Which city is cheaper, Canberra or Surfers Paradise?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
A Travel Price Comparison for Australia Surfers Paradise vs. Canberra for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons
Jump to 
Should you visit Surfers Paradise or Canberra?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Surfers Paradise 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.
Where Should I go: Surfers Paradise or Canberra?
Surfers Paradise
A tourist mecca, Surfers Paradise is one of the most popular travel destinations along Australia's famed Gold Coast. The beach stretches for miles and there is an endless supply of almost constant parties. You'll find high rise apartments lined up along the shore and plenty of shopping areas, restaurants, nightclubs, and bars. Travelers from around the world visit the area, and it's a right of passage for Australia's teens to vacation in or near Surfers Paradise. For many travelers, Surfers Paradise comes across as little more than a mass marketed, over commercialized, party destination, but for others it is a vacation dream. Prices are highly inflated so you have to keep your whits about you to avoid being ripped off. Surfers Paradise is a destination of extremes and it conjures up extreme emotions in many travelers, be it positive or negative.
Canberra
There is something special about the capital city of Australia. Canberra's not just a wonderful spot for outdoor adventures. It's a city completely designed and built up around the coast of an artificial lake. When architects Walter Burley and Marion Mahony Griffin proposed their plans for Canberra it was met with a lot of criticism. Many people thought it would be a "waste of a good sheep pasture."
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySurfers Paradise $106Canberra $136
The average daily cost (per person) in Surfers Paradise is $106, while the average daily cost in Canberra is $136. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Surfers Paradise and Canberra in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSurfers Paradise $68Canberra $84
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSurfers Paradise $136Canberra $168
Compare Hotels in Surfers Paradise and Canberra
Looking for a hotel in Surfers Paradise or Canberra? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Canberra Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Surfers Paradise $11Canberra $25
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Surfers Paradise
Also for Surfers Paradise, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- One-Way Shared Transfer to Byron Bay: $30
- Private Brisbane Airport Departure Transfer From Gold Coast: $177
- Gold Coast: Airport to Hotel Return Transfer: $33
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Canberra
Also for Canberra, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Airport Transfer: from Canberra to Canberra Airport (CBR): $33
- Canberra -> Sydney -> Jindabyne -> Perisher Ski Resort : Private Transfer: $474
- Canberra - Sydney Private Transfers: $474
Is it cheaper to fly into Surfers Paradise or Canberra?
Prices for flights to both Canberra and Surfers Paradise change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
-
Food Meals for one daySurfers Paradise $27Canberra $35
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Surfers Paradise
For Surfers Paradise, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Surfers Paradise Sunset Kayak and Dinner: $40
- Dinner Buffet Cruise on the Gold Coast: $70
- Gold Coast: Spirits of the Red Sand Aboriginal Show & Dinner: $87
Typical Food prices in Canberra
For Canberra, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
-
Lunch$17
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Surfers Paradise $24Canberra $18
Typical Entertainment prices in Surfers Paradise
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Surfers Paradise's activities, tours, and tickets:
-
Surf Lesson$80
Tours and Activities in Surfers Paradise
For Surfers Paradise, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Aquaduck Gold Coast 1 hour City and River Tour: $32
- Aquaduck Secrets, Scandals and Sunset Tour: $47
- Body Massage Experience in Gold Coast: $160
- Byron Bay and the Crystal Castle Day Tour from Gold Coast: $97
- Full Day Mount Tamborine Winery Tour from Gold Coast: $126
- Full-Day Moreton Island 4x4 Sightseeing Tour: $259
- Glow Worms Private Tour - Nocturnal Rainforest Walk: $466
- Glow Worms Tour - Nocturnal Rainforest Walk - Small Group: $78
- Gold Coast 1.5-Hour Sightseeing River Cruise from Surfers Paradise: $20
- Gold Coast 1.5-Hour Sightseeing River Cruise from Surfers Paradise: $21
- Gold Coast Hydrofoil Tours: $131
- Gold Coast Morning Tea Cruise from Surfers Paradise: $18
Tours and Activities in Canberra
For Canberra, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Batemans Bay Overnight Kayak Camping Tour from Canberra - All Inclusive: $513
- Building and Architecture Tour | 10am Daily: $12
- Canberra - Murrumbateman Private Group Winery Tours: $522
- Canberra - Southern Highlands Winery Tour: $422
- Capture Canberra Photography Tours: $371
- Day Tour from Canberra to Batemans Bay - with Oyster Tasting Kayak Tour: $178
- Day Tour from Canberra to Batemans Bay With Indigenous Experience: $180
- Private Canberra Secrets Highlights Tour: $789
- Skip the Line: Telstra Tower Observation Deck Ticket: $5.93
- Ultimate Museum Experience | Tour + Dine + Shop (10am daily): $51
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one daySurfers Paradise $11Canberra $16
Sample the Local Flavors in Surfers Paradise
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Surfers Paradise:
- Private Half Day Wine Tour from Gold Coast to Tamborine Mountain: $119
- Hipster Sipster Brewery and Distillery Tour: $154
Typical Alcohol prices in Canberra
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Canberra from other travelers:
-
Drinks at a Bar$9.31
Sample the Local Flavors in Canberra
Also in Canberra, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Capital Brewery Full-Day Tour: $123
- From Winery, Distillery, & Tasting Tour with Lunch: $144
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Surfers Paradise and Canberra, we can see that Canberra is more expensive. And not only is Surfers Paradise much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Surfers Paradise would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Surfers Paradise 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 Canberra would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Canberra than you might in Surfers Paradise.
When is the best time to visit Surfers Paradise or Canberra?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the southern hemisphere, summer is in January and winter is in July.
Should I visit Surfers Paradise or Canberra in the Summer?
Both Canberra and Surfers Paradise are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities.
In January, Surfers Paradise is generally a little warmer than Canberra. Temperatures in Surfers Paradise average around 25°C (77°F), and Canberra stays around 20°C (68°F).
It's quite rainy in Surfers Paradise. In January, Surfers Paradise usually receives more rain than Canberra. Surfers Paradise gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Canberra receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JanuarySurfers Paradise 25°C (77°F)Canberra 20°C (68°F)
Should I visit Surfers Paradise or Canberra in the Autumn?
Both Canberra and Surfers Paradise during the autumn are popular places to visit.
Surfers Paradise is a little warmer than Canberra in the autumn. The temperature in Surfers Paradise is usually 22°C (71°F) in April, and Canberra stays around 17°C (63°F).
Canberra gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Surfers Paradise. Surfers Paradise usually gets less rain in April than Canberra. Surfers Paradise gets 101 mm (4 in) of rain, while Canberra receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures AprilSurfers Paradise 22°C (71°F)Canberra 17°C (63°F)
Should I visit Surfers Paradise or Canberra in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Surfers Paradise and Canberra.
In the winter, Surfers Paradise is a little warmer than Canberra. Typically, the winter temperatures in Surfers Paradise in July are around 15°C (59°F), and Canberra is about 11°C (52°F).
In July, Surfers Paradise usually receives more rain than Canberra. Surfers Paradise gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Canberra receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JulySurfers Paradise 15°C (59°F)Canberra 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Surfers Paradise or Canberra in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Surfers Paradise as well as Canberra.
In October, Surfers Paradise is generally a little warmer than Canberra. Temperatures in Surfers Paradise average around 21°C (69°F), and Canberra stays around 15°C (60°F).
Surfers Paradise receives a lot of rain in the spring. Surfers Paradise usually gets more rain in October than Canberra. Surfers Paradise gets 103 mm (4 in) of rain, while Canberra receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures OctoberSurfers Paradise 21°C (69°F)Canberra 15°C (60°F)
Typical Weather for Canberra and Surfers Paradise
| Surfers Paradise | Canberra | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 157 mm (6.2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| Mar | 24°C (75°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) |
| Apr | 22°C (71°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| May | 19°C (66°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Jun | 16°C (61°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Jul | 15°C (59°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Aug | 16°C (61°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Sep | 18°C (65°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 14°C (56°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Oct | 21°C (69°F) | 103 mm (4 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Nov | 23°C (73°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (76°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
Related Articles for Surfers Paradise
Related Articles for Canberra
Budget Your Trip
Budget Your Trip has average travel costs for thousands of cities around the world, all provided by other travelers. You can also register to organize your spending by category and location with graphs, maps, charts, and tables.More City Comparisons
Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) vs. Surfers ParadiseUluru National Park (Ayers Rock) vs. Canberra
Perth vs. Surfers Paradise
Perth vs. Canberra
Darwin vs. Surfers Paradise
Darwin vs. Canberra
Alice Springs vs. Surfers Paradise
Alice Springs vs. Canberra
Adelaide vs. Surfers Paradise
Adelaide vs. Canberra
Torquay vs. Surfers Paradise
Torquay vs. Canberra
Sydney vs. Surfers Paradise
Sydney vs. Canberra
Surfers Paradise vs. Rockhampton
Surfers Paradise vs. Noosa Heads
Surfers Paradise vs. Newcastle
Surfers Paradise vs. Melbourne
Surfers Paradise vs. Katoomba
Surfers Paradise vs. Hobart
Surfers Paradise vs. Gold Coast
Surfers Paradise vs. Fraser Island
Surfers Paradise vs. Coffs Harbour
Surfers Paradise vs. Wollongong
Surfers Paradise vs. Cairns
Surfers Paradise vs. Byron Bay
Surfers Paradise vs. Brisbane
Surfers Paradise vs. Airlie Beach
Share This Page
Pin This Page
Some of the links on this website are sponsored or affiliate links which help to financially support this site. By clicking the link and making a purchase, we may receive a small commission, but this does not affect the price of your purchase.