A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Phuket vs. Brisbane for Nightlife, Beaches, Food, and Scuba Diving & Snorkeling

Should you visit Phuket or Brisbane?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Phuket or Brisbane, 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 energetic, party-hard, and stunning resort island. Phuket offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the beaches, shopping, and nightlife. See Phuket travel costs.

Brisbane

Brisbane is a relaxed, diverse, and cultural coastal city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the museums, nightlife, and food. See Brisbane travel costs.

Phuket and Brisbane: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Phuket or Brisbane?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Brisbane than Phuket, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Brisbane is more popular for its museums and attractions, hiking, shopping, and big city activities, while Phuket is known for its food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and impressive beauty. Phuket is more touristy than Brisbane and is popular for its long sandy beaches, wild nightlife, colorful resorts, and easy access to day tours. Brisbane is popular for its sports culture, beautiful weather, and outdoor areas. It is also home to the Cultural Centre.

How is Phuket different from Brisbane?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Brisbane is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. However, Phuket does not have museums and landmarks.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Brisbane can be an interesting and educational experience. The Cultural Centre is where you'll find many of the city's museums. It sits on the banks of the Brisbane River and is home to the State Library of Queensland, the Queensland Museum and Sciencentre, and Queensland Art Gallery & Gallery of Modern Art. This is also where you'll find the Queensland Performing Arts Centre. Also popular is the Brisbane Botanic Gardens and the Wheel of Brisbane.

Phuket does not have museums and landmarks.

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

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

Phuket has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. 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."

Brisbane offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. You'll find all of the standard eateries around town, with casual cafes, family-friendly restaurants, and some fine dining experiences to choose from.

Is Phuket or Brisbane Better for Nightlife?

Phuket is an amazing resort island to visit for its evening party scene. Also, Brisbane is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for nightlife.

Phuket has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. 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.

Brisbane has plenty to do after the sun goes down. Fortitude Valley is the entertainment district in the city, and it really comes to life at night. There are also many venues that take advantage of the beautiful weather with outdoor and rooftop bars.

Is Phuket or Brisbane Better for Resorts?

Phuket is an amazing resort island to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Brisbane is not a resort destination.

If you're looking for a fantastic resort destination, Phuket is a perfect choice. 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.

Brisbane is not a resort destination.

Is Phuket or Brisbane Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Phuket is great for snorkeling and scuba diving. Also, Brisbane is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling.

There is a nice variety of marine life that makes scuba diving and snorkeling great in Phuket. 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.

Brisbane has a few areas where visitors often go scuba diving or snorkeling. There are some good snorkeling and diving spots near the city. One of the best is the Tangalooma Wrecks off Moreton Island.

Is Phuket or Brisbane Better for Beaches?

Phuket is an amazing resort island to visit for the beach. Also, Brisbane is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for its beaches.

With world-famous beaches, Phuket is a very popular vacation 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.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Brisbane. For the best beaches, you'll want to take a day trip out of town, but there are also some nice beaches right by the city. About 30 minutes from town is family-friend Suttons Beach, or you can stay in the city center and check out the man-made Streets Beach. Shorncliffe Beach is another option that's less than a half hour from town.

Is Phuket or Brisbane Better for Hiking?

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

Brisbane has hiking trails worth exploring. There are a number of hikes outside of town that you can enjoy as a day trip. Check out the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail, Keperra Bushland Reserve, or D'Aguilar National Park to the north of town. To the south is Toohey Forest Park, Springwood Conservation Park , and Venmans Bushland National Park.

Phuket is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Phuket or Brisbane?

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

Brisbane is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. It's one of the most popular cities for retail therapy in Queensland. Queen Street Mall is an open air shopping mall and James Street is a favorite shopping street in town.

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 Brisbane More Beautiful?

Phuket is very good for its scenery and beauty. However, Brisbane is not a destination known for its beauty.

Phuket offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It is a mix of beautiful beaches and tourist crowds. The island is very developed with a combination of 5 star hotels, souvenir shops, and tour companies. Because of the many excursions leaving from the island, many visitors find it a makes a good base for exploring the area.

Brisbane is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Phuket or Brisbane Better for Families?

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

Brisbane is a very kid-friendly coastal city. Kids will love a visit to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary or White Ridge Farm. And, of course, you should take a ride on the iconic Wheel of Brisbane. If you're willing to head out of town you can visit the fun Tangalooma Island Resort. Streets Beach is also fun to visit.

Phuket offers lots of family activities. 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.

Is Phuket or Brisbane Better for Couples?

Phuket is great for couples. Also, Brisbane is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for romance.

Phuket is a great resort island if you're traveling as 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.

Brisbane is a nice destination for couples. The waterfront setting and romantic restaurants offer a nice getaway for couples. There are many outdoor spaces that are fun to explore as well.

Is Phuket or Brisbane Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Brisbane is a great destination for backpackers. Also, Phuket is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Brisbane is a great coastal city to visit for backpackers. Many backpackers breeze through Brisbane in favor of other nearby destinations, but there are actually a number of hostels in town and some interesting things to do.

Phuket is a good resort island to visit for backpackers. It has a long history as a party island with expensive prices and hordes of tourists. While it gets its share of backpackers, many visitors complain about the lack of authenticity and prefer to spend their time elsewhere.

Is Phuket or Brisbane Better for Students?

Brisbane is a great destination for students. However, Phuket is not popular with students.

Brisbane is a great coastal city to visit as a student. Many students appreciate the local vibe, warm weather, and excellent education opportunities that the city offers.

Phuket is not popular with students.

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

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Phuket and Brisbane.

You'll find some public transit in Phuket, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Tuk tuks, buses, and motorbike taxis are all available on the island. The buses are usually Songtaew, which have open air seating areas.

While Brisbane offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are buses, trains, and ferries around town, but many people prefer to have their own vehicle. Ferries are the most fun and scenic way to get around.

Is Phuket or Brisbane a more walkable city?

Brisbane 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.

Brisbane is a very walkable coastal city. There's a good network of paths that make parts of the city walkable.

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 Brisbane Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Brisbane or Phuket?

How long in Phuket or Brisbane?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Phuket and Brisbane. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Phuket than in Brisbane. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Phuket, and 2-3 days is enough time in Brisbane.

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

Couples should spend more time in Phuket than Brisbane. 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 Brisbane 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 Brisbane.

One day in Phuket or Brisbane?

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 scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the destination of Brisbane. 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 Brisbane?

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.

Brisbane 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 Brisbane?

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 Brisbane. 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 Brisbane?

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 nightlife and food when visiting the relaxed destination of Brisbane. This coastal 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 Family-Friendly Tours to Australia, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Australia.

When comparing the travel costs between Phuket and Brisbane, we can see that Brisbane 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 Brisbane 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 Brisbane Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Phuket or Brisbane?

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

Brisbane 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 Brisbane in the Summer?

Both Brisbane and Phuket during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Phuket because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Brisbane because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Phuket is around the same temperature as Brisbane. Typically, the summer temperatures in Phuket in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Brisbane averages at about 25°C (77°F)in January.

In Brisbane, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Phuket. In the summer, Phuket often gets less sunshine than Brisbanein January. Phuket gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Brisbane receives 256 hours of full sun.

Brisbane gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Phuket. Phuket usually gets more rain in July than Brisbanein January. Phuket gets 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain, while Brisbane receives 169 mm (6.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Phuket or Brisbane in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Phuket and Brisbane. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Phuket year-round. Furthermore, the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene are the main draw to Brisbane this time of year.

In October, Phuket is generally a little warmer than Brisbanein April. Daily temperatures in Phuket average around 27°C (81°F), and Brisbane fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Brisbane this time of the year. Phuket usually receives less sunshine than Brisbane during autumn. Phuket gets 181 hours of sunny skies, while Brisbane receives 214 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Brisbane receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Phuket gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Phuket usually receives more rain than Brisbanein April. Phuket gets 304 mm (12 in) of rain, while Brisbane receives 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn. December to March in Phuket is the dry season. Also, June to October is the rainy season in Phuket.

Should I visit Phuket or Brisbane in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Phuket as well as Brisbane. Phuket attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many travelers come to Brisbane for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Phuket is much warmer than Brisbane in the winter. The daily temperature in Phuket averages around 28°C (82°F) in January, and Brisbane fluctuates around 15°C (59°F)in July.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Brisbane. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Phuket this time of the year. In the winter, Phuket often gets more sunshine than Brisbanein July. Phuket gets 287 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Brisbane receives 226 hours of full sun.

Phuket usually gets less rain in January than Brisbanein July. Phuket gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Brisbane receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, December to March in Phuket is the dry season.

Should I visit Phuket or Brisbane in the Spring?

Both Brisbane and Phuket are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Phuket throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Brisbane in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city.

In the spring, Phuket is a little warmer than Brisbane. Typically, the spring temperatures in Phuket in April average around 29°C (84°F), and Brisbane averages at about 21°C (69°F)in October.

It's quite sunny in Brisbane. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Phuket. Phuket usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Brisbane during spring. Phuket gets 249 hours of sunny skies, while Brisbane receives 259 hours of full sun in the spring.

It's quite rainy in Phuket. In April, Phuket usually receives more rain than Brisbanein October. Phuket gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Brisbane receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the spring. The rainy season in Phuket is June to October.

Typical Weather for Brisbane and Phuket