A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bali vs. Nagoya for Food, Nightlife, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Bali or Nagoya?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Bali and Nagoya can help you decide which place is right for you.

Bali

Bali is a frequented, spiritual, and cultural island. Bali is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and food. See Bali travel costs.

Nagoya

Nagoya is a under-rated, often overlooked, and under-the-radar city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping. See Nagoya travel costs.

Bali and Nagoya: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bali or Nagoya?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Bali than Nagoya. While Nagoya is larger than Bali, Bali has more sights and attractions for tourists. Bali is more popular for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Nagoya is known for its museums and attractions and big city activities. Bali is more touristy than Nagoya and is popular for its many temples, beautiful beaches, world class scuba diving, and cultural retreats. It is also home to Pura Lempuyang. Nagoya is popular for its local cuisine, historic shrines, and long running shipping industry.

How is Bali different from Nagoya?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Bali or Nagoya?

Nagoya is a well-known place for its sights and museums. However, Bali does not have museums and landmarks.

Many visitors head to Nagoya specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. There are shrines, temples, and other interesting sights in the city. Atsuta Jingu is an important Shinto shrine. Nagoya Castle is another interesting place to visit. If you're willing to head out of the city center a bit, the Meiji-mura Village Museum is an open air museum that has interesting Japanese architecture. There are also interesting museums in town such as the Nagoya City Art Museums and the Toyota Techno and Toyota Automobile Museums.

Bali does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Bali or Nagoya? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Bali and Nagoya offer a number of world-class restaurants to choose from.

Bali has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. The food is rich and diverse with a lot of spices and complex flavors. Turmeric is a common spice and many dishes use coconut milk. Popular local dishes include Nasi Ayam (a chicken dish), Satay (grilled chicken), and Babi Guling (a pork dish).

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Nagoya is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. The city has a strong food culture that's referred to as Nagoya meshi. It's a popular destination for foodies to Japan, even though the city itself is often overlooked by tourists. The city's food uses a lot of local vegetables and its influenced by several international flavors. Important ingredients in the dishes include unagi (freshwater eel), Nagoya cochin (chicken), tamari (soy sauce), and mame miso.

Is Bali or Nagoya Better for Nightlife?

Bali is very popular for its evening party scene. Also, Nagoya is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife.

Bali is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. The island is known for its crazy raves and all night pool parties. There are multi-story dance clubs as well as upscale bars and beach clubs that host parties late into the night. The best nightlife areas are around Kuta, Seminyak, and Canggu.

Nagoya is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. There are many bars around town, many of which have an international theme. Later in the evening, many people head out to a nightclubs, most of which are concentrated in either Sakae and Shin-sakae.

Is Bali or Nagoya Better for Resorts?

Bali is very popular for its luxury resorts. However, Nagoya is not a resort destination.

For the ultimate resort vacation, Bali is a great choice. The island has resorts as well as private villas that cater to everyone from celebrities to families or even budget travelers. Private villas offer a more secluded vacation while resorts usually have more amenities and the opportunity to socialize with other guests. There are also many family-friendly resorts around the island.

Nagoya is not a resort destination.

Is Bali or Nagoya Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Bali is very popular for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Nagoya is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

The clear water and abundant marine life make Bali a world-class scuba diving and snorkeling destination. The waters are crystal clear and the marine life is abundant making scuba diving and snorkeling popular around the island. There are many snorkeling day trips that you can arrange and there are also dive shops that will take you out on the water.

Nagoya is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Bali or Nagoya Better for Beaches?

Bali is very popular for the beach. However, Nagoya is not a beach destination.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Bali. The island is large enough that it has a diversity of beach styles. There are popular beaches with water sports as well as secluded bays where you can enjoy a more peaceful setting. Some beaches are dramatic with limestone cliffs while others are lined with palm trees.

Nagoya is not a beach destination.

Is Bali or Nagoya Better for Hiking?

Bali is a very popular place for its hiking trails. However, Nagoya is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Bali. Walking on the island is beautiful and with its varied landscapes you can explore scenic rice paddies or pristine rainforests. You'll find the most challenging hikes in West Bali National Park, where a guide is recommended, but there are many other shorter hikes on the island that can be explored independently.

Nagoya is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Bali or Nagoya?

Both Bali and Nagoya are great shopping destinations.

Bali is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. A big appeal of shopping on the island is the affordability. There are many local items that are fun to bring home including jewelry, handicrafts, furniture, and clothing.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Nagoya. You'll find everything from large shopping malls to street markets and local vendors. Many people head to Nagoya Station for shopping, but Osu Shotengai is another interesting shopping area in the city's old town.

Is Bali or Nagoya More Beautiful?

Bali is very popular for its scenery and beauty. However, Nagoya is not a destination known for its beauty.

Bali is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. The island is famous for its beautiful beaches and stunning countryside. It's also a very cultural island with a lot of spirituality.

Nagoya is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Bali or Nagoya Better for Families?

Nagoya is a must-visit destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Bali is not as famous, but is still a good island to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Nagoya is one of the most popular family destinations. There are a large number of attractions for families in the area. This city is where you'll find Legoland Japan, which is one of the most popular activities to do with kids. The city also has the Sea Life Aquarium, which is located in the Legoland Hotel. Next to Legoland you'll find the SCMaglev and Railway Park. Another great activity is a visit to the Nagoya Public Aquarium, which is one of the biggest aquariums in Japan. There are dolphins, orcas, and many different ecosystems to explore. Nearby is the Sea Train Land amusement park.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Bali. The island has countless activities that kids can enjoy. There are watersports, snorkeling, surfing lessons and beautiful beaches. You can also expose your kids to the spiritual side of the island with kid-friendly yoga classes. Animals lovers will enjoy getting to see the monkeys up close and for a unique culinary experience, you can take a family cooking class.

Is Bali or Nagoya Better for Couples?

Bali is very popular for couples. Also, Nagoya is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Bali makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. This beautiful island offers stunning beaches, adventure sports, and world class snorkeling. There are beautiful resorts with spas as well as couples yoga classes impressive natural areas.

Nagoya is a nice destination for couples. Couples will enjoy visiting the Nagoya Castle or checking out the dolphin and orca shows at the Nagoya Public Aquarium. Noritake Garden is a nice place to explore. There are also many coffee shops in town as well as museums and temples.

Is Bali or Nagoya Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bali is very popular for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Nagoya is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

A large number of backpackers visit Bali, as it is a very popular island for budget travelers. Backpackers flock to this beautiful island for its stunning setting and affordable accommodation. There are many nice places where backpackers can hang out and get to know other travelers. If you want to get off the beaten path, it's best to head into the countryside and away from the main tourist hubs.

Nagoya is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. Although the city is often overlooked by tourists, there are a limited number of hostels in town, so they fill up quickly. You should make reservations well in advance if budget is a priority.

Is Bali or Nagoya Better for Students?

Nagoya is very good for students. However, Bali is not popular with students.

Nagoya is a good city to visit for students. Nagoya University has been working to grow its international population. This is a fun and dynamic city that makes a great place to study.

Bali is not popular with students.

Is Bali or Nagoya Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Nagoya is a well-known place for its public transit. Also, Bali is not as famous, but is still a good island to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit in Nagoya can get you to some places easily. The city has both a subway and public buses. The main bus stations are at Nagoya Station and Sakae Station and there are six subway lines throughout the city.

Bali has some public transit options. There are minibuses and tourist shuttle buses around the island. You can also hire a taxi or rent a car, scooter, or bicycle.

Is Bali or Nagoya a more walkable city?

Nagoya is a well-known place for its high level of walkability. However, Bali is not a good island for its ease of walking around.

Nagoya is a very walkable city. The downtown area, where you'll find many of the sights, is walkable. The distances vary, but many sights can be reached on foot.

Bali is generally not a very walkable island. There are some walkable towns and cities on the island, but many areas can be challenging to navigate on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Bali Worth Visiting? and Is Nagoya Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Nagoya or Bali?

How long in Bali or Nagoya?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Bali and Nagoya. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Bali than in Nagoya. Usually, 7-14 days is a good amount of time for Bali, and 2-3 days is enough time in Nagoya.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Bali than Nagoya 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 Bali.

One day in Bali or Nagoya?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of Bali. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Nagoya is a big city destination where you can fill many days. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Bali or Nagoya?

Bali 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.

Nagoya is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the food. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Bali or Nagoya?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bali. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. With so much to do, five days is probably not enough time to see everything. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the often overlooked big city of Nagoya. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Bali or Nagoya?

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the lush destination of Bali. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. 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.

The under-the-radar city of Nagoya offers nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Indonesia, The Best G Adventures Tours to Indonesia, The Best Luxury Tours to Japan, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Japan.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Bali or Nagoya?

Nagoya has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Bali. When comparing the sizes of Bali and Nagoya, 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 Bali or Nagoya?

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

Should I visit Bali or Nagoya in the Summer?

Both Nagoya and Bali during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Bali because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Nagoya because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Bali is around the same temperature as Nagoya. Typically, the summer temperatures in Bali in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Nagoya averages at about 27°C (80°F).

It's quite sunny in Bali. In the summer, Bali often gets more sunshine than Nagoya. Bali gets 253 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nagoya receives 170 hours of full sun.

Nagoya gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Bali usually gets less rain in July than Nagoya. Bali gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Nagoya receives 213 mm (8.4 in) of rain this time of the year. April to September is the dry season in Bali.

Should I visit Bali or Nagoya in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Bali and Nagoya. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Bali year-round. Also, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Nagoya this time of year.

In October, Bali is generally much warmer than Nagoya. Daily temperatures in Bali average around 27°C (81°F), and Nagoya fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

In Bali, it's very sunny this time of the year. Bali usually receives more sunshine than Nagoya during autumn. Bali gets 266 hours of sunny skies, while Nagoya receives 176 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Nagoya receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Bali usually receives less rain than Nagoya. Bali gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Nagoya receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn. Also, October to March is the rainy season in Bali.

Should I visit Bali or Nagoya in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Bali as well as Nagoya. Bali attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many travelers come to Nagoya for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Nagoya. Bali is much warmer than Nagoya in the winter. The daily temperature in Bali averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and Nagoya fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).

In the winter, Bali often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Nagoya. Bali gets 170 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nagoya receives 180 hours of full sun.

Bali usually gets more rain in January than Nagoya. Bali gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Nagoya receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year. October to March in Bali is the rainy season.

Should I visit Bali or Nagoya in the Spring?

Both Nagoya and Bali are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Bali throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Nagoya in the spring for the activities around the city.

In the spring, Bali is much warmer than Nagoya. Typically, the spring temperatures in Bali in April average around 27°C (81°F), and Nagoya averages at about 14°C (58°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Bali. Bali usually receives more sunshine than Nagoya during spring. Bali gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Nagoya receives 189 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Nagoya. In April, Bali usually receives less rain than Nagoya. Bali gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Nagoya receives 152 mm (6 in) of rain each month for the spring. The dry season in Bali is April to September.

Typical Weather for Nagoya and Bali