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

Should you visit Melbourne or Phoenix?

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

Should I visit Melbourne or Phoenix? 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 progressive, livable, and friendly city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. It's also popular because of the nightlife, food, and beaches.

Phoenix

Phoenix is a desert, laid back, and sprawling city. Visitors also love the hiking, shopping, and museums.

Melbourne and Phoenix: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Melbourne or Phoenix?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Melbourne than Phoenix, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Melbourne is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, beaches, shopping, and big city activities, while Phoenix is known for its hiking. Melbourne is more touristy than Phoenix and is known for its art and cultural scene, its sports history, and its friendly and welcoming population. It is also home to the Royal Botanic Gardens. Phoenix is popular for its desert landscapes, high number of golf courses, and year round warm weather.

How is Melbourne different from Phoenix?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Melbourne is a great city for its historical sights. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Melbourne. 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.

Phoenix is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. You'll find art, science, and cultural museums around town. Favorites include the Heard Museum, the Phoenix Art Museum, S'edav Va'aki Museum, and the Arizona Science Museum.

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

Melbourne is a great city for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Melbourne has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. 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.

Phoenix offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. There are many mom-and-pop shops around town that serve everything from casual meals to quality steaks. There's also a huge selection of Mexican restaurants, as well as other international options such as sushi, dim sum, and Italian.

Is Melbourne or Phoenix Better for Nightlife?

Melbourne is a great city for its evening party scene. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife.

The nightlife in Melbourne has something for everybody. 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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Phoenix. The best nightlife scene is found in downtown and central Phoenix. There are bars, restaurants, and venues where you can catch a show. North Phoenix also has grown into a popular evening spot with cocktail bars and pubs.

Is Melbourne or Phoenix Better for Beaches?

Melbourne is a great city for the beach. However, Phoenix is not a beach destination.

The beaches at Melbourne attract visitors from all over. 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.

Phoenix is not a beach destination.

Is Melbourne or Phoenix Better for Hiking?

Phoenix is a popular place for its hiking trails. However, Melbourne is not a hiking destination.

Phoenix is a good destination for hiking. You don't have to head far out of town for impressive hiking opportunities. You'll find trails that range from easy to challenging, and many pass through other-worldly landscapes. You'll find popular trails in Usery Mountain Regional Park, Papago Park, White Tank Mountain Regional Park, South Mountain Park and many others.

Melbourne is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Melbourne or Phoenix?

Melbourne is a great city for its shopping areas. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Melbourne. 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.

Phoenix is a great destination for shopping. There are plenty of shopping centers, outlets, and malls where you'll find the standard chain stores. You'll also find farmer's markets around town.

Is Melbourne or Phoenix Better for Families?

Melbourne is a great city for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Melbourne. 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.

Phoenix is a family-friendly place to visit. Kids will love the Phoenix Zoo, the Arizona Science Center, the SEA LIFE Arizona Aquarium, and the Bearizona Wildlife Park. There's also a number of parks and gardens as well as a children's museum and several other interactive museums for kids.

Is Melbourne or Phoenix Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Melbourne and Phoenix make for a good place to visit.

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.

Phoenix is a good city for couples to visit. There are many parks and gardens in town as well as beautiful hikes and outdoor activities that couples will enjoy. In the evening, there's theater, shows, and many romantic restaurants.

Is Melbourne or Phoenix Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Melbourne is a city with good options for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Phoenix is not known for backpackers.

Melbourne is a good city to visit for backpackers. 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.

Phoenix is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There is a hostel or two around town for budget travelers.

Is Melbourne or Phoenix Better for Students?

Melbourne is an unbeatable place for its student-friendly activities. However, Phoenix is not popular with students.

Melbourne is a very popular city for students. 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.

Phoenix is not popular with students.

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

Melbourne is a great city for times when you don't have a car. However, Phoenix is not known for its public transit.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Melbourne. 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 generally limited in Phoenix. There's a bus and light rail system, but you really need your own vehicle to get around.

Is Melbourne or Phoenix a more walkable city?

Melbourne is a great city for its ease of walking around. However, Phoenix is not known for its walkability.

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

Phoenix is generally not very walkable. It's a sprawling city and the only real area that's walkable is the downtown.

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

Should I spend more time in Phoenix or Melbourne?

How long in Melbourne or Phoenix?

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

Families should spend more time in Melbourne than Phoenix. 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 Phoenix. 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 Phoenix 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 Phoenix?

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 Phoenix. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Phoenix has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Melbourne or Phoenix?

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 desert destination of Phoenix. 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 Phoenix?

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 food when visiting the desert city of Phoenix. 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 Phoenix?

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.

Phoenix 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, 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 Melbourne and Phoenix, we can see that Phoenix is more expensive. And not only is Melbourne much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Melbourne is in Pacific and Phoenix 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 Melbourne would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Melbourne 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 Phoenix would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Phoenix than you might in Melbourne.

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

Which is Bigger, Melbourne or Phoenix?

Melbourne has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Phoenix. When comparing the sizes of Melbourne and Phoenix, 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 Phoenix?

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

Should I visit Melbourne or Phoenix in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Melbourne and Phoenix. Many visitors come to Melbourne in the summer for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Phoenix for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Phoenix can become quite hot in the summer. In the summer, Melbourne is much colder than Phoenix. Typically, the summer temperatures in Melbourne in January average around 20°C (68°F), and Phoenix averages at about 98°F (36°C)in July.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Phoenix this time of the year. In Melbourne, it's very sunny this time of the year. Melbourne usually receives less sunshine than Phoenix during summer. Melbourne gets 271 hours of sunny skies, while Phoenix receives 380 hours of full sun in the summer.

In January, Melbourne usually receives more rain than Phoenixin July. Melbourne gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Melbourne or Phoenix in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Melbourne as well as Phoenix. Most visitors come to Melbourne for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Phoenix because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In April, Melbourne is generally much colder than Phoenixin October. Daily temperatures in Melbourne average around 15°C (60°F), and Phoenix fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Phoenix. In the autumn, Melbourne often gets less sunshine than Phoenixin October. Melbourne gets 170 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Phoenix receives 305 hours of full sun.

Melbourne usually gets more rain in April than Phoenixin October. Melbourne gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Melbourne or Phoenix in the Winter?

Both Phoenix and Melbourne are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Melbourne because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Phoenix this time of year.

Melbourne is much colder than Phoenix in the winter. The daily temperature in Melbourne averages around 9°C (49°F) in July, and Phoenix fluctuates around 58°F (14°C)in January.

It's quite sunny in Phoenix. Melbourne usually receives less sunshine than Phoenix during winter. Melbourne gets 139 hours of sunny skies, while Phoenix receives 254 hours of full sun in the winter.

In July, Melbourne usually receives more rain than Phoenixin January. Melbourne gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Melbourne or Phoenix in the Spring?

Both Phoenix and Melbourne during the spring are popular places to visit. The beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Melbourne this time of year.

In the spring, Melbourne is much colder than Phoenix. Typically, the spring temperatures in Melbourne in October average around 14°C (57°F), and Phoenix averages at about 74°F (23°C)in April.

In Phoenix, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Melbourne. In the spring, Melbourne often gets less sunshine than Phoenixin April. Melbourne gets 216 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Phoenix receives 355 hours of full sun.

Melbourne usually gets more rain in October than Phoenixin April. Melbourne gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.2 inches (6 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Phoenix and Melbourne