A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Nara vs. Cairns for Nightlife, Hiking, Families, and Backpackers

Should you visit Nara or Cairns?

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

Should I visit Nara or Cairns? 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.

Nara

Nara is a traditional, tranquil, and natural city. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the hiking, shopping, and museums.

Cairns

Cairns is a tropical, idyllic, and outdoorsy city. And you can't forget about the hiking, shopping, and nightlife.

Nara and Cairns: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nara or Cairns?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Cairns than Nara. While Nara is larger than Cairns, Cairns has more sights and attractions for tourists. Cairns is more popular for its food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and hiking, while Nara is known for its museums, historical sights, and impressive beauty. Cairns is more touristy than Nara and is popular for its stunning beaches, nearby rainforests, and easy access to the world's largest reef system. It is also home to the Great Barrier Reef. Nara is popular for its many temples and shrines, its beautiful natural areas, and its free roaming deer.

How is Nara different from Cairns?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Nara is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. However, Cairns is lacking in options for its museums and landmarks.

Nara offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city is filled with history. There are many ancient temples such as Tōdai-ji Temple, Kofuku-ji Temple, Yakushi-ji Temple, and Tōshōdai-ji Temple. You can also visit the Nara National Museum as well as the many parks and gardens.

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 Nara or Cairns? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Cairns is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Nara is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

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.

Nara is becoming an appealing option for foodies. The cuisine is simple and traditional with its roots in the history of the area. Many residents start their morning with a simple rice porridge. The area is also known for its persimmon leaf sushi and miwa somen (a thin, chewy noodle).

Is Nara or Cairns Better for Nightlife?

Cairns is a must-visit destination for nightlife and partying. Also, Nara is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its evening party scene.

Cairns is a world class party destination. 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.

Nara has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. The town offers a serene and relaxed atmosphere at night. There are plenty of bars around town that are known for their friendly bartenders and you'll find many of the bars in Naramachi, which is the old town area.

Is Nara or Cairns Better for Resorts?

Cairns is notable for its resorts. However, Nara is not a resort destination.

Cairns is known as a popular and fun resort destination. 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.

Nara is not a resort destination.

Is Nara or Cairns Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Cairns is a must-visit destination for its diving and snorkeling. However, Nara is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

The clear water and abundant marine life make Cairns a world-class scuba diving and snorkeling destination. 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.

Nara is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Nara or Cairns Better for Beaches?

Cairns is a must-visit destination for the beache. However, Nara is not a beach destination.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Cairns. 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).

Nara is not a beach destination.

Is Nara or Cairns Better for its Old Town?

Nara is a popular place for its historic old town charm. However, Cairns does not have a historic old town.

Nara has an old town worth visiting. Naramachi is the old town of Nara. This is the old merchant district and today you'll find several traditional residential buildings and warehouses that are open to the public.

Cairns does not have a historic old town.

Is Nara or Cairns Better for Hiking?

Cairns is a must-visit destination for the nearby hiking options. Also, Nara is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its hiking trails.

People visit Cairns specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. 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.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Nara. The city is all about its surrounding nature. There are historic pilgrim routes that pass through the hills and mountains, taking you by sacred sights and ancient forests. In the area you'll find some of Japan's most ancient byways.

Is the Shopping Better in Nara or Cairns?

Both Nara and Cairns are high quality shopping destinations.

Nara is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. Sanjo-dori is the main street through town. This is where you'll find many souvenir shops that sell local items and traditional food. Mochiido Center Town is the oldest shopping arcade in town and it is filled with history.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Cairns. 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 Nara or Cairns Better for Families?

Cairns is a must-visit destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Nara is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Cairns is a very family-friendly destination. 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.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Nara. Head to Nara Park for a bit of nature in the city. Deer roam freely in the park, which is filled with pine trees and beautiful lawns. Kids will also appreciate a visit to Ikomasanjo Amusement Park or the NARAMACHI-KARAKURI Toy Museum. You can also take a ride on the Ikoma Cable Line or spend some time at the Tennenyamato Hot Spring Nara Kenko Land.

Is Nara or Cairns Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Nara and Cairns make for a high quality place to visit.

Nara is a very popular place to visit for couples. The city is smaller than you might expect, and it's filled with green space and parks. You can wander through Nara Park, see the deer, and soak up the romantic atmosphere. You can also visit one of the beautiful temples such as Todaiji Temple. Many couples also enjoy exploring Yoshikien Garden.

Cairns makes for a fun place to visit for 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.

Is Nara or Cairns Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Cairns is a must-visit destination for backpackers. Also, Nara is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit 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.

Nara is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are a couple of hostels in the area that cater to backpackers and the budget travel crowd.

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

Nara 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 Nara can get you to most places easily. There are city buses that will take you through town and to the many tourist spots.

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 Nara or Cairns a more walkable city?

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

Nara is a very walkable destination. Many of the sights are within walking distance of each other, so many visitors enjoy exploring 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 Nara Worth Visiting? and Is Cairns Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Cairns or Nara?

How long in Nara or Cairns?

In either Nara or Cairns, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Cairns than Nara because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Nara, and 3-5 days is enough time in Cairns.

Families should spend more time in Cairns than Nara. 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 Nara. 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 Nara 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 Nara or Cairns?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Nara. Hikers are also drawn to this area. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

Visitors enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the destination of Cairns. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Nara or Cairns?

Nara is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Cairns is a fun place to experience. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Nara or Cairns?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Nara. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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.

Visitors enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the adventure-filled destination of Cairns. This city offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

A week in Nara or Cairns?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the traditional destination of Nara. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

The adventure-filled city of Cairns offers nightlife and food. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Japan, The Best Cultural Tours in Japan, The Best Contiki Tours to Australia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Australia.

When comparing the travel costs between Nara and Cairns, we can see that Cairns 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 Nara 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 Nara Expensive? and Is Cairns Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Nara or Cairns?

Nara has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Cairns. When comparing the sizes of Nara 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 Nara 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 Nara has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Nara or Cairns in the Summer?

Both Cairns and Nara during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Nara because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Cairns this time of year.

In the summer, Nara is around the same temperature as Cairns. Typically, the summer temperatures in Nara in July average around 27°C (80°F), and Cairns averages at about 29°C (84°F)in January.

Cairns gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Nara. Nara usually gets less rain in July than Cairnsin January. Nara gets 186 mm (7.3 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 429 mm (16.9 in) of rain this time of the year. November to March is the rainy season in Cairns.

Should I visit Nara or Cairns in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Nara and Cairns. The hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Nara this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Cairns for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In October, Nara is generally much colder than Cairnsin April. Daily temperatures in Nara average around 17°C (63°F), and Cairns fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).

Cairns receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Nara gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Nara usually receives less rain than Cairnsin April. Nara gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 273 mm (10.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn. April to October in Cairns is the dry season.

Should I visit Nara or Cairns in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Nara as well as Cairns. Many travelers come to Nara for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Cairns in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Nara. Nara is much colder than Cairns in the winter. The daily temperature in Nara averages around 4°C (40°F) in January, and Cairns fluctuates around 23°C (73°F)in July.

Nara usually gets more rain in January than Cairnsin July. Nara gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nara or Cairns in the Spring?

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

In the spring, Nara is much colder than Cairns. Typically, the spring temperatures in Nara in April average around 14°C (57°F), and Cairns averages at about 27°C (80°F)in October.

It's quite rainy in Nara. In April, Nara usually receives more rain than Cairnsin October. Nara gets 127 mm (5 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring. The dry season in Cairns is April to October. The rainy season in Cairns is November to March.

Typical Weather for Cairns and Nara