Which place is cheaper, Kobe or Bandung?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Bandung or Kobe?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Bandung or Kobe? 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 Kobe?
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.
Kobe
Located between the sea and the Rokko mountain range, Kobe is a port city in Japan also considered to be one of the country's most attractive. Though it was devastated by a historic earthquake in 1995, known locally as the Great Hanshin Earthquake, Kobe has fully recovered to its cosmopolitan splendor with plenty for visitors to see and do.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Indonesia, The Best Tours for Seniors to Indonesia, The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Japan.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBandung $40Kobe $103
The average daily cost (per person) in Bandung is $40, while the average daily cost in Kobe is $103. 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 Kobe in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBandung $21Kobe $60
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBandung $42Kobe $120
Compare Hotels in Bandung and Kobe
Looking for a hotel in Bandung or Kobe? 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.
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 and Kobe Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Bandung $5.76Kobe $13
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 Kobe
Also for Kobe, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private departure transfer from Kobe City & Arima Onsen to Kansai Airport : $92
- Private Transfer from Kobe Cruise Port to Kobe Airport: $48
- Private Arrival Transfer From Kobe Airport to Kobe City: $63
- Osaka Kansai Airport to/from Kobe City Private Transfer: $164
- Osaka (Itami) Airport to/from Kobe City Private Transfer: $107
- Kobe Airport Transfers : Kobe City to Kobe Airport UKB in Business Van: $163
- Kobe Airport (UKB) to Kobe hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $79
- Kobe Airport (UKB) to Kobe hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $39
- Kansai Airport (KIX): Private One-Way Transfer to/from Kobe: $240
- Itami Airport (ITM): Private One-Way Transfer to/from Kobe: $183
- Departure Private Transfers from Kobe City to Kobe Airport UKB in Business Car: $132
- Arrival Private Transfers from Kobe Airport UKB to Kobe City in Business Van: $163
Is it cheaper to fly into Bandung or Kobe?
Prices for flights to both Kobe 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
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Food Meals for one dayBandung $14Kobe $30
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kobe
For Kobe, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Eat Like a Local Private & Personalized Food Tour: $207
- One day in Kobe with beef dinner =standard=: $272
- One day in Kobe with beef dinner =premium=: $297
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Bandung $5.67Kobe $23
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 Kobe
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Kobe.
- 1-Day Kobe Highlights Tour including Sake Tasting: $168
- 1-Day Walking Tour around Kobe : Mountains, Sea and Sake: $134
- 4-Hour Multicultural Kobe Walking Tour with Genuine Kobe Beef : $167
- A Tour to Learn all about the international port city, Kobe!: $153
- Cruise Stop-Over: Explore The City From Kobe Port: $238
- Exploring Nada Sake Breweries Kobe Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide: $136
- Full Day Walking Tour Around Kobe Mountains Sea and Sake: $149
- Half-Day Private Guided Tour to Kobe City: $94
- Himeji and Private Guided 1 Day Tour: $228
- KOBE Sake Walking Tour in Japan's Top Sake Breweries: $83
- KOBE Walking Tour [Customize Your Itinerary]: $282
- KOBE, SHIOYA, a quaint fishing town walking tour : $97
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBandung $3.46Kobe $8.56
Sample the Local Flavors in Kobe
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Kobe:
- 3-hour KOBE Sake brewery & tasting walking tour with guide: $83
- Sake Brewery and Japanese Life Experience Tour in Kobe: $85
- Nada Sake Brewery District Private Walking Tour: $133
- 5-Hour Nadagogo Sake Brewery Private Guided Experience: $174
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bandung and Kobe, we can see that Kobe is more expensive. And not only is Bandung much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Kobe would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kobe 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 Kobe Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Bandung or Kobe?
Bandung has a larger population, and is about 11% larger than the population of Kobe. When comparing the sizes of Bandung and Kobe, 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.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.