A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Atami vs. Milford Sound for Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Atami or Milford Sound?

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 Milford Sound 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 authentic, overlooked, and nostalgic town. It's also popular because of the food, beaches, and shopping.

Milford Sound

Milford Sound is a world renowned, remote, and iconic fiord. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Visitors also love the skiing and hiking.

Atami and Milford Sound: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Atami or Milford Sound?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Atami. Although Atami and Milford Sound are both popular with visitors, Atami has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Atami is more popular for its museums & sights, food, nightlife, beaches, and shopping, while Milford Sound is known for its skiing, hiking, and impressive beauty. Milford Sound is more touristy than Atami and is known for its iconic hiking trails, stunning boat tours, and dramatic mountains. Atami is popular for its onsen (hot springs) and sandy beaches. It is also home to Kinomiya Shrine.

How is Atami different from Milford Sound?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Atami or Milford Sound Better for Skiing?

Milford Sound is a very popular place for skiing and snowboarding. However, Atami is not a skiing destination.

Visitors travel far to experience snow skiing in Milford Sound. Many locals head to the snow-capped peaks to enjoy skiing, but if you're unfamiliar with the area, a ski tour is your best option.

Atami is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Atami or Milford Sound?

Atami is a good destination for its museums and history. However, Milford Sound does not have museums and landmarks.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Atami. 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.

Milford Sound does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Atami is a good destination for its restaurants. However, Milford Sound is lacking in options for its restaurant scene.

Atami is becoming an appealing option for foodies. 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.

While Milford Sound is not famous for its food, you'll find what you need there. You'll find a restaurant or two in the small town of Milford Sound. Your best option is the Milford Sound Lodge. In the park you'll want to come prepared with your own food. Many organized tours include a picnic lunch.

Is Atami or Milford Sound Better for Nightlife?

Atami is a good destination for its evening party scene. However, Milford Sound is lacking in options for nightlife.

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.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Milford Sound. Things get quiet at night and there's little in the form of nightlife.

Is Atami or Milford Sound Better for Beaches?

Atami is a good destination for the beach. However, Milford Sound is not a beach destination.

Atami offers a nice beach destination. 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.

Milford Sound is not a beach destination.

Is Atami or Milford Sound Better for Hiking?

Milford Sound is renowned for its hiking trails. However, Atami is not a hiking destination.

Around Milford Sound visitors will find world-class hiking trails. The Milford Track has long been considered one of the world's best hikes. It's also, arguably, the most famous hike in New Zealand. The 53 kilometer trek takes you from Lake Te Anau through stunning scenery, alpine settings, and across spectacular suspension bridges.

Atami is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Atami or Milford Sound?

Atami is a good destination for its shopping areas. However, Milford Sound is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Atami has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. 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.

Milford Sound is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Atami or Milford Sound Better for Families?

Milford Sound 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, Milford Sound is very family-friendly. The outdoor wonders will impress the kids as much as the adults. There are shorter walks that are family-friendly and the boat rides are also fun for the whole family. You can take a scenic flight or visit the stunning Mirror Lakes. This really is a playground for both kids and adults.

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 Milford Sound Better for Couples?

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

Milford Sound makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. This is one of the most stunning natural areas in the world, and the romance comes from the spectacular beauty, world class hikes, and breathtaking surroundings that will leave you awed and inspired.

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 Milford Sound Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Atami and Milford Sound are both good 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 Milford Sound. The area's remoteness and high price tag make it a bit challenging for backpackers and budget travelers. If you have plenty of time and enough money, it is truly a not to be missed destination.

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

Atami is a good destination for times when you don't have a car. However, Milford Sound is lacking in options for its public transit.

Atami has some public transit options. 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 Milford Sound. There are buses in the area, but private vehicles or organized tours are your best option for getting around.

Is Atami or Milford Sound a more walkable city?

Atami is a good destination for its ease of walking around. However, Milford Sound is lacking in options for its walkability.

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

Milford Sound is not a walkable town. This is one of the most remote places in New Zealand so you really must have a car or organized transportation to get around.

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

Should I spend more time in Milford Sound or Atami?

How long in Atami or Milford Sound?

Atami and Milford Sound both offer a nice selection of activities for visitors. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Milford Sound than Atami because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Atami, and 2-6 days is enough time in Milford Sound.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Atami than Milford Sound 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 Atami.

One day in Atami or Milford Sound?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the authentic destination of Atami. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

In Milford Sound, many people enjoy the skiing that this breathtaking destination offers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Lots of people come for the hiking. This fiord 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 Atami or Milford Sound?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Atami. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Milford Sound. 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 Milford Sound?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the authentic destination of Atami. This town 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.

Milford Sound is a fun place to experience. In Milford Sound, many people enjoy the skiing that this destination offers. Lots of people come for the hiking. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A week in Atami or Milford Sound?

You'll find food and shopping around the town of Atami. 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.

You'll find skiing around the breathtaking destination of Milford Sound. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the hiking. 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 Romantic Tours for Couples in New Zealand, and The Best Luxury Tours to New Zealand.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Atami or Milford Sound?

Atami has a larger population, and is about 90 times larger than the population of Milford Sound. When comparing the sizes of Atami and Milford Sound, 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.