A Travel Price Comparison for Australia Canberra vs. Cairns for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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Should you visit Canberra or Cairns?

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

Should I visit Canberra or Cairns? 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 Cairns?

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."

Cairns

Most travelers go to Cairns specifically to visit Great Barrier Reef. The city itself is surprisingly large and cosmopolitan with a population of approximately 140,000. The city's economy is almost exclusively based on tourism, although you will find some jobs centered around agriculture, or more specifically sugar cane, bananas, coffee, tea, wine, and some tropical fruits. The city itself is surrounded by rainforest and makes a great base for exploring Kuranda, with the Barron Gorge National Park and the Daintree offering a quieter tropical getaway than Cairns.

Which place is cheaper, Cairns or Canberra?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Canberra is $132, while the average daily cost in Cairns is $94. 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 Cairns in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Canberra $81
    Cairns $42
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Canberra $162
    Cairns $84
Compare Hotels in Canberra and Cairns

Looking for a hotel in Canberra or Cairns? 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.

Hotels in Canberra


Hotels in Cairns


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 Cairns Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Canberra $24
    Cairns $12

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Canberra

Also for Canberra, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer from Canberra city hotels to Eden Cruise Port: $81
  • Private Transfer from Canberra Airport CBR to Eden Cruise Port : $81
  • Private Departure Transfer from Canberra City to Canberra Airport: $57
  • Private Canberra Airport - Canberra City Round-Trip Transfer: $113
  • Private Arrival Transfer from Canberra Airport to Canberra City: $57
  • Osaka Airport: One-Way Private Transfer to Downtown: $90
  • Guided Tour of Floriade Festival with Transfers: $115
  • Canberra to Canberra Int Airport - Departure Private Transfer: $33
  • Canberra Int'l Airport to Canberra - Arrival Private Transfer: $33
  • Canberra Airport (CBR) to Canberra - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $67
  • Canberra -> Sydney -> Jindabyne -> Perisher Ski Resort : Private Transfer: $586
  • Canberra - Sydney Private Transfers: $456

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cairns

Also for Cairns, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Shared Arrival Transfer From Cairns Airport to Port Douglas: $31
  • Private transfers 1-7 people cairns to port Douglas (one way): $114
  • Private Transfers Cairns Airport to Port Douglas: $114
  • Private Transfers Cairns Airport to Port Douglas: $164
  • Private Transfers - Cairns Airport to Palm Cove: $77
  • Private Transfers - Cairns Airport to Cairns City: $55
  • Private Transfer from Cairns hotels to Port Douglas Cruise Port: $59
  • Private Transfer from Cairns Cruise Port to Port Douglas hotels: $39
  • Private Transfer from Cairns Cruise Port to Cairns Airport (CNS): $44
  • Private Transfer from Cairns City Hotels to Cairns Cruise Port: $20
  • Private Transfer from Cairns Airport (CNS) to Port Douglas Port: $59
  • Private Transfer from Cairns Airport (CNS) to Cairns Cruise Port: $44

Is it cheaper to fly into Canberra or Cairns?

Prices for flights to both Cairns 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Canberra $34
    Cairns $28
Typical Food prices in Canberra

For Canberra, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Lunch
    $16

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cairns

For Cairns, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Cairns Luxury Catamaran Harbor and Dinner Cruise: $77
  • Guided Twilight Tour with 3-Course Dinner: $115
  • Cairns Aquarium by Twilight Tour and 3-Course Dinner: $116
  • City Sights Tour with Evening Dinner Cruise: $138
  • Small-Group Afternoon Cairns City Tour with Harbour Dinner Cruise: $146

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Canberra $17
    Cairns $37

Tours and Activities in Canberra

For Canberra, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour in Canberra: $20
  • 3 Hour Historical Tour of Canberra on VR BUS for Schools: $375
  • Australian Institute of Sport: The AIS Tour: $13
  • Batemans Bay Overnight Kayak Camping Tour from Canberra - All Inclusive: $422
  • Best of Wildlife and Birds Tour: $88
  • Building + Architecture Tour | 10am Daily: $13
  • Canberra Best of Wildlife Tour: $87
  • Canberra Floriade Tour: $116
  • Canberra Small Group Winery Tour: $146
  • Canberra Wineries Full Day, Electric Vehicle Tour /w lunch: $585
  • Beer, Wine, and Spirits Tasting Tour: $109
  • City Highlights Day Tour with Entrance Fees: $115

Typical Entertainment prices in Cairns

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Cairns's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Scuba Diving
    $35

Tours and Activities in Cairns

For Cairns, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Birdworld Kuranda Entry Ticket: $14
  • Kuranda Rainforestation Nature Park Ticket (BNP): $40
  • 17-Day Cairns to Darwin Tour: $3,885
  • 2-Day Atherton Tablelands, Mossman Gorge and Daintree Tour: $194
  • 2-Day Great Barrier Reef Combo: Green Island Sailing and Outer Reef Snorkel Cruise: $324
  • 2-Day Snorkeling Experience in Great Barrier Reef (Twin Share Cabin): $387
  • 3 Day Cape Tribulation & Cooktown Tour from Cairns or Port Douglas: $1,215
  • 3 Day Reef, Rainforest and Outback Tour: $358
  • 3-Day Small-Group Tour of North Queensland with Pick Up: $1,399
  • 3B Mossman Gorge, Daintree Rainforest & Crocodile Cruise: $183
  • 4 'Behind the Scenes' Wildlife Tour & River Boat Cruise: $296
  • 8-Day Cairns Tour: Great Barrier Reef, Kuranda, Daintree Rainforest: $1,460

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Canberra $15
    Cairns $13
Typical Alcohol prices in Canberra

Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Canberra from other travelers:


  • Drinks at a Bar
    $9.00

Sample the Local Flavors in Canberra

Also in Canberra, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Canberra Brewery and Beer Tour in 3 Hours: $96
  • Canberra Brewery Winery and Distillery Tour: $111
  • Capital Brewery Full-Day Tour: $119
  • CanBEERa Explorer: Capital Brewery Full-Day Tour: $121
  • Full-Day Canberra Brewery, Wineries & Distillery tour /w lunch: $139
  • Canberra Wine Tour: $143
  • From Winery, Distillery, & Tasting Tour with Lunch: $145

Sample the Local Flavors in Cairns

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Cairns:

  • Cairns Brewery Tours: $127
  • From Atherton Tablelands Food and Wine Tasting Tour: $151
  • Boutique Atherton Tablelands Small-Group Food and Wine Tasting Tour from Cairns: $159
  • Tablelands Food and Wine Tasting Tour from Cairns: $257

How are these travel costs calculated?

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

Which is Bigger, Canberra or Cairns?

Canberra is bigger, and its population is about 2.1 times larger than the population of Cairns. When comparing the population of Canberra vs. Cairns, 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 and the activities that interest you.


When is the best time to visit Canberra or Cairns?

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.

Should I visit Canberra or Cairns in the Summer?

Both Cairns and Canberra are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities.

In the summer, Canberra is cooler than Cairns. Typically, the summer temperatures in Canberra in January average around 20°C (68°F), and Cairns averages at about 29°C (84°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Cairns. In January, Canberra usually receives less rain than Cairns. Canberra gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 429 mm (16.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January
    Canberra 20°C (68°F) 
    Cairns 29°C (84°F)

Should I visit Canberra or Cairns in the Autumn?

Both Cairns and Canberra during the autumn are popular places to visit.

In April, Canberra is generally much colder than Cairns. Daily temperatures in Canberra average around 17°C (63°F), and Cairns fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).

Cairns gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Canberra. Canberra usually gets less rain in April than Cairns. Canberra gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 273 mm (10.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April
    Canberra 17°C (63°F) 
    Cairns 27°C (80°F)

Should I visit Canberra or Cairns in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Canberra and Cairns.

Canberra is much colder than Cairns in the winter. The daily temperature in Canberra averages around 11°C (52°F) in July, and Cairns fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

In July, Canberra usually receives more rain than Cairns. Canberra gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July
    Canberra 11°C (52°F) 
    Cairns 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Canberra or Cairns in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Canberra as well as Cairns.

In the spring, Canberra is much colder than Cairns. Typically, the spring temperatures in Canberra in October average around 15°C (60°F), and Cairns averages at about 27°C (80°F).

Canberra usually gets more rain in October than Cairns. Canberra gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October
    Canberra 15°C (60°F) 
    Cairns 27°C (80°F)

Typical Weather for Cairns and Canberra

Canberra Cairns
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 20°C (68°F) 87 mm (3.4 in) 29°C (84°F) 429 mm (16.9 in)
Feb 20°C (68°F) 107 mm (4.2 in) 29°C (83°F) 469 mm (18.5 in)
Mar 19°C (67°F) 131 mm (5.2 in) 28°C (82°F) 471 mm (18.5 in)
Apr 17°C (63°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 27°C (80°F) 273 mm (10.8 in)
May 14°C (58°F) 87 mm (3.4 in) 25°C (78°F) 118 mm (4.6 in)
Jun 12°C (54°F) 90 mm (3.5 in) 23°C (74°F) 62 mm (2.5 in)
Jul 11°C (52°F) 43 mm (1.7 in) 23°C (73°F) 35 mm (1.4 in)
Aug 12°C (53°F) 66 mm (2.6 in) 24°C (75°F) 34 mm (1.3 in)
Sep 14°C (56°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 25°C (77°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Oct 15°C (60°F) 95 mm (3.7 in) 27°C (80°F) 44 mm (1.7 in)
Nov 17°C (63°F) 104 mm (4.1 in) 28°C (82°F) 104 mm (4.1 in)
Dec 19°C (66°F) 79 mm (3.1 in) 29°C (83°F) 211 mm (8.3 in)


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Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.
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