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

Should you visit Phuket or Canberra?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Phuket or Canberra, 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 is a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and shopping. See Phuket travel costs.

Canberra

Canberra is a cultural, diverse, and under-rated 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 Canberra travel costs.

Phuket and Canberra: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Phuket or Canberra?

You'll generally find more things to do in Canberra than Phuket. Canberra is bigger than Phuket, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Canberra is better known for its museums and attractions, hiking, and big city activities, while Phuket is more popular for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and impressive beauty. Phuket is more touristy than Canberra and is popular for its long sandy beaches, wild nightlife, colorful resorts, and easy access to day tours. Canberra is well known for its educational museums and the nearby nature reserves. Also, Canberra is famous for the Australian War Memorial.

How is Phuket different from Canberra?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Canberra 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 Canberra can be an interesting and educational experience. As Australia's capital, there are a large number of museums around town that focus on everything from history and culture to science and nature. Some of the most interesting are the Australian War Memorial, the New Parliament House, the Museum of Australian Democracy, the National Gallery of Australia, and the National Science and Technology Centre, but there are many more.

Phuket does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Phuket and Canberra 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."

Canberra has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. There's a trendy culinary scene as well as nearby vineyards that provide great wine. You'll find everything from family-friendly and casual to upscale and fine dining.

Is Phuket or Canberra Better for Nightlife?

Phuket is terrific for nightlife and partying. Also, Canberra is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.

Phuket is a must-see party destination. 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.

Canberra has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. There are local pubs and music venues that offer fun entertainment in the evening. You can sip wine or practice your dance moves at one of the city's clubs.

Is Phuket or Canberra Better for Resorts?

Phuket is terrific for its luxury resorts. However, Canberra is not a resort destination.

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.

Canberra is not a resort destination.

Is Phuket or Canberra Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Phuket is an excellent place to visit for its diving and snorkeling. However, Canberra is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Many visitors partake in scuba diving or snorkeing while visiting 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.

Canberra is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Phuket or Canberra Better for Beaches?

Phuket is terrific for the beach. However, Canberra is not a beach destination.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Phuket. 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.

Canberra is not a beach destination.

Is Phuket or Canberra Better for Hiking?

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

Canberra has hiking trails worth exploring. There's one national park - Namadgi, as well as green space, rolling hills, and hiking trails just outside of town.

Phuket is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Phuket or Canberra?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Canberra and Phuket.

Phuket offers some nice shopping areas. 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.

Canberra has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Caberra Centre is the city's largest shopping centre and it has all of the usual international brands.

Is Phuket or Canberra More Beautiful?

Phuket is a popular place for its scenery and beauty. However, Canberra is not a destination known for its beauty.

Phuket is a beautiful place to visit, too. 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.

Canberra is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Phuket or Canberra Better for Families?

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

Canberra is a very kid-friendly city. There are interactive museums and science centers such as Questacon, the National Dinosaur Museum, and the National Zoo and Aquarium. There are also cultural and historical museums such as the Australian War Memorial, the Museum of Australian Democracy, and the National Museum of Australia. The city also has plenty of outdoor space and hands on crafts that kids will enjoy.

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 Canberra Better for Couples?

Phuket is an excellent place to visit for its romantic activities. Also, Canberra is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

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.

Canberra is a good resort island for couples to visit. As the city has plenty of date night activities like nice restaurants, interesting shows, and trendy wineries. During the day you can explore the outdoor setting, have a picnic, or visit a vineyard.

Is Phuket or Canberra Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Phuket is a popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Canberra is lacking in options for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Phuket. 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.

Canberra is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Despite being the capital city, few backpackers actually spend much time in town. There are some budget-friendly motels if you're stopping by.

Is Phuket or Canberra Better for Students?

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

Canberra is a great city to visit as a student. It's a welcoming city that is a fairly popular study abroad destination. Many students appreciate the friendly atmosphere, safe environment, and great economic setting.

Phuket is not popular with students.

Is Phuket or Canberra 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 Canberra.

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 Canberra offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are public buses as well as a light rail system. The Red Explorer Loop bus goes by many of the city's sights.

Is Phuket or Canberra a more walkable city?

Phuket and Canberra both are notable when exploring on foot.

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

Canberra is a somewhat walkable resort island. There are parts of the city that are walkable and possible to explore on foot, but in general this is a very car-centered city.

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

Should I spend more time in Canberra or Phuket?

How long in Phuket or Canberra?

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

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

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

One day in Phuket or Canberra?

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 Canberra. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Phuket or Canberra?

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.

Canberra 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 Canberra?

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 Canberra. 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 Canberra?

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 cultural destination of Canberra. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Melbourne, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Australia.

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

Which is Bigger, Phuket or Canberra?

Canberra has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Phuket. When comparing the sizes of Phuket and Canberra, 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 Canberra?

Canberra 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 Canberra in the Summer?

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

Phuket is a little warmer than Canberra in the summer. The daily temperature in Phuket averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Canberra fluctuates around 20°C (68°F)in January.

Phuket receives a lot of rain in the summer. Phuket usually gets more rain in July than Canberrain January. Phuket gets 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain, while Canberra receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Phuket or Canberra in the Autumn?

Both Canberra 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 Canberra because of the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Phuket is much warmer than Canberra. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Phuket in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Canberra averages at about 17°C (63°F)in April.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Canberra. It's quite rainy in Phuket. In October, Phuket usually receives more rain than Canberrain April. Phuket gets 304 mm (12 in) of rain, while Canberra receives 110 mm (4.3 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 Canberra in the Winter?

Both Canberra 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 Canberra this time of year.

In January, Phuket is generally much warmer than Canberrain July. Daily temperatures in Phuket average around 28°C (82°F), and Canberra fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

Phuket usually gets less rain in January than Canberrain July. Phuket gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Canberra receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year. December to March is the dry season in Phuket.

Should I visit Phuket or Canberra in the Spring?

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

Phuket is much warmer than Canberra in the spring. The daily temperature in Phuket averages around 29°C (84°F) in April, and Canberra fluctuates around 15°C (60°F)in October.

Phuket gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Phuket usually receives more rain than Canberrain October. Phuket gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Canberra receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the spring. Also, June to October is the rainy season in Phuket.

Typical Weather for Canberra and Phuket