Which place is cheaper, Canberra or Islamabad?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Islamabad or Canberra?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Islamabad and Canberra 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.
Where Should I go: Islamabad or Canberra?
Islamabad
Islamabad is the capital of Pakistan, specially built in the 1960's to replace the former capital, Karachi. Most of the city's population are employees of the government, though many people come from all over Pakistan to enjoy the city's peaceful atmosphere and green spaces, museums, and monuments.
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."
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Pakistan, The Best Cultural Tours in Pakistan, The Best Walking Tours in Australia, and The Best Eco Tours in Australia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayIslamabad $42Canberra $135
The average daily cost (per person) in Islamabad is $42, while the average daily cost in Canberra is $135. 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 Islamabad and Canberra in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personIslamabad $20Canberra $83
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomIslamabad $40Canberra $166
Compare Hotels in Islamabad and Canberra
Looking for a hotel in Islamabad or Canberra? 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: Islamabad Hotel Prices and Canberra Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Islamabad $7.67Canberra $25
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Islamabad
Also for Islamabad, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transit Trip: Islamabad City Exploration Day Tour & Round Trip Airport Transfer: $110
- Private Transfer from Islamabad Airport to Pakistan: $61
- Private Chauffeur: Arrival Transfer Airport Pick up (Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore): $50
- Premium Services: Islamabad International Airport Transfer - Departures: $55
- Premium Services: Islamabad International Airport Transfer - Arrival: $55
- Premium Services: Islamabad Day Trip & Round Trip Airport Transfers.: $170
- Islamabad Round Trip Airport Transfer & Customizable Day Trip: $95
- Islamabad International Airport Transfer - ARRIVAL: $40
- Islamabad International Airport Transfer: $35
- Islamabad International Airport Departure Drop off Transfer : $55
- Islamabad International Airport Arrival Pick up Transfer: $55
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Canberra
Also for Canberra, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Guided Tour of Floriade Festival with Transfers: $118
- Private Transfer from Canberra city hotels to Eden Cruise Port: $82
- Private Transfer from Canberra Airport CBR to Eden Cruise Port : $82
- Canberra Airport (CBR) to Canberra - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $68
- Canberra to Canberra Int Airport - Departure Private Transfer: $34
- Canberra Int'l Airport to Canberra - Arrival Private Transfer: $34
Is it cheaper to fly into Islamabad or Canberra?
Prices for flights to both Canberra and Islamabad 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 dayIslamabad $15Canberra $35
Typical Food Prices in Canberra
For Canberra, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Lunch$17
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Islamabad $9.48Canberra $17
Tours and Activities in Islamabad
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Islamabad.
- Best of Islamabad Half Day Tour With Meal At Monal Restaurant (Morn & Eve Slots): $100
- From 15 Day Trekking Tour of Thalay and Nangma: $3,070
- From 9-Day Colors of Hunza Valley Cultural Tour: $2,065
- From Full Day Guided Taxila Ruins Exploration Tour: $150
- From Full Day Historical Peshawar Guided City Tour: $160
- From Skardu and Baltistan Cultural Tour with Food: $2,339
- Full Day Private City Tour Of Islamabad: $99
- Full-Day Sightseeing Tour Of Islamabad: $80
- Full-day Essential Islamabad Tour: $150
- Islamabad In & Around Full Day Customized City Tour: $80
- Islamabad Instagram Tour: Most Famous Spots (Private & All-Inclusive): $95
- City Tour with Faisal Mosque and Lake View Park: $95
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: $30
- Australian Institute of Sport: The AIS Tour: $14
- Best of Wildlife and Birds Tour: $98
- Building + Architecture Tour | 10am Daily: $13
- Canberra Floriade Tour: $118
- Canberra Small Group Winery Tour: $149
- Beer, Wine, and Spirits Tasting Tour: $112
- Best of Wildlife Tour: $89
- City Highlights Day Tour with Entrance Fees: $118
- Capital Christmas: Private Festive Tour in Canberra: $646
- Discover Canberra’s Heritage: A Full-Day Private Tour: $870
- Discover Pearls of Canberra - Private Walking Tour: $133
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayIslamabad $2.88Canberra $16
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$9.25
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: $99
- Canberra Brewery Winery and Distillery Tour: $112
- Capital Brewery Full-Day Tour: $122
- CanBEERa Explorer: Capital Brewery Full-Day Tour: $123
- From Winery, Distillery, & Tasting Tour with Lunch: $149
- Canberra Wine Tour: $158
- Full-Day Canberra Brewery, Wineries & Distillery tour /w lunch: $162
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Islamabad and Canberra, we can see that Canberra is more expensive. And not only is Islamabad much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Islamabad is in Asia and Canberra is in Pacific, 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 Islamabad would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Islamabad 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 Islamabad.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Islamabad Expensive? and Is Canberra Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Islamabad or Canberra?
Islamabad has a larger population, and is about 84% larger than the population of Canberra. When comparing the sizes of Islamabad and Canberra, 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 Islamabad or Canberra?
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 Islamabad has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Islamabad or Canberra in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Islamabad and Canberra. Furthermore, many visitors come to Canberra in the summer for the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.
The heat can be very extreme in Islamabad. In the summer, Islamabad is much warmer than Canberra. Typically, the summer temperatures in Islamabad in July average around 32°C (90°F), and Canberra averages at about 20°C (68°F)in January.
Islamabad gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Islamabad usually receives more rain than Canberrain January. Islamabad gets 237 mm (9.3 in) of rain, while Canberra receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryIslamabad 32°C (90°F)Canberra 20°C (68°F)
Should I visit Islamabad or Canberra in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Islamabad as well as Canberra. Additionally, most visitors come to Canberra for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene during these months.
In October, Islamabad is generally much warmer than Canberrain April. Daily temperatures in Islamabad average around 26°C (80°F), and Canberra fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).
It's quite rainy in Canberra. Islamabad usually gets less rain in October than Canberrain April. Islamabad gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Canberra receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilIslamabad 26°C (80°F)Canberra 17°C (63°F)
Should I visit Islamabad or Canberra in the Winter?
Both Canberra and Islamabad are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Canberra because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Islamabad is a little warmer than Canberra in the winter. The daily temperature in Islamabad averages around 14°C (57°F) in January, and Canberra fluctuates around 11°C (52°F)in July.
In January, Islamabad usually receives less rain than Canberrain July. Islamabad gets 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Canberra receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyIslamabad 14°C (57°F)Canberra 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Islamabad or Canberra in the Spring?
Both Canberra and Islamabad during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, the activities around the city are the main draw to Canberra this time of year.
In the spring, Islamabad is much warmer than Canberra. Typically, the spring temperatures in Islamabad in April average around 27°C (80°F), and Canberra averages at about 15°C (60°F)in October.
Islamabad usually gets less rain in April than Canberrain October. Islamabad gets 37 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Canberra receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberIslamabad 27°C (80°F)Canberra 15°C (60°F)
Typical Weather for Canberra and Islamabad
| Islamabad | Canberra | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 14°C (57°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Feb | 16°C (61°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| Mar | 21°C (70°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (80°F) | 37 mm (1.4 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| May | 32°C (89°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Jun | 35°C (94°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Jul | 32°C (90°F) | 237 mm (9.3 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Aug | 31°C (89°F) | 221 mm (8.7 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Sep | 31°C (87°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 14°C (56°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (80°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Nov | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) |
| Dec | 15°C (59°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
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.