A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Phuket vs. Adelaide for Nightlife, Beaches, Couples, and Food

Should you visit Phuket or Adelaide?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Phuket or Adelaide, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Phuket

Phuket is a stunning, activity-filled, and energetic resort island. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling.

Adelaide

Adelaide is a friendly, under-rated, and elegant city. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Phuket and Adelaide: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Phuket or Adelaide?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Phuket than Adelaide. While Adelaide is larger than Phuket, Phuket has more sights and attractions for tourists. Phuket is very popular for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and impressive beauty, while Adelaide attracts visitors for its museums, hiking, and shopping. Phuket is more touristy than Adelaide and is popular for its long sandy beaches, wild nightlife, colorful resorts, and easy access to day tours. It is also well known for The Seated Maravija Buddha Statue (Big Buddha). Adelaide is famous for its wine scene, vibrant festivals, green spaces, and local sporting events.

How is Phuket different from Adelaide?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Phuket or Adelaide?

Adelaide is a nice place to visit for its museums and landmarks. However, Phuket does not have museums and landmarks.

Adelaide offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are some interesting buildings along North Terrace such as the Parliament House, the State Library of South Australia, and the South Australian Museum. At the Botanic Garden there's the Santos Museum of Economic Botany. Also make sure you check out the Art Gallery of South Australia.

Phuket does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Phuket or Adelaide? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Phuket and Adelaide can be difficult as they are each nice in their own way.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Phuket. Because it served as an international port for so long, food around the island has many international influences. For the most authentic local food, head into Phuket Town. Many dishes include seafood, but there are also chicken curries and noodle soup. Like elsewhere in Thailand, the food can be quite spicy but because the island is so touristy, they're accustomed to people asking for "no spice."

Adelaide is becoming an appealing option for foodies. There's great wine, local restaurants, and charming cafes. You'll find local dishes as well as international flavors around town. The local produce is good and the restaurants offer fresh and delicious recipes.

Is Phuket or Adelaide Better for Nightlife?

Phuket is renowned for nightlife. Also, Adelaide is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

Phuket is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. The island has a long running reputation as a party destination and it lives up to expectations. The biggest party area is Patong, particularly around Bangla Road, but even in Kata and Karon, it's hard to escape the party atmosphere.

Adelaide has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The nightlife scene is filled with rooftop bars, live music venues, and boutique wine bars. Whether you're looking for trendy and luxury or casual and laid back, there are many places to spend a night out.

Is Phuket or Adelaide Better for Resorts?

Phuket is renowned for its luxury resorts. However, Adelaide is not a resort destination.

Phuket is a world class resort vacation destination. It's easy accessibility and larger size make this the premiere resort destination in Thailand. There are five star resorts, family-friendly resorts, and everything in between. Many people use the island as a base for exploring other nearby islands. Any resort or tour company can arrange excursions or activities for guests.

Adelaide is not a resort destination.

Is Phuket or Adelaide Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Phuket is a very popular place for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Adelaide is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Phuket is an extremely popular place to visit for scuba diving and snorkeling. You can dive and snorkel year round, but the visibility is usually best between November and May. There are countless boat tours available and the easy accessibility make this a good base for snorkeling and diving. Many areas are overrun with tourists though, so it'll be hard to find a quiet, undisturbed location.

Adelaide is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Phuket or Adelaide Better for Beaches?

Phuket is renowned for its beaches. Also, Adelaide is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for the beache.

Phuket is considered to be a world-class beach destination. The island has more than 30 beaches to choose from, ranging from party hard areas to a few quieter gems in more remote locations. The area became a world-famous destination because of its white sand beaches and crystal clear waters, and the beaches will not disappoint, even if development has taken over the island.

Many people visit Adelaide for it's beautiful beaches. Part of what makes the city's beaches so great is how accessible they are. You don't have to go far to be at some of the area's best beaches. Glenelg is a family-friendly beach near town. It's also the most popular and most accessible. Brighton is relaxed with cafes and small restaurants nearby. And for seafood, head to Henley.

Is Phuket or Adelaide Better for Hiking?

Adelaide is a nice place to visit for its hiking experiences. However, Phuket is not a hiking destination.

Adelaide has hiking trails worth exploring. Outside of town there are national parks and reserves with hiking trails. You don't have to go far to explore the coastline or bushland in the area.

Phuket is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Phuket or Adelaide?

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

Adelaide is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. Rundle Mall is the most well known shopping area in town. You'll find boutique shops as well as large department stores. Whether you're looking for international fashion brands or something more local, there are many places to explore.

Phuket has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Shopping malls offer a range of stores, air conditioning, and fixed prices while markets have more local items and unique souvenirs. There are also galleries and other souvenir shops all over the island.

Is Phuket or Adelaide Better for Families?

Phuket and Adelaide are both nice destinations for the whole family.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Phuket. Many people visit this island with kids because it has beautiful beaches and tons of activities including water sports, water parks, and amusement areas. The island is filled with a diversity of tourists, so you'll encounter a number of areas with party-hard atmospheres, but there are also tons of family-friendly resorts to choose from as well.

Adelaide offers lots of family activities. There are kids museums, water parks, playgrounds, and beaches that are fun to explore with children. The city has a family-friendly vibe with kid-friendly restaurants and a welcoming personality.

Is Phuket or Adelaide Better for Couples?

Phuket is a very popular place for romance. Also, Adelaide is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

Phuket makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The island is filled with beautiful beaches and plenty of activities for all travel styles. It's a tourist and party mecca in Thailand with many resorts and restaurants to choose from.

Adelaide makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. A great date activity is a night at the opera. There are also boat rides, hot air balloon rides, and nice restaurants that make for a fun evening out.

Is Phuket or Adelaide Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Adelaide is a nice place to visit for backpackers. However, Phuket is a resort island with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Adelaide. It's not high on the list for many backpackers, but those who venture here will enjoy a great wine scene, beautiful beaches, and lively festivals.

Phuket is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It has a long history as a party island with expensive prices and hordes of tourists. Many backpackers complain about the lack of authenticity and prefer to spend their time elsewhere.

Is Phuket or Adelaide Better for Students?

Adelaide is a nice place to visit for students. However, Phuket is not popular with students.

Adelaide is popular with students. It's a friendly and affordable city that has a nice student culture. It's very livable and accessible to other interesting places.

Phuket is not popular with students.

Is Phuket or Adelaide Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Adelaide is a great destination for its public transit. Also, Phuket is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

The public transit in Adelaide can get you around easily. There are bus, trains, and trams throughout the city center.

While Phuket offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. Tuk tuks, buses, and motorbike taxis are all available on the island. The buses are usually Songtaew, which have open air seating areas.

Is Phuket or Adelaide a more walkable city?

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

Adelaide is a very walkable city. The city is compact and laid out in a grid pattern, so it's easy to explore on foot.

Phuket is a somewhat walkable resort island. Most of the hotels and resorts are walking distance to the beach and many resort areas are small enough to be explored on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Phuket Worth Visiting? and Is Adelaide Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Adelaide or Phuket?

How long in Phuket or Adelaide?

It's fun to spend time in either Phuket or Adelaide. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Phuket due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Phuket, and 2-4 days is enough time in Adelaide.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Adelaide than Phuket 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 Adelaide.

One day in Phuket or Adelaide?

The resort island of Phuket offers food and scuba diving and snorkeling. Most people come for the beaches. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Adelaide. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Phuket or Adelaide?

Phuket is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Adelaide 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.

Five days in Phuket or Adelaide?

Phuket is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Phuket, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Adelaide. Most people come for the beaches. 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.

A week in Phuket or Adelaide?

Phuket is a great place to explore. It is common to spend one week here. It's also a great beach destination, too. One week is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Phuket has to offer. This resort island offers something for everyone.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the under-rated destination of Adelaide. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Thailand, The Best 2-Week Tours in Thailand, The Best G Adventures Tours to Australia, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Sydney.

When comparing the travel costs between Phuket and Adelaide, we can see that Adelaide 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 Phuket is in Asia and Adelaide 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 Phuket Expensive? and Is Adelaide Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Phuket or Adelaide?

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

Adelaide has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Phuket experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Phuket or Adelaide in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Phuket as well as Adelaide. Phuket attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many travelers come to Adelaide for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Phuket is generally a little warmer than Adelaidein January. Daily temperatures in Phuket average around 28°C (82°F), and Adelaide fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Adelaide. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Phuket this time of the year. In the summer, Phuket often gets less sunshine than Adelaidein January. Phuket gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Adelaide receives 330 hours of full sun.

Phuket receives a lot of rain in the summer. Phuket usually gets more rain in July than Adelaidein January. Phuket gets 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain, while Adelaide receives 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Phuket or Adelaide in the Autumn?

Both Adelaide and Phuket are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Phuket throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Adelaide in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

Phuket is much warmer than Adelaide in the autumn. The daily temperature in Phuket averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Adelaide fluctuates around 18°C (64°F)in April.

It's quite sunny in Adelaide. Phuket usually receives less sunshine than Adelaide during autumn. Phuket gets 181 hours of sunny skies, while Adelaide receives 215 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Phuket. In October, Phuket usually receives more rain than Adelaidein April. Phuket gets 304 mm (12 in) of rain, while Adelaide receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The dry season in Phuket is December to March. The rainy season in Phuket is June to October.

Should I visit Phuket or Adelaide in the Winter?

Both Adelaide and Phuket during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Phuket because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, most visitors come to Adelaide for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In the winter, Phuket is much warmer than Adelaide. Typically, the winter temperatures in Phuket in January average around 28°C (82°F), and Adelaide averages at about 11°C (52°F)in July.

It's quite sunny in Phuket. In the winter, Phuket often gets more sunshine than Adelaidein July. Phuket gets 287 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Adelaide receives 159 hours of full sun.

Phuket usually gets less rain in January than Adelaidein July. Phuket gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Adelaide receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year. December to March is the dry season in Phuket.

Should I visit Phuket or Adelaide in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Phuket and Adelaide. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Phuket year-round. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Adelaide because of the beaches.

In April, Phuket is generally much warmer than Adelaidein October. Daily temperatures in Phuket average around 29°C (84°F), and Adelaide fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Adelaide this time of the year. In Phuket, it's very sunny this time of the year. Phuket usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Adelaide during spring. Phuket gets 249 hours of sunny skies, while Adelaide receives 256 hours of full sun in the spring.

Phuket gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Phuket usually receives more rain than Adelaidein October. Phuket gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Adelaide receives 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the spring. Also, June to October is the rainy season in Phuket.

Typical Weather for Adelaide and Phuket