A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Melbourne vs. Cardiff for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Melbourne or Cardiff?

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

Should I visit Melbourne or Cardiff? 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.

Melbourne

Melbourne is a cultural, progressive, and livable city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the beaches, shopping, and museums.

Cardiff

Cardiff is a industrial, up-and-coming, and green city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Melbourne and Cardiff: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Melbourne or Cardiff?

You'll generally find more things to do in Melbourne than Cardiff. Melbourne is bigger than Cardiff, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Melbourne is better known for its museums, food, nightlife, beaches, shopping, and big city activities, while Cardiff is more popular for its impressive beauty. Melbourne is well known for its art and cultural scene, its sports history, and its friendly and welcoming population. Also, Melbourne is famous for the Royal Botanic Gardens. Cardiff is well known for having the most castles per square mile of any city in Europe.

How is Melbourne different from Cardiff?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Melbourne or Cardiff?

Melbourne is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. Also, Cardiff is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

Melbourne offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Many of the city's sights center around the art and cultural scene. There's the the National Gallery of Victoria and the Performing Arts Centre Melbourne. There's also Federation Square. Sports enthusiasts will appreciate a visit to the National Sports Museum and for great views, check out Melbourne Skydeck at Eureka Tower.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Cardiff. The most notable landmark of the city is the famous and well-preserved Cardiff Castle. Visitors also enjoy seeing the Victorian arcades, museums, and cathedrals around town.

Is the Food Better in Melbourne or Cardiff? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Melbourne is a great destination for its restaurant scene. However, Cardiff is a city with minimal options for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Melbourne. There's an eclectic mix of international restaurants that offer everything from Szechuan dishes to Spanish tapas. You'll find bistros and bars that have a fun and relaxed vibe and locals and tourists alike enjoy dining out.

Cardiff may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Welsh cuisine is known for its stews and hearty vegetable dishes. The national dish is cawl, which is a stew made with lamb and vegetables. Other local favorites include Welsh rarebit, which is a type of cheese toast, and Glamorgan Sausage, which is actually made with vegetables.

Is Melbourne or Cardiff Better for Nightlife?

Melbourne is a great destination for nightlife and partying. Also, Cardiff is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

The people in Melbourne know how to have a good time. There are bars and clubs that have a laid back and relaxed atmosphere as well as more party focused nightclubs that stay open late into the night. Whether you're interested in dancing and listening to live music, or chatting with friends at a local brewery, there really is something for everyone.

If you're looking for night time activities Cardiff has a few options to choose from. The nightlife scene is all about fun and most of the activities are driven by the large and diverse student population.

Is Melbourne or Cardiff Better for Beaches?

Melbourne is a great destination for the beache. However, Cardiff is not a beach destination.

Melbourne is considered a top beach destination. There are laid back beaches near town that attract locals and tourists alike. You can enjoy coastal trails and great natural beauty. St Kilda Beach and Elwood Beach are among the most popular beaches near the city. Brighton Beach is known for its colorful bathing boxes and Williamstown Beach is very family-friendly.

Cardiff is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Melbourne or Cardiff?

Melbourne is a great destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Cardiff is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

Melbourne is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. The city has tons of retail options that range from trendy fashion boutiques to outdoor markets. There are local venders that highlight the city's art and cultural scene, but there are also suburban malls with all of the major brands.

Cardiff has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Shopping options include shopping malls and boutique lined streets. There is a nice mix of independent shops and major chains to choose between.

Is Melbourne or Cardiff Better for Families?

Melbourne is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Cardiff is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Melbourne is a very kid-friendly city. The city has kids museums like the Museum of Play and Art or the Polly Woodside Tall Ship and Museum. There's also the Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium and the Scienceworks Museums. If you like quirky, check out the ArtVo 3D Immersive Art Gallery. There's also Legoland, which has a lot for younger children.

Cardiff offers lots of family activities. The city has a number of climbing and play areas, museums, and playgrounds that can keep the little ones entertained. There are also plenty of outdoor parks and trails to wander around.

Is Melbourne or Cardiff Better for Couples?

Melbourne is a popular place for its romantic activities. However, Cardiff is a city with minimal options for couples.

Melbourne makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's a very livable city with romantic viewpoints like SkyHigh Mount Dandenong. There are also nice gardens to explore such as the Carlton Gardens and the Rippon Lea House and Gardens. Or you could go for a ride on the Melbourne Star or dine at one of the many great restaurants.

Cardiff is not always the best place to visit for a couple. The most romantic experiences involve a night out dining at nice restaurants, enjoying a cocktail at a classy bar, and strolling through neighborhoods and soaking up the atmosphere.

Is Melbourne or Cardiff Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Melbourne is a popular place for backpackers. However, Cardiff is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Melbourne. Many backpackers breeze through the city, but there is a great music and art scene as well as a number of good restaurants. You'll also find a couple of good hostels in town.

Cardiff is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Melbourne or Cardiff Better for Students?

Melbourne is a must-visit destination for students. Also, Cardiff is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

Many students frequent Melbourne. Many students think this is among the best student cities in Australia. There's a great creative culture with a good music and art scene. The population is diverse and the restaurants a great.

It's common for students to visit Cardiff. Most students come to study at Cardiff University, which is a leading university in Great Britain.

Is Melbourne or Cardiff Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Melbourne is a great destination for its public transit. However, Cardiff is a city with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

The public transit in Melbourne can get you around easily. The public transit system is among the best in Australia. There are public buses, trains, and trams (also called trolleys or streetcars).

Public transit is mostly limited in Cardiff. There is a bus system that you can use to get around.

Is Melbourne or Cardiff a more walkable city?

Melbourne is a great destination for its high level of walkability. Also, Cardiff is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

Melbourne is a very walkable city. The city center is very walkable with a compact and grid-like layout.

Cardiff is a somewhat walkable city. There are pedestrianized areas and the waterfront is nice to walk around but there is still room for improvement when it comes to walkability.

For even more information, also check out Is Melbourne Worth Visiting? and Is Cardiff Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Cardiff or Melbourne?

How long in Melbourne or Cardiff?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Melbourne and Cardiff. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Melbourne than in Cardiff. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Melbourne, and 1-3 days is enough time in Cardiff.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Melbourne than Cardiff 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 Melbourne.

One day in Melbourne or Cardiff?

Because Melbourne is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Cardiff. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Cardiff has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Melbourne or Cardiff?

Because Melbourne is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Most people come for the beaches. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Melbourne has to offer.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the industrial destination of Cardiff. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Melbourne or Cardiff?

Melbourne is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Melbourne has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and shopping when visiting the up-and-coming city of Cardiff. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Melbourne or Cardiff?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Melbourne. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Melbourne. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Cardiff is a popular choice for travelers. 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 Water Sports Tour Packages in Australia, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Australia, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United Kingdom, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in United Kingdom.

When comparing the travel costs between Melbourne and Cardiff, we can see that Cardiff 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 Melbourne is in Pacific and Cardiff is in Europe, 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 Melbourne Expensive? and Is Cardiff Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Melbourne or Cardiff?

Melbourne has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Cardiff. When comparing the sizes of Melbourne and Cardiff, 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 Melbourne or Cardiff?

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

Should I visit Melbourne or Cardiff in the Summer?

Both Cardiff and Melbourne during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Melbourne because of the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Cardiff this time of year.

Melbourne is a little warmer than Cardiff in the summer. The daily temperature in Melbourne averages around 20°C (68°F) in January, and Cardiff fluctuates around 17°C (63°F)in July.

In Cardiff, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Melbourne. In the summer, Melbourne often gets more sunshine than Cardiffin July. Melbourne gets 271 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cardiff receives 220 hours of full sun.

Melbourne usually gets less rain in January than Cardiffin July. Melbourne gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Cardiff receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Melbourne or Cardiff in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Melbourne and Cardiff. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Melbourne this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Cardiff for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Melbourne is a little warmer than Cardiff. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Melbourne in April average around 15°C (60°F), and Cardiff averages at about 11°C (52°F)in October.

Melbourne usually receives more sunshine than Cardiff during autumn. Melbourne gets 170 hours of sunny skies, while Cardiff receives 95 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Cardiff receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In April, Melbourne usually receives less rain than Cardiffin October. Melbourne gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Cardiff receives 101 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Melbourne or Cardiff in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Melbourne as well as Cardiff. Many travelers come to Melbourne for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, many visitors come to Cardiff in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Cardiff can get quite cold in the winter. In July, Melbourne is generally much warmer than Cardiffin January. Daily temperatures in Melbourne average around 9°C (49°F), and Cardiff fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

In the winter, Melbourne often gets more sunshine than Cardiffin January. Melbourne gets 139 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cardiff receives 57 hours of full sun.

Melbourne usually gets less rain in July than Cardiffin January. Melbourne gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Cardiff receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Melbourne or Cardiff in the Spring?

Both Cardiff and Melbourne are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Melbourne in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city. Also, most visitors come to Cardiff for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.

Melbourne is much warmer than Cardiff in the spring. The daily temperature in Melbourne averages around 14°C (57°F) in October, and Cardiff fluctuates around 9°C (48°F)in April.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Melbourne. Melbourne usually receives more sunshine than Cardiff during spring. Melbourne gets 216 hours of sunny skies, while Cardiff receives 183 hours of full sun in the spring.

In October, Melbourne usually receives more rain than Cardiffin April. Melbourne gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Cardiff receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Cardiff and Melbourne