A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Tokyo vs. Cairns for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Tokyo or Cairns?

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

Should I visit Tokyo or Cairns? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Tokyo

Tokyo is a eclectic, cutting edge, and high tech city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. With stunning beauty, Tokyo attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums. See Tokyo travel costs.

Cairns

Cairns is a adventure-filled, tropical, and idyllic city. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and food. See Cairns travel costs.

Tokyo and Cairns: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Tokyo or Cairns?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Cairns than Tokyo. While Tokyo is larger than Cairns, Cairns has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Cairns is very popular for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and hiking, while Tokyo attracts visitors for its museums and attractions, food, music, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty. Cairns is more touristy than Tokyo and is known for its stunning beaches, nearby rainforests, and easy access to the world's largest reef system. It is also well known for the Great Barrier Reef. Tokyo is famous for its ultramodern skyscrapers, neon lights, historic temples, lively karaoke bars, and peaceful parks.

How is Tokyo different from Cairns?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Tokyo or Cairns?

Tokyo is terrific for its museums and history. However, Cairns is lacking in options for its museums and landmarks.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Tokyo has many famous sights for visitors. This iconic city is filled with recognizable landmarks and world class museums including the Meiji Shrine, the Sensō-ji Temple, and the Tokyo Skytree.

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.

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

Tokyo is terrific for its restaurants. Also, Cairns is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

For foodies, Tokyo is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. With an astonishing number of Michelin star restaurants, this is one of the most interesting and impressive food destinations in the world. Not all restaurants are high end though. You'll find plenty of cheap eateries that offer their own rewarding culinary experience. Must try local dishes include okonomiyaki, ramen, and of course, sushi.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Cairns makes for a great culinary experience. 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 Tokyo or Cairns Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is first-rate in both Tokyo and Cairns.

Tokyo is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. The professional urgency that you feel during the day morphs into a vibrant, laid back city at night. The neon lights turn on and locals head out to destress. There are karaoke bars, casual pubs, high energy nightclubs, and more. Popular areas for nightlife include Roppongi, Shibuya and Shinjuku.

Cairns has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. 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 Tokyo or Cairns Better for Music?

Tokyo is terrific for its music scene. However, Cairns is not a live music destination.

Tokyo has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. The music scene features both national and international artists and the music style is as eclectic as the city itself. You'll find many underground venues, vintage record stores, and local bars that have each created their own niche.

Cairns is not a live music destination.

Is Tokyo or Cairns Better for Resorts?

Cairns is great for its luxury resorts. However, Tokyo is not a resort destination.

Cairns is known as a popular and fun resort destination. 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.

Tokyo is not a resort destination.

Is Tokyo or Cairns Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Cairns is renowned for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Tokyo is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

The clear water and abundant marine life make Cairns a world-class scuba diving and snorkeling destination. 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.

Tokyo is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Tokyo or Cairns Better for Beaches?

Cairns is renowned for the beach. However, Tokyo is not a beach destination.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Cairns. 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).

Tokyo is not a beach destination.

Is Tokyo or Cairns Better for Hiking?

Cairns is renowned for hiking. However, Tokyo is not a hiking destination.

People visit Cairns specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. 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.

Tokyo is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Tokyo or Cairns?

Tokyo is terrific for its shopping areas. Also, Cairns is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many people travel to Tokyo specifically to go shopping. The city is known for its electronics, anime products, and trendy fashion brands. Many neighborhoods are also shopping districts with malls or markets throughout. Prices can be steep, but products are generally high quality. For some of the city's best shopping, head to Shinjuku, Shibuya, or Ginza.

Cairns is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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.

Is Tokyo or Cairns More Beautiful?

Tokyo is an excellent place to visit for its scenery and beauty. However, Cairns is not a destination known for its beauty.

With stunning beauty, Tokyo attracts visitors from all around. It's colorful skyscrapers and historic temples make this a truly one-of-a-kind place to explore.

Cairns is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Tokyo or Cairns Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Tokyo or Cairns.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Tokyo is a very family-friendly destination. This is an incredibly kid-friendly city. There's Disneyland, but there are also many other entertainment centers, amusement areas, a zoo, aquarium, and more. Kids will also enjoy experiencing the city's fascinating culture. They can visit temples, museums, and the Tokyo Tower. Another fun local experience is to go to a baseball game.

Cairns is one of the most popular family destinations. 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.

Is Tokyo or Cairns Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Tokyo and Cairns make for a high quality place to visit.

Tokyo is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. This high tech city offers luxury hotels and spas, award winning restaurants, and unique date night opportunities like karaoke or sushi making classes. The city has many parks and gardens as well as malls, dynamic neighborhoods, and interesting museums.

Cairns is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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 Tokyo or Cairns Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Cairns is renowned for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Tokyo is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

A large number of backpackers visit Cairns, as it is a very popular city for budget travelers. 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.

Tokyo is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. Known for it's high prices, it can be a bit difficult to visit this city on a budget. There are dorm rooms available but they still come with a high price tag. Food is a bit easier as the eateries are diverse with many options on the cheaper side.

Is Tokyo or Cairns Better for Students?

Tokyo is terrific for its student-friendly activities. However, Cairns is not popular with students.

Many students frequent Tokyo. The city attracts many international students and there are a number of prestigious universities to choose from. Perhaps the biggest challenge is navigating the language difference, but that is all part of the experience when studying abroad.

Cairns is not popular with students.

Is Tokyo or Cairns Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Tokyo is terrific for times when you don't have a car. Also, Cairns is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

The thorough and effecient public transit system of Tokyo can take you anywhere. Trains, subways, and buses make up the complex transportation system and, while it may seem overwhelming at first, the system is actually very clean, efficient, and reliable.

You'll find some public transit in Cairns, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Sunbus operates a public bus service that travels through the city center and to many beaches. Most routes start at Cairns City Mall.

Is Tokyo or Cairns a more walkable city?

Tokyo is terrific for its ease of walking around. However, Cairns is lacking in options for its walkability.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Tokyo. Many neighborhoods are very easy to explore on foot, so it's fun to just wander without a plan, seeing where you end up.

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 Tokyo Worth Visiting? and Is Cairns Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Cairns or Tokyo?

How long in Tokyo or Cairns?

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

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

One day in Tokyo or Cairns?

Tokyo is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Cairns, many people enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping that this idyllic destination offers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Tokyo or Cairns?

Tokyo 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Cairns. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Tokyo or Cairns?

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

Cairns is a fun place to experience. In Cairns, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this destination offers. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A week in Tokyo or Cairns?

Tokyo is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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.

You'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the adventure-filled destination of Cairns. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Japan, The Best Bicycle Tours in Japan, 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 Tokyo and Cairns, we can see that Tokyo is more expensive. And not only is Cairns much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Tokyo 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 Tokyo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tokyo 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 Tokyo Expensive? and Is Cairns Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Tokyo or Cairns?

Tokyo has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Cairns. When comparing the sizes of Tokyo 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 Tokyo or Cairns?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Cairns is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Tokyo has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Tokyo or Cairns in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Tokyo and Cairns. The summer months attract visitors to Tokyo because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Cairns this time of year.

Tokyo is cooler than Cairns in the summer. The daily temperature in Tokyo averages around 26°C (78°F) in July, and Cairns fluctuates around 29°C (84°F)in January.

Cairns receives a lot of rain in the summer. Tokyo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Tokyo usually receives less rain than Cairnsin January. Tokyo gets 127 mm (5 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 429 mm (16.9 in) of rain each month for the summer. Also, November to March is the rainy season in Cairns.

Should I visit Tokyo or Cairns in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Tokyo as well as Cairns. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Tokyo this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Cairns for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Tokyo is much colder than Cairns. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Tokyo in October average around 18°C (64°F), and Cairns averages at about 27°C (80°F)in April.

It's quite rainy in Cairns. Tokyo receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Tokyo usually gets less rain in October than Cairnsin April. Tokyo gets 165 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 273 mm (10.8 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, April to October in Cairns is the dry season.

Should I visit Tokyo or Cairns in the Winter?

Both Cairns and Tokyo are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Tokyo for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Cairns in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Tokyo is generally much colder than Cairnsin July. Daily temperatures in Tokyo average around 5°C (42°F), and Cairns fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

In January, Tokyo usually receives more rain than Cairnsin July. Tokyo gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Tokyo or Cairns in the Spring?

Both Cairns and Tokyo during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Tokyo in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Furthermore, most visitors come to Cairns for the beaches during these months.

Tokyo is much colder than Cairns in the spring. The daily temperature in Tokyo averages around 14°C (58°F) in April, and Cairns fluctuates around 27°C (80°F)in October.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Tokyo. Tokyo usually gets more rain in April than Cairnsin October. Tokyo gets 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year. April to October is the dry season in Cairns. November to March is the rainy season in Cairns.

Typical Weather for Cairns and Tokyo