Which city is cheaper, Byron Bay or Canberra?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
A Travel Price Comparison for Australia Canberra vs. Byron Bay for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons
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Should you visit Canberra or Byron Bay?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Canberra or Byron Bay? 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.
Where Should I go: Canberra or Byron Bay?
Canberra
There is something special about the capital city of Australia. Canberra's not just a wonderful spot for outdoor adventures. It's a city completely designed and built up around the coast of an artificial lake. When architects Walter Burley and Marion Mahony Griffin proposed their plans for Canberra it was met with a lot of criticism. Many people thought it would be a "waste of a good sheep pasture."
Byron Bay
South of Brisbane, off the Pacific Highway, is the coastal town of Byron Bay. It is close to Cape Byron, which is the easternmost point in mainland Australia. Byron Bay makes its way onto most traveler's itineraries because of its wonderful beach activities. The area is world famous for its waves, making it popular with surfers, but it also has incredible scuba diving, whale watching, and a generally relaxed atmosphere. The area continues to rise in popularity with travelers and as such, amenities and facilities are popping up everywhere.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCanberra $116Byron Bay $121
The average daily cost (per person) in Canberra is $116, while the average daily cost in Byron Bay is $121. 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 city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Canberra and Byron Bay in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCanberra $72Byron Bay $58
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCanberra $144Byron Bay $116
Compare Hotels in Canberra and Byron Bay
Looking for a hotel in Canberra or Byron Bay? 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.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Canberra Hotel Prices and Byron Bay Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Canberra $21Byron Bay $28
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Canberra
Also for Canberra, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Airport Transfer: from Canberra to Canberra Airport (CBR): $33
- Canberra - Sydney Private Transfers: $474
- Canberra -> Sydney -> Jindabyne -> Perisher Ski Resort : Private Transfer: $474
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Byron Bay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Byron Bay:
- Private Byron Bay Transfer to Gold Coast Airport 7am-6pm: $79
Is it cheaper to fly into Canberra or Byron Bay?
Prices for flights to both Byron Bay 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.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayCanberra $30Byron Bay $42
Typical Food prices in Canberra
For Canberra, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Lunch$18
Typical Food prices in Byron Bay
Some typical examples of dining costs in Byron Bay are as follows:
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Dinner at Olivo (for 2)$64
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Byron Bay
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Byron Bay.
- Mount Warning Sunrise Climb Including Overnight Camping and BBQ Dinner: $166
- Byron Bay Kayaking with Dolphins and Mount Warning Sunrise Climb Including Overnight Camping and BBQ Dinner: $224
- Byron Bay Surfing Lesson and Mount Warning Sunrise Climb Including Overnight Camping and BBQ Dinner: $224
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Canberra $15Byron Bay $31
Tours and Activities in Canberra
For Canberra, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Skip the Line: Telstra Tower Observation Deck Ticket: $5.93
- Building and Architecture Tour | 10am Daily: $12
- Ultimate Museum Experience | Tour + Dine + Shop (10am daily): $51
- Day Tour from Canberra to Batemans Bay - with Oyster Tasting Kayak Tour: $178
- Day Tour from Canberra to Batemans Bay With Indigenous Experience: $180
- Capture Canberra Photography Tours: $371
- Canberra - Southern Highlands Winery Tour: $422
- Batemans Bay Overnight Kayak Camping Tour from Canberra - All Inclusive: $513
- Canberra - Murrumbateman Private Group Winery Tours: $522
- Private Canberra Secrets Highlights Tour: $789
Typical Entertainment prices in Byron Bay
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Byron Bay are as follows:
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Buddha Gardens Spa (for 2)$135
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Surf Lesson$46
Tours and Activities in Byron Bay
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Byron Bay are as follows:
- 3-Hour Sea Turtle Snorkeling Experience in Byron Bay: $78
- 3-Hour Small-Group Byron Bay Tour: $67
- 5 hour - Byron Bay Cycling Tour + Lunch: $150
- 5-Hour Byron Bay Introductory Scuba Diving Tour: $170
- Beyond Byron Hinterland Tour: $134
- Byron Bay 3-Hour Certified Dive Tour: $119
- Byron Bay Combo: Hinterland Tour Including Minyon Falls and Kayaking with Dolphins: $182
- Byron Bay Hinterland Tour Including Rainforest Walk to Minyon Falls: $124
- Byron Bay Hinterland: National Park and Waterfalls Tour: $122
- Byron Bay Lighthouse and Hinterland Tour: $74
- Byron Bay Waves To Waterfalls Adventure Tour: $172
- Byron Bay Whale Watching Cruise: $87
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCanberra $14Byron Bay $12
Typical Alcohol prices in Canberra
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Canberra from other travelers:
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Drinks at a Bar$9.95
Sample the Local Flavors in Canberra
Also in Canberra, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Capital Brewery Full-Day Tour: $123
- From Winery, Distillery, & Tasting Tour with Lunch: $144
Sample the Local Flavors in Byron Bay
Also in Byron Bay, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Afternoon session Brewery and Distillery tour in Byron Bay: $116
- Full Barrel Brewery and Distillery tour: $141
- Byron: Pub, Brewery and Distillery Tour: $172
When comparing the travel costs between Canberra and Byron Bay, we can see that Byron Bay 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.
When is the best time to visit Canberra or Byron Bay?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the southern hemisphere, summer is in January and winter is in July.
Should I visit Canberra or Byron Bay in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Canberra as well as Byron Bay.
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Canberra is cooler than Byron Bay in the summer. The temperature in Canberra is usually 20°C (68°F) in January, and Byron Bay stays around 23°C (74°F).
It's quite rainy in Byron Bay. Canberra usually gets less rain in January than Byron Bay. Canberra gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Byron Bay receives 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JanuaryCanberra 20°C (68°F)Byron Bay 23°C (74°F)
Should I visit Canberra or Byron Bay in the Autumn?
Both Byron Bay and Canberra are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities.
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In the autumn, Canberra is cooler than Byron Bay. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Canberra in April are around 17°C (63°F), and Byron Bay is about 20°C (69°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Byron Bay. It's quite rainy in Canberra. In April, Canberra usually receives less rain than Byron Bay. Canberra gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Byron Bay receives 133 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures AprilCanberra 17°C (63°F)Byron Bay 20°C (69°F)
Should I visit Canberra or Byron Bay in the Winter?
Both Byron Bay and Canberra during the winter are popular places to visit.
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In July, Canberra is generally cooler than Byron Bay. Temperatures in Canberra average around 11°C (52°F), and Byron Bay stays around 14°C (58°F).
Canberra usually gets less rain in July than Byron Bay. Canberra gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Byron Bay receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JulyCanberra 11°C (52°F)Byron Bay 14°C (58°F)
Should I visit Canberra or Byron Bay in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Canberra and Byron Bay.
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Canberra is cooler than Byron Bay in the spring. The temperature in Canberra is usually 15°C (60°F) in October, and Byron Bay stays around 19°C (67°F).
In October, Canberra usually receives around the same amount of rain as Byron Bay. Canberra gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Byron Bay receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures OctoberCanberra 15°C (60°F)Byron Bay 19°C (67°F)
Typical Weather for Byron Bay and Canberra
| Canberra | Byron Bay | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 20°C (68°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Feb | 20°C (68°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 133 mm (5.2 in) |
| Mar | 19°C (67°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Apr | 17°C (63°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 133 mm (5.2 in) |
| May | 14°C (58°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Jun | 12°C (54°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| Jul | 11°C (52°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Aug | 12°C (53°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Sep | 14°C (56°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 32 mm (1.2 in) |
| Oct | 15°C (60°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Nov | 17°C (63°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Dec | 19°C (66°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) |
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