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

Should you visit Phuket or Cairns?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Phuket or Cairns, 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. Phuket offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and shopping. See Phuket travel costs.

Cairns

Cairns is a outdoorsy, adventure-filled, and tropical city. And you can't forget about the hiking, shopping, and nightlife. See Cairns travel costs.

Phuket and Cairns: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Phuket or Cairns?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Cairns than Phuket, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Cairns is more popular for its museums and attractions, scuba diving & snorkeling, hiking, and shopping, while Phuket is known for its resorts and impressive beauty. Phuket is popular for its long sandy beaches, wild nightlife, colorful resorts, and easy access to day tours. Cairns 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.

How is Phuket different from Cairns?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Cairns is a city with a few options for its museums and landmarks. However, Phuket does not have museums and landmarks.

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.

Phuket does not have museums and landmarks.

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

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

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit 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."

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

Is Phuket or Cairns Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Phuket or Cairns has a better nightlife scene.

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.

Cairns is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. 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.

Is Phuket or Cairns Better for Resorts?

Phuket is terrific for its luxury resorts. Also, Cairns is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its resorts.

For the ultimate resort vacation, Phuket is a great 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.

Vacationers can choose from a number of terrific resorts in Cairns. 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.

Is Phuket or Cairns Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Cairns is an amazing city to visit for its diving and snorkeling. Also, Phuket is still popular, but not quite as popular for snorkeling and scuba diving.

People travel to Cairns specifically to enjoy its famous scuba diving and snorkeling areas. 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.

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.

Is Phuket or Cairns Better for Beaches?

Both Phuket and Cairns have fantastic beaches worth visiting.

The beaches in Phuket are among the best in the world. 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.

Cairns is considered to be a world-class beach destination. 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).

Is Phuket or Cairns Better for Hiking?

Cairns is an amazing city to visit for its hiking experiences. However, Phuket is not a hiking destination.

Known for its hiking, Cairns draws a crowd to experience the nature and the trails. 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.

Phuket is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Phuket or Cairns?

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

Cairns is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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.

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 Cairns More Beautiful?

Phuket is a popular place for its scenery and beauty. However, Cairns 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.

Cairns is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Phuket or Cairns Better for Families?

Cairns is an amazing city to visit for its family-friendly activities. Also, Phuket is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Cairns is an amazing family-friendly city to visit. 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.

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 Cairns Better for Couples?

Phuket and Cairns are both very good to visit as a couple.

Couples visit Phuket frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. 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.

Cairns is a great resort island if you're traveling as 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 Phuket or Cairns Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Cairns is an amazing city to visit for backpackers. Also, Phuket is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

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 Cairns 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 Cairns.

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 Cairns offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. Sunbus operates a public bus service that travels through the city center and to many beaches. Most routes start at Cairns City Mall.

Is Phuket or Cairns a more walkable city?

Phuket is a popular place for its ease of walking around. However, Cairns is lacking in options for its walkability.

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.

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 Phuket Worth Visiting? and Is Cairns Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Cairns or Phuket?

How long in Phuket or Cairns?

In either Phuket or Cairns, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Phuket than Cairns because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Phuket, and 3-5 days is enough time in Cairns.

Families should spend more time in Cairns than Phuket. 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 Phuket. 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 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 Cairns.

One day in Phuket or Cairns?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of Phuket. 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.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of Cairns. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Phuket or Cairns?

Phuket is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Cairns is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Phuket or Cairns?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Phuket. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Most people come for the beaches. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Cairns. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Phuket or Cairns?

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the activity-filled destination of Phuket. This resort island offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the tropical destination of Cairns. 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.

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 4-Week (1-Month) Tours in Australia, and The Best Budget Tours to Australia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Phuket and Cairns, we can see that Phuket is more expensive. And not only is Cairns much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Phuket is in Asia and Cairns is in Pacific, 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 Cairns would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cairns 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 Phuket would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Phuket than you might in Cairns.

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

Which is Bigger, Phuket or Cairns?

Cairns has a larger population, and is about 73% larger than the population of Phuket. When comparing the sizes of Phuket 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 Phuket or Cairns?

Cairns 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 Cairns in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Phuket as well as Cairns. Phuket attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to Cairns for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Phuket is around the same temperature as Cairns. Typically, the summer temperatures in Phuket in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Cairns averages at about 29°C (84°F)in January.

It's quite rainy in Cairns. Phuket receives a lot of rain in the summer. Phuket usually gets less rain in July than Cairnsin January. Phuket gets 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 429 mm (16.9 in) of rain this time of the year. November to March in Cairns is the rainy season.

Should I visit Phuket or Cairns in the Autumn?

Both Cairns 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, the autumn months attract visitors to Cairns because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In October, Phuket is generally around the same temperature as Cairnsin April. Daily temperatures in Phuket average around 27°C (81°F), and Cairns fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Cairns. It's quite rainy in Phuket. In October, Phuket usually receives more rain than Cairnsin April. Phuket gets 304 mm (12 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 273 mm (10.8 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. The dry season in Cairns is April to October.

Should I visit Phuket or Cairns in the Winter?

Both Cairns 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. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Cairns this time of year.

Phuket is a little warmer than Cairns in the winter. The daily temperature in Phuket averages around 28°C (82°F) in January, and Cairns fluctuates around 23°C (73°F)in July.

Phuket usually gets less rain in January than Cairnsin July. Phuket gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year. December to March is the dry season in Phuket.

Should I visit Phuket or Cairns in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Phuket and Cairns. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Phuket year-round. Also, many travelers come to Cairns for the beaches.

In the spring, Phuket is around the same temperature as Cairns. Typically, the spring temperatures in Phuket in April average around 29°C (84°F), and Cairns averages at about 27°C (80°F)in October.

Phuket gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Phuket usually receives more rain than Cairnsin October. Phuket gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring. Also, June to October is the rainy season in Phuket. April to October in Cairns is the dry season. Also, November to March is the rainy season in Cairns.

Typical Weather for Cairns and Phuket