A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Hiroshima vs. Cairns for Attractions, Nightlife, Families, and Backpackers

Should you visit Hiroshima or Cairns?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Hiroshima and Cairns can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Hiroshima

Hiroshima is a meaningful, park-filled, and memorable city. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums. See Hiroshima travel costs.

Cairns

Cairns is a adventure-filled, tropical, and idyllic city. Other reasons to visit include beaches, hiking, and shopping. See Cairns travel costs.

Hiroshima and Cairns: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Hiroshima or Cairns?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Cairns than Hiroshima. While Hiroshima is larger than Cairns, Cairns has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Cairns is better known for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and hiking, while Hiroshima is more popular for its museums and attractions. Cairns is more touristy than Hiroshima and is known for its stunning beaches, nearby rainforests, and easy access to the world's largest reef system. Also, Cairns is famous for the Great Barrier Reef. Hiroshima is well known for being the sight of the world's first atomic bomb detonation.

How is Hiroshima different from Cairns?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Cairns and Hiroshima. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Hiroshima or Cairns?

Hiroshima is terrific for its museums and history. However, Cairns is lacking in options for its museums and landmarks.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Hiroshima has many famous sights for visitors. Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park was built to commemorate the victims of the world's first nuclear attack. The park also serves as a sight to promote long term peace. In the park you'll find the Peace Memorial Museum, the Memorial Cenotaph, the Atom Bomb Dome, and the Flame of Peace. Other sights in Hiroshima include the Itsukushima shrine, the Hiroshima Castle, and Mitaki-dera Temple.

Cairns offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. Most visitors spend their time exploring nature and the outdoors, but there are some interesting cultural sights around town as well. Make sure you check out the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park as well as the Cairns Aquarium.

Is the Food Better in Hiroshima or Cairns? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Hiroshima and Cairns can be an enjoyable experience.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Hiroshima. There are many local dishes that you'll find in restaurants around town. Some of the best dining areas are around Hiroshima Station and in downtown Hiroshima. Make sure you try the Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, the local oysters, and tsukemen.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Cairns. Waterfront dining with a view is what makes the restaurant scene special. Seafood is everywhere and you can enjoy the catch of the day while you relax on a beachfront terrace. There are also international restaurants that have everything from Spanish tapas to Japanese noodle bowls.

Is Hiroshima or Cairns Better for Nightlife?

Cairns is an unbeatable place for nightlife. Also, Hiroshima is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife and partying.

The nightlife in Cairns is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. For such as small city, the nightlife scene is incredibly vibrant, particularly during the peak tourist months. Backpackers are at the heart of the action, with many bars and clubs filling up each night with a young crowd. There are dance clubs, all night parties, cocktail bars, and beach side venues that are sure to offer a good time.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Hiroshima. The city has many hidden pubs and traditional Japanese bars. The most vibrant nightlife scene is in the Chugoku-Shikoku district, particularly around Nagarekawa Street.

Is Hiroshima or Cairns Better for Resorts?

Cairns is a great city for its luxury resorts. However, Hiroshima is not a resort destination.

In Cairns, you'll find some of the region's top resorts. There are many beautiful resorts that offer access to the beach and have impressive pools. There are family-friendly resorts, romantic resorts, and even some budget-friendly options.

Hiroshima is not a resort destination.

Is Hiroshima or Cairns Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Cairns is an unbeatable place for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Hiroshima is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Cairns is a world class destination for scuba diving and snorkeling. It's access to the Great Barrier Reef make this one of the world's top scuba diving and snorkeling destinations. The undersea world is filled with colorful coral, diverse tropical fish, graceful sea turtles, and a truly magical setting.

Hiroshima is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Hiroshima or Cairns Better for Beaches?

Cairns is an unbeatable place for its beaches. However, Hiroshima is not a beach destination.

Cairns is considered to be a world-class beach destination. Near town you'll find stunningly beautiful beaches that range from hubs of activity to quiet coves. Cairns Esplanade Lagoon is the closest beach to the city center and it has a sandy beach and plenty of amenities. For a quieter setting, head north to Holloways Beach or to the family-friendly Yorkeys Knob Beach. Do take note that if the beach doesn't have a stinger net, then it's recommended you wear a stinger suit (to avoid jellyfish stings).

Hiroshima is not a beach destination.

Is Hiroshima or Cairns Better for Hiking?

Cairns is an unbeatable place for hiking. However, Hiroshima is not a hiking destination.

Around Cairns visitors will find world-class hiking trails. Near town you'll find wonderful national parks, lush rainforest, and beautiful mountain ranges. There are countless bush walks and hiking trails in the area. Head into the countryside and you'll get lost in nature and breathtaking views.

Hiroshima is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Hiroshima or Cairns?

If you're looking to go shopping, Hiroshima and Cairns both offer plenty of excellent spots.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Hiroshima. There are outlet malls as well as morning markets, that make for interesting shopping. Head to old Sanyodo Road to shop where the locals shop and for international brands head to Hondori Central Shopping District.

Cairns is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. There's plenty of shopping around town in the form of shopping centers, markets, and boutique shops. Whether you're looking for trendy fashion or a fun souvenir, there are many places to explore.

Is Hiroshima or Cairns Better for Families?

Cairns is an unbeatable place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Hiroshima is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

Cairns is an extremely popular city to visit for families. With the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest nearby, this is a playground for kids and adults alike. There are sandy beaches, rainforest walks, turtle rehabilitation centers, scenic railways, adventure sports, and so much more.

Hiroshima is a family-friendly place to visit. Tragedy often comes to mind when you think of this city, as it was the sight of the first atomic bomb detonation. Older kids will learn a lot from a visit, but it may be a bit overwhelming for younger kids. There are still many things to do with kids of all ages in the city though, such as feeding the koi fish at Shukeien Park or visiting the floating Itsukushima shrine.

Is Hiroshima or Cairns Better for Couples?

Cairns is a great city for romance. Also, Hiroshima is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its romantic activities.

Cairns is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. It's a beautiful tropical setting with world class beaches and diverse marine life. Couples who enjoy the outdoors and adventure will love this amazing destination. You can experience the area's wildlife, relax on sandy beaches, or pamper yourself with a spa treatment. There is plenty of luxury, but also adventure-filled activities to choose from.

Hiroshima makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There is plenty of nature and green space in the city. Couples will enjoy visiting the Hiroshima Castle or wandering through the gardens such as Shukkeien or the Hiroshima Botanical Garden.

Is Hiroshima or Cairns Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Cairns is an unbeatable place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Hiroshima is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

Many backpackers frequent Cairns. Backpackers flock to this coastal town for its easy access to the Great Barrier Reef and its many activities and vibrant energy. There are adventure sports, wild nightclubs, and no shortage of places to hang out with other backpackers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Hiroshima. There are many hostels around town and plenty of things to see an do.

Is Hiroshima or Cairns Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

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

The public transit in Hiroshima can get you to most places easily. There's a good tram and streetcar network around town as well as a ferry connecting the city to Miyajima Island. There are also buses around town.

You'll find some public transit in Cairns, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Sunbus operates a public bus service that travels through the city center and to many beaches. Most routes start at Cairns City Mall.

Is Hiroshima or Cairns a more walkable city?

Hiroshima is an excellent place to visit for its ease of walking around. However, Cairns is lacking in options for its walkability.

Hiroshima is a very walkable destination. If you base yourself in downtown Hiroshima, you can explore many areas on foot.

Cairns is generally not very walkable. While you can walk around many parts of the city center, most visitors want to head into the rainforest or experience the nearby day trips, which require a vehicle.

For even more information, also check out Is Hiroshima Worth Visiting? and Is Cairns Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Cairns or Hiroshima?

How long in Hiroshima or Cairns?

In either Hiroshima or Cairns, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Cairns than Hiroshima because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Hiroshima, and 3-5 days is enough time in Cairns.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Cairns than Hiroshima 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 Cairns.

One day in Hiroshima or Cairns?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Hiroshima. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the city of Cairns. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Hiroshima or Cairns?

Hiroshima is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the museums, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the idyllic destination of Cairns. Hikers are also drawn to this area. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Hiroshima or Cairns?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Hiroshima. Don't miss the museums, as that's what most people do. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

You'll find nightlife and food around the tropical city of Cairns. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

A week in Hiroshima or Cairns?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the park-filled destination of Hiroshima. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Cairns is a popular choice for travelers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. One week 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Japan, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Japan, The Best 4-Week (1-Month) Tours in Australia, and The Best Budget Tours to Australia.

When comparing the travel costs between Hiroshima and Cairns, we can see that Hiroshima 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. Even though Hiroshima is in Asia and Cairns is in Pacific, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Hiroshima Expensive? and Is Cairns Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Hiroshima or Cairns?

Hiroshima has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Cairns. When comparing the sizes of Hiroshima and 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 along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Hiroshima or Cairns?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Cairns is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Hiroshima has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Hiroshima or Cairns in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Hiroshima and Cairns. Many travelers come to Hiroshima for the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Cairns in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Hiroshima is generally cooler than Cairnsin January. Daily temperatures in Hiroshima average around 26°C (79°F), and Cairns fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).

Cairns receives a lot of rain in the summer. Hiroshima gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Hiroshima usually receives less rain than Cairnsin January. Hiroshima gets 238 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 429 mm (16.9 in) of rain each month for the summer. Also, November to March is the rainy season in Cairns.

Should I visit Hiroshima or Cairns in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Hiroshima as well as Cairns. Many visitors come to Hiroshima in the autumn for the shopping scene. Additionally, most visitors come to Cairns for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months.

Hiroshima is much colder than Cairns in the autumn. The daily temperature in Hiroshima averages around 17°C (63°F) in October, and Cairns fluctuates around 27°C (80°F)in April.

It's quite rainy in Cairns. Hiroshima receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Hiroshima usually gets less rain in October than Cairnsin April. Hiroshima gets 102 mm (4 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 273 mm (10.8 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, April to October in Cairns is the dry season.

Should I visit Hiroshima or Cairns in the Winter?

Both Cairns and Hiroshima are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Hiroshima for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Cairns because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Hiroshima can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Hiroshima is much colder than Cairns. Typically, the winter temperatures in Hiroshima in January average around 4°C (40°F), and Cairns averages at about 23°C (73°F)in July.

In January, Hiroshima usually receives more rain than Cairnsin July. Hiroshima gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Hiroshima or Cairns in the Spring?

Both Cairns and Hiroshima during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, the beaches are the main draw to Cairns this time of year.

In April, Hiroshima is generally much colder than Cairnsin October. Daily temperatures in Hiroshima average around 14°C (56°F), and Cairns fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Hiroshima. Hiroshima usually gets more rain in April than Cairnsin October. Hiroshima gets 168 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year. April to October is the dry season in Cairns. November to March is the rainy season in Cairns.

Typical Weather for Cairns and Hiroshima