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
Jul | 11°C (52°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
Aug | 12°C (53°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
Sep | 14°C (56°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
Oct | 15°C (60°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
Nov | 17°C (63°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
Dec | 19°C (66°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |