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

Should you visit Canberra or Philadelphia?

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

Should I visit Canberra or Philadelphia? 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 cultural, diverse, and under-rated city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Philadelphia

Philadelphia is a historic, 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. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the live music, food, and shopping.

Canberra and Philadelphia: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Canberra or Philadelphia?

You'll generally find more things to do in Philadelphia than Canberra. Philadelphia is bigger than Canberra, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Philadelphia is better known for its museums, theatre productions, nightlife, music, historical sights, shopping, christmas markets, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Canberra is more popular for its hiking. Philadelphia is more touristy than Canberra and is known for its diverse population, large number of universities, great restaurant and market scene, and its role in American history. Also, Philadelphia is famous for The Liberty Bell. Canberra is well known for its educational museums and the nearby nature reserves.

How is Canberra different from Philadelphia?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia are world-renowned. The city has a rich history with a number of museums and monuments. Popular sites around the city include the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and the National Museum of Jewish American History.

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 Philadelphia Better for Theater?

Philadelphia is an excellent place to visit for its theatre productions. However, Canberra is not a theatre destination.

While in town, many visitors enjoy seeing a show in Philadelphia. There are major Broadway shows as well as smaller venues. Head to The Avenue of the Arts along Broad Street for a popular stretch of theaters.

Canberra is not a theatre destination.

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

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

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 Philadelphia is an experience not to be missed. It has grown into a well-recognized food destination. It's diversity of cultures and residents have influenced the restaurant scene and you'll find many great places to dine covering a number of international flavors. The city is famous for its Philly cheesesteak and roast pork sandwich. You can also grab some local favorites at Reading Terminal Market.

Is Canberra or Philadelphia Better for Nightlife?

Philadelphia 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.

Philadelphia has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. The city's nightlife scene carries late into the evening with many rooftop and outdoor beer gardens. Most of the clubs and bars are found in the downtown area and you'll find places to dance, listen to live music, or sip a trendy cocktails.

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 Philadelphia Better for Music?

Philadelphia is an excellent place to visit for its live music scene. However, Canberra is not a live music destination.

Whether you like big venues or smaller artists, Philadelphia has diverse options. The city's diverse music scene includes jazz, rock, and hip hop.

Canberra is not a live music destination.

Is Canberra or Philadelphia Better for its Old Town?

Philadelphia is a popular place for its old town. However, Canberra does not have a historic old town.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Philadelphia. The Old City has a number of Colonial-era sites including Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, the Betsy Ross House.

Canberra does not have a historic old town.

Is Canberra or Philadelphia Better for Hiking?

Canberra is a nice place to visit for its hiking trails. However, Philadelphia 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.

Philadelphia is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Canberra or Philadelphia?

Philadelphia 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.

Philadelphia is well-known for its shopping. With all items tax-free, this city is a great place to shop. It has many boutique shops as well as name brand stores and shopping areas. For a local vibe, head to Reading Terminal Market.

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 Philadelphia Better for Christmas?

Philadelphia is an excellent place to visit for its Christmas holiday experiences. However, Canberra does not offer Christmas activities.

Since it has plenty to do, Philadelphia is a very popular place to visit during Christmas. There are a number of holiday events, light shows, and festivals during the holiday season.

Canberra does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Canberra or Philadelphia Better for Christmas Markets?

Philadelphia is a popular place for visiting Christmas markets. However, Canberra does not offer Christmas markets.

Many visitors go to the Christmas markets in Philadelphia. The city has its own German style Christmas market at Love Park and City Hall. It hosts over 80 vendors.

Canberra does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Canberra or Philadelphia Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Canberra or Philadelphia.

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.

Philadelphia is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. The city has many museums and a fascinating history that is interesting to kids and adults alike. Popular activities include a zoo and Sesame Place. Kids also love the hands-on Please Touch Museum.

Is Canberra or Philadelphia Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Canberra and Philadelphia make for a notable 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.

Philadelphia is a good city for couples to visit. Like many large cities, it is a fun place to explore in the evening as a couple. This is also a great foodie destination with great markets, food trucks, and diverse restaurants that reflect the city's diverse population.

Is Canberra or Philadelphia Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Plenty of budget travelers visit Philadelphia. There are a few good hostels for backpackers and budget travelers to choose from.

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 Philadelphia Better for Students?

Both Canberra and Philadelphia 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.

Philadelphia is very popular with students. With its many universities and diverse population, this city is a great place for international students.

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

Philadelphia is an excellent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Canberra is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Philadelphia has some very good public transit options. The system includes a subway, trolleys, buses, and a commuter rail.

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 Philadelphia a more walkable city?

Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia. The Old City is particularly walkable, as is Avenue of the Arts, and Rittenhouse Square.

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 Philadelphia Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Philadelphia or Canberra?

How long in Canberra or Philadelphia?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Canberra and Philadelphia. In our opinion, Philadelphia has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Philadelphia than Canberra. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia.

One day in Canberra or Philadelphia?

In Canberra, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this diverse city offers. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia?

Canberra is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

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

Five days in Canberra or Philadelphia?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the cultural destination of Canberra. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

Philadelphia is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that museums is why people visit. 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 Philadelphia?

Canberra is a popular place to visit. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Philadelphia is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that museums is why people visit. 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 2-Week Tours from Anchorage, and The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco.

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

Which is Bigger, Canberra or Philadelphia?

Philadelphia has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Canberra. When comparing the sizes of Canberra and Philadelphia, 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 Philadelphia?

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

Should I visit Canberra or Philadelphia in the Summer?

Both Philadelphia and Canberra are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Canberra for the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Philadelphia in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

Canberra is cooler than Philadelphia in the summer. The daily temperature in Canberra averages around 20°C (68°F) in January, and Philadelphia fluctuates around 77°F (25°C)in July.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Philadelphia. In January, Canberra usually receives less rain than Philadelphiain July. Canberra gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Philadelphia receives 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Canberra or Philadelphia in the Autumn?

Both Philadelphia and Canberra during the autumn are popular places to visit. 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 Philadelphia for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Canberra is a little warmer than Philadelphia. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Canberra in April average around 17°C (63°F), and Philadelphia averages at about 56°F (14°C)in October.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Canberra. Canberra usually gets more rain in April than Philadelphiain October. Canberra gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Philadelphia receives 1.9 inches (48 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Canberra or Philadelphia in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Canberra and Philadelphia. Most visitors come to Canberra for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Philadelphia because of the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

The weather in Philadelphia can be very cold. In July, Canberra is generally much warmer than Philadelphiain January. Daily temperatures in Canberra average around 11°C (52°F), and Philadelphia fluctuates around 30°F (-1°C).

In July, Canberra usually receives less rain than Philadelphiain January. Canberra gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Philadelphia receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Canberra or Philadelphia in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Canberra as well as Philadelphia. The spring months attract visitors to Canberra because of the activities around the city. Also, the activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Philadelphia this time of year.

Canberra is a little warmer than Philadelphia in the spring. The daily temperature in Canberra averages around 15°C (60°F) in October, and Philadelphia fluctuates around 52°F (11°C)in April.

Canberra usually gets more rain in October than Philadelphiain April. Canberra gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Philadelphia receives 2.8 inches (70 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Philadelphia and Canberra