A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bandung vs. Kaikoura for Food, Families, Attractions, and Hiking

Should you visit Bandung or Kaikoura?

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

Should I visit Bandung or Kaikoura? 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.

Bandung

Bandung is a scenic, laidback, and cultural city. And you can't forget about the hiking, shopping, and museums.

Kaikoura

Kaikoura is a biologically diverse, unique, and nature-oriented town. Other reasons to visit include beaches, hiking, and shopping.

Bandung and Kaikoura: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bandung or Kaikoura?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Bandung. Although Bandung and Kaikoura are popular destinations, Bandung has more sights and attractions for tourists. Bandung is very popular for its museums & sights, food, and shopping, while Kaikoura attracts visitors for its beaches. Bandung is famous for its fashion and shopping outlets, its local street food, and its cooler temperatures. It is also well known for White Crater (Kawah Putih Ciwidey). Kaikoura is famous for its local Sperm Whale population, abundance of marine life, and local crayfish (lobster) recipes.

How is Bandung different from Kaikoura?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Bandung or Kaikoura?

Bandung is a well-known place for its sights and museums. However, Kaikoura is not a good town for its museums and history.

Bandung offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city is filled with museums and landmarks like the Sri Baduga Museum, which displays prehistoric artifacts. There's also the Asian African Conference Museum, a geology museum, and the Indonesia Postal Museum. The Mandala Wangsit Siliwangi Museum shows items relating to Indonesian wars and weapons while the Virajati Seskoad Museum has information on the Indonesian Army school.

While most people don't head to Kaikoura specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. There aren't many museums in the area, but it's worth learning more about the region's history with a visit to Kaikoura Museum.

Is the Food Better in Bandung or Kaikoura? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Bandung is a world-class destination for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Kaikoura is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its restaurants.

For foodies, Bandung is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. The city is a wonderful foodie destination with tons of street food and local options. The population is predominantly Sundanese, and the cuisine reflects that. The dishes involve a lot of raw vegetables and fresh ingredients. Make sure you try the batagor (fried tofu), soto Bandung (meat soup), and siomay (fish or chicken dumplings).

Kaikoura has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. Seafood lovers will be in heaven in this town! There are many local, freshly caught favorites such as cod, mussels, and crayfish (which is actually lobster). You'll find plenty of casual eateries, including an authentic American diner.

Is Bandung or Kaikoura Better for Nightlife?

Both Bandung and Kaikoura have nice vibes after the sun sets.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Bandung. There's a large student population and a number of bars around town. The nightlife has a laidback vibe and many people enjoy hanging out with friends a local pub.

Kaikoura has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. This is a small town so the nightlife scene is limited, but there are a few restaurants with bars around town.

Is Bandung or Kaikoura Better for Beaches?

Kaikoura is an excellent place to visit for its beaches. However, Bandung is not a beach destination.

Kaikoura is considered a top beach destination. There are many black pebble beaches in the area, which are great for wildlife spotting, but not so good for swimming. Gooch's Beach is one of the most popular, and it's sandier than many of the other beaches. South Bay is another popular area to visit.

Bandung is not a beach destination.

Is Bandung or Kaikoura Better for Hiking?

If you're looking to go hiking, Bandung and Kaikoura both have high quality trails.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Bandung. There are tons of great hiking trails just outside of town. Some are undiscovered while others are more popular. The trails will take you through forests, by volcanoes, and to dramatic craters.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Kaikoura. There are many coastal walks in the area that will take you through a variety of landscapes. This is also a great way to see the many diverse types of wildlife throughout the peninsula.

Is the Shopping Better in Bandung or Kaikoura?

Bandung is a world-class destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Kaikoura is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its shopping areas.

The abundance of shops in Bandung make it a world-class shopping destination. This is the ultimate shopping destination in Indonesia. Visitors come from throughout the country and abroad to buy designer goods and name brands, often at a discount price. You'll find both knock-offs and authentic merchandise, so be aware when you're purchasing something, which you might be buying.

Kaikoura has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are local shops where you can pick up some interesting products that are unique to the area.

Is Bandung or Kaikoura Better for Families?

Kaikoura is an unbeatable place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Bandung is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Kaikoura is a very family-friendly destination. Kids who love animals will appreciate all of the wildlife in the area. This is one of the best places in the country to see dolphins, whales, and seals. There are world class whale watching trips as well as opportunities to swim with the dolphins and get close to the seals. There is also kayaking, a coastal train, and even sheep shearing. Minigolf is also a fun activity in the area.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Bandung. Kids will enjoy taking in a cultural show with traditional dance and music. Near the city you can also get outside and enjoy the stunning scenery at White Crater or Gunung Tangkuban Perahu. There's also the Bandung Geological Museum and Trans Studio amusement park.

Is Bandung or Kaikoura Better for Couples?

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

Bandung makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. While most honeymooners make their way to a beautiful Indonesian beach, if you're looking for a break from the heat then this city makes a good stopover. The city is near many beautiful outdoor settings such as the White Crater. There are also many nice luxury resorts and hotels.

Couples visit Kaikoura frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The town is all about wildlife, so if whale watching trips, dolphin spotting, and experiencing amazing local wildlife is your thing, then this is your spot! There are also beautiful coastal sights with a dramatic mountain backdrop.

Is Bandung or Kaikoura Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bandung and Kaikoura are both high quality destinations for backpackers.

Bandung is very popular with the backpacker crowd. Backpackers love Indonesia and this city is no exception. There are plenty of hostels around town and many great activities to enjoy.

Kaikoura is a great city to visit for backpackers. There are a decent number of hostels in the area and plenty of fun activities that backpackers will enjoy.

Is Bandung or Kaikoura Better for Students?

Bandung is a popular place for students. However, Kaikoura is not popular with students.

Bandung is a good city to visit for students. Many of the expats in town are students, so you'll have a number of people to hang out with. This is also an affordable town for study abroad.

Kaikoura is not popular with students.

Is Bandung or Kaikoura Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Bandung is a popular place for its public transit. However, Kaikoura is not a good town for times when you don't have a car.

Bandung has a few public transit options. There are both public buses and a public van service (Angkutan Kota) that operates on set routes.

Public transit is quite limited in Kaikoura. The town is very small and there is no real public transit in the area.

Is Bandung or Kaikoura a more walkable city?

Bandung is a well-known place for its high level of walkability. Also, Kaikoura is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its ease of walking around.

Bandung is a very walkable city. There are a number of walkable neighborhoods around town.

Kaikoura is a somewhat walkable city. There are many coastal walks in the area, which is a great way to soak up the beauty and see the wildlife. The town itself is small and most of the accommodation is along Beach Road, so it's relatively easy to reach places on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Bandung Worth Visiting? and Is Kaikoura Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Kaikoura or Bandung?

How long in Bandung or Kaikoura?

It's fun to spend time in either Bandung or Kaikoura. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Kaikoura due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Bandung, and 2-4 days is enough time in Kaikoura.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Bandung than Kaikoura 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 Bandung.

One day in Bandung or Kaikoura?

The city of Bandung offers food and shopping. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

In Kaikoura, you'll find shopping and nightlife. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. This town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Bandung or Kaikoura?

Bandung is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Bandung, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

In Kaikoura, you'll find nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Kaikoura has to offer.

Five days in Bandung or Kaikoura?

Bandung 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.

Kaikoura is a great place to explore. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Bandung or Kaikoura?

Bandung is a great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Kaikoura. Many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting Kaikoura. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Indonesia, The Best Tours for Seniors to Indonesia, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in New Zealand, and The Best 2-Week Tours in New Zealand.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bandung and Kaikoura, we can see that Kaikoura 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 Kaikoura 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 Kaikoura would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kaikoura 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 Kaikoura Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Bandung or Kaikoura?

Bandung has a larger population, and is about 2480 times larger than the population of Kaikoura. When comparing the sizes of Bandung and Kaikoura, 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.