A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Similan Islands vs. Adelaide for Beaches, Couples, Food, and Hiking

Should you visit Similan Islands 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 Similan Islands 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.

Similan Islands

Similan Islands is a remote, spectacular, and idyllic island chain. Similan Islands is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Other reasons to visit include scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and hiking. See Similan Islands travel costs.

Adelaide

Adelaide is a welcoming, friendly, and under-rated city. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and hiking. See Adelaide travel costs.

Similan Islands and Adelaide: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Similan Islands or Adelaide?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Adelaide. Although Similan Islands and Adelaide are popular destinations, Adelaide has more sights and attractions for tourists. Adelaide is very popular for its museums and attractions, nightlife, and shopping, while Similan Islands attracts visitors for its scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and impressive beauty. Adelaide is more touristy than Similan Islands and is known for its wine scene, vibrant festivals, green spaces, and local sporting events. It is also well known for the Adelaide Botanic Garden. Similan Islands is famous for its world class diving and remote setting.

How is Similan Islands different from Adelaide?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Similan Islands or Adelaide?

Adelaide is a city with good options for its museums and history. However, Similan Islands does not have museums and landmarks.

Adelaide offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. 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.

Similan Islands does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Similan Islands or Adelaide? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Similan Islands and Adelaide can be difficult as they are each nice in their own way.

Similan Islands has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. Most people visit the islands as part of an organized tour, which usually provides meals as part of the package.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Adelaide area. 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 Similan Islands or Adelaide Better for Nightlife?

Adelaide is a city with good options for nightlife and partying. However, Similan Islands is lacking in options for its evening party scene.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe 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.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Similan Islands. Peace and tranquility is what makes these islands special, and you'll find very limited amenities and no nightlife on the islands.

Is Similan Islands or Adelaide Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Similan Islands is renowned for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Adelaide is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Similan Islands is a world class destination for scuba diving and snorkeling. These islands offer one of the world's most famous and impressive diving spots. World class divers travel great distances to experience the undersea world here. There are liveaboard boat trips that range in length from 4 to 6 nights and leave from either Khao Lak or Phuket. These trips will take you to the many great dive spots in the area. Do take note that the islands close every year from May until October.

Adelaide is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Similan Islands or Adelaide Better for Beaches?

Similan Islands is renowned for its beaches. Also, Adelaide is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for the beach.

Similan Islands is considered to be a world-class beach destination. The world class beaches have white sand and stunningly blue waters. The setting is challenging enough to reach that you'll likely have few people to share the beaches with. The undersea world is also among the best and most vibrant around.

Many people visit Adelaide for it's beautiful beaches. 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.

Is Similan Islands or Adelaide Better for Hiking?

Both Similan Islands and Adelaide are destinations which offer nice hiking.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Similan Islands. There are hikes through the jungle and to various viewpoints on several of the islands.

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 Similan Islands or Adelaide?

Adelaide is an excellent place to visit for its shopping opportunities. However, Similan Islands is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Adelaide is well-known for its shopping. 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.

Similan Islands is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Similan Islands or Adelaide More Beautiful?

Similan Islands is renowned for its scenery and beauty. However, Adelaide is not a destination known for its beauty.

Similan Islands is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. The remote setting makes this one of the few truly pristine places left to explore. In addition to the white sand and blue water, the undersea world here is spectacular.

Adelaide is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Similan Islands or Adelaide Better for Families?

Both Similan Islands and Adelaide are nice to visit with kids.

Similan Islands is a family-friendly island chain. It's a remote setting, but it's spectacularly beautiful with great snorkeling and sandy beaches that kids and adults alike will enjoy.

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 Similan Islands or Adelaide Better for Couples?

Similan Islands is renowned for romance. Also, Adelaide is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

Similan Islands is a great island chain for couples, as it has plenty to offer. Couples who want to escape the tourist crowds will appreciate this remote and beautiful beach setting. The blue water and sandy beaches make for a true paradise.

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 Similan Islands or Adelaide Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Adelaide is a city with good options for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Similan Islands is lacking in options for backpackers.

Adelaide is a good city to visit for backpackers. 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.

Similan Islands is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's remote setting makes it challenging to reach on a budget, but if you're willing to devote a day or more to travel, then you'll be well rewarded.

Is Similan Islands or Adelaide Better for Students?

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

Plenty of students 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.

Similan Islands is not popular with students.

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

Adelaide is an excellent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Similan Islands is lacking in options for its public transit.

Public transit in Adelaide can get you to some places easily. There are bus, trains, and trams throughout the city center.

Public transit is generally limited in Similan Islands. The national park operates boats between the islands. You can also charter private longtail boats, however these must be secured in advance and availability is not guaranteed.

Is Similan Islands or Adelaide a more walkable city?

Adelaide is an excellent place to visit for its high level of walkability. Also, Similan Islands is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its ease of walking around.

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

Similan Islands is a somewhat walkable island chain. There are footpaths that connect the points of interest on some of the islands.

For even more information, also check out Is Similan Islands Worth Visiting? and Is Adelaide Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Adelaide or Similan Islands?

How long in Similan Islands or Adelaide?

It's fun to spend time in either Similan Islands or Adelaide. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Similan Islands due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 4-7 days is a good amount of time for Similan Islands, and 2-4 days is enough time in Adelaide.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Adelaide than Similan Islands 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 Adelaide.

One day in Similan Islands or Adelaide?

The beautiful island chain of Similan Islands offers scuba diving and snorkeling and food. 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.

The under-rated destination of Adelaide offers nightlife and food. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Similan Islands or Adelaide?

Similan Islands is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. 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.

The city of Adelaide offers food and shopping. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. A weekend here is typical. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities.

Five days in Similan Islands or Adelaide?

Similan Islands is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Similan Islands, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Adelaide is a great place to explore. It's also a great beach destination, too. This city offers something for everyone. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Similan Islands or Adelaide?

Similan Islands 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 Similan Islands has to offer. This island chain offers something for everyone.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Adelaide. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bangkok, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Phuket, The Best Adventure Tours to Australia, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Australia.

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

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

When is the best time to visit Similan Islands or Adelaide?

Adelaide has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Similan Islands experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Similan Islands or Adelaide in the Summer?

Both Adelaide and Similan Islands are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Similan Islands throughout the year. Also, the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Adelaide this time of year.

In July, Similan Islands is generally a little warmer than Adelaidein January. Daily temperatures in Similan Islands average around 28°C (82°F), and Adelaide fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).

It's quite sunny in Adelaide. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Similan Islands. Similan Islands usually receives less sunshine than Adelaide during summer. Similan Islands gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Adelaide receives 330 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Similan Islands. In July, Similan Islands usually receives more rain than Adelaidein January. Similan Islands gets 284 mm (11.2 in) of rain, while Adelaide receives 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the summer. The rainy season in Similan Islands is June to September.

Should I visit Similan Islands or Adelaide in the Autumn?

Both Adelaide and Similan Islands during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Similan Islands because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Adelaide for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

Similan Islands is much warmer than Adelaide in the autumn. The daily temperature in Similan Islands averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Adelaide fluctuates around 18°C (64°F)in April.

In Adelaide, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Similan Islands often gets less sunshine than Adelaidein April. Similan Islands gets 181 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Adelaide receives 215 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Similan Islands. Similan Islands usually gets more rain in October than Adelaidein April. Similan Islands gets 351 mm (13.8 in) of rain, while Adelaide receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year. October to May is the dry season in Similan Islands.

Should I visit Similan Islands or Adelaide in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Similan Islands and Adelaide. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Similan Islands year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to Adelaide in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Similan Islands is much warmer than Adelaide. Typically, the winter temperatures in Similan Islands in January average around 27°C (80°F), and Adelaide averages at about 11°C (52°F)in July.

In Similan Islands, it's very sunny this time of the year. Similan Islands usually receives more sunshine than Adelaide during winter. Similan Islands gets 287 hours of sunny skies, while Adelaide receives 159 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Similan Islands usually receives less rain than Adelaidein July. Similan Islands gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Adelaide receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Similan Islands or Adelaide in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Similan Islands as well as Adelaide. Similan Islands attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to Adelaide for the beaches during these months.

In April, Similan Islands is generally much warmer than Adelaidein October. Daily temperatures in Similan Islands average around 29°C (83°F), and Adelaide fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Adelaide. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Similan Islands this time of the year. In the spring, Similan Islands often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Adelaidein October. Similan Islands gets 249 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Adelaide receives 256 hours of full sun.

Similan Islands receives a lot of rain in the spring. Similan Islands usually gets more rain in April than Adelaidein October. Similan Islands gets 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain, while Adelaide receives 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, October to May in Similan Islands is the dry season. June to September in Similan Islands is the rainy season.

Typical Weather for Adelaide and Similan Islands