A Travel Price Comparison for Australia Alice Springs vs. Adelaide for Hiking, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Alice Springs or Adelaide?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Alice Springs and Adelaide can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Alice Springs

Alice Springs is a friendly, laid back, and outdoorsy town. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. Alice Springs is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, food, and hiking. See Alice Springs travel costs.

Adelaide

Adelaide is a under-rated, elegant, and welcoming city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Adelaide travel costs.

Alice Springs and Adelaide: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Alice Springs or Adelaide?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Adelaide than Alice Springs, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Adelaide is better known for its beaches and shopping, while Alice Springs is more popular for its hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Alice Springs is more touristy than Adelaide and is known for its desert landscapes, Outback setting, and location between the East and West MacDonnell Ranges. Adelaide is well known for its wine scene, vibrant festivals, green spaces, and local sporting events. Also, Adelaide is famous for the Adelaide Botanic Garden.

How is Alice Springs different from Adelaide?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Alice Springs or Adelaide?

You'll find a number of notable museums and attractions in both Adelaide and Alice Springs.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Alice Springs. There are several wildlife centers in town that let you experience the desert animals first hand. Make sure you check out the Alice Springs Reptile Center, the Alice Springs Desert Park, and the Kangaroo Sanctuary. Another highlight of the town is a visit to the Alice Springs School of the Air.

Adelaide is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. 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.

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

Foodies will find both Alice Springs and Adelaide both to be notable destinations.

Alice Springs is becoming an appealing option for foodies. There are casual eateries with local food and decent prices. While it's a small town, there are plenty of tourists passing through so you'll find enough places to eat with a decent selection.

Adelaide offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. 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 Alice Springs or Adelaide Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find notable options in both Alice Springs and Adelaide.

If you're looking for night time activities Alice Springs has a few options to choose from. It's a laid back small town, but there are still places to hang out in evening. Pubs and taverns are popular with locals and tourists alike. You'll also find a couple of casinos and clubs in town.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Adelaide. 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 Alice Springs or Adelaide Better for Beaches?

Adelaide is a great city for the beach. However, Alice Springs is not a beach destination.

The beaches at Adelaide attract visitors from all over. 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.

Alice Springs is not a beach destination.

Is Alice Springs or Adelaide Better for Hiking?

Alice Springs is renowned for its hiking trails. Also, Adelaide is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its hiking experiences.

Around Alice Springs visitors will find world-class hiking trails. Just outside of town there are wonderful walking routes and hiking trails. You can visit gorges, waterholes, and wander through the stunning red desert landscapes. One of the most famous trails in the area is the Larapinta Trail.

Adelaide offers some nice hiking trails. 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.

Is the Shopping Better in Alice Springs or Adelaide?

Adelaide is a great city for its shopping areas. Also, Alice Springs is not as popular, but is still a nice town for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Adelaide. 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.

Alice Springs is a great destination for shopping. There are many shopping areas around town, particularly at the Yeperenye Shopping Centre, Alice Plaza, and Todd Mall. Prices can be a bit high, so keep that in mind as you're browsing.

Is Alice Springs or Adelaide More Beautiful?

Alice Springs is a very popular place for its scenery and beauty. However, Adelaide is not a destination known for its beauty.

Alice Springs is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. The surrounding area is filled with beautiful landscapes and dramatic views.

Adelaide is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Alice Springs or Adelaide Better for Families?

Alice Springs is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Adelaide is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Alice Springs is a very family-friendly destination. Kids will enjoy the beautiful setting as much as adults. There are desert animals that you can see at Alice Springs Desert Park or the Kangaroo Sanctuary. The Earth Sanctuary has telescopes and unbeatable views of the night sky. In the area you'll also be able to take a camel ride or visit the National Road Transport Hall of Fame.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Adelaide. 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 Alice Springs or Adelaide Better for Couples?

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

Alice Springs makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The red desert and stunning landscapes make for a truly one-of-a-kind romantic getaway. In addition to the area's natural beauty, there are hot air balloon rides and camel treks. Hiking and exploring is also at the top of many visitor's lists.

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 Alice Springs or Adelaide Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Alice Springs is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Adelaide is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Alice Springs is very popular with the backpacker crowd. Many backpackers stop off here during their Australian adventure. There a few hostels in town as well as a laid back and friendly environment that is perfect for backpacking.

Plenty of backpackers 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.

Is Alice Springs or Adelaide Better for Students?

Adelaide is a city with good options for its student-friendly activities. However, Alice Springs is not popular with students.

It's common for students to visit Adelaide. It's a friendly and affordable city that has a nice student culture. It's very livable and accessible to other interesting places.

Alice Springs is not popular with students.

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

Adelaide is a great city for times when you don't have a car. However, Alice Springs is not known for its public transit.

Adelaide offers a very effecient public transportation network. There are bus, trains, and trams throughout the city center.

Public transit is generally limited in Alice Springs. Public transit options are limited but you will find buses that leave from the Yeperenye Shopping Center on Hartley Street. There are also taxis in town.

Is Alice Springs or Adelaide a more walkable city?

Adelaide is a great city for its ease of walking around. Also, Alice Springs is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its walkability.

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

Alice Springs is somewhat walkable. The downtown area can be explored on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Adelaide or Alice Springs?

How long in Alice Springs or Adelaide?

It's fun to spend time in either Alice Springs or Adelaide. Both can be explored in comparable amounts of time. However, 2-4 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

One day in Alice Springs or Adelaide?

Alice Springs is a small town where visitors enjoy the food and shopping. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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 shopping and museums when visiting the welcoming destination of Adelaide. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Alice Springs or Adelaide?

Alice Springs is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Alice Springs, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Adelaide. Most people come for the beaches. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Five days in Alice Springs or Adelaide?

Alice Springs is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that hiking is why people visit. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the under-rated destination of Adelaide. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

A week in Alice Springs or Adelaide?

Alice Springs is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that hiking is why people visit. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This town offers something for everyone.

You'll find food and shopping around the city of Adelaide. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Australia, The Best 3-Week Tours in Australia, 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 Alice Springs and Adelaide, we can see that Adelaide is more expensive. And not only is Alice Springs much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Alice Springs would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Alice Springs 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 Adelaide would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Adelaide than you might in Alice Springs.

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

Which is Bigger, Alice Springs or Adelaide?

Adelaide has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Alice Springs. When comparing the sizes of Alice Springs 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.