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

Should you visit Canberra or New York City?

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

Should I visit Canberra or New York City? 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. Other reasons to visit include food, hiking, and shopping.

New York City

New York City is a one-of-a-kind, vibrant, and energetic city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the live music, food, and shopping.

Canberra and New York City: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Canberra or New York City?

Tourists will generally find more to do in New York City than Canberra. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. New York City is very popular for its museums, theatre productions, food, nightlife, music, shopping, christmas markets, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Canberra attracts visitors for its hiking. New York City is more touristy than Canberra and is known for its high-reaching skyscrapers, iconic landmarks, world-class theater scene, and endless energy. It is also well known for The Statue of Liberty. Canberra is famous for its educational museums and the nearby nature reserves.

How is Canberra different from New York City?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between New York City 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 New York City?

New York City 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 New York City are world-renowned. The sights and museums around the city are too numerous to list, but some of the most famous include the Statue of Liberty, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art, Central Park, and the Empire State Building. This is a city that is filled with iconic landmarks and you could spend weeks here and still not see it all.

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 Canberra or New York City Better for Theater?

New York City is terrific for its theatre productions. However, Canberra is not a theatre destination.

The theater and performance venues in New York City draw crowds from around the world. Visiting Broadway is a quintessential NYC experience. Whether you enjoy the theater or simply want to experience something new, seeing a Broadway show is a true bucket list activity.

Canberra is not a theatre destination.

Is the Food Better in Canberra or New York City? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

New York City is terrific for its restaurants. Also, Canberra is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

For foodies, New York City is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. The city has a diverse variety of restaurants, with everything from local dives to Michelin star options. There are many neighborhoods that are notable for their ethnic cuisine, particularly Little Italy and Chinatown. Quintessential NYC dishes include NYC pizza, NYC hot dogs, bagels, and Chinese dim sum.

Dining out in Canberra is an experience not to be missed. 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.

Is Canberra or New York City Better for Nightlife?

New York City is terrific for nightlife and partying. Also, Canberra is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.

New York City is a must-see party destination. Known as the city that never sleeps, you can be assured that NYC has some of the best nightlife in the world. There are world class bars and clubs, but also local venues that have a more relaxed atmosphere. Several famous clubs include Paul's Cocktail Lounge, Le Bain, and Avant Gardner.

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 New York City Better for Music?

New York City is terrific for its live music scene. However, Canberra is not a live music destination.

With so many music venues, you're guaranteed a show any night of the week in New York City. Popular music venues include Music Hall of Williamsburg, Radio City Music Hall, Beacon Theatre, and Forest Hills Stadium.

Canberra is not a live music destination.

Is Canberra or New York City Better for Hiking?

Canberra is a good destination for its hiking trails. However, New York City is not a hiking destination.

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

New York City is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Canberra or New York City?

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

Known for shopping, New York City draws large crowds to its stores. The shopping is as diverse as the city itself. Head for Fifth Avenue for high end shopping or check out any of the many street markets for local items. New York is known for its many flea markets where you can find vintage items at a good price. And if you're looking to pick up a souvenir shirt or knick knack, there are plenty of souvenir shops around town as well.

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 New York City Better for Christmas?

New York City is terrific for its Christmas holiday experiences. However, Canberra does not offer Christmas activities.

Known for its popular Christmas activities, New York City draws large crowds. Christmas in the city is a quintessential experience. From the Christmas tree and ice skating at Rockefeller Center to seeing a live performance of the Nutcracker, everyone enjoys the holidays in New York.

Canberra does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Canberra or New York City Better for Christmas Markets?

New York City is an excellent place to visit for visiting Christmas markets. However, Canberra does not offer Christmas markets.

New York City has plenty of Christmas markets during the holiday season. There are a number of Christmas markets that pop up around town during the holiday season. Nothing will get you more in the holiday spirit than wandering these unique venues.

Canberra does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Canberra or New York City Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Canberra or New York City.

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.

New York City is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. The city has many activities for kids of all ages including world class museums, beautifully designed playgrounds, and theater shows designed just for young ones. There are many kid-friendly restaurants as well and older kids will enjoy visiting the iconic landmarks in this world-class city.

Is Canberra or New York City Better for Couples?

New York City is terrific for its romantic activities. Also, Canberra is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

New York City makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. From a beautiful carriage ride through Central Park, to a romantic river cruise at night, there is an endless list of unique activities that couples can enjoy in the city. Whether you're interested in theater, the arts, music, or nightlife, this city has it all.

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 New York City Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

New York City is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Canberra is lacking in options for backpackers.

Many backpackers visit New York City. It isn't a particularly budget-friendly destination, but it does get its share of backpackers, so you'll find a nice list of hostels and affordable hangouts that are perfect for the backpacker crowd. This is probably one of the most popular cities for backpackers in the entire United States.

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 New York City Better for Students?

New York City is terrific for its student-friendly activities. Also, Canberra is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Many students frequent New York City. The city has a diverse population, and international students will feel right at home here exploring the city. There are also plenty of major universities including NYU, Columbia University, and Cornell University.

Canberra is very popular with students. 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.

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

New York City is terrific for times when you don't have a car. Also, Canberra is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

The thorough and effecient public transit system of New York City can take you anywhere. The city has one of the largest subway systems in the world. There's also an elaborate bus system, ferry system, and yellow taxis all around town.

You'll find some public transit in Canberra, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are public buses as well as a light rail system. The Red Explorer Loop bus goes by many of the city's sights.

Is Canberra or New York City a more walkable city?

New York City is terrific for its high level of walkability. Also, Canberra is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its ease of walking around.

It's very easy to get around on foot in New York City. The majority of the neighborhoods in Manhattan are very walkable and easy to explore on foot. Most people prefer not to drive here as it can be overwhelming and chaotic.

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 New York City Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in New York City or Canberra?

How long in Canberra or New York City?

Both Canberra and New York City have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in New York City than in Canberra. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Canberra, and 3-7 days is enough time in New York City.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in New York City 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 New York City.

One day in Canberra or New York City?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the under-rated destination of Canberra. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

New York City 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 New York City?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Canberra. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

New York City is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Canberra or New York City?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the diverse destination of Canberra. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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.

New York City is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in New York City, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Canberra or New York City?

You'll find food and shopping around the city of Canberra. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

New York City is a great place to explore. It is common to spend one week here. One week is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that New York City has to offer. 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 Tours Under $1000 in United States of America, and The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Canberra or New York City?

New York City has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Canberra. When comparing the sizes of Canberra and New York City, 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 New York City?

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 New York City has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Canberra or New York City in the Summer?

Both New York City and Canberra are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Canberra for the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to New York City because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In January, Canberra is generally cooler than New York Cityin July. Daily temperatures in Canberra average around 20°C (68°F), and New York City fluctuates around 77°F (25°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in New York City. In January, Canberra usually receives less rain than New York Cityin July. Canberra gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while New York City receives 4.5 inches (114 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Canberra or New York City in the Autumn?

Both New York City and Canberra during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Canberra because of the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene. Also, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to New York City this time of year.

Canberra is a little warmer than New York City in the autumn. The daily temperature in Canberra averages around 17°C (63°F) in April, and New York City fluctuates around 57°F (14°C)in October.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Canberra. Canberra usually gets more rain in April than New York Cityin October. Canberra gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while New York City receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Canberra or New York City in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Canberra and New York City. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Canberra this time of year. Also, many travelers come to New York City for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in New York City. In the winter, Canberra is much warmer than New York City. Typically, the winter temperatures in Canberra in July average around 11°C (52°F), and New York City averages at about 31°F (-1°C)in January.

In July, Canberra usually receives less rain than New York Cityin January. Canberra gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while New York City receives 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Canberra or New York City in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Canberra as well as New York City. Many travelers come to Canberra for the activities around the city. Also, many visitors come to New York City in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In October, Canberra is generally a little warmer than New York Cityin April. Daily temperatures in Canberra average around 15°C (60°F), and New York City fluctuates around 52°F (11°C).

Canberra usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as New York Cityin April. Canberra gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while New York City receives 3.8 inches (98 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for New York City and Canberra