A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bandung vs. Gold Coast for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Bandung or Gold Coast?

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

Should I visit Bandung or Gold Coast? 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.

Where Should I go: Bandung or Gold Coast?

Bandung

Bandung is the capital city of West Java, and the third largest city in Indonesia after Jakarta and Surabaya. Nicknamed Parijs van Java (Paris of Java) by the Dutch for its resemblance to Paris and European atmosphere back in colonial times, Bandung also earned another nickname as Kota Kembang, literally meaning the Flower City since Bandung used to have a lot of flowers. Nowadays, Bandung has become a very popular weekend escape for Jakartans, who crowd the city on weekends and national holidays. It's known for colonial and art deco architecture, a lively, university-town feel and relatively cool tropical weather. Bandung is also a shopping destination, with fashion outlets clustered along Jalan Setiabudi and Jalan Riau in the Dago district. The city also make a good base for day trips to the surrounding countryside - high volcanic peaks, hot springs, and tea plantations are all within reach.

Gold Coast

The Gold Coast is one of Australia's premier destinations. Famous for gorgeous beaches, warm weather, watersports, and plenty of activities for all ages, millions of tourists from Australia as well as everywhere in the world flock to this region every year. With beaches, national parks, theme parks, shopping and dining, nice resorts, boating, fishing, diving, theme parks and more, the Gold Coast offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Indonesia, The Best Tours for Seniors to Indonesia, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Australia, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Australia.


Which place is cheaper, Gold Coast or Bandung?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Bandung is $40, while the average daily cost in Gold Coast is $98. 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 Bandung and Gold Coast in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Bandung $21
    Gold Coast $55
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Bandung $42
    Gold Coast $110
Compare Hotels in Bandung and Gold Coast

Looking for a hotel in Bandung or Gold Coast? 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 Bandung


Hotels in Gold Coast


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: Bandung Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Bandung $5.76
    Gold Coast $23

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bandung

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

  • Private Transfer from Ujung Genteng Sukabumi to Jakarta Halim Airport (HLP): $210
  • Private Transfer from Ujung Genteng Sukabumi to Jakarta Airport (CGK): $210
  • Private Transfer from Kertajati Airport (KJT) to Kesenden: $168
  • Private Transfer from Sukaresmi Garut Regency to Jakarta Airport (CGK): $168
  • Private Transfer from Pejambon to Kertajati Airport (KJT): $168
  • Private Transfer from Kertajati Airport (KJT) to Sunyaragi: $168
  • Private Transfer from Pekalangan to Kertajati Airport (KJT): $168
  • Private Transfer from Kertajati Airport (KJT) to Jagasatru: $168
  • Private Transfer from Kertajati Airport (KJT) to Larangan: $168
  • Private Transfer from Larangan to Kertajati Airport (KJT): $168
  • Private Transfer from Kesenden to Kertajati Airport (KJT): $168
  • Private Transfer from Kertajati Airport (KJT) to Kalijaga: $168

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Gold Coast

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

  • Private Gold Coast Airport Arrival Transfer to Byron Bay: $137
  • Movie World To Brisbane Hotel One Way Transfer: $26
  • Tangalooma Snorkel the Wrecks Cruise Transfers: $154
  • Tangalooma Marine Discovery Day Cruise Transfers: $147
  • Tangalooma Desert Safari Day Cruise Transfers: $147
  • Tangalooma Beach Day Cruise with Bus Transfers: $114
  • Australia Zoo Ticket and Roundtrip Transfer: $101
  • Airport to Hotel Return Transfer: $21
  • Gold Coast Airport: One-Way Private Transfer to Gold Coast: $73
  • Gold Coast Airport Transfer: Gold Coast to Airport OOL in Luxury Van: $126
  • Gold Coast Airport Transfer: Gold Coast to Airport OOL in Luxury Car: $127
  • Gold Coast Airport Transfer: Airport OOL to Gold Coast in Luxury Van: $126

Is it cheaper to fly into Bandung or Gold Coast?

Prices for flights to both Gold Coast and Bandung 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
    Bandung $14
    Gold Coast $27

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Gold Coast

For Gold Coast, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Australian Outback Spectacular Dinner & Show: $72
  • Gold Coast Buffet Dinner Sightseeing Cruise: $79

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Bandung $5.67
    Gold Coast $19

Tours and Activities in Bandung

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

  • Backpacker Style of the Java-Madura-Bali Island Tour 12 Days: $1,544
  • Bandung One Day Tour Package: $160
  • Kawah Putih Private Tour and Angklung Performance: $45
  • Volcano Tour with Hot Springs Swim: $135
  • Volcano, Hot Spring, Mud Bathing, & Lake Tour: $64
  • Bandung:Kawah Putih,Volcano,HotSpring,Mud Bathing,Lake Tour: $50
  • Bogor ,west Java Tour: $50
  • Day Trip White Crater Ciwidey Bandung All In - Tour Guide: $70
  • Full-Day Tour to Bandung White Crater,Lake and Tea Plantation: $82
  • Innova Reborn Tour driver car rental in Bandung: $64
  • Java Bali Private Tour Package with Driver as Guide: $468
  • Java Classic Overland Tour: $1,332

Tours and Activities in Gold Coast

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

  • 1.5 hr Jet Ski Safari tour to South Stradbroke Island!: $184
  • 2 Hours Dolphin Kayaking & Snorkeling Tour on the Broadwater: $50
  • 2.5 hr Jet Ski Safaris tour - Ultimate Adventure + island stop: $264
  • 2.5-Hour Ultimate Learn to Surf Adventure: $43
  • 2.5hr Gold Coast Kayaking & snorkelling tour: $52
  • 3-Day Ticket: Dreamworld with WhiteWaterWorld & SkyPoint: $97
  • Aquaduck Gold Coast 1 hour City and River Tour: $36
  • Arro Jet Boating Experience, Surfers Paradise Gold Coast: $52
  • Breakfast sailing cruise includes snacks & drinks: $79
  • Brisbane: Winery Tour with Tastings and 2-Course Lunch: $150
  • Broadwater Morning Cruise: $39
  • Broadwater Morning Cruise with Spirit of Gold Coast: $39

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Bandung $3.46
    Gold Coast $5.19

Sample the Local Flavors in Gold Coast

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Gold Coast:

  • Tamborine Mountain: Wine Tasting Tour with 2-Course Lunch: $124
  • Full-Day Guided Wine Tour in Mt Tamborine From Gold Coast : $132


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

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


Which is Bigger, Bandung or Gold Coast?

Bandung has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Gold Coast. When comparing the sizes of Bandung and Gold Coast, 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.