A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Atami vs. Cromwell for Families, Couples, Attractions, and Food

Should you visit Atami or Cromwell?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Atami and Cromwell 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.

Atami

Atami is a nostalgic, authentic, and overlooked town. Visitors also love the nightlife, food, and beaches.

Cromwell

Cromwell is a cultural, outdoorsy, and historical town. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. Visitors also love the nightlife, food, and hiking.

Atami and Cromwell: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Popular beach
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
Pros
  • Popular for skiing
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Good for hiking
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers


Is there more to do in Atami or Cromwell?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Cromwell than Atami, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Cromwell is better known for its skiing, hiking, and small town charm, while Atami is more popular for its beaches. Cromwell is more touristy than Atami and is known for its fruit farms, orchards, and vineyards. Also, Cromwell is famous for the big fruit. Atami is well known for its onsen (hot springs) and sandy beaches.

How is Atami different from Cromwell?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Atami or Cromwell Better for Skiing?

Atami
Cromwell

Cromwell is a town with good options for skiing and snowboarding. However, Atami is not a skiing destination.

For winter sports and skiing, Cromwell is a great destination to visit. The town isn't far from several ski fields, so it attracts winter sports enthusiasts when the weather gets cold.

Atami is not a skiing destination.


Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Atami or Cromwell?

Atami
Cromwell

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Atami and Cromwell.

Atami offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. The onsen, or hot springs, have historically been a big draw to this town. Places to experience them include Oedo Onsen Monogatari Atami, Otsuki Hotel Wafukan, and Myoraku-Yu. Other sights around town include Kaminiya Shrine and the MOA Museum of Art.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Cromwell. There are some interesting historical activities around town like Goldfields Mining Centre.

Is the Food Better in Atami or Cromwell? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Atami
Cromwell

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at notable restaurants in both Atami and Cromwell.

Atami has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. You'll find an authentic Japanese dining experience here, with a lot of seafood due to the city's coastal location. Popular dishes include sushi, dried fish, and fish boiled in broth.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Cromwell area. There are charming cafes and bakeries where you can grab a light meal or snack. There are also quaint restaurants and wineries with nice meals available.

Is Atami or Cromwell Better for Nightlife?

Atami
Cromwell

The notable nightlife scene is relatively similar in Atami and Cromwell.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Atami. The town was once a place to escape the city and enjoy a fun night out, but these days it's a bit quieter and has more of a nostalgic vibe. Head to Yushima Yugijo Yushima Amusement Center for some of the best nightlife in town.

Cromwell has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. There are a few breweries and a number of wineries around town where you can have a relaxing night out.


Is Atami or Cromwell Better for Beaches?

Atami
Cromwell

Atami is a town with good options for the beache. However, Cromwell is not a beach destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Atami. The most popular beach in the city is Atami Sun Beach, which is right in town. It's a place to relax in the sun, and there are sometimes fireworks throughout the year.

Cromwell is not a beach destination.

Is Atami or Cromwell Better for Hiking?

Atami
Cromwell

Cromwell is a very popular place for its hiking trails. However, Atami is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Cromwell. There are many beautiful walks in the area that take you through diverse landscapes and to impressive views.

Atami is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Atami or Cromwell?

Atami
Cromwell

Shoppers can find a variety of notable stores in both Atami and Cromwell.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Atami. You'll find a couple of retro shopping streets in town such as Atami Ekimae Shopping Street, Nakamise Shopping Street, and Heiwadori Shopping Street. There are arcades and food stalls where you can sample local dishes.

Many visitors go to Cromwell to go shopping. There's a farmers market in town as well as several local vendors and cute shops.


Is Atami or Cromwell Better for Families?

Atami
Cromwell

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

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Cromwell is very family-friendly. The lakefront setting means that there are water activities during the warmer months. There are also ski fields nearby for the winter months. Biking and walking are also popular in the area.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Atami. The city is a hot springs area, but you can also head to the nearby beaches and other family-friendly activities.

Is Atami or Cromwell Better for Couples?

Atami
Cromwell

Cromwell is a very popular place for its romantic activities. Also, Atami is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

Cromwell makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Cycling, walking, kayaking, and skiing all make this a romantic a charming town to visit as a couple. There are also wineries in the area with beautiful vineyards.

Atami is a good town for couples to visit. This is a beach and hot springs resort area, and in historic times it was a honeymoon destination. Today you'll find beaches, hot springs, shopping, and museums to explore, but most visitors use it as a base to explore the nearby areas, as the town itself doesn't have a lot to offer.

Is Atami or Cromwell Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Atami
Cromwell

Atami and Cromwell are both notable destinations for backpackers.

Atami is a good town to visit for backpackers. While there aren't a huge number of hostels in the area, and backpackers often skip over this town, prices aren't particularly high so you should be able to find something affordable.

Plenty of backpackers visit Cromwell. There are a handful of great hostels in the area and plenty of things to keep backpackers entertained.


Is Atami or Cromwell Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Atami
Cromwell

Atami is a town with good options for times when you don't have a car. However, Cromwell is not known for its public transit.

While Atami offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are public buses, such as the YuYu Bus, which has two routes and passes by many of the town's attractions.

Public transit is generally limited in Cromwell. Public transit around town is limited to a couple of buses.

Is Atami or Cromwell a more walkable city?

Atami
Cromwell

Atami and Cromwell are notable when it comes to walkability.

Atami is a somewhat walkable place. Some parts of the city are more walkable than others.

Cromwell is a somewhat walkable town. Parts of the town are walkable.

For even more information, also check out Is Atami Worth Visiting? and Is Cromwell Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Cromwell or Atami?

How long in Atami or Cromwell?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Atami or Cromwell to fill your time. In our opinion, Cromwell has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Cromwell than Atami. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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


  • How many days in Atami or Cromwell? Ideal Length of Stay
    Atami 1-2 
    Cromwell 1-2

One day in Atami or Cromwell?

The town of Atami offers food and shopping. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

In Cromwell, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this cultural destination offers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.


A weekend in Atami or Cromwell?

Atami 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. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Atami, 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 Cromwell. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Atami or Cromwell?

Atami is a popular choice for travelers. 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.

Cromwell is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the destination of Cromwell. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Atami or Cromwell?

Atami is a great place to explore. 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 museums and skiing around the cultural destination of Cromwell. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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 10-Day Tours from Tokyo, The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in New Zealand, and The Best Adventure Tours to New Zealand.


Which place is cheaper, Cromwell or Atami?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Atami is $86, while the average daily cost in Cromwell is $81. 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 destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Atami and Cromwell in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Atami $43
    Cromwell $39
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Atami $86
    Cromwell $78
Compare Hotels in Atami and Cromwell

Looking for a hotel in Atami or Cromwell? 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.

Hotels in Atami


Hotels in Cromwell


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: Atami Hotel Prices and Cromwell Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Atami $35
    Cromwell $25

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Atami

Also for Atami, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Narita Airport to/from Izu or Atami City Private Transfer: $650
  • Haneda Airport to/from Izu or Atami City Private Transfer: $557

Is it cheaper to fly into Atami or Cromwell?

Prices for flights to both Cromwell and Atami 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 day
    Atami $24
    Cromwell $26

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Atami $7.68
    Cromwell $16

Tours and Activities in Atami

For Atami, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • ACAO BEACH: Tent Sauna experience at private resort: $114
  • "Explore Atami's Culinary Culture" Walking Tour: $44
  • Exclusive Geisha Experience: $114
  • Hakone one day tour: $157
  • Ninja, Samurai, Odawara Castle Experience: $131
  • Odawara Castle and Town Guided Discovery Tour: $104

Tours and Activities in Cromwell

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Cromwell.

  • Queenstown: Mount Cook Premium Guided Day Tour: $148
  • Ultimate Lake Dunstan Trail Experience Bike & Boat Return: $172

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Atami $5.45
    Cromwell $9.14

Sample the Local Flavors in Cromwell

Also in Cromwell, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Wines and Views: Private Wine Tour of Otago from Queenstow: $1,488


When comparing the travel costs between Atami and Cromwell, we can see that Atami 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 Atami is in Asia and Cromwell 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 Atami Expensive? and Is Cromwell Expensive?.


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